I think your case is why I tell everyone to "shop the loan professional, not the rate" first. Sorry for the poor experience. Our business is rife with sharks, ex carnies, and other malcontents, but there are also diamonds in the mix. It's simply a matter of referral for the most part. Having just gone through the car buying process myself, I know how mistreated people can feel when dealing with financial hucksters. You want to take a long shower after talking with most of them.

If you structure your own loan you can save some money, but you'll need to be on top of pretty much everything from property issues, underwriting needs, and proper timing for your rate lock to loan documents. It can be done, but it can also be done by someone who is more of a professional than whom you've been in contact with already.

Try some of the RF lenders. They are accountable and somewhat pre-screened. The $$ you might save doing it yourself (while also giving you an ulcer) will be better spent paying a mortgage professional to do it right for you.  

http://www.redfin.com/buy-a-home/getting-pre-approved

Many of these lenders can fund loans nation wide so you don't have to use someone local, just someone good.

Hope this helps,

LoansbyJW

Appreciate the advice.  Funny you mention the new car thing, we are in the market as well for a possible new or slighty used car for the wife and I have considered and actually spoken with a broker who will just take care of the entire process based off of what I want.  Love the concept because it sure is a hassle even looking at the dealer.

I will take a peek and see what Redfin has to offer, as my current Coldwell Banker Mortgage referral guy is a no go.  Hard to get a hold of and when I did, I asked him for different scenarios on the prequal to give us flexability, he gave me what he wanted (20%/30% percent down at 650k conventional) and said thats what everyone out there was doing right now to get a house and that didnt seem cool.  You mean nobody is doing FHA or VA with little or no money down, cmon, it may be tough and your offer may not be as strong but I know it can be done.

Thanks again!

I used Close Your Own Loan.com for my purchase loan a few months back and they were great.  Really their online system let's you choose your own interest rate, payment and points (I chose 0 points) but they took care of everything else.  I sent in my paperwork and my Loan Coordinator Jeff Garff handled everything from start to finish. 

I also referred my mother to Close Your Own Loan.com and she is almost ready to close her refinance loan with them. 

There is no doubt that it is really tough to get a loan in this mortgage environment.  You definitely need to have good credit and a good sized down payment.  It sucks that the actions of those homeowners in the past have made it so hard for us to get a loan now.  Good luck in your search!