Best means three things together: competitive terms, strong communication, and real expertise. Terms have to be in the ballpark; we would never tell you to overlook a lender charging a full point more, or a point higher in rate. But chasing the absolute cheapest quote is how buyers get burned late in escrow, because plenty of loan officers are order-takers who cannot steer a file once a complication shows up, and the rock-bottom online or call-center quote often comes from exactly that desk. Treat the first meeting like an interview. Fair questions to ask: - How long have you been doing this, and who exactly will I work with from application through closing? - How will you keep me updated (calls, texts, emails), and are you reachable on weekends when offers move? - Pick something specific to your situation, like how they would use a seller or lender credit, and ask them to walk you through the reasoning. A knowledgeable lender can explain the why. You will be side by side with this person for anywhere from 30 to 90-plus days, answering some genuinely personal financial questions, so rapport and honesty matter as much as the rate sheet. Compare a couple of lenders directly rather than judging one in isolation, and notice who actually engages and explains. That is the standard we hold ourselves to, and the free Roadmap conversation, about 20 minutes where we run your real numbers, is a low-pressure way to see it in action.