Your single best protection is real numbers in writing from more than one lender. Most buyers go with the first lender they talk to and never shop. Get a second or even third opinion before you have an accepted contract. The classic trap is bait-and-switch: a quote comes in looking too good to be true, then the Loan Estimate worsens once the file is actually submitted. Trust your gut when someone won't commit to honest, accurate figures up front, or gets vague when you press. A quote you can't hold them to isn't a quote. Watch for undisclosed compensation too. We've seen an agent offer to "do the loan at no cost" while actually earning thousands on it without saying so. Anyone touching your financing should be transparent about how they get paid. Compensation is negotiable; it should never be hidden. Beyond avoiding bad actors, pick a lender on more than rate. Responsiveness, hitting timelines, being proactive about deadlines, and actually explaining your options matter enormously, because a lender who misses a contingency date or springs a five-figure surprise mid-escrow can cost you the deal or a lot of stress. Rate matters, but it's one line on a Loan Estimate that has many. Ask for the Loan Estimate, read it, and compare it apples to apples. That document exists precisely so you can.