 TITLE: What Is a Mortgage and How Does It Work? CONTENT: Finding the Right Mortgage Lender\n---------------------------------\nThe right mortgage lender will not only give you the best terms available for your situation, but it may give you a specific loan feature that would make for a better experience. Here are some tips to help find the best mortgage lender for your situation.\n### 1\\. Know Your Credit Scores\nSome lenders prefer to work with borrowers with near-perfect credit scores, while others are willing to work with borrowers who have lower credit scores. Checking your FICO® Score is a smart first step, so you can understand which lenders to focus on.\n### 2\\. Find the Right Mortgage\nSome lenders specialize in certain types of loans, and some even offer specialty loans that you can't get anywhere else. Knowing what type of loan you need will help you focus your search.\n### 3\\. Shop Different Lenders\nTake some time to shop around to get an idea of what's out there. Asking family, friends and colleagues for recommendations is a good first step. You may also want to check your bank or credit union to see what deals they might be offering. And make sure to ask questions such as what is their loan specialty, as well as how long it takes to get a preapproval or close a loan.\n### 4\\. Get a Few Loan Estimates\nCompare offers by applying to at least three different lenders to help you find the best deal. The more lenders you get rates from, the likelier you are to get the lowest rate available for your financial and credit profiles.\n### 5\\. Consider a Digital Mortgage\nA digital mortgage can make getting a home loan fast and easy, as most of the interaction takes place over the phone, a self-service portal and via email. END