The mortgage industry is a highly competitive one, so it is considered wise to shop around for the best deal and let the mortgage companies fight for your business.
The mortgage industry exceeds far beyond that of the banks you see on every street corner as you head into town. Besides the banks there are the wholesale and retail lenders. Most wholesale lenders encourage the help of mortgage brokers to bring them potential borrowers.
Most mortgage brokers on average deal with more than two hundred wholesale lenders alone. These wholesale lenders are a very diverse group, and their programs and specialties vary from lender to lender.
So if you are considering purchasing a home or refinancing your existing mortgage, don't be afraid to shop around for the best deal.
It is important to remember that when you are shopping around for a mortgage, nothing is final until you sign on the dotted line at closing.
So don't be shy when it comes to shopping a few mortgage companies. Remember that they are very competitive and hungry for your business. So allow them to assess your situation, and whichever lender comes back with the best offer to fit your needs and budget should be the lender for you.
When shopping around for a mortgage product, don't feel the need to keep this a secret. By letting a loan officer know your intentions, you will most likely send them the message that you don't have time for games and that it will be in their best interest to make you their best possible offer.

About the Author
Jennifer Hershey has more than twenty years of experience in the Mortgage Industry as a loan officer. She is the owner of http://www.explainingmortgages.com/, a mortgage resource site devoted to making mortgage terms and products easy to understand.