by: Syd Johnson

There are hundreds of sources for home loans online and right in your neighborhood. Banks, Credit Unions, Mortgage Bankers, Government Agencies and Private Sellers all offer different sources of financing for anyone shopping for a mortgage.

Neighborhood Banks

One of the best resources for getting a home loan is your neighborhood bank. Depending on the length of your relationship with the bank and the amount you have in you checking or savings account, you might be sent out letters and emails inviting you to apply for a loan. If you are generally satisfied with the quality of the service that you receive form your bank and they are offering a great interest rate, don’t walk away.

Even if the offer is not quite what you’re looking for, walk into the nearest branch, and ask to speak to a loan manager. Once you are there, make your case in person for why you would like a certain loan or feel that you deserve a better interest rate. Most banks, especially the ones in larger cities, are part of a larger conglomerate or depend on a large conglomerate to finance items such as a home loan. Go through the process with the loan officer, but don’t be surprised if you don’t get an answer on the spot. It might take a day or two.

Credit Unions

Some of the lowest rates on any type of loan product such as student loans, mortgages and personal loans can be found through a credit union. If you are eligible to join a credit union, sign up and set up a savings account with small monthly deposits. This way, you can use the resources of the credit union when needed.

Mortgage Bankers

These firms deal exclusively with home loans and give you the widest possible selection of home loan products. You can find local and national Mortgage Bankers by doing a quick search on Google or Yahoo. Go to the website of several different firms, fill out an online application and you can be approved in a few hours.

Government Agencies

The agencies that lend mortgage money include the Federal Housing Authority (FHA), Veteran’s Administration (VA) and the Farmers Home Administration (FmHA). Contact each agency directly to see if you meet their requirements.

Private Sellers

An often overlooked financing alternative is to see if you can lease a property from a homeowner with an option to buy later on. If the homeowner has the resources, they can also finance your move in with a low interest loan.

Check out these resources individually or discuss your options with a loan officer.