​ Hey everyone! I'm a first-time homebuyer looking to purchase a single-family home in the Greater Seattle area (Bellevue/Redmond). I've been shopping around for mortgage lenders, and honestly, the number of options is overwhelming. We're planning to put 20% down on a 30-year conventional loan. Here are the quotes I've received so far: - Rocket Mortgage: 7.1% interest rate with a 1% rate reduction for the first year (temporary buydown), OR 6.875% fixed permanently. - Optimum First Mortgage: 6.799% fixed with 0 points. I'm trying to figure out whether to go with a big lender like Rocket, an online lender like Optimum First, or explore local credit unions and mortgage brokers. A few questions for Seattle-area homeowners/recent buyers: Which lenders are offering the most competitive rates right now? Has anyone worked with Optimum First? How was your experience, especially with closing on time? Are there any local credit unions or mortgage brokers you'd highly recommend? Should I prioritize the lowest interest rate, or are factors like lender fees, closing costs, and reliability equally important? I'd love to hear from anyone who has purchased a home recently in the Seattle/Bellevue/Redmond area. If you recently locked in a mortgage rate, please share your lender, rate, and whether you paid any points. That would be super helpful! Thanks in advance!   submitted by   /u/BitterCartoonist4703   to   r/Mortgages [link]   [comments]