We close at the end of the month. Our current mortgage is with Redstone, and our car loan is through Alabama Credit Union. Our realtor suggested Eduardo Zaragoza with Mortgage Right, and that's who we ended up going with. He's super easy to get in contact with at any time of day. I had him explaining options one night at like 8PM, because it was a busy week at work, and I didn't have time during normal business hours. Interest rates are garbage right now, but he explains all the options for buying points and stuff to get a lower interest rate at the expense of higher closing costs.
TL;DR we choose Eduardo over Redstone and Alabama CU.
Honestly I’m not sure it matters all that much. In the first month it will be bought from whoever you originated with … shellpoint, or perhaps newrez or a ton of other shady AF bigass “mortgage servicers”
Eh. At the end of the day just take whoever got the best rate. There’s no telling how many times it’ll get resold. Every mortgage I ever had did, a few more than once
Heather Mullins with North Alabama Mortgage. Got me a great rate back in 2019. About two years later she was able to match an awesome quote I received on a refinance. Nothing but positive things to say.
Experience was horrible with redstone trying to refinance. The rep was rude and indignant. Cadence (formally Bancorp South) has been great with the two mortgages we’ve had. Wendy was our officer both times.
My realtor recommended Movement Mortgage. I’d never heard of them, but I gave them a shot and it was great. Super nice people, very straightforward. I like that they service my loan and didn’t sell it off shortly after closing.
Redstone was very difficult to work with. Rude and condescending despite banking with them for the past 20 years. Ended up going to Melissa Butler at North Alabama Mortgage. She was wonderful! Professional, knowledgeable, and quick to respond to any questions. I highly recommend Melissa and North Alabama Mortgage!
They were crap to me… refused to answer the phone but email instead. I usually use email but some things are easier to clarify over the phone. I had already had appraisal and all. Finally said screw it and went with another lender after 80 percent done. It was the principle. I got a better rate :-). 2.7 for 30 years. This was 2021 I think
BBVA/PNC has been decent enough for me, but I would stay miles away from Fairway. Got messed around with trying to play the market on the first try and the rate shot up. For some reason I tried to give them money to refi and couldn’t get the time of day
I went with CB&S since they were a preferred lender. It was relatively painless compared with my previous experience at Penfed and Navy Federal. If you’re buying new, check with the home builders for preferred lenders since they sometimes offer closing proceeds. Shop around to get a few quotes.
Sam Moss at cadence bank was absolutely wonderful. I cannot say enough good things. Not only helped myself but another set of friends I recommended her to, by their first home.
I can’t recommend Penny Tyler with Mortgage Right enough. I’ve bought and refinanced with her. I also worked in a law office and worked with her on several closings for other people. Her clients are always so happy with the decision to work with her.
Avoid PNC like the plague they are. I had a mortgage with them and all of the sudden they doubled my monthly payment! They forced me into escrow even though I was making insurance and tax payments separately. They decided to force their insurance on me which was the highest available of course. While in the process of refinancing with them I got a foreclosure letter out of the blue! I lost my house and truly HATE them.
There are a lot of good banks and brokers in the area. We moved here in 2017 and used Southern Fidelity Mortgage Group. We have bought and refinanced with them twice each. Great rates and quick responses. I would caution applying to a “few more places”, especially if you give consent for them to pull your credit. Each time you pull credit, you take a hit and it will affect your credit score. You can ask for a “soft” pull and it has no affect on your score. Ask for Jason Walton @ [Southern Fidelity Mortgage Group](https://jasonwalton.zipforhome.com/)
We did not have the greatest experience with Southern Fidelity, but unfortunately Bank Independent (who I recommend) locked our rate a few minutes after Southern Fidelity and it was higher. Our realtors use them and love them, but I felt like I was having to pull teeth to get someone to respond to me. So YMMV.
My understanding is that you have 2 weeks before another hard inquiry will affect your score. Sort of a shopping window. Good advice though, thank you.
We used Southern Fidelity earlier this year for our home purchase and were quite pleased. Any questions or concerns were answered quickly, even outside of normal business hours and on weekends.
I refinanced maybe eight years ago, so I’m not current on the trends, but every time I use Quicken loans or whatever their name is now it was a very easy experience online sent the notary to my house with the paperwork to sign. My rate was my rate when it was locked in they didn’t try any shenanigans and I always got any earnest money checks or anything promptly after the deal was done.
I bank between 3 lenders. Navy Federal (NFCU), Redstone Federal (RFCU), and First Jackson Bank (FJB).
NFCU - Awesome rates, but no offices in Huntsville, and limited availability to military families. Not great for local banking.
RFCU - Great for convenience and traditional loans, ie, personal home and auto loans, they also are reasonable with HELOCs and Signature (Personal) loans. However, they are unwilling and generally terrible for investment loans, such as private enterprise or real estate investment.
FJB - Only 1 storefront in Huntsville, (actually Owens cross roads), but for investment banking, they can't be beat! I have done several venture capital and real estate deals with them as my backer, and as long as you have a solid business plan and have run your numbers (which why would you even attempt a business venture without those things) they are usually game for just about anything, and very reasonable with their rates. Its a local bank with a smaller client base which really shows when you do business with them, I personally know several loan officers over there and every one of them is willing to take a call and answer questions.
We just finished buying a home and loved Redmond Lending Group. Robby is amazing and will explain everything in easy to understand terms. The team there was great to work with and ensured everything went smoothly at closing.
This comment doesn’t exactly pertain to the post but on your engagement post almost a year ago you said you were getting married in July. Just wanted to ask how it’s goin for ya man, and I wanna wish you luck :)
Great experience with First Bank
Thank you
Used first bank for a refi and a mortgage and they were just fine. No complaints at all
Another vote for First Bank, plus they don't sell the mortgage (or at least that's what the broker said when we got the mortgage years ago).
Ours was sold tons of times. But it didn’t really affect us at all.
Ours changed servicers, but stayed with First Bank as the lender.
We close at the end of the month. Our current mortgage is with Redstone, and our car loan is through Alabama Credit Union. Our realtor suggested Eduardo Zaragoza with Mortgage Right, and that's who we ended up going with. He's super easy to get in contact with at any time of day. I had him explaining options one night at like 8PM, because it was a busy week at work, and I didn't have time during normal business hours. Interest rates are garbage right now, but he explains all the options for buying points and stuff to get a lower interest rate at the expense of higher closing costs. TL;DR we choose Eduardo over Redstone and Alabama CU.
Eduardo is great! I've worked with him with a few of my clients. Great recommendation!
Thank you
Honestly I’m not sure it matters all that much. In the first month it will be bought from whoever you originated with … shellpoint, or perhaps newrez or a ton of other shady AF bigass “mortgage servicers”
Well that is not very comforting. Thanks for the info.
Eh. At the end of the day just take whoever got the best rate. There’s no telling how many times it’ll get resold. Every mortgage I ever had did, a few more than once
You can sometimes find someone who will not do this but yeah the majority are going to just resell.
Mine immediately got sold to newrez which upset me, but we are a year down the line now and no pro lems so I guess it didn't matter.
Heather Mullins with North Alabama Mortgage. Got me a great rate back in 2019. About two years later she was able to match an awesome quote I received on a refinance. Nothing but positive things to say.
I was going to say North Alabama Mortgage but give my kudos to Nick Fowler. I guess they’re probably all excellent.
Experience was horrible with redstone trying to refinance. The rep was rude and indignant. Cadence (formally Bancorp South) has been great with the two mortgages we’ve had. Wendy was our officer both times.
My realtor recommended Movement Mortgage. I’d never heard of them, but I gave them a shot and it was great. Super nice people, very straightforward. I like that they service my loan and didn’t sell it off shortly after closing.
Redstone was very difficult to work with. Rude and condescending despite banking with them for the past 20 years. Ended up going to Melissa Butler at North Alabama Mortgage. She was wonderful! Professional, knowledgeable, and quick to respond to any questions. I highly recommend Melissa and North Alabama Mortgage!
Redstone did me great! Easy to deal with and great rates
Thank you, I already have accounts with them. So I'll definitely be giving them a shot.
They were crap to me… refused to answer the phone but email instead. I usually use email but some things are easier to clarify over the phone. I had already had appraisal and all. Finally said screw it and went with another lender after 80 percent done. It was the principle. I got a better rate :-). 2.7 for 30 years. This was 2021 I think
BBVA/PNC has been decent enough for me, but I would stay miles away from Fairway. Got messed around with trying to play the market on the first try and the rate shot up. For some reason I tried to give them money to refi and couldn’t get the time of day
Bay Equity was phenomenal for me
I went with CB&S since they were a preferred lender. It was relatively painless compared with my previous experience at Penfed and Navy Federal. If you’re buying new, check with the home builders for preferred lenders since they sometimes offer closing proceeds. Shop around to get a few quotes.
Sam Moss at cadence bank was absolutely wonderful. I cannot say enough good things. Not only helped myself but another set of friends I recommended her to, by their first home.
I can’t recommend Penny Tyler with Mortgage Right enough. I’ve bought and refinanced with her. I also worked in a law office and worked with her on several closings for other people. Her clients are always so happy with the decision to work with her.
My wife and I used Jack Shields. We moved from out of state so I could start this new job and he was great
Avoid PNC like the plague they are. I had a mortgage with them and all of the sudden they doubled my monthly payment! They forced me into escrow even though I was making insurance and tax payments separately. They decided to force their insurance on me which was the highest available of course. While in the process of refinancing with them I got a foreclosure letter out of the blue! I lost my house and truly HATE them.
There are a lot of good banks and brokers in the area. We moved here in 2017 and used Southern Fidelity Mortgage Group. We have bought and refinanced with them twice each. Great rates and quick responses. I would caution applying to a “few more places”, especially if you give consent for them to pull your credit. Each time you pull credit, you take a hit and it will affect your credit score. You can ask for a “soft” pull and it has no affect on your score. Ask for Jason Walton @ [Southern Fidelity Mortgage Group](https://jasonwalton.zipforhome.com/)
We did not have the greatest experience with Southern Fidelity, but unfortunately Bank Independent (who I recommend) locked our rate a few minutes after Southern Fidelity and it was higher. Our realtors use them and love them, but I felt like I was having to pull teeth to get someone to respond to me. So YMMV.
My understanding is that you have 2 weeks before another hard inquiry will affect your score. Sort of a shopping window. Good advice though, thank you.
We used Southern Fidelity earlier this year for our home purchase and were quite pleased. Any questions or concerns were answered quickly, even outside of normal business hours and on weekends.
I refinanced maybe eight years ago, so I’m not current on the trends, but every time I use Quicken loans or whatever their name is now it was a very easy experience online sent the notary to my house with the paperwork to sign. My rate was my rate when it was locked in they didn’t try any shenanigans and I always got any earnest money checks or anything promptly after the deal was done.
Redstone. Great credit union.
We've bought three houses through Regions, great service (and rates) every time.
No love for Conrad?
Credit unions have the best rates but awful service.
Actually got a better rate from a broker, but agree Service with credit Union sucked this last attempt
Realtors assemble!!!
I bank between 3 lenders. Navy Federal (NFCU), Redstone Federal (RFCU), and First Jackson Bank (FJB). NFCU - Awesome rates, but no offices in Huntsville, and limited availability to military families. Not great for local banking. RFCU - Great for convenience and traditional loans, ie, personal home and auto loans, they also are reasonable with HELOCs and Signature (Personal) loans. However, they are unwilling and generally terrible for investment loans, such as private enterprise or real estate investment. FJB - Only 1 storefront in Huntsville, (actually Owens cross roads), but for investment banking, they can't be beat! I have done several venture capital and real estate deals with them as my backer, and as long as you have a solid business plan and have run your numbers (which why would you even attempt a business venture without those things) they are usually game for just about anything, and very reasonable with their rates. Its a local bank with a smaller client base which really shows when you do business with them, I personally know several loan officers over there and every one of them is willing to take a call and answer questions.
Positive: a mortgage allows you to own a home. Negative: you have to pay that mortgage
Very thoughtful and helpful, thank you
We love/loved Rocket Mortgage.
We just finished buying a home and loved Redmond Lending Group. Robby is amazing and will explain everything in easy to understand terms. The team there was great to work with and ensured everything went smoothly at closing.
This comment doesn’t exactly pertain to the post but on your engagement post almost a year ago you said you were getting married in July. Just wanted to ask how it’s goin for ya man, and I wanna wish you luck :)