When choosing a mortgage professional online, send him or her an email asking a specific question. See how long it takes to get a specific response. Call his or her phone number. See if you reach a live person or how quickly a return call is made.
During this stage mortgage professionals are trying to impress you to win your business. If they are slow returning calls or answering emails now, it will probably not get better later on when you have questions about the progress of your loan.

Always work only with websites owned and operated by a licensed mortgage broker or a direct lender. Avoid websites that claim to have "four or more lenders competing for your business". That is a telltail sign that the website's business model is not to finance home loans, but to sell and re-sell your information to outside mortgage professionals. Home buyers giving out information on these "lead generating" websites often find themselves being bombarded with endless phone calls for months and years to come. Therefore, when applying for mortgage online, apply only from a website where it will be the licensed company that actually work on your loan process.

Be leary of interest rates you may see posted online. Many times these rates are very old - even as old as when the site was originally built, and they have never been changed. If you see a rate that is far outside of the current area of rates for the loan you are looking for, be cautious.

If you are trying to use the internet to receive mortgage quotes, be sure that you do not give out any personal information (mainly your SSN). In today's world with identity theft, you need to be cautious as to which companies you give your personal info too.

When applying online make sure the website is a secure website if you intend on giving personal information such as your social security number, date of birth, investment or income info, etc... It will have a little gold colored padlock at the bottom of your browser if it is. If you are just filling out your name, phone number and some very basic info. the site does not necessarily have to be secure but maybe research the company a little before divulging any information about yourself.

Once you find a loan consultant you are comfortable with, it will be important to disclose information regarding your income, credit and living status. This will help you mortgage consultant measure which loan product will be suitable for you and your goals.