Choosing the right lender for your refinance is key. Your home is on the line with any mortgage, so you want your lender to be highly responsive and easy to work with when you need them.

It’s also important to shop around to find a lender that matches your needs as a borrower. Ask yourself what your goals are for refinancing your home mortgage. Do you simply want a lower interest rate? Or do you want to change the term of your mortgage to lower your monthly payments? If you’re looking for a cash-out refinance, you will want to shop for lenders that specialize in this type of loan.

You should also take stock of your own financial situation. If your credit score is less than perfect, be honest with yourself about that fact and look for lenders that work with homeowners with poor credit. If COVID-19 has impacted your employment or financial situation, you may need to look for a lender that is willing to suspend payments for several months.

Finding the right lender for your mortgage refinance requires a lot of upfront preparation. Assess what you need out of your refinanced mortgage, along with your strengths and weaknesses as a potential borrower. Then use this information to narrow your search for lenders that might be a good fit.