Review PART I -
I went through some of the useful reviews posted here and found that I shared same experience with almost all of the very satisfied customers that worked with Winnpointe. All of us feel that Winnpoint deserve to get no less than 5 stars. As a matter of fact, I'm not the only reviewer who refinanced with Winnpointe twice in the same year. In both occasions, it was nothing less than a great experience working with Art, Cynthia, Colleen, and Maribel. Before my second refinancing application with them was over, I already sent a very good friend of mine their way for refinancing.
I'm very confident in saying that they will be able to exceed anyone's expectations. I say that in the background of previously working with many lenders and loan officers. I was fortunate to work with a realtor who taught me how to shop for lending companies. I've learned and practiced how to compare lenders/loan officers so much so that I get a sense of who are the bad apples in the basket. I started recognizing a pattern some uses to bait and trap you in to going along their path. At first, they will talk about how good the market condition is and how it's not going to stay like this forever so you should refinance with them. Then they will test you of how much knowledge you have and give you lots of financial lingo that will impress upon you how good they are and how they can save you lots of money from your current mortgage.
Once these loan officers have talked you into it, the trap is when you agree to have your home appraised. You shell out cash for this and if you decide to back out you take the hit on the appraisal fee as well as a hard credit check inquiry. I think many borrowers aren't aware that they will benefit from shopping for lenders that offer the best rate.
I won't consider myself a novice (after 4 previous refinancing and purchasing 2 properties) anymore, I usually go straight to the bottom line when I talk to the loan officers, what is the best interest rate they can offer with the closing cost considered (APR) and how much would you have paid off if you keep the loan in 5 years. Once you level the playing field, some loan officers get aggressive talking you in to how you don't understand what you're talking about and that you'd be like a sheep amidst wolves if you get baited and switch to other lenders. Other loan officer will tell you that they are the best compare to others in providing service to get you a purchase contract if you are buying a house. Some have gotten outright obnoxious saying "I can't help you anymore" because I'm getting myself fooled. This guy from American Equity Mortgage told me in his email "I'm sorry Ed, you seem like a nice guy but greedy people pay twice". Pretty nice way of accusing me greedy, huh! It's like saying I have no right to question him and shop for the best rate I can get. I'd really like to email him back after my refinancing with Winnpointe closed and tell him that he should get some lessons from Art on how to conduct himself, however I know better that that's just a waste of my time. I can go on and on with many bad experience I had with many loan officers but I tell you it pays to shop for your loan.
To start with, go to this site http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/mortgage_rates/ to quickly eyeball where your lender stands compared to the national average and for you to see the trends. I was able to remove a lot of bad apples right away. Then once you've narrow down your choices based on the best offer lenders can give you, look in the finer details of what you'll be paying for that loan. Pay attention to the closing cost as some will not be upfront in saying that you are getting a good interest rate because you're buying points and it will be buried in your total loan so you may not even realize it.
If you shop and ask for a loan estimate you'll see how the prices varies in the different fees you'll be paying. You will know that you are working with a good one if they are willing to take the risk for you. That is if they are willing to pay the appraisal of your home and you can just walk away if they are not able to help you improve your loan conditions.
This is the point where I have to start saying how Winnpointe is cut well above the rest. You'll need to ask for Art Mack to be your loan officer to fully experience the same satisfaction I've had on 2 separate refinancing occasions.
In both occasions, only Winnpointe is willing to have my home appraised without me providing a credit card number to order the appraisal job. Some lenders promised that they will provide lender credits to offset the appraisal fee but remember that you'll be able to get your money back only if you proceed in taking the loan from them. (Part II continues in Winnpointe FB December 12, 2016 review page - https://www.facebook.com/pg/InteractiveMortgage/reviews) read more