Lenders
The most important early step you should take in you buying process is to get a letter of preapproval from a qualified lender. I cannot overemphasize how important this is. Whether your credit score is high as the sky or on the ground--unless you are paying all cash you NEED a preapproval letter. You don't want to be in the position of making an offer on a home and having a seller choose an offer that is inferior to yours just because the other buyer was preapproved. The process is painless, costs nothing and can often be accomplished in less than a half hour. These are lenders that I've used and that I trust:
Scott Munds
Mortgage Consultant
The Munds Group
Phone: (503) 548-2506
Fax: (503) 715-4957
10250 SW Greenburg Rd Suite 217
Chad Downs
Direct 360.213.1127
Cell 360.910.6643
Fax 360.326.1638
First Houston NW
Mortgage Bank
201 NE Park Plaza Dr, Suite 195
Vancouver, Wa 98684
Chad owns his own mortgage bank and underwriting is handled in house. This is a big advantage in the loan process.