Date: August 18, 2018 Age: 32 Gender: male Marital Status: Married
Closing Fee
Closing costs felt high, but they also offered a lot of explanation about why things cost the way they do and how things broke down
Interest Rate
I think we got a lower rate than offered from Quicken or rocket mortgage, in part because we have previously bought a home from the previous bank
Loan Officer Service
Joe was awesome and one of the reasons why I Wanted to use Lake Area in the first place. Very thorough and friendly
Overall Rating
Pros
Local, friendly, thorough explanations, info available right up front, took time to talk to us about everything. vERY responsive to nearly all message and questions
Cons
Sold our mortgage to Wells Fargo, which I don't like, but it is not the biggest deal since they aren't a big bank at all.
Date: August 13, 2018 Age: 39 Gender: male Marital Status: Married
Closing Fee
It seemed high at first but it seems like a standard cost that all people have to pay when buying a house.
Interest Rate
It was the going rate at the time but it dropped down another point shortly after I locked in but my credit union makes it easy to work with. I can pay extra and it goes directly to the principle.
Loan Officer Service
Seemed like standard procedure, they took my info, did their magic on their computer and helped me get the loan. Nothing special.
Overall Rating
Pros
They said they wouldn't sell my mortgage off to another lender which seems nice. I can transfer money on their website and it very easy to see where I'm at with it.
Cons
I don't have specific gripes or complaints about them. I get it is a 30-year process to buy a house so you just have to deal with it and pay it off.
Date: August 11, 2018 Age: 35 Gender: Male Marital Status: Married
Closing Fee
There was nothing remarkable about the closing costs. The seller of the home also assisted with the closing costs as an incentive for us to buy.
Interest Rate
I thought our interest rate was comparable to other lenders. I was reasonably pleased with the interest rate compared to historical results.
Loan Officer Service
They met us quickly and efficiently set up the mortgage. We were in a bit of a time crunch to get approved and they handled everything beautifully.
Overall Rating
Pros
They were terrific. We were stressed about getting approval and getting all the paperwork in and they handled everything for us and made it easy to complete.
Cons
I felt like I could have more information about my options and the benefits and drawbacks of the mortgage. The location of the branch was not convenient for me to visit.
Date: August 04, 2018 Age: 54 Gender: Female Marital Status: Married
Closing Fee
I think the closing costs was a little much. I never understood the purpose of the extra costs.
Interest Rate
Our runs pretty much with all the rest/ We could not get a fixed rate loan so it fluctuates a lot.
Loan Officer Service
She was friendly but explained things in such a technical way it was hard to understand it sometimes.
Overall Rating
Pros
I like it ok. I changed because I was having problems with another bank but am not fond of this one either.
Cons
They are not readily available, they explain in technical terms, they were not upfront about the closing costs.
Date: June 26, 2018 Age: 30 to 39 Gender: Male Marital Status: Married
Closing Fee
The closing costs were not cheap, but I didn't expect them to be. I did not actively compare closing costs, though the newly purchased home had closing costs paid by the buyer,
Interest Rate
I Didn't actively compare because I bought through the same company, but my interest rate was low enough - like 3.75 percent.
Loan Officer Service
Joe was AWESOME and thoroughly explained everything to me, even at what I would deem strange hours - and cheerfully doing so.
Overall Rating
Pros
They offer great rates, great customer service, and decent closing cost prices. Honestly, the best part was Joe. The rest could be mostly replicated elsewhere, but Joe was outstanding in his personability and explanations.
Cons
Far away - though it isn't their fault for having a location where they do. Otherwise, I have nothing to complain about
Date: June 21, 2018 Age: 30 to 39 Gender: Male Marital Status: Married
Closing Fee
The only problem with the closing costs was that the closing agent, not the mortgage company, didn't see we have a $1000 property tax loan due from before we moved in, which was irritating. Otherwise, we had the seller pay most of the closing costs.
Interest Rate
Lower than what quicken offered, in part because we currently bank there and bought a house with the same bank (later sold) 2 years earlier. Our sis around 3.5 percent, Quicken was 4 percent or higher.
Loan Officer Service
Joe Lansr was professional, friendly, and sometimes excessively responsive (would answer emails after 9 for some reason). Provided thorough docs and walked me through difficult things like closing costs.
Overall Rating
Pros
Lake area is small and wonderful - always smiling, and provided lots of info about mortgages and how our old home sale would impact our new one.
Cons
Not open real late for actual banking - kind of far way since we moved to Stillwater, but that's where I wanted to live.
Date: February 11, 2018 Age: 50 to 59 Gender: Female Marital Status: Married
Closing Fee
We tried different closers, and they charge way too much for handling documents. They are part of the reason why closing is often negotiated.
Interest Rate
I dont know the exact interest rate of other lenders, but we got 3.35, which is pretty low all things considered and I am happy, seeing the mortgages of my parents and in laws
Loan Officer Service
Joe was awesome. Walked me through everything, sometimes twice, and answered all my questions whenever I asked. He also was very personable when I did have to go meet home.
Overall Rating
Pros
Did a great job helping me gather info and explaining everything in terms I undersatnd. Very responsive to all questions, on all ends, including underwriter and more. This is my second time using them.
Cons
Closing costs were high. I am rather far away from their office, but its not their problem. They sell my mortgage right afte rit closes, to Wells Fargo, who I hate.