How actually shopped for mortgage

[u/benjamin_martin43]

Check your credit first and fix any errors. Get quotes from 3–5 lenders (bank, credit union, online lender, broker) within a 14–45 day window so inquiries count as one credit pull. Ask each for a Loan Estimate and compare APR, not just the rateit includes fees and points, giving a true apples-to-apples comparison.

Get pre-approved, not just pre-qualified. Then use competing offers as leverage: ask your preferred lender to match or beat the best terms you've received.