I used Apple FCU for a refi last year (under 100K). It was an awful, awful experience. Took MONTHS, vvvvv frustrating. And I LOVE supporting credit unions and really wanted to give them my business.

Use George Mason Mortgage for a purchase this year. Difference was night and day---so responsive, quick, accurate, helpful.

Don Frutchey at George Mason Mortgage was awesome.

And has anyone used credit unions? How do they compare to both the local banks and the big guys?

I've worked with Acacia Bank in Falls Church and Presidential bank in Maryland for both purchases and refis and I found them to have the best rates and lowest fees than the big name banks and lenders. The process with both was very easy.

When we bought our house we actually worked with Wells Fargo and a local bank. We submitted an application to both because the seller requested that we at least try to get an approval through a local bank and they were willing to cover the additional costs for applying to two banks. Ultimately we went with Wells Fargo as we found them to be much more responsive as opposed to the local bank (can't remember what it was now). I was surprised because I thought for sure the local bank would be better. Initially they did offer the better interest rate but we asked Well Fargo if they could match it. When they did, we went with them because they were so much easier/smoother to work with.

We had a good experience at George Mason Mortgage.

I've posted several times about my excellent experience with Deb Levy at EagleBank.

Anybody use a local bank like Eagle and Burke and Herbert for home loans? (Or any others I didn't name?) Conventional, 30-year, fixed, blah blah blah. How did they compare to the big 'uns? Thanks.