That's a fair take, but honestly, even past clients can be hit or miss. When we built our place, one couple we talked to had nothing but glowing reviews—turns out they had zero issues during their build. Lucky them, right? Another family, though, had a nightmare experience and blamed the lender entirely. Later found out they'd made some questionable decisions themselves. So yeah, client feedback helps, but I'd say combine it with your own gut feeling after meeting the lender face-to-face.
"client feedback helps, but I'd say combine it with your own gut feeling after meeting the lender face-to-face."
Yeah, totally agree with this. We just started our custom build journey, and honestly, meeting lenders in person gave us way more insight than reviews alone. One lender had amazing online feedback, but when we met them, something just felt... off? Like they were rushing us through questions or glossing over details. Another one was super patient and transparent, even though their online presence wasn't as flashy. Trust your instincts—sometimes they're spot-on.
Had a similar experience recently—one lender seemed super professional online, but when we talked in person, they kept dodging my questions about hidden fees. Ever notice how the most transparent lenders aren't always the ones with flashy websites or tons of reviews?
That's an interesting point, but honestly, I've seen it both ways. One lender I worked with had this super polished online presence—tons of glowing reviews, flashy site, the works—and they turned out to be totally transparent and upfront about everything. Meanwhile, another lender who seemed humble and low-key ended up being vague when it mattered most. So maybe it's less about how flashy or modest they appear, and more about doing a detailed check yourself—asking direct questions, comparing fine print carefully, etc...
That's a fair take, and it reminds me of a similar experience I had a few years back. I was working on a development project and needed financing, so I reached out to two lenders. One had a sleek website, tons of testimonials, and seemed like the obvious choice. The other was recommended by a friend—small operation, basic website, nothing fancy.
Initially, I leaned toward the smaller lender, thinking they'd be more straightforward and personal. But when it came down to specifics—fees, timelines, contingencies—they were surprisingly evasive. The flashy lender, on the other hand, answered every question clearly and even pointed out potential pitfalls I hadn't considered.
So yeah, appearances can definitely mislead. The key is probably less about their style or marketing and more about how they handle your direct questions. If they're transparent and willing to walk you through the fine print without hesitation, that's usually a solid sign they're trustworthy.
