Finding your dream home and then finding the right mortgage loan to finance your purchase is a difficult thing to do – even for the savviest consumer.

But what most people who are in this situation do not realize is that a little research and information goes a long way in this industry.

Yes, there are hundreds of loan products on the market to sift through, but learning about the whole process in general, as well as what types of mortgage products are available will only help the whole transaction run more smooth and will most likely save you money in the long run.

The first thing you need to do is decide which type of mortgage lender you want to go with.

Because contrary to popular belief, there are many different types of lenders out there.

All you need to do is do a little research on your own, and you should find the whole process to be a lot easier than you originally expected.

Since there is no “one size fits all” mortgage, it is important to determine what works best for your specific situation.

A recent article by Elizabeth Razzi of bankrate.com, “Finding the bets mortgage lender,” discusses how to go about finding the person to finance the biggest purchase you will probably ever make in your lifetime.

“For most would-be borrowers, the challenge is not in finding a mortgage lender, but in sorting through the throngs of banks, online lenders, mortgage brokers and others eager to take your loan application. How do you choose which one will offer you the best deal, and competent customer service to boot?”

“Cut through the thicket by shopping broadly and then narrowing your focus as you learn more about what type of lending environment makes you most comfortable. Begin to familiarize yourself with various lenders and the deals they're offering by browsing around the mortgage rate tables on Bankrate.com.”

Since there are so many lenders out there, it may seem overwhelming to most people at first, especially if this is their first mortgage transaction. One way to lessen the feelings of anxiety is to ask your real estate agent for references.

If you didn’t use an agent in your transaction, ask other friends and family members who are homeowners for references for people who did a good job on their mortgage.

“Always ask your real estate agent for recommendations to good lenders. Even though some brokerages have their own in-house affiliated mortgage lending businesses, good agents will not limit their referrals to just that in-house lender. And because agents direct business their way through boom times and slow times alike, smart loan officers take good care of the clients sent their way by local real estate agents.”

If you find a mortgage broker on your own, be sure to talk to some of his or hers’ past clients to make sure they did a good job.