I live in a relatively small town but there's lot's of banks here (Lakes area tourist town) and I'm looking to refinance my home.  When shopping for the best rates/fee's/program for me, do I need to fill out applications to get a GFE?  Do I tell each lender I go see that I'm "shopping" to find out what the best rates/fee's/program are?

Thank you in advance for your help!

If you shop for best rate and fees only, you will find the biggest liars.  Shop for experience, professionalism, and honest answers.  You will get a competative deal and the process will be smooth. 

Before offering you numbers, do they ask questions about how long you will be in the property?  Do they ask about other debts?  Do they ask for a complete application before giving you a specific quote?

You want to find a competative deal with an honest experienced professional... not a great quote backed by someone less than reputable.

Do I tell them I'm getting more than 1 quote?  Is there a cost to me for getting their quote?  Do I have to fill out and app., and pay for it, before getting their quote?  What costs can I expect to incur?

Don't get me wrong.  I'm not trying to be cheap.  Just trying to understand the process better of shopping around and seeing how it works and what to expect.

Thanks for the advice!

Be honest is all I ever ask.  If you are going to compare, let them know and get them all on the same day.

Most brokers won't charge you, some lenders will.  Often you pay $250-$500 for an application fee at a lender.

Bulldog, I had the same question while I was shopping.  What I found is that some lenders will allow you to do a "preliminary application" that will allow them to run your credit report and get your salary info, etc. in order for them to give you a Prelim GFE.  For example, I talked with a lender from First Horizon and he was able to give me a "preliminary GFE" based on the info I'd furnished.  Same deal with a local Credit Union mortgage lender that I spoke with. 

The key is to make sure -- up front -- that you fully understand at what point you're "on the hook" for an application fee.  My experience was that the moment you tell the loan officer / mortgage consultant that you want to lock the rate, you have at the point made a commitment to them.  At that point, most of the lenders I talked with said that there would be a fee of about $350-500 to cover the appraisal.

General tip: if you call a lender and you are getting confused about when fees apply and when they don't, ask them to clarify right then and there.  If the ensuing clarification only adds to the confusion, probably time to call another lender.

A reputable Broker won't give a quote without a completed application. Find one in your area through the directory here and go for it...great rates out there!  Good luck.