Before wading into the mortgage market, you might want to give some thought about what type of mortgage shopper you are. There are several general traits you might want to consider to determine what experience would suit you best, even if this is your first mortgage.

Some people place a high premium on personal attention. You have no doubt heard the common complaint when using the internet or talking on the phone that someone needs to speak to a "real person". If you are the type of person who is somewhat uncomfortable with technology, you should probably work with a local mortgage company.

However, others are very comfortable using Internet based retailers, where most questions and customer service issued are handled over the phone via toll free numbers. If you are in this comfort zone, and sometimes think of personal contact from sales people as pushy or in-your-face, you might prefer to use an Internet retailer.

Also, you might want to determine whether you value price or service more. While the two values are certainly not mutually exclusive, you may want to give up some of one in order to gain more of the other. Large firms with a nation-wide service area may have nice, well-furnished offices and a tremendous staff offering excellent service, but these amenities may come at a higher price. On the other hand, a small organization with little overhead might have an advantage in the price department, but may not have the staff to provide you with the level of service you may desire. Whether you don't mind paying a little more for increased service or are willing to sacrifice service and make a few more calls to your mortgage company in exchange for a lower price is up to you.

If you go into your search for a mortgage with a clear idea of the primary values you are looking for, your search can be much better focused and increase the likelihood of finding the mortgage company that's right for you.