Sub prime lenders come in two groups: reasonable and unreasonable. Reasonable sub prime lenders offer mortgage financing to high risk borrowers with slightly increased rates and fees. Unreasonable sub prime lenders charge several extra points and excessively high fees. Only through comparative shopping can you know if a particular lender is offering reasonable or unreasonable rates.

Comparing rates is easy through online lender websites. By entering basic information, you can quickly receive quotes from several mortgage lenders. These quotes will give you a rough idea of who offers the most competitive packages. Be sure to add in fees and extra points when you are considering the cost of the loan.

Real mortgage quotes require more information than just the loan amount and your income level. You will also need to provide information about your home's location, your down payment, and other personal information.

After you have compared general quotes, you can request specific quotes from a handful of mortgage lenders. Online mortgage applications allow you to do this from the convenience of your home where you can easily find your financial and personal records.

Once you have received a quote from a mortgage lender, you can quickly finish the application process. Some lenders will require additional information online, but most lenders will simply mail out the final paperwork for your approval. After the forms are signed and notarized, you send it back to the lender for final processing.

A subprime loan does not have to be permanent. Mortgage lenders look at the last three years of your credit history when considering your application. So after making regular payments on your mortgage and all your other bills, you can consider refinancing for a lower interest rate. Other ways to improve your credit rating include paying off credit cards and increasing your cash reserves.