I use one guy. If he can't do a particular loan, he knows it, admits it, and tells me who to call. He closed 23 loans in March, and I've seen him close some crazy stuff. 

That is up to the buyers, but we do strongly recommend them to check one lender that we trust completely as she has great communication skills, know how to ask the RIGHT questions, and will get the buyer to the closing table.

I use one, whom I trust. 

Ultimately it's the buyers choice. It's most important that realtor and mortgage lender work as a team. The market is different from state to state and even town to town but in my marketplace is more common for buyers to talk to the bank before they shop for a home or even speak to a realtor. I find about 80 % of my clients who come in for pre qualification have not yet spoken with a realtor. The rest have either started looking on their own or have spoken with a realtor but have not started looking at property yet. There are few who begin their home search without speaking to the lender about affordability first or at least early on in the process. On the other hand, on both sides of the transaction, the realtor needs to feel confident in the lender and the lender needs to feel confident in the realtor. Good strong relationships are what makes the magic happen!! Great question!

The number is not important. Their ability to get to settlement with the program needed by the purchasers is the key element. For example, if the buyer needs FHA 203 (k) financing, it is a waste of effort to use a loan officer who does not have a success record with the program.

We have in-house lenders - and I like to use them as well as the outside ones.  I give my clients a list and they choose.

We have an in-house lo from Ross Mortgage Co and she's the wife of my team member, Eric Buliung.... we are all friends.... but we also use other LO.... depends on the situation.... I prefer the in house one so we can have some control!!!

No in-house for me.  One preferred and an alternate.

A few.