All of the above and more. The lender needs to above all be super efficient and that means communicating timely to all parties. One of my biggest pet peeves is when the lender says oh yeah we can get it done in 30 and then they're making excuses at 30 and we need to get an extension. I would much rather have the lender honestly say I can probably get it done in 30, but I would prefer 45 or sooner. And I want them to fully qualify the consumer, and honestly communicate with me when I ask about items that could hold up a close. One lender, who we do not use anymore, when asked if there would be a problem financing a REO because the carpet had been pulled out, told me noooo problem will do an escrow holdback and the carpet can be installed after close. Then, he got amnesia and all of a sudden carpet had to be installed prior to close. Creating a cluster like that for me is a deal-breaker. You won't be invited back.

All of the above and more.  Holy crap Candice A. Donofrio - I wrote the same darn words and I had not read what you wrote! 

The more business you do the more you will learn about whats important generally as well as specifically for you.

Knowledge of their products and communication combined.  Rate can be achieved anywhere.  Having a lender that knows what they are doing is a must.  Communicating with the parties is just as important.

Kathleen Daniels said what I wanted to say about Candice A. Donofrio's answer. 

I couldn't have said it better than, Candice A. Donofrio!

Tony the first thing that came to mind it total and complete honesty and integrity.  From there all else will fall into place with a true professional lender.

Tony - all are important, but I have heard from many of the agents within my brokerage that they are most frustrated when they get no communication. Even if the news is bad, it is far better to know earlier through communication from the lender than to discover it late in the process from some third party.

I'm with Candice A. Donofrio and Kathleen Daniels "all of the above and much more!" Closing on time and communicating go hand in hand!!

Priority 1:  to take a marginal or difficult file and package it to fly through underwriting.

Dozens of lenders can communicate, and give a fair rate...it takes a savvy pro who can think outside of the box and know how to present the borrower in the best light and knows who to submit that loan to.

I used to own a large mortgage company.  Many loans that were denied elsewhere where just re-packaged to legally fit the lending peramaters.

The average lender is a "NO" for me.

Eve

a) close on time?  Critical.

b) communication? Critical.

c) rate for my client? the rate is pretty important, but 1/4 point isn't nearly as important to me as meeting the closing deadline, and keeping me and my clients informed.

d) other. reasonable fees... no junk fees.

all of the above, and then some... they need to be patient, personable, professional, punctual, persistent, pleasant ... a pocket packed full of promising aliteration.

I second what Candice A. Donofrio said.

A timely closing subsumes other diligent practices.

Tony Bolodar All of these items make for a smooth transaction. If I had to add one thing it would be educate your Underwriter to be more responsive and respect the timelines.

There is not just one thing - these are all important. It seems that when the lender is a good comminicator everything else is done well, too, which includes closing on time.

A, B & C tied up in a smooth transaction!

The easy answer is all of the above but close on time and communication go hand in hand.

All the above.

The loan officers I work even show up at closing.  Some sellers counter back with a clause there is a penalty $xxx per diem to be paid by buyers if not closed on such day.  

I can't just pick one.  Communication, excellent customer service and timeliness are all very important. -Kasey

All the above Tony Bolodar and be able to go to bat with the underwriter in the 11th hour...

Closing on time for sure #1, but communication is so important too.

Making me look good.  They do this by doing all of the above.

all of the above

All of the above rolled into what I believe is great client service.  I want the lenders on my "recommended" list to work as hard for the clients as I do. Fail once and I might let it slide if there was a valid cause, continue to fail and you get cut from the list.

Yes, all are as important as the next, but I do think Xomunication trumps the others for me.   For clients, they will say the rate, in my opinon because that lasts a lot longer and affects them more. 

A

All of the above are equal.  Also, if they tell you something can be done it if they tell you something they will do and they don't. I can't deal with dishonesty no matter how good or successful they may be.

Communication and expertise.

Door #1

I think it is all of the above. For me the hardest art is meeting a new buyer, calling and refering to my8 favorite loan officer so they can pre qual them. This is where i need to know they can or cant and if can, how much, what type of mortgage and to get moving. If they cant, what is needed so they can. 

B) Communication 100%, the more I know the more I can inform my clients. Nothing worse than not getting return phone calls from lenders and then your client calls for an update and you have nothing for them...

Many of the things you mention, ON-TIME and Communication are requirements to get into the game. These are not selective criteria. It is EXPECTED to close on time and effective communication. You can drop those ball one time only.

Rate your client? Don't know what that means but suspect it is related to 24/7 ability to qualify.  That also is a requirement, not a selective criteria.

D) OTHER - Please expand

I want a lender who is a collaborator in growing my business. That does not mean putting their image on my marketing collateral.  You may want to post a new question that asks, 'What is the most important thing to a real estate agents business' and three responses buried in all the nonsense will be actionable and worth a followup. 

1. Close on time
2. Communication
3. Great backoffice tools

Tony Bolodar - all of the above!

And perhaps something else above and beyond!

B and A

Communication and honesty. Lenders that provide that continue to get my business.

D) I think that explaining the process & what loan is best for the buyer is important 1st

B) gives updates to all involved.

Those are the top 3 and mess with any of them and I am gone,

Being available day & night until deal closes....

Communication!!

All of the above, but communication is vital.

All of the above.

A, getting the job done.

communication.... to all parties... but most importantly the agents....

Close on time

Tony,

I think that the membership covered all the points you requested.  A

I expect full and comprehensive service including effective follow up and reporting.

Yes to all... they are all equally important and inextricably linked. Miss out on one or two of them and the most important thing doesn't matter much anymore.