The majority of Americans who purchase a home need to take out a mortgage in order to do it. More than 60 percent of homeowners today are carrying a mortgage, with the average American owing about $140,000 on the home they live in.

If you're thinking about buying a home in Seattle in the near future, one of the most important aspects of the process will be searching through the best mortgage lenders to find the one that's right for you. If you don't do this, you could end up paying more than you should have to for your home in the long run.

Do you need help sifting through the best mortgage lenders? We're here to provide you with the assistance you need.

Here are five tips that will allow you to find the best mortgage lender for your specific situation.

If you are shopping for homes in the King County area—any price over $679,650 may put you in need of a jumbo loan. Just a few miles north, in nearby San Juan County, it's 200k less than that.

Things that aren't for the faint of heart: applying for a loan. Understanding interest rates. Reading complex contracts and documentation. Packing everything you own into a lot of cardboard boxes.

But if you're buying a house, chances are you're about to do all of that and more. It's daunting to make a huge financial decision and find the place you'll spend at least the next few years of your life.

We're here to help! Our home buyers' survival guide will tell you everything you need to know before you take the plunge.