There's a wealth of information about mortgages on the World Wide Web. The Internet is a good place to search for mortgage brokers or lenders and make phone calls to check out their loan programs. Also, many banks and credit unions now have web sites with information, and even applications, on their mortgage programs. You can always do some preliminary work online. Download the mortgage application, print it, then send it in the mail or deliver it in person.
Security is a major concern.
Don't believe a mortgage company's site just because it says it's secure. First, there should be an explanation of the site's security and privacy policies. Then, you can check to see if the site has encryption by looking for the symbol on your browser. For Netscape Navigator, the symbol is a key. If the key is broken, then the site is not secure.