How to build a relationship with a lender?

[Joshua Parker]

When researching real estate financing and how to get your first property, I have always heard that it is a good idea to build a relationship with the lender before getting financing from them. However, what specifically can I do to build a relationship with a lender? I plan on investing a lot in the Orlando area, and I have heard that it can be a little easier to work with a smaller local bank, so I was considering opening a checking account. Is this enough, or is there more I can/should be doing?

[James Wise]

Quote from @Joshua Parker:

When researching real estate financing and how to get your first property, I have always heard that it is a good idea to build a relationship with the lender before getting financing from them. However, what specifically can I do to build a relationship with a lender? I plan on investing a lot in the Orlando area, and I have heard that it can be a little easier to work with a smaller local bank, so I was considering opening a checking account. Is this enough, or is there more I can/should be doing?

 You can open an account sure, but that's not gonna get you a loan you wouldn't be able to qualify for if you didn't already have an account with them. Honestly most banks like that just make everyone who applies for a loan open up a checking account with them as something they have to do to get approved for the loan anyway so it doesn't really matter.