This is not a "family and friends" issue because their experiences should mean little to you because their transactions were all different. But you ought to take their advice regarding LOCAL mortgage professionals in any case.

There are two potential routes for you: The national lenders like Rocket/Quicken etc that get their customers through heft and SEO. You are just another number to them. They generally suck for retail customers like yourself.

Then there are the locals: Not the "big banks" where you become just another number like with the SEO lenders, but rather community banks, local credit unions, and especially local mortgage brokers.

"Local" is the key. If they then screw up, you'll naturally let your local friends and family and trusted contacts know. They don't want this. So they generally do a better job and don't treat you as an easily disposable customer.

Within "local", you should shop around appropriately.