In a Nutshell
pros
- Wide network of lenders
- Easy online process
- Receive answers in seconds
cons
- Not a direct lender
- No information on the website
Refi Rate Guide at a Glance
| Direct lender or marketplace | Marketplace |
| Loan Types | Purchase and refinance |
| Featured Loans | Varies based on lender |
| Repayment Terms | Varies based on lender |
| Minimum Down Payment | Varies based on lender |
| Minimum Credit Score | Varies based on lender |
| Suitable For | People who like comparison shopping |
Overview
Before we get started, let's get one thing straight. Refi Rate Guide is a lending portal, not a direct lender. What does this mean? Refi Rate Guide does not provide you with a mortgage loan directly. Instead, it pairs you with a suitable mortgage lender that will issue you a loan, providing you meet the qualification requirements and agree to the terms of service.
The idea of Refi Rate Guide is simple. It is an online application that narrows down your choices for you. You’ll fill out a single application, and your information will be sent to multiple relevant direct lenders. Then, you can compare rates, loan terms, and other features and select the lender that works for you.
Suitable For?
Refi Rate Guide is an ideal solution for people who like to comparison shop. If you are ready to look into refinancing your current mortgage or want to take out a new mortgage to buy a home, this is a good option for you. A free service, Refi Rate Guide helps you quickly and easily compare various mortgage rate quotes at once. The beauty of this service is how fast and easy it is to use. With one application form, you get multiple responses. So, it saves you a lot of time and aggravation answering the same questions over and over again for each mortgage lender.
Types of Loans/Products
As mentioned previously, Refi Rate Guide is not a direct mortgage lender. That means it does not provide you directly with a loan or refinancing options and does not specify any of the loan terms or products on offer.
You’ll find varying terms and loan types depending on which partner lender you are working with. Some of the loan types that Refi Rate Guide partners offer include:
- FHA loans
- Adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs)
- VA loans
- Combo loans
- Balloon loans
- Jumbo loans
- Interest-only mortgages
- Conventional rate mortgages
- Fixed-rate mortgages
The same holds true for other loan terms, including APR, credit score required, down payment required, and eligibility qualifications. However, these are generally pretty standard across the different partners. You can expect to see APRs ranging from 3.38% upwards. APRs will vary depending on the type of loan, your credit score, the amount of money you are taking out for your loan, and other factors.
Unlike most qualifications, which are pretty standard, the credit requirements will vary considerably from one lender to the next within the network. Some lenders will work exclusively with people who have great or good credit scores. Meanwhile, others will be more flexible, accepting applicants with poor or no credit.
Generally, you have to be a legal citizen, be of legal age, and have proof of income to apply for a mortgage loan.
The Application Process
The application process is the entire selling point of Refi Rate Guide. Normally, you'd have to go to each lender you're interested in, fill out their application form, submit it, wait for a response, and go through the process multiple times.
The beauty of Refi Rate Guide is that you fill out one application form and get multiple responses almost immediately. Once you have several mortgage loan rate quotes to compare, you can see the different options in front of you clearly. Compare the terms such as APRs, length of the loan, and any perks that are included to determine which lender is the optimal fit for you.
Rates and Fees– The Bare Basics
Every lender in the network sets its own rates as well as fees. Some fees you can expect to pay include:
- Appraisal fees
- Home inspection fees
- Document preparation fees
- Origination fees
- Title fees
- HOA fees
- Various taxes
- Application fees
- Attorney’s fees
- Prepaid interest
- Assumption fees
Many of these fees are not associated with the actual lender and will have to be paid regardless of which lender you work with.
Repayment Terms
As with the other terms of the loans, Refi Rate Guide does not set out the repayment terms for your loan. These will be determined by the individual lenders. Repayment terms can vary from 10 to 15, 25, or even 30-year terms.
Help & Support
Refi Rate Guide has an online email contact form that you can fill out with questions you have about the service. But the real customer support you want to focus on is what is offered by the individual lender since this is who will be handling your actual loan. Make sure the lender has solid customer support options as well as a good reputation for courteous service.
Summary
Refi Rate Guide is a great tool if you are looking for a quick and easy application process. You’ll quickly get several responses from top-rated mortgage lenders with one application form. Refi Rate Guide partners with some big names in the business, including Quicken Loans American Capital Home Corp, and Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation.
FAQs
Q: How do you qualify for a loan?
A: Each lender has its own qualification requirements, though many share similar lists. Some requirements will include proof of income, including bank statements and pay stubs, proof of citizenship, and decent credit history.
Q: What exactly is a mortgage?
A: A mortgage is a loan that enables homeowners to purchase a home. The funds are specifically designated for buying property, as opposed to an auto loan, which is designated for purchasing a vehicle or a personal loan that can be used for whatever you want.
Q: Is a fixed or variable rate loan better?
A: It's really comparing apples to oranges. Fixed-rate loans are better for people who enjoy stability and knowing exactly what they'll be paying each month for the duration of their loan. On the other hand, variable rate loans can save you money in the long run if the rates go down, but you won't always know what you're paying in advance.
Q: If I don't have any credit history, can I get a mortgage?
A: This is a common question that gets asked because credit score and history are major factors that are taken into consideration when lenders look at an applicant. Many lenders will work with someone who has no credit history. It’s just a question of finding the right one. A lending marketplace is the right way to sort out these lenders from the more exclusive ones.
Physical Address
LeadPoint, Inc.
12121 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 810
Los Angeles, CA 90025
