Freedom Mortgage review
- Minimum credit score
- Conventional: 620
FHA: 540
VA: 580
USDA: 640 - Minimum down payment (Conventional)
- 3%
- State availability
- Available in all states
Our verdict
One of the nation’s top originators of FHA and VA loans — but customer reviews are widely mixed.
If you're a first-time homebuyer or veteran looking for a government-backed loan with more lenient lending requirements than a conventional loan, Freedom Mortgage might be a good choice.
As one of the top VA lenders in the US, Freedom Mortgage has experience with government-backed mortgage options and can break down the benefits and help you qualify with customized solutions.
However, while many customer reviews online are positive, the company has garnered thousands of complaints, with some borrowers mentioning losing money and facing financial hardship after dealing with the company.
Because of these mixed reviews and the fact that you must feel comfortable with your chosen loan officer, we suggest calling to make sure the company is a good fit. And as always, compare at least three to four other lenders to get the best deal.
Pros
-
Fast application process
-
Easy to contact.
Cons
-
Limited branch access
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Negative reviews
Details
Features
| Loan products offered | Conventional, Jumbo, FHA, VA, USDA, Refinance |
| Minimum credit score | Conventional: 620 FHA: 540 VA: 580 USDA: 640 |
| Minimum down payment (Conventional) | 3% |
| State availability | Available in all states |
| NMLS # | 2767 |
Freedom Mortgage is not currently available on Finder
Have you considered Rocket Mortgage?
Apply online for free and lock in your rate for 90 days.
- Fast service
- More flexibility
- Prepayment is OK
- Complete your application online
Freedom Mortgage requirements
To find out if you’re eligible for a Freedom Mortgage home loan, visit the company’s website. Basic eligibility for a mortgage loan includes:
- Two years’ history of employment
- A FICO credit score of 620 or higher
- No history of bankruptcy in the past two years
Documentation
Here’s a list of the documents you’ll need to apply for a home loan from Freedom Mortgage.
- Your name, date of birth, residential address and Social Security number
- Addresses where you have lived for the past two years
- Employment information for the past two years
- Your most recent pay stubs for the past 30 days
- W-2 or 1099s for the past two years
- Federal tax returns for the past two years
- Bank statements for the past two months
- Details of other income sources, assets and debts
Self-employed borrowers will need to provide:
- Two years of personal and business tax returns
- A year-to-date profit and loss (P&L) statement with a balance sheet
Costs and fees
Freedom Mortgage doesn’t publish its costs and fees on its website, but you can expect closing costs to run between 2% and 5% of your home’s purchase price. Closing costs may include the following:
- Application fee
- Appraisal fee
- Origination fee
- Credit report fee
- Closing fee
- Flood certification fee
- Title insurance
How to apply for a mortgage with Freedom Mortgage
To get started:
- Go to Freedom Mortgage’s website and select Get Started.
- Enter your name, contact information, property address and hit Submit.
- Wait to be contacted by a loan officer about the next steps.
Alternatively, you can call 877-220-5533 to connect with a loan officer over the phone.
What types of mortgages can I get through Freedom Mortgage?
- Conventional
- FHA
- VA
- USDA
- Jumbo
Other mortgage products offered by Freedom Mortgage
Freedom Mortgage also offers these specialized types of mortgages.
- VA cash-out refinance. Allows you to refinance up to 100% of your home’s value to secure better terms and pay off debts. Closing costs and fees can be rolled into the loan amount.
- VA IRRRL refinance. If you have an existing VA loan, this streamline refinance option can help lower your interest rate while reducing paperwork requirements.
- FHA streamline refinance. If you have an existing FHA loan, this option can help you lower your rate and get better terms with easier credit qualification and fewer income documents.
- Cash-out refinance. If you have equity in your home, this loan type replaces your current mortgage with one that has a higher amount. The difference in amounts is the “cash out” which can be used to pay off higher-interest debts or other expenses.
- Mortgage refinance. Replace your current mortgage with a new one at a lower interest rate, better terms or to get rid of private mortgage insurance when your equity reaches 20%.
Freedom Mortgage reviews and complaints
As of July 2022, Freedom Mortgage has a 4.85 out of 5 rating on Zillow from 1855 customers, who report being thrilled about the helpful and supportive service of their loan officers. Freedom Mortgage has been accredited with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) since 2001 and has an A+ business rating, a 3.83 out of 5 customer rating from 2,625 customers and 1,289 complaints closed over the past three years.
While many customer reviews online are positive, there are hundreds of negative reviews and complaints on the BBB website. Many customers report communication problems and broken promises resulting in loss of money and other nightmarish situations that caused extreme personal and financial distress for borrowers.
And in June 2019, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) found that Freedom reported inaccurate race, ethnicity and gender information. Under the terms of the order with the CFPB, Freedom Mortgage must pay a civil penalty of $1.75 million and take steps to improve its compliance.
Pros and cons of Freedom Mortgage
Pros
- Freedom Rewards. Freedom Mortgage offers rewards for existing customers, including a low-rate guarantee. If Freedom Mortgage can’t match a competitor’s interest rate, you’ll receive $250.
- Insurance integration. Freedom Mortgage partners with Matic Insurance to provide discounted home insurance.
- Eagle Eye text alerts. After signing up, you’ll be alerted to interest rate drops, equity increases in your home and special offers.
Cons
- No online prequalification. To see your available rates and loan options, you’ll need to call the company or fill out a form on the website and wait for a call back.
- Interest rates not listed. While Freedom Mortgage is known for offering competitive interest rates, its current rates are not listed online.
- No HELOCs or reverse mortgages. If you want a HELOC or reverse mortgage to tap into your home’s equity, you’ll need to find another lender.
What is Freedom Mortgage?
Founded in 1990 and headquartered in Mount Laurel, New Jersey, Freedom Mortgage Corporation is a full-service lender that helps borrowers in all 50 states with purchase and refinance loans. The company is one of the top originators of VA and FHA loans in the US and offers a range of conventional and government-backed loans, including multiple VA purchase and refinance options. In 2019, Freedom Mortgage acquired J.G. Wentworth Home Lending, adding an additional 570 employees and 35 offices nationwide.
Alternatives to Freedom Mortgage
Freedom Mortgage offers a standard range of home loan options, including reduced paperwork refinancing options for FHA and VA loans. But unlike other lenders, the company doesn’t offer an online application and response times have been known to be slow. Disclaimer: The partners on Finder's mortgage comparison tables are sorted in alphabetical order.
If you’re looking to get a faster preapproval decision on your application or to get a letter to make offers on homes right away, a digital lender might be a better choice. Better, Beeline and Rocket Mortgage are 100% digital lenders known for their streamlined online applications that give you a decision in minutes, not days.
We recommend comparing lenders and lender marketplaces to find the best home loan for your needs. By taking the time to shop around and compare quotes, you could save thousands on interest rates and fees.
Freedom Mortgage is not currently available on Finder
Have you considered Rocket Mortgage?
Apply online for free and lock in your rate for 90 days.
- Fast service
- More flexibility
- Prepayment is OK
- Complete your application online
Your reviews
Kat Finder
Writer
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Andy Frakes
March 02, 2018
Hi Brittney,
Thanks for reaching out to the Finder team!
The average amount of time is takes from picking out your home to move-in day is typically 30-50 days. If you have the home you want to be picked out, the next step is to make an offer. Your offer is most likely to get accepted if you already have pre-approval for a mortgage, so the seller knows that you are able to pay for the home. You can get pre-approval for a home loan by comparing your options with our guide to mortgages.
If your offer is accepted, the next step is to secure your financing by moving forward with the home loan you’ve been pre-approved for. You may need to get an inspection on the home, and your lender and title company will help you with the escrow and closing process. Once your financing is in place and your various inspections are complete, you can arrange a closing date with your realtor. That’s when the deal truly becomes final!
We hope this information has been helpful and that you have everything you need.
Cheers!
Andy
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Brittney
March 02, 2018
How long does the process of buying a home take if you have the home picked out?