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Northpointe Bank mortgage review
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Offers a suite of loans for first-time, unconventional and investor borrowers with low down payments and rates.
Northpointe Bank offers some 20 programs that can benefit both conventional and untraditional borrowers, like property investors, select professionals and those with compromised credit. This range of loans combined with high-interest checking and savings options might be a boon if you’re comfortable with digital banking.
Details
| Loan types | Conventional, Refinance, Jumbo, HELOC, FHA, VA, USDA |
|---|---|
| Minimum credit | 620 |
| Other minimum credits |
Construction loans: 700
Accelerated loans: 680 |
| Other fees |
$400 nonrefundable application fee.
$300 to $400 appraisal in most areas. Origination fee around 1% of the purchase price. Title search fee. Attorney fees. Survey fee. Recording fees. Escrow fees. |
| Available States | AL, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, MA, MD, MI, NC, NJ, OH, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA |
Pros
- State Bond programs
- Suite of 20+ loans
- A loan program for fast closing
Cons
- Limited branch locations
- No online application
Trustpilot doesn’t include any user reviews for Northpointe Bank. But it’s accredited with the Better Business Bureau (BBB), earning an A+ rating based on the BBB’s internal criteria that includes its response to customer complaints. It’s answered 11 out of 19 customer complaints as of December 2019. The wide majority of customer feedback is negative, with many citing mistakes that adversely affected homebuyers. You’ll want to carefully review your contract, statements and bills to stay on top of errors.
What types of loans does Northpointe Bank offer?
This lender specializes in conventional and government-backed loans for qualified borrowers, including:
- Conventional. Choose your term and options for as little as 5% down.
- FHA. These government-backed mortgages offer fixed rates with down payments as low as 3.5%.
- VA. Eligible military personnel and veterans can get financing with $0 down. Northpointe also donates $125 for each new home financed to organizations that serve the military.
- USDA. Low and moderate-income homebuyers can find 100% financing in eligible rural and suburban areas.
- Jumbo. Finance high-balance loans of up to $3 million.
Other loans offered by Northpointe Bank
Northpointe expands on typical mortgages and home loans to support compromised credit, construction needs, select professionals and more.
- Refinance loans. Refinancing options range from conventional to government-backed loans.
- Home equity loan. Borrow against the equity you’ve built with a home equity loan or a HELOC.
- Investment loans. Get financing for rental properties of one to four units, new condo projects that don’t meet conventional requirements and more.
- Renovation and construction loans. Streamline renovations, construction and land purchases into one loan and vacant land loans with low down-payment options.
- Loans for low or minimal credit. Options are available for unique borrowers that include self-employed individuals and those recovering from bankruptcy or a short sale.
- HomeReady. This Fannie Mae homeownership program allows for down payments as low as 3%. It also offers flexible underwriting that lets you add coborrowers who don’t live in the home — such as parents — on the mortgage.
- Loans for professionals. Practicing physicians or doctors completing their residency may qualify for a loan of up to $1 million with $0 down payment and no mortgage insurance. Lawyers and other established professionals can finance homes without mortgage insurance and a down payment as low as 3%.
Northpointe Bank fees
Like many other banks, Northpointe Bank doesn’t disclose a list of potential fees online. But it recommends homebuyers prepare for:
- $400 nonrefundable application fee.
- $300 to $400 appraisal in most areas.
- Origination fee around 1% of the purchase price.
- Title search fee.
- Attorney fees.
- Survey fee.
- Recording fees.
- Escrow fees.
Homeownership Opportunities Program (HOP)
Qualified homebuyers who have not owned a home in the past three years may receive up to $8,000 toward a new down payment or closing costs with Northpointe. Speak with a representative to learn more about eligibility.
Requirements
Credit score and other financial requirements depend on the loan:
- Conventional loans require a credit score of 620 or higher and a debt-to-income ratio of 43% or lower.
- Construction loans require a credit score of at least 700.
- Accelerated loans require a credit score of 680 and a debt-to-income ratio of up to 41%.
Documentation
Personal and financial documents required with your loan application include:
- Last two years of W-2 statements.
- Two most recent pay stubs.
- Total assets from the past two months, such as bank statements.
- Most recent Social Security award letter, if applicable
- Contact information of your homeowner’s insurance agent
How to get a home loan with Northpointe Bank
You can’t complete a loan application on Northpointe Bank’s website, but when you apply for prequalification, a loan officer will help you fill out the rest:
- Go to Northpointe Bank’s homepage.
- Click the Home Lending tab.
- Under Buy or Build a Home, click Get Pre-qualified.
- Complete details about your loan’s purpose and personal questions. Click Get Started.
A loan officer will review your application and follow up with your prequalification.
Pros and cons of Northpointe Bank
Pros
- State Bond programs. Northpointe’s website lists low down payment options for homebuyers, organized by state. An officer works with you to see what down payment assistance is available in your area.
- Suite of 20+ loans. Northpointe Bank’s many options range from conventional to government-insured as well as special financing for established professionals, investors and low-credit borrowers.
- A loan program for fast closing. Borrowers with straightforward documentation can qualify for a loan program that closes within 15 business days — or you’re eligible for a $300 rebate.
Cons
- Limited branch locations. Northpointe Bank branches are in 24 states only, limiting face-to-face for those who live elsewhere.
- No online application. You must work with a loan officer to finish your application.
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What is Northpointe Bank?
Northpointe Bank is an FDIC-insured bank based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Founded in 1999, you’ll find Northpointe in 24 states today, but it’s also widely available as an online-only bank. It also offers a range of car, home and renters insurance through a partnership with Insuritas.
Frequently asked questions
Expert review
Review by
Kimberly Ellis
kimberly.ellis@findercrew.comKimberly Ellis is a writer at Finder. She hails from New York City with a BA from Queens College and a New York State teaching certificate. After teaching in both public and private schools, Kimberly decided to take the world by storm and dive into the media industry — where she covers everything from home loans and investing to K–12 education and shopping. She’s also an aspiring polyglot, always in a book and forever on the hunt for the perfect classic red lipstick.
Expert review
If you’re a square peg in a round hole when it comes to borrowing, Northpointe Bank is worth a look. Its nearly 20 programs focus on a range of borrowers beyond the conventional, including loans for those with low credit and professional buyers.
Investors can find combination loans that include construction and land to streamline financing. Drawbacks include a limited service area and frequent customer complaints of errors throughout the homebuying process, so take care reading your contracts and bills.