Freedom Mortgage Review 2023
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Our Take
4.0
The bottom line:
Freedom offers a typical range of home loan options, but mortgage rates aren't available on its website.
Full Review
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Offers conventional, FHA, VA, USDA and jumbo loans.
- Multiple customer service options, including brick-and-mortar branches, online message center and phone.
- Low average mortgage interest rates and origination fees, according to the latest federal data.
Cons
- No mortgage rates displayed online.
- Doesn't offer home equity loans or lines of credit.
Compare to Other Lenders
Min. credit score620 | Min. credit score580 | Min. credit score620 | Min. credit score620 | Min. credit score620 |
Min. down payment3% | Min. down payment5% | Min. down payment3% | Min. down payment3% | Min. down payment3% |
Loan types and productsPurchase, Refinance, Jumbo, Fixed, Adjustable, FHA, VA | Loan types and productsPurchase, Refinance, Home Equity, Reverse, Jumbo, Fixed, Adjustable, FHA, VA, USDA | Loan types and productsPurchase, Refinance, Fixed, Adjustable, FHA, VA, USDA | Loan types and productsPurchase, Refinance, Jumbo, Fixed, Adjustable, FHA, VA, Home Equity | Loan types and productsPurchase, Refinance, Jumbo, Fixed, Adjustable, FHA, VA, Home Equity |
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Full Review
NerdWallet’s lender star ratings assess objective qualities, including rates, fees and loan offerings. To assess borrowers’ subjective experiences with lenders, NerdWallet has gathered customer satisfaction ratings from J.D. Power and Zillow.
Freedom Mortgage received a 663 out of 1,000 in J.D. Power’s 2022 U.S. Mortgage Origination Satisfaction Study. The industry average for origination is 716. (Mortgage origination covers the initial application through closing day.)
Freedom received a 588 out of 1,000 in J.D. Power’s 2022 U.S. Mortgage Servicer Satisfaction Study. The industry average for servicing is 607. (A mortgage servicer handles loan payments.)
Freedom received a customer rating of 4.85 out of 5 on Zillow, as of the date of publication. The score reflects more than 1,850 customer reviews.
Freedom Mortgage variety of loan types
4 of 5 stars
One of the largest lenders in the nation, Freedom Mortgage offers conventional purchase and refinance loans (cash-out and rate-and-term options). It also provides jumbo loans and government-backed FHA, VA and USDA options.
» MORE: Best VA lenders
Freedom Mortgage ease of application
5 of 5 stars
Though you'll get started with a loan officer, either by calling Freedom or filling out an online form, the lender says that once you've decided to move forward, you can complete all tasks online, including securing preapproval for a home loan. Freedom offers document uploads and electronic signatures, and you can track the progress of your loan online.
Once you’ve started an application with Freedom Mortgage, you can also contact them via phone or email, or set up an appointment with your loan officer.
Freedom Mortgage rates and fees
4.5 of 5 stars
Freedom Mortgage earns 4 of 5 stars for average origination fee.
Freedom Mortgage earns 5 of 5 stars for average mortgage interest rates.
Borrowers should consider the balance between lender fees and mortgage rates. While it's not always the case, paying upfront fees can lower your mortgage interest rate. Some lenders will charge higher upfront fees to lower their advertised interest rate and make it more attractive. Some lenders just charge higher upfront fees.
Freedom Mortgage rate transparency
1 of 5 stars
If you already have a mortgage serviced by Freedom Mortgage and are looking to refinance, you may be able to view rate offers by logging in to your account.
If you aren't already a customer, you'll have to call the lender or fill out a form to get started. A loan officer will contact you to provide rate information.
Alternatives to Freedom Mortgage
Here are some comparable lenders we review that borrowers can consider.
Guaranteed Rate offers similarly low interest rates, and Flagstar Bank offers a competitive variety of government-backed loans.
More from NerdWallet
Methodology
NerdWallet’s overall ratings for mortgage lenders are evaluated based on four major categories: variety of loan types (purchase, refinance, fixed and adjustable, for example), ease of application, rates and fees and rate transparency. Among the factors we consider when scoring these categories are options to apply for and track loans online, the level of detail about mortgage rates on lender websites and our analysis of the rates and fees lenders reported in the latest available Home Mortgage Disclosure Act data. These scores generate ratings from 1 star (poor) to 5 stars (excellent).
