Network Capital Funding Mortgage Review 2021
Good for: borrowers looking for a lender with online convenience and mortgage banker assistance.
Our Take
4.5
The bottom line: Network Capital Funding offers a good selection of loan products and a helpful web-based application process, but its origination fees are in question.
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Min. Credit Score
620
Min. Down Payment
3%
Loan Types and Products
Purchase, Refinance, Jumbo, Fixed, Adjustable, FHA, VA, USDA
Pros & Cons
Pros
A web application supports the loan process.
A good selection of loan products, including all government-backed mortgages.
Offers jumbo loans up to $5 million.
Cons
Doesn't lend in all states.
Website doesn’t provide customized mortgage rates.
Compare to Other Lenders
Min. Credit Score620 | Min. Credit Score640 | Min. Credit Score620 |
Min. Down Payment3% | Min. Down Payment3% | Min. Down Payment3% |
Loan Types and ProductsPurchase, Refinance, Jumbo, Fixed, Adjustable, FHA, VA, USDA | Loan Types and ProductsPurchase, Refinance, Home Equity, Jumbo, Fixed, Adjustable, FHA, VA, USDA | Loan Types and ProductsPurchase, Refinance, Jumbo, Fixed, Adjustable |
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Network Capital Funding at a glance
Originally built on direct-mail advertising, Network Capital Funding, an Irvine, California-based home loan lender, moved to the airwaves in 2009, sponsoring the "Mortgage Radio Show." It's a program that continues today, airing on a dozen stations across the country.
And there is a lot to talk about. The lender provides an excellent selection of loan products, including specialty programs that target borrowers outside of the usual lending box. Online capabilities are also a cut above.
Here’s a breakdown of Network Capital Funding's overall score:
Variety of loan types: 4 of 5 stars
Variety of loan products: 5 of 5 stars
Online convenience: 5 of 5 stars
Rates and fees: 3 of 5 stars
Rate transparency: 4 of 5 stars
Network Capital Funding mortgage loan types and products
Network Capital offers a broad selection of home loans, including purchase, refinance and jumbo mortgages. The lender also takes on all government-backed loans such as FHA, VA and USDA mortgages.
Additionally, Network Capital Funding has specialty loans and services:
Offers custom fixed-rate loan terms beginning at eight years.
Considers alternative credit data for some loan programs.
Provides a "same-as-cash" loan where an application is reviewed for approval within 24 hours.
Assists first-time borrowers with down payment assistance programs.
Offers bank statement lending and accepts investment properties as collateral.
Tri Nguyen, Network Capital Funding's founder and CEO, says that the company will make home loans up to $5 million and that the average customer has a FICO score of 729, a 72% loan-to-value ratio and a 39% debt-to-income ratio. However, before the pandemic, the lender says some of its loan programs allowed a minimum credit score of 550, while others loosened DTI to 65%.
Network Capital Funding online convenience
Pushing either the orange "Purchase a Home" or "Refinance" button on Network Capital’s website takes you through some initial questions to gather basic information. At that point, and before a credit score is pulled, a mortgage banker contacts you and helps guide the process from there.
A web-based app allows you to apply, get loan process updates, e-sign and upload documents, according to the lender. "We can electronically gather most pay stubs, W-2s, bank statements and tax returns with just a couple of clicks," Nguyen says.
"While mobile apps are helpful for those both tech and financial savvy, many of our consumers elect to consult with our professionals for advice and recommendations, which is our most competitive advantage," he says.
Network Capital Funding mortgage rates and fees
One of the most important considerations when choosing a mortgage lender is understanding what the loan will cost. In order to provide consumers with a general sense of what a lender might charge, NerdWallet scores lenders on two factors regarding fees and mortgage rates:
A lender's average origination fee compared with the median of all lenders reporting under the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act. Network Capital Funding earns 2 of 5 stars on this factor.
A lender's offered mortgage rates compared with the best available on comparable loans. Network Capital Funding earns 4 of 5 stars on this factor.
Network Capital Funding tells NerdWallet — and states on its website — that it charges "no application, origination, rate lock, processing or underwriting fees to borrowers who qualify." However, the lender did report average origination fees to HMDA in 2019, as reflected in the two-star rating for fees stated above.
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.
You can decide to buy discount points — a fee paid with your closing costs — to reduce your mortgage rate.
Deciding whether to pay higher upfront fees is a matter of considering how long you plan to live in your home and how much cash you have to apply toward closing costs when you sign the loan paperwork.
» MORE: '"Should I buy points?" calculator
Network Capital Funding rate transparency
Interestingly, Network Capital makes you jump through a couple of hoops to get to mortgage rates. Clicking on "Rates" from the menu takes you to a page where you are asked to enter a promo code to view mortgage rates on a sampling of four loan products. Customized rates aren't available online.
The rates shown are impressively low, but clicking on "Rate Information" below each quote reveals the reason why: the rates include a 1% discount point, a debt-to-income ratio below 25% and a credit score over 740 with 20% down.
Remember, discount points are optional, and while the loan terms aren't unreasonable, they reflect a well-qualified buyer, as advertised mortgage rates often do.
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