At a glance: SoFi mortgage options

SoFi is a non-bank lender based in San Francisco. Mortgages are available in all states.

SoFi offers a decent mix of home loan types, but the lender's site varies in how easily you can find information about them. If you want a conventional loan, you're golden. But beyond that, details can get scarce.

For example, SoFi offers refinances for FHA and VA loans, but you won't find any information about those loans on their FHA or VA loan web pages — or on their refinance pages, either.

Same goes for viewing sample mortgage interest rates. Sample rates for fixed-rate conventional loans and refinances with 15-, 20- or 30-year terms are at your fingertips. But if you're curious about rates on other types of loans, you'll have to provide contact information.

» MORE: How to choose a mortgage lender

SoFi mortgage special offers and discounts

SoFi offers several ways to save money on your home loan. If you're already a SoFi customer, you're pretty much guaranteed a modest savings.

• If you already bank with or borrow from SoFi, you may be able to save up to $500 off your origination fee. (SoFi Plus members can get an additional $500 off.) 

• SoFi doesn't charge an origination fee on VA loans, though the VA's standard funding fee will still apply.

• Buyers who get a home loan from SoFi and work with a real estate agent from HomeStory Real Estate Services can get up to $9,500 back at closing, based on the price of the home. (SoFi says the average buyer gets $1,700.)

• If a lender error causes your closing to be delayed, SoFi will credit you up to $10,000 toward closing costs. To qualify, you'd also need to meet several deadlines during the closing process.

• SoFi offers a first-time home buyer loan that's called the First Time Home Buyer "FTHB" loan. It's not a standout, however; it's a standard conventional loan offering with a 3% down payment.

What mortgages does SoFi specialize in?

A lender’s experience with your loan type can make a big difference. We looked at the latest federal data to find the types of mortgages SoFi handles most often.

Most SoFi loans in 2024 were conventional, though the lender also made a decent chunk of FHA and VA loans.

How we score SoFi mortgages

Each year, NerdWallet writers and editors dig into the latest data and independent research on mortgage lending. Then, we rate lenders based on categories that matter most to mortgage borrowers.

SoFi has a NerdWallet home loans rating of 5 stars overall. Here’s a breakdown of this year’s score.

• The Nerdy details: Our rating system, explainedThe Nerdy details: Our rating system, explained

  Ah, so you’re the “read the fine print” type? We got you. Here’s how our scoring rubric works.

  Average mortgage rates and fees (30%)

  We review federal data (as reported by the lenders) and analyze mortgage lenders’ average fees and interest rates across all loan types. Lenders with the lowest average costs get the highest star ratings. Keep in mind: Loans that are easier to qualify for, like FHA loans, usually have higher rates and fees because lenders see them as a higher risk. Pro tip: Paying some fees upfront can sometimes lower your interest rate.

  Mortgage rate transparency (25%)

  We look at how easy it is to compare mortgage rates online. Lenders get higher transparency ratings if they show sample rates on their website. (Not all lenders do!) The best ratings go to lenders that offer interactive tools that let you customize a rate quote on your own.

  Variety of loan types (25%)

  There’s no one-size-fits-all mortgage. Lenders earn top ratings in this category when they offer a large variety of mortgage types. The more variety, the higher their score. A lender earns points for purchase and refinance; fixed and adjustable rates; FHA, VA or USDA loans; renovation or construction loans; and home equity loans or HELOCs.

  Customer experience (20%)

  How easy is it to work with this lender? Top-rated lenders offer helpful features like online applications, multiple ways to get support, a user-friendly mobile app and clear updates about the loan closing timeline.

SoFi bonus points

SoFi earned bonus points for offering loans for first-time home buyers, borrowers with lower credit scores and borrowers purchasing manufactured homes.

» MORE: How to get the best mortgage rate

SoFi mortgage reputation and customer experience

NerdWallet’s star ratings look at objective factors like rates, fees and loan options. To give you a sense of what the borrower experience is really like, we pulled the latest customer satisfaction scores from Zillow, and we contacted the lender’s customer support.

SoFi customer service options

Here’s how you can get in touch with SoFi, or at least try to. Some options are only available if you're a current customer.

» MORE: How to apply for a mortgage

Alternatives to a SoFi mortgage

Our biggest tip: Get offers from at least three different mortgage lenders. Comparison shopping can save you thousands of dollars. You can get rate quotes yourself, or work with a mortgage broker to shop around on your behalf.

Borrowers who like SoFi’s flexible range of repayment terms could be a fit for U.S. Bank, which also offers 10-, 15-, 20- and 30-year fixed-rate conventional loans. If getting cash back at closing appeals to you, you might want to consider Rocket.

» MORE: Best mortgage lenders

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