Quick Look at Zillow Home Loans
| Company Overview | |
|---|---|
Zillow Home Loans was originally called Mortgage Lenders of America when they were founded in 2000, but they were acquired by Zillow Group, Inc. in 2018.
Zillow’s mission is “to give people the power to unlock life’s next chapter.” Zillow Home Loans contributes to this mission by helping customers feel confident about securing financing for their future home.
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| Q&A | |
|---|---|
| What type of mortgages does Zillow Home Loans offer? | Zillow Home Loans offers conventional loans, VA loans, and FHA loans. They also can help refinance your home. |
| What is Zillow Home Loans’ relationship to Zillow? | Zillow Group acquired Zillow Home Loans in 2018.
Zillow is known for being a convenient and helpful real estate tool. Their positive reputation carries over to Zillow Home Loans, as they have many customer reviews that rave about their responsive and knowledgeable loan officers. |
| What sets Zillow Home Loans apart? | Zillow Home Loans is set apart from other mortgage lenders by their consistently positive customer reviews that reference great loan officers and a stress-free experience.
They also offer three different online calculators to help their customers calculate monthly payments, how much home they can afford, and if refinancing would save them money. |
Do Customers Like Zillow Home Loans?
Consistent with its umbrella company, Zillow Home Loans has earned a 4.8/5 star rating from over 60 reviews from verified customers (May 2022). Zillow Home Loans has fewer reviews due to its more specific nature as an affiliate of Zillow. Of those reviews, 96% are 4- or 5-stars, so the majority of customers have had positive experiences with Zillow Home Loans.
Positive reviews frequently mention:
- Knowledgeable and responsive loan officers
- Stress-free and smooth process
- Competitive interest rates
There are no 1-star reviews and only 4% of reviews were 2- and 3-stars.
Zillow Home Loans Rates & Fees
To make up for the undisclosed rates, Zillow Home Loans provides three different calculators.
Mortgage Calculator
For example, after a 20% down payment on a $300,000 home with a 30-year fixed term and a 5% interest rate, the monthly payment would be $1,667.
Affordability Calculator
For example, if you make $90,000 a year, have $300 in debt each month, and would like to make a down payment of $20,000, the calculator says you can afford a $218,325 home.
It also allows customers to adjust the home price to see if it would fit in their budget.
Refinance Calculator
After entering the necessary information, it will calculate how much money you could save by refinancing and what your new monthly payment would be.
Zillow Home Loans Loan Options
Zillow Home Loans recognizes that each customer’s situation is unique, so they advertise that their conventional loans have a variety of options. They offer fixed-rate options and 15-, 20-, or 30-year terms.
Because VA loans are backed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, they are exclusively for veterans, military personnel, and their families.
FHA loans are commonly known as being for first-time homebuyers, since the credit requirements are more flexible.
Zillow Home Loans also refinances homes, and customers have said in reviews that they make the refinancing process as quick and stress-free as possible.
Zillow Home Loans Loan Requirements
Conventional Loan Requirements
While Zillow Home Loans doesn’t explicitly give a minimum credit score requirement for conventional loans, they have mentioned that the industry usually requires a credit score of at least 680.
VA Loan Requirements
No down payment or PMI is required.
FHA Loan Requirements
Because the parameters of FHA loans are set by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, customers must meet the loan limits set by them.
Zillow Home Loans doesn’t explicitly give a required credit score to receive a FHA loan, but they do explain that this loan option is more flexible with the credit requirement. The industry generally will accept a minimum credit score of 580. If a customer’s credit score is lower than that, they may still qualify but might need to put down a larger down payment.
Zillow Home Loans Customer Service
Loan officers are reported as being patient and dedicated to cultivating a stress-free experience.
Our Recommendation
But most importantly, customers have loved working with their loan officers. Even if you have had negative experiences with mortgage lenders in the past, customer reviews report that Zillow Home Loans cultivates a stress-free experience.