LendingTree mortgage service review
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- Minimum credit score
- Conventional: 620
FHA: 500
VA: 620
USDA: 640
Jumbo: 800 - Minimum down payment (Conventional)
- 3%
- State availability
- Available in all states
Summary
Compare rates and fees from hundreds of mortgage lenders on this leading marketplace.
LendingTree is a free online mortgage marketplace — not a direct mortgage provider. Rather than funding home financing products itself, LendingTree can connect you with partnered lenders after you complete an online form.
Pros
-
Lender portfolio
-
Free to use
-
Money-saving notifications
Cons
-
Calls and emails
-
Could hurt your credit
Details
Features
Type | Marketplace/Broker |
Loan products offered | Conventional, Jumbo, FHA, VA, USDA, Home Equity, HELOC, Reverse, Refinance |
Minimum credit score | Conventional: 620 FHA: 500 VA: 620 USDA: 640 Jumbo: 800 |
Minimum down payment (Conventional) | 3% |
State availability | Available in all states |
NMLS # | 1136 |
Our take on LendingTree loans
LendingTree is a free loan marketplace best for borrowers who want to compare a range of home loan products in one place. Fill out a quick application on LendingTree, and the service will search its network of over 1,000 lenders nationwide to find the best matches based on your loan preferences.
The application takes only a few minutes to complete and doesn’t require a Social Security number to see your matches. However, you’ll need to provide your contact information so that LendingTree can share your details with its lender network.
If you prequalify for a loan, you’ll see a list of lenders willing to work with you. You can either apply directly with the lender or wait for the lender to contact you. LendingTree claims users may get more competitive rates since lenders compete against each other — but be prepared to get inundated with calls and emails.
LendingTree pros and cons
Pros
- 1,500+ lenders with reviews. LendingTree gives you access to a massive number of lending options, allowing you to compare lender ratings and verified customer reviews.
- Competitive loan offers. LendingTree surfaces your most competitive loan offers, allowing you to quickly evaluate your mortgage rates and options.
- Alerts on better deals. If LendingTree finds a lower rate compared to your current loan, it sends an alert to your LendingTree account.
Cons
- Contact info shared with lenders. LendingTree shares your contact info with potential lenders that may email and call you with mortgage offers — even after you’ve chosen a lender.
What mortgage products does LendingTree offer?
As a loan marketplace, LendingTree can connect you with hundreds of lenders offering a range of home loan products like these.
- Conventional
- FHA
- VA
- USDA
- Jumbo
- Investment property mortgages
Refinance options available from LendingTree
The lenders from this marketplace offer the following refinance options:
- Rate and term refinance. Pay your loan off more quickly or save money on your monthly payment by refinancing your mortgage to change the term or interest rate.
- Cash-out refinance. Replace your current loan with a loan for a larger amount to give you access to your home’s equity.
Other specialty loans
LendingTree’s only other mortgage-related offerings are home equity products.
- Home equity loans. A fixed-rate term loan with even monthly payments for up to 30 years with lending limits of $15,000 to $750,000 and up.
- HELOCs. A variable-rate revolving line of credit that lets you borrow against your home equity for 10 years, also known as the “draw period.” Then you pay the loan off over the next 20 years.
- Reverse mortgages. This option allows retirees age 62 and older to receive monthly payouts from their home’s equity to supplement their retirement income. The loan is due at the end of a set term or when the retiree passes away and sells the home.
Requirements are on par with other lenders
LendingTree connects you with lenders that may have different requirements, including minimum credit score. To qualify for a home equity loan through LendingTree, expect to meet these general requirements:
- Good credit. A minimum credit score of 620 to 680. However, borrowers with credit scores of 740 and above will get the best rates.
- Income. You’ll need to show sufficient income to cover your current mortgage payment and your new home equity loan or HELOC payment.
- Loan-to-value ratio. You’ll need a loan-to-value ratio (LTV) of around 80%, although some lenders will push this to 90% or 97%.
- Debt-to-income ratio. Lenders also like to see a low ratio — generally 43% or less — between your overall debts and your income.
- Other assets. Additional assets help lenders feel more comfortable lending money to you.
Fees are similar to competitors
Your fees will vary by lender, which may or may not include application, processing and underwriting fees, aka origination fees. In addition, LendingTree estimates that you’ll pay between 2% and 5% of your loan in closing costs, which include:
- Appraisal fee.
- Credit report.
- Document preparation.
- Loan origination fee.
- Notary and title fees.
LendingTree reviews are mostly positive
BBB rating | A+ |
---|---|
Trustpilot rating | Excellent |
Customer reviews verified as of | 25 May 2022 |
LendingTree has been accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) since 2019 and has an A+ business rating for answering 265 complaints over the last three years. But the company has a lower customer rating here than on Trustpilot, earning 1.38 out of 5 stars. Many negative reviews report increased spam after signing up for the service and unexpected hard credit pulls that lowered credit scores.
How to get a loan with LendingTree
To use the LendingTree site to find lenders willing to work with you, follow these steps:
- Select Home Loans on the LendingTree homepage, then choose the type of loan you want.
- Select the type of home you own, such as a single-family home, condo or townhome.
- Follow the prompts to enter your personal information so that LendingTree can connect you with lenders that work with borrowers in your area.
After you’re done filling out the application, you should see a list of lenders willing to work with you. Select the links provided to begin a loan application or wait for your matches to contact you.
Documents you’ll need
Have the following documentation ready before you apply:
- Original purchase price of your home
- Up-to-date mortgage balance
- Estimated current market value of your home
- Proof of employment
- Income and expense information
- Personal information, such as your name, age, address and phone number, plus your Social Security number
Alternatives to LendingTree
While LendingTree lets you compare multiple offers from different lenders, it’s not the only digital marketplace on the block. For example, Morty and Credible provide the same services, have good customer ratings and, like LendingTree, are free to use. Disclaimer: The partners on Finder's mortgage comparison tables are sorted in alphabetical order.
But if you prefer not to share your contact information with LendingTree, you might consider a digital lender like Better or Beeline. Both are highly-rated online lenders that let you apply online 24/7 and offer streamlined processes and fast preapprovals along with zero lender fees.
LendingTree is not currently available on Finder
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- Fast service
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Your reviews
Michael Finder
Staff writer
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