Finance of America mortgage rates
Data from 2021 (the most recent available) reveals that Finance of America mortgage rates are about in line with major mortgage lenders on average. And many borrowers paid less in total loan fees than with other big companies like Rocket Mortgage and PennyMac.
Finance of America’s website doesn’t include estimates for closing costs, fees, or mortgage rates. Yet several borrowers stated in online reviews that their actual interest rate was “lower than expected.”
Average mortgage rates at major lenders
| Finance of America | Rocket Mortgage | Wells Fargo | PennyMac | |
| Avg 30-Yr Interest Rate, 20211 | 3.10% | 3.00% | 3.14% | 2.87% |
| Median Total Loan Costs, 20211 | $3,696 | $4,670 | $3,600 | $5,870 |
| Median Origination Fee, 20211 | $1,290 | $2,430 | $1,330 | $1,520 |
Average rate and fee data was sourced from public rate and fee records required by the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA).
When it comes to current rates, though, you can’t compare Finance of America by looking online. To receive rate information, you must first speak with a loan advisor.
Along with getting a quote from Finance of America, you should also request quotes from at least three other lenders. This will help you find the lowest interest rate and fees for your situation.
Find your lowest mortgage rate. Start hereFinance of America mortgage review for 2024
Some mortgage lenders have a limited selection of home loan programs, but this isn’t the case with Finance of America Mortgage. The company offers loans for purchasing and refinancing real estate as well as a home equity line of credit (HELOC) for homeowners looking to tap their equity.
You can also use a Finance of America mortgage loan for investment properties (rental and flipping), and for buying a fixer-upper as a primary residence. Another unique option is the ability to refinance student loan debt into a mortgage loan. This can simplify your finances by creating one monthly payment.
Finance of America is licensed in 50 states and Washington D.C., so you can apply for a loan regardless of your location.
Although the company offers helpful digital mortgage tools (mortgage calculator, refinance calculator, and affordability calculator), current rate information is not available online. That means you’ll have to fill out an application to figure out what your mortgage interest rate is likely to be.
Working with Finance of America
Getting preapproved for a mortgage is the first step when buying a house. This way, you know how much home you can afford before meeting with a Realtor or real estate agent. Plus, a preapproval indicates you’re a serious buyer when making an offer.
Most lenders will let you start your preapproval online. However, Finance of America’s online mortgage application isn’t quite as easy to access as some others. You must first click “Find an Advisor,” and it’s only after choosing a loan officer that you’ll see a link to complete the online application.
For a preapproval, you’ll need to provide personal information and supporting documentation, including:
- Purchase price and down payment for the home you want
- Bank statements
- Investment account statements
- Recent pay stubs
- At least two years of tax returns
You can give the documents to your mortgage advisor in person or upload them to a secured portal. The underwriter will also check your credit score and credit report after you submit your loan application. From here, you’ll work with your loan advisor to determine the right mortgage solution for your new home or refinance.
Finance of America customer service reviews
Finance of America Mortgage scores a 4.0 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot, based on more than 500 reviews as of this writing. The majority of borrowers described their mortgage advisors as professional and knowledgeable. In addition, the company has 4.97 out of 5 stars on Zillow’s customer review platform.
Customer service reviews at major lenders
| CFPB Complaints, 20214 | Complaints Per 1,000 Mortgages, 20215 | J.D. Power Satisfaction Score, 20216 | |
| Finance of America | 7 | 0.07 | Not Rated |
| Rocket Mortgage | 376 | 0.24 | 876/1,000 |
| Wells Fargo | 488 | 0.58 | 832/1,000 |
| PennyMac | 117 | 0.20 | 827/1,000 |
Although Finance of America doesn’t have a rating with J.D. Power, it does have few overall complaints filed against it with the Consumer Federal Protection Bureau (CFPB) — only 0.7 complaints per 1,000 borrowers.
Mortgage loan options at Finance of America
Current loan products available with Finance of America Mortgage include:
- Conventional loans: A loan conforming to guidelines set by Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. The typical minimum down payment is between 3% and 5%, but you’ll need to pay private mortgage insurance (PMI) until you reach 20% home equity
- Jumbo mortgage: For borrowers with loan amounts that exceed conforming loan limits set by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Typically requires a minimum down payment between 10% and 20%
- FHA loans: You can put down as little as 3.5% of the home purchase price. But you’ll typically have to pay mortgage insurance premiums (MIP) until you sell or refinance. This is a popular loan type for first-time home buyers
- VA home loan: A no-down-payment mortgage program available to veterans, active-duty military, reservists, and their eligible surviving spouses
- USDA loan: A loan option for homes located in USDA-eligible rural areas. No down payment is required. Meant to be an affordable path to homeownership for lower and moderate-income buyers
- FHA 203K rehab loan: Use this loan type to finance the cost of a home purchase and home improvements on a primary residence. Great for purchasing and repairing a fixer-upper with a single loan
- Fixed-rate mortgages (FRMs): Fixed-rate loans offer regular monthly mortgage payments over the life of the loan term, often 15 or 30 years
- Adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs): Adjustable-rate loans have a fixed interest rate for the first few years. Then their rates can float up and down with wider interest rates
- Single rental loan: A loan solution when buying an investment property to rent out
- Fix and flip loans: Use this short-term loan to purchase, renovate, and flip a fixer-upper house
Finance of America’s website doesn’t provide specific information on minimum down payment and credit requirements for its various loan programs. But typically, you’ll need a minimum credit score of:
- 620 for a conventional loan
- 580 for an FHA loan
- 580-620 for a VA loan
- 640 for a USDA loan
- 680 or higher for a jumbo loan
If your credit score falls within these ranges but you’re having trouble getting qualified with Finance of America, you can apply with other lenders that may have looser credit guidelines.
Refinance and home equity lines of credit (HELOC)
In addition to home purchase loans, homeowners who are looking to refinance their current mortgages have options, too. Finance of America features a variety of refinance loans to help borrowers lower their mortgage payments, own their homes sooner, or tap their equity.
- Rate-and-term refinance: Exchange your original mortgage with a new one that offers more favorable loan terms and/or a lower interest rate
- Cash-out refinance: Access your home equity by replacing your current mortgage with a new, larger loan amount, and then receiving the difference as a lump sum of cash.
- Home equity line of credit: Borrow up to 80% of your home’s equity. Use funds for debt consolidation, home renovations, or any other purpose. HELOCs require a minimum credit score of 680
- Reverse mortgage: If you’re age 62 and older, you can borrow money using your home’s equity as collateral. Borrowers don’t repay the loan until they move out of the home or pass away
- Student loan refinance: This unique option allows you to refinance and remove a cosigner from a student loan, or refinance your remaining student loan balance into a mortgage loan
Where can I get a mortgage with Finance of America?
NMLS ID #1071
Finance of America loans are available nationwide. The company is licensed in 50 states and D.C., although some loan programs aren’t available in all states.
You can apply for a loan in person at one of 400 branches or work with one of the company’s 1,300 online loan advisors across the country.
Is Finance of America the best mortgage lender for you?
Thanks to its wide range of loan options, Finance of America could be a good choice for all types of mortgage borrowers. The lender offers programs that you might not find elsewhere, such as Fix and Flip Loans, Single Rental Loans, and student loan refinancing.
But this lender won’t be the right fit for everyone.
Requirements, interest rates, and closing costs vary from one mortgage company to the next. So you should apply with a few different lenders to make sure Finance of America is most affordable for you.
Be mindful, too, that the company is not forthcoming about rates and fees online. You’ll have to contact a loan advisor to get this information.
Methodology
The Mortgage Reports considers multiple factors when reviewing lenders. These factors include credit and down payment requirements, loan types offered, customer service indicators, and availability of online tools. We then use these factors to rank lenders in four categories:
- Lending flexibility: Includes the number of loan types offered, special programs offered, minimum down payment requirements, and minimum credit score requirements
- Customer service: Includes CFPB complaints per 1,000 loans and average rating from other top rating services
- Ease of application: Includes the availability of an online pre-approval or pre-qualification process
- Online experience: Includes the robustness of the lender’s online offerings, including online chat availability, phone number availability, and learning center/help center availability
