Better Mortgage Review (2024)

Better Mortgage Review (1)

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Better Mortgage Review (2) 2024 Award Winner

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OnBetter'sSecure Website.

Best for: No lender fees and online application

Better

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4.5/5Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.5 stars equals Best.4 stars equals Excellent.3 stars equals Good.2 stars equals Fair.1 star equals Poor.We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
Better Mortgage Review (14)Better Mortgage Review (15)Better Mortgage Review (16)Better Mortgage Review (17)Better Mortgage Review (18) = Best
Better Mortgage Review (19)Better Mortgage Review (20)Better Mortgage Review (21)Better Mortgage Review (22) = Excellent
Better Mortgage Review (23)Better Mortgage Review (24)Better Mortgage Review (25) = Good
Better Mortgage Review (26)Better Mortgage Review (27) = Fair
Better Mortgage Review (28) = Poor

Bottom Line

Better has the right combination of features and perks, including no unnecessary fees, low mortgage rates, and a fast 100% application process. Better Mortgage does not charge lender fees such as those for origination, application, processing, and underwriting. As a result, Better states that new home buyers save $8,200 and customers who refinance save $8,200 over the life of their loans.In addition, Better states that applicants can get a personalized rate quote in under five seconds and a pre-approval in minutes. This can help homeowners cut their costs while saving time. The lender also offers $150 off closing costs when applying through The Ascent site.

Min. Credit Score

  • 620

Min. Down Payment

  • 3%

Key Features

  • One Day Mortgage. Lock a rate, get a Commitment Letter in 24 hrs. Terms apply.
  • Close 10-17 days faster than industry average
  • Apply 100% online, entirely on your schedule
  • $100 billion in online home loans
  • Better Price Guarantee: Better will match any valid competitor's offer, and credit you an extra $100. If Better can't, the $100 is yours to keep.

Loan Types

  • Conventional
  • FHA
  • Jumbo

Fixed Rate Terms

  • 10y, 20y, 30y

Adjustable Rate Terms

  • 10/6, 7/6, 5/6

It’s hard to find a mortgage lender with the combination of the key factors we covet most:

  • A great online application experience
  • Competitive rates
  • Low fees

Better checks the boxes in these three areas, and more.

Case in point, Better has no origination fees, low rates with a price match guarantee, and incredibly fast approval times.

Pre-approval takes as little as 3 minutes and has zero impact on your credit score.

Click here to see what you can get pre-approved for with Better >>

With all the perks and features they offer, it’s easy to see why Better was awarded 2022’s Best Mortgage Lender Overall by our independent experts. In fact, it also won Best Mortgage Lender for Purchases, Refinancing, and Online Experience. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a better all-around lender (no pun intended).

I’ve personally refinanced my home twice, and both times I used Better. And both times they got me incredibly low rates. I calculate that they will save me $52,354.80 over the lifetime of my mortgage — and the lack of origination fees helped minimize costs!

So whether you’re looking to purchase a home or refinance your existing mortgage, getting pre-approved with Better is definitely worth the few minutes it takes to apply. You might be surprised by how much they can save you compared to other lenders.

$150 DISCOUNT FOR READERS OF THE ASCENT

We worked with Better Mortgage to secure a $150 discount on closing costs for readers of The Ascent (aka, you!). Click here to claim your discount and get pre-approved.

Top Perks from Better Mortgage

Low rates and price guarantee

Better mortgage already consistently beats many mortgage lenders' rates, but its price guarantee ensures the lender will beat competitors. Better will match a competitor's offer and attempt to beat it by $100. If the lender can't, the $100 is yours to keep.

No origination fees

Many mortgage lenders charge for the privilege of getting a loan. Better charges no origination fee, helping you save on your overall closing costs, which can range anywhere from 0.5% to as high as 2% depending on the lender.

Quick loan estimates and pre-approval

After you submit all the required information, you can get a rate quote from Better Mortgage in as little as three seconds and a pre-approval in around three minutes, helping you shop around for lenders quickly.

Lock in your interest rate on demand

Applicants can lock in their interest rate whenever they want during the loan process. Better will hold the mortgage rate for you so you can complete your application with the knowledge that it won't change by the time you close on your home.

100% online application process

It's clear why Better is one of our top-rated online mortgage lenders: Most of the closing process is done completely online (with the exception of signing the final documents). Simply fill out the online application form and submit any necessary documents using the lender's secure system.

Access to a dedicated loan officer

Once you complete the pre-approval process, you'll be assigned a loan officer and will receive contact details. You can contact this person during office hours throughout your loan application process.

Discounts available

Borrowers looking to purchase a home can receive up to $2,000 in lender credits through the Better Real Estate discount program. "Lender credits" refers to the dollar amount by which your closing costs will be reduced if you are eligible for the discount. To be eligible, you'll need to choose Better Mortgage Corporation as your mortgage lender and a real estate agent who was referred to you by Better. This discount can be combined with the discount mentioned above for The Ascent's readers.

$150 off closing costs

Apply for pre-approval through The Ascent site and receive a $150 discount on closing costs. This special perk can help you keep more money in your pocket and reduce the cost of already low fees that the lender offers.

Important

Better is not available for borrowers in Hawaii, Nevada, and New Hampshire. If you live in these states, check out our list of top mortgage lenders.

Check rates with Better

Better Mortgage Review (2024)

FAQs

Why is better mortgage so cheap? ›

Simply put, many traditional lenders use antiquated, fragmented processes that take a lot of time and people power. At Better, we've built technology to streamline the entire homebuying and mortgage process, making it cheaper for us to make the loan which means we can then pass the savings on to you.

Is better mortgage fast? ›

At Better Mortgage, our average closing time is 32 days — 10 days faster than the industry average — and our online process provides a series of streamlined steps so you can refinance quickly and conveniently.

What helps you get a better mortgage rate? ›

Increasing your income, paying down debts, and boosting your credit score can all help lower your risk as a borrower and qualify you for a lower mortgage rate. You can also save up for a larger down payment, as it means the lender has less cash on the line.

Is better mortgage profitable? ›

Better, which went public last week after completing a merger with a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC), reported a net loss of $135.4 million during the first six months of 2023, compared to a net loss of $399.3 million during the first half of 2022.

How long has better mortgage been in business? ›

In February 2014, Vishal Garg founded the company after he and his wife had a negative experience obtaining a mortgage to buy their first home. In 2016, the company launched Better Mortgage and was approved to be a Fannie Mae seller/servicer.

Does better charge origination fees? ›

Better Mortgage could be a solid choice for price-conscious homebuyers who are comfortable without a brick-and-mortar location. Better offers a completely online loan process, no origination fees and a competitor price-match program.

Is better a reputable company? ›

Borrower experience: 7.6/10

As of this review, Better has a B+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and “Excellent” reviews on Trustpilot. The lender ranked below industry average in J.D. Power's annual customer satisfaction study.

What's the easiest mortgage to get? ›

Government-backed loan options, such as FHA, USDA and VA loans, are typically the easiest type of mortgage to get because they may have lower down payment and credit score requirements compared to conventional mortgage loans.

What credit score is needed to get the best mortgage rate? ›

Generally speaking, borrowers with credit scores of 760 or higher get charged the lowest interest rates. On conventional conforming loans, which must adhere to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac guidelines, a 780 may qualify you for a slightly lower rate—though it depends on your down payment amount.

Who is offering the lowest mortgage rates right now? ›

Lenders with the best mortgage rates:
  • Better, 3.89%
  • Bank of America, 4.20%
  • Citibank, 4.23%
  • Amerisave, 4.33%
  • DHI Mortgage Company, 4.34%
  • PNC Bank, 4.35%
  • Home Point Financial, 4.35%
  • Navy Federal Credit Union*, 4.38%
Jul 21, 2023

What is today's interest rate? ›

Current mortgage and refinance interest rates
ProductInterest RateAPR
30-Year Fixed Rate7.29%7.34%
20-Year Fixed Rate7.15%7.21%
15-Year Fixed Rate6.74%6.82%
10-Year Fixed Rate6.61%6.68%
5 more rows

What is a good interest rate on a house? ›

As of Apr. 24, 2024, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate is 7.51%, 20-year fixed mortgage rate is 7.39%, 15-year fixed mortgage rate is 6.88%, and 10-year fixed mortgage rate is 6.80%. Average rates for other loan types include 7.26% for an FHA 30-year fixed mortgage and 7.20% for a jumbo 30-year fixed mortgage.

What is the better mortgage scandal? ›

Three of Better's board members have resigned since 2021, and three of Better's executives were fired or left the company. Better's former head of sales is in the middle of suing the company for allegedly misleading investors (Better declined to comment on the lawsuit).

Who bought better mortgage? ›

New York-based digital lender Better.com announced Wednesday the closing of its business combination with the special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) Aurora Acquisition Corp,, ending a two-year journey to make the business public.

Do millionaires pay off their mortgage? ›

Not only is there huge freedom in being completely debt-free and living in a paid-for house, but it's also a great way to build wealth—getting rid of your house payment leaves you with a ton of extra money each month to save for retirement. In fact, the average millionaire pays off their house in just 10.2 years.

Why a mortgage is Better than buying outright? ›

Buying in cash to save on mortgage interest might not be the best choice if you have other promising options for investing the money or if you have other major expenses to pay. Getting a mortgage can provide a lot of financial flexibility by keeping more of your money liquid to tap for emergencies.

What is the best mortgage to use? ›

Take a look at your finances.

Borrowers with fair credit and little savings could consider a government-backed loan, while those with very good credit and a low debt-to-income ratio may get better rates through a conventional loan.

Why are longer mortgages more expensive? ›

Because 15-year loans are less risky for banks than 30-year loans—and because it costs banks less to make shorter-term loans than longer-term loans—a 30-year mortgage typically comes with a higher interest rate.

What is the downside of getting a mortgage? ›

Debt – By taking out a mortgage, you're taking on a commitment to pay back a lot of money within a certain time period, including interest. Even over 25 years, you'll be paying a lot more back than you borrowed.

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