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Rocket Mortgage® might be for you if: You're looking for an online mortgage that comes with great customer service. The Rocket Mortgage digital application is the industry benchmark and its app makes the application process a cinch.
Read our full Rocket Mortgage review to find out whether a Rocket Mortgage home loan is right for you.
Best for: Customer service and streamlined app
Rocket Mortgage®
Bottom Line
Rocket Mortgage led the transition to a full digital experience and online-only applications. Its seamless process is one reason Rocket Mortgage is consistently ranked in the top two on J.D. Power's customer service rankings. Rocket Mortgage has a robust and high-quality app that makes it easy to use.
Min. Credit Score 580 FHA 620 other mortgage products 680 Jumbo
Min. Down Payment 0%-3.5% (FHA & VA loans) 3% (conventional loans)
Key Features
Loan Types
Fixed Rate Terms
Adjustable Rate Terms
It's important to consider multiple mortgage lenders to find a good fit for you. We've listed one of our favorite lenders below so you can compare your options:
At Motley Fool Money, mortgages are rated on a scale of one to five stars, with five stars meaning "best." We primarily focus on rates and fees, customer service, and loan versatility. This includes factors like application process, customer service channels available, and a variety of loan products.
See our full methodology here: Ratings Methodology
As a mortgage researcher for The Motley Fool, I've written in-depth reviews of dozens of mortgage lenders. That means a deep dive to find out who the ideal customer might be for each lender. Even though I'm self-employed and don't check all the boxes as a typical borrower, I've been approved for three mortgages and two mortgage refinance loans.
Rocket Mortgage® (NMLS #3030) has a lot to offer. Competitive mortgage rates, award-winning customer service, and a fully digital experience are a few of the features this lender is known for. You can't get every type of home loan from Rocket Mortgage, but if it offers a home loan that meets your needs, you stand a good chance of having a great experience.
Rocket Mortgage's mortgage rates trend a little higher than the national average. The day we checked, Rocket Mortgage's advertised rate on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage was a hair higher than Freddie Mac's published national average rate. FHA loan and VA loan borrowers pay a little less.
Rocket Mortgage's refinance rates trend about the same as the national average. FHA loan and VA loan borrowers pay slightly higher refinance rates.
Rocket Mortgage's fees are competitive, and in line with what other lenders charge.
Rocket Mortgage doesn't charge a fee to apply, but may charge an origination fee of $1,500. The origination fee is the lender's fee for making the loan. The amount typically varies depending on what state you're in. Borrowers are usually also responsible for paying other applicable fees, such as property taxes and appraisal fees.
How to qualify: Borrowers must meet income requirements, have a credit score of at least 620 and an acceptable debt-to-income ratio (DTI), and use the loan for their primary residence. The loan can also be used to refinance an existing mortgage. You can start the approval process online to find out if you qualify for the Welcome Home RateBreak 2-1 temporary buydown.
What you get: Rocket Mortgage is currently offering home buyers reduced rates on HomeReady® and Home Possible® loans of up to $350,000. HomeReady® and Home Possible® typically require 3% down, but with Welcome Home RateBreak, borrowers can get 2% off their rate for the first year and 1% for the second year.
How to qualify: There are income limits, the maximum loan amount is $350,000, and you need a 620 FICO® Score.
What you get: The Rocket Mortgage One+ program is a nonrepayable grant for 2% of the purchase price, to be used toward the down payment. That means that if you qualify, you would only need to come up with 1% down.
Rocket Mortgage gets great customer service reviews online, with customers praising its loan officers' responsiveness and communication skills. Customers love how quick and easy Rocket Mortgage's online loan process is and that customer support is available when they need it.
Rocket Mortgage has 4.7 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot.
The first step in applying for a mortgage with Rocket Mortgage is getting prequalified. You can start the prequalification process online by providing information including your price range, contact details, and finances. Rocket Mortgage will do a soft credit check (that won't affect your score), and then set you up to chat with an expert about your options.
The quickest way to get approved for a Rocket Mortgage loan is through Prequalified Approval. You'll need to fill out an application online and give your permission for a hard credit pull (to check your credit score). You don't need any documentation for Prequalified Approval, but have your financial information on hand. You'll be given the option to link your bank accounts to your application.
For Verified Approval, Rocket Mortgage will verify your income and assets, conduct a hard credit pull, and provide you a Verified Approval Letter.
After you have submitted the required information, you can expect to hear back within three business days, although you could hear back much sooner. Many customers receive a pre-approval quote the same day they apply.
The application process can be done completely online, but if you prefer, you could start your application over the phone.
The documentation that you need to apply for a loan with Rocket Mortgage can include the following:
In addition to providing necessary documents, you will also need to meet Rocket Mortgage's minimum credit score and down payment requirements.
Rocket Mortgage started in 1985 as Rock Financial. In 1996, Mortgage In A Box was born, which allowed borrowers to fill out a mortgage application at home. Mortgage In A Box was a huge success; the company closed $35 million in loans two months after its release.
In 1999, the company called itself Quicken Loans, and in 2015, Rocket Mortgage came to be -- the first fully online mortgage application. Mortgage technology has advanced at lightning speed, and Rocket Mortgage was at the front of the pack. Rocket Mortgage took off so dramatically that before long, the names Quicken Loans and Rocket Mortgage were being used interchangeably.
In 2021, Quicken Loans officially changed its name to Rocket Mortgage.
The lowest advertised rate at Rocket Mortgage is on par with the national average.
Yes. One nice thing about Rocket Mortgage is that it consistently gets very high marks for customer service. The No. 1 ranking, in fact, in some very large surveys. In light of its competitive rates and excellent service, Rocket Mortgage is definitely worth considering.
That said, Rocket Mortgage isn't perfect for everyone. If you need a construction loan, for example, that's something Rocket Mortgage doesn't offer.
Yes. Refinance rates and fees are very competitive, and customer service is top notch.
Rocket Mortgage offers loans with different requirements to meet the needs of most borrowers. If your credit score is in the 580-620 range, you might qualify for an FHA loan from Rocket Mortgage. For a conventional mortgage, you'll need a 620. For Rocket Mortgage's lowest mortgage interest rate, you'll need a higher credit score. Rocket Mortgage will also consider how much you currently spend on debt, and the amount of cash you have for a down payment and reserves.
Rocket Mortgage offers a variety of purchase and refinance home mortgage loans:
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