Freedom Mortgage, formally known as the Freedom Mortgage Corporation, is a family-owned lender that’s been in operation since 1990. The company is a full-service mortgage lender that offers a range of home loan products and services to help customers achieve their homeownership goals.
About Freedom Mortgage
The primary mission of Freedom Mortgage is to make homeownership more accessible to anyone who wants to own a home. It builds upon that mission by crafting affordable home loans and refinancing products that many people can take advantage of when shopping for a new home. The company also works with community-based charities to enhance the lives of service members, youth, individuals, and families in need.
Pros
- Serves all 50 states
- Customer service available Monday through Saturday with extended hours
- Option to download app on Google Play and Apple App Store
Cons
- Doesn’t publish rates; must apply to apply to get personalized rate
- No Home Equity Line of Credit/HELOC option
- Limited brick-and-mortar locations
Types of Loans: FHA Loans, VA Loans, USDA Loans, Conventional Loans
Minimum Down Payment: 3.5% for FHA / 5% for conventional
Minimum Credit Score: 550 for FHA / 620 for conventional
Freedom Mortgage is headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida, but is licensed to provide mortgages in every state in the United States as well as Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. With over 30 years of experience, Freedom Mortgage is committed to providing personalized solutions and exceptional customer service.
Why We Like Freedom Mortgage
Freedom Mortgage is considered a leading mortgage lender for home buyers and homeowners across the United States. Specifically, the company is known as one of the best lenders for VA loans and FHA loans, two types of loans aimed at helping specific groups of people own their homes affordably.
Unlike some other mortgage companies that can be difficult to get a hold of outside of usual business hours, Freedom Mortgage makes itself more available for customers. The company has extended hours throughout the week from 8 am to 8 pm EST for its current customers, plus Saturday hours for added convenience.
As one of the best mortgage lenders, Freedom Mortgage's competitors include:
- Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation
- Rocket Mortgage
- Better Mortgage
- Veterans United Home Loans
- Navy Federal Credit Union
- New American Funding
- Bank of America
Freedom Mortgage’s commitment to communities is also a standout feature of the company. It goes above and beyond to make a positive impact on local communities by participating in food drives and toy drives and donating funds to charitable organizations like the Salvation Army and Homes For Our Troops.
As for the company’s offerings for homebuyers, Freedom Mortgage customers appreciate its handy mobile app for Android and iOS devices. The app makes it easy to check an application’s status or manage a home loan directly through a phone or tablet, so homeowners always have quick access to their loan information.
Types of Loans
Owning a home incurs significant costs, including a down payment, closing costs, property taxes, and homeowners insurance, in addition to the mortgage itself. Freedom Mortgage understands the need to be a mortgage company that fits a wide range of mortgage needs for homebuyers. Therefore, it provides customers with different loan options to make the home-buying process more affordable.
The following mortgage loan products are available through this mortgage lender, but each has specific requirements for approval.
Conventional Home Loans
A conventional home loan is one of Freedom Mortgage’s most common types for homebuyers to apply for. These are traditional loans that aren’t backed by government programs in any way, in contrast to USDA, FHA, and VA loans. A conventional home loan requires homebuyers to make a down payment of at least 20% to avoid paying mortgage insurance, an additional cost for their monthly mortgage payment to help secure their home purchase and mortgage.
Unlike other loans only covering primary homes, homebuyers can buy secondary or vacation homes with a conventional home loan. For any use of a conventional loan, homeowners will usually need a minimum credit score of 620 for this type of mortgage. Also, these home purchase loans have a loan limit of $726,200.
Freedom Mortgage offers both adjustable and fixed loans for each borrower to apply for the loan type that best meets their budget and homeownership goals.
USDA Home Loans
USDA home loans are given by Freedom Mortgage but backed by the USDA to support homebuyers with lower incomes. These loans typically have low interest rates and do not require any down payments. However, homebuyers will usually need to pay mortgage insurance.
Due to the loan’s lower mortgage rates and the risk that lenders and the USDA take when they provide the loan, homebuyers need a credit score of at least 640. Homebuyers must also live in a qualifying rural or suburban area to be eligible for a USDA loan.
Additionally, Freedom Mortgage helps homeowners who already have a USDA loan refinance their homes with the USDA Streamline Refinance program, designed to offer a quick and relatively easy refinancing experience with a closing period of 30 days or less in most cases.
FHA Home Loans
FHA home loans are backed by the FHA, a government agency. These loans are meant to make home buying more accessible by allowing people with lower credit scores to still qualify for a loan. Freedom Mortgage allows homebuyers with a minimum of a 550 credit score to get a mortgage if they meet other requirements, like having enough income and not having too much debt.
FHA loans often come with competitive interest rates to help homebuyers lock in mortgage rates that aren’t overwhelming. Mortgage insurance through the FHA is required by any homebuyer using an FHA loan, however, so it’s important to remember to figure in these recurring payments when determining how much house you can afford.
For homeowners with an FHA loan, Freedom Mortgage can help with the refinancing process to transition them into another FHA loan with a lower interest rate and a reduced monthly payment. The mortgage lender gives the option of an FHA Streamline Refinance or an FHA Cash Out Refinance. The latter allows homeowners to use their home equity to get a loan for large expenses.
VA Home Loans
United States military veterans and current service members may qualify for a VA home loan, which Freedom Mortgage can help furnish. These loans are backed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), allowing military members to own a home with affordable mortgage rates, low or no down payment, and no mortgage insurance. The VA also limits how much a homebuyer must pay for closing costs and related fees. Sometimes, the seller pays a portion of these costs to complete the buying and selling process.
In most cases, military members can qualify for this type of mortgage with a minimum credit score of 550. Other requirements may also be laxer than with other loans, like income and debt-to-income ratio. Like FHA and USDA loans, refinancing is available through Freedom Mortgage for veterans who already have a VA loan.
Refinance Loans
Refinancing a mortgage with a lender like Freedom Mortgage can lower how much you pay for your mortgage over time. The process can secure a lower interest rate and shorten the length of time it takes for you to pay off your home. Freedom Mortgage has refinancing options for all of its loan types.
The requirements for a refinance vary based on the type of loan. For instance, USDA refinances require homeowners to keep mortgage insurance on their loans and meet similar credit score minimums as they did to first qualify for a loan. Meanwhile, VA refinances usually only require a minimum credit score of 550 and do not make homeowners pay mortgage insurance.
Homebuyers refinancing a conventional loan through Freedom Mortgage typically need a minimum credit score of 620 and at least 20% equity in their homes. Those without enough equity may need to pay mortgage insurance.
How To Apply for a Freedom Mortgage Home Loan
Prospective homebuyers who would like to apply for a Freedom Mortgage home loan should use the company’s online tool to walk through the process of applying online. The tool asks you a few important questions to point you toward the right Freedom Mortgage loan product for you, such as a new loan or a refinance loan. Be sure to have information about the property you want to buy on hand like the full address and zip code.
You can also speak to a representative on the phone by calling 877-370-2084. This is a good option if you want to learn more about your mortgage finance options if you’re still in the early phases of home buying and would like to be prepared as you get closer to finding your ideal home. The representative can explain what mortgage products might be best for your situation and let you know what information you’ll need when you’re ready to apply.
Once you have a Freedom Mortgage home loan secured, you can register an online account using your loan number. The online account gives you access to your payment settings, allowing you to switch to convenient autopay or pay more toward your principal or escrow account each month. You’ll also have quick access to your loan information, including your payoff estimate and current balance.
How To Contact Freedom Mortgage
Freedom Mortgage has several ways for customers to get in contact, whether they’re still in the buying phase or already have a loan through the company. One of the easiest ways is to contact Freedom Mortgage through your online account through the secure message center. This is available for anyone who is a current borrower and can register for an account. However, not all correspondence can be handled through the message center, so calling is sometimes a better option.
Freedom Mortgage has customer service phone hours for new customers via 877-370-2084.
This line is available Monday through Thursday from 8 am to 11 pm EST, Friday from 8 am to 10 pm EST, and Saturday from 8 am to 2 pm EST.
Current customers can call 855-690-5900 on Monday through Friday from 8 am to 8 pm EST or Saturday from 9 am to 2 pm EST.
Customers can send any written correspondence to:
Freedom Mortgage
P.O. Box 50428
Indianapolis, IN 46250-0401
Is Freedom Mortgage Right for Me?
As a family-owned company, Freedom Mortgage might help homebuyers feel as though they’re in a tight-knit family. This kind of business structure can feel more intimate for some compared to larger corporations. Freedom Mortgage also has strong ties to its surrounding communities, frequently participating in charity events and donating to causes in need. This might appeal to people who prefer to conduct business with do-good companies.
Freedom Mortgage has similar offerings to other companies like Rocket Mortgage as far as providing homebuyers and homeowners with multiple types of mortgage loans. For instance, people who live in rural areas and have lower incomes can get USDA loans through Freedom Mortgage, while homeowners looking for lower interest rates might choose a refinancing loan through the company.
Still, your home loan through Freedom Mortgage depends on several factors, including your credit score, the size of your loan, where you live, and your debt-to-income ratio. This Freedom Mortgage review covers a lot of information about the company, but the best way to drill down the details for your future mortgage is by getting a preapproval. We encourage you to start the preapproval process online or by calling Freedom Mortgage. Then, you can compare its rates with mortgages from other lenders to ultimately land on the best product for your future home or current refinancing situation.
