
Lower Reviews
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About Lower
Lower is an online mortgage lending company providing options for buying, selling, insuring and saving for a home. The company’s home purchase options include conventional, FHA, VA, USDA and jumbo loans. It also offers refinancing, including rate-and-term and cash-out loans. You can get prequalified without a hard credit check. Lower is available in 47 states and Washington, D.C.
- Prequalify without a hard credit check
- Publishes fees online
- No refinance lender fees after initial loan
- Support available via text
- Not licensed in all states
Helpful Reviews
Application process
Lower Mortgage offers an online application. You can begin the prequalification process by responding to a few short questions and authorizing a soft credit check that won’t affect your credit score. Loan advisors are available by phone or text to answer your questions about the application process.
After you get prequalified, the next step is preapproval. You’ll need to upload financial documentation (like W-2s and bank statements) to Lower Mortgage’s online loan portal at this point. Once Lower has all your documents, you can expect to receive a preapproval letter within one business day.
Lower application features
| Features | Availability |
|---|---|
| Online application | |
| Mobile document upload | |
| Physical branches | Over 600 branch agents in local markets |
| Minimum rates published on website | |
| Rate lock | 15 to 360 days |
| Prequalification (no hard credit pull) | |
| Certified approval letter |
Loan types
Lower offers a variety of mortgage products, including fixed-rate conventional loans, jumbo loans, FHA loans, USDA loans, VA loans, combo loans and other nontraditional loan programs.
You can also refinance your home loan with Lower, whether you’re aiming to cash out or change your rate or term. Lower finances loans for first and second homes and investment properties with term lengths of 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 years.
The company posts daily rates on its site. The following figures, accurate on the date of publication, are based on a $350,000 loan with a 70% loan-to-value ratio:
| Loan Type | Rate | APR | Points | Monthly payment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conventional 15-year fixed | 5.375% | 5.787% | 2.125 | $2,836 |
| Conventional 30-year fixed | 5.875% | 6.136% | 2.250 | $2,070 |
| Conventional 15-year refinance | 5.250% | 5.752% | 2.500 | $2,813 |
| Conventional 30-year refinance | 5.875% | 6.167% | 2.375 | $2,070 |
HELOC and home equity loans
If you’re already a homeowner and interested in cashing in on your equity in the property, you might consider a home equity line of credit (HELOC) from Lower. It allows you to borrow up to 95% of your home equity (up to $500,000).
Requirements
Lower requires a 620 credit score for a conventional loan; FHA loans require a credit score of at least 500. Jumbo loans generally require a higher credit score, often 700 or above, and a larger down payment, typically between 10% and 20%. These requirements may vary based on loan terms and property type.
The down payment you’ll need also depends on the type of loan. A conventional loan often requires at least a 3% down payment, while an FHA loan requires a 3.5% down payment. VA and USDA loans don’t require a down payment.
Lower generally looks for a debt-to-income ratio of 36% or lower for conventional loans and 43% or below for FHA loans.
National mortgage requirements by type
| Minimum credit score | Minimum down payment | Compare with other lenders | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conventional | Typically 620 | Typically 3% | Mortgage lenders |
| FHA | 500 | 3.5% with a credit score of 580 | FHA lenders |
| VA | Set by lender (often 580) | 0% | VA lenders |
| USDA | Set by lender (often 640) | 0% | USDA lenders |
Cost and fees
Origination fees and closing costs vary with Lower Mortgage, ranging from $0 to 3% of the loan amount. Lower lists the following possible fees with its loans:
- Application fee
- Appraisal fee
- Credit report fee
- Discount points
- Escrow deposit for property taxes
- Flood certification fee
- Homeowners insurance
- Pest inspection
- Processing fee
- Recording fees
- Survey fee
- Title search fee
- Transfer taxes
- Underwriting fee
One feature of note from Lower is its “Free Refi for Life.” Once you get a purchase or refinance loan from Lower, it covers lender fees on all future refinances with the company. Lower says you can expect to save $1,500 on each future refinance loan.
FAQ
How does Lower work?
If you’re looking to purchase a home or refinance an existing loan, start with the Lower prequalification process. The questionnaire asks for some general information, including your credit score, how much you want to spend on a home, your down payment amount and income info. If you want to refinance, Lower asks about your goals (e.g., lowering your interest rate, getting cash out) and details about your current loan.
Lower can then give you an idea of what you qualify for after a soft credit pull. Once you’re ready to purchase or refinance with Lower, the lender does a hard credit check.
The entire application process can be done on Lower’s website or mobile app. This includes uploading documents. If you have any questions during the process, there are loan advisors available to help by phone and chat.
Is Lower legit?
We like that Lower has a variety of loan options and publishes rates on its website. You can contact the company by phone or text to get help from a loan advisor. If you’re researching lenders for buying a home or refinancing your current mortgage, add Lower to your list and compare it with other companies to find the best offer.
Where is Lower available?
Lower is available in 47 states and Washington, D.C.
Still have questions?
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Lower Company Information
- Company Name:
- Lower
- Company Type:
- Private
- Address:
- 8131 Smith's Mill Rd
- City:
- New Albany
- State/Province:
- OH
- Postal Code:
- 43054
- Country:
- United States
- Website:
- www.lower.com


