Rocket Mortgage

- Refinancing options
- Cash out, rate-and-term
- Minimum credit score
- 580 for government-backed loans; 620 for conventional loans
- Availability
- Nationwide
A mortgage refinance happens when a borrower replaces their existing mortgage with another one that has better terms. Some examples of a successful mortgage refinance include eliminating private mortgage insurance, taking advantage of a lower interest rate or getting a shorter payoff term. Borrowers need to go through an application process and must get approved for the refinance, but if they are, it can save them money in the long run.
There are several types of refinancing: cash-out refinancing, rate-and-term refinancing, consolidation refinancing and cash-in refinancing. The best mortgage refinance lenders have quick application and approval processes, work with borrowers with a range of credit scores and offer multiple refinancing options.
Our research team vetted 26 refinance lenders rated by more than 16,000 customers. Read our methodology to understand how we selected companies for our top picks. Note that our picks may be Authorized Partners who compensate us. This doesn’t affect our recommendations or evaluations, but it may impact the order in which companies appear.
| Company | Customer rating | Our pick for | Minimum credit score | Availability | Refinancing options | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() Rocket Mortgage | View Rates | 4.3
2,753 reviews
2,753 reviews
| Easy process | 580 for government-backed loans; 620 for conventional loans | Nationwide | Cash out, rate-and-term |
![]() Better Mortgage | Learn More | 2.2
405 reviews
405 reviews
| Online lending | 620 | Most states | Cash out, rate-and-term |
![]() AmeriSave Mortgage | View Rates | 4.7
6,154 reviews
6,154 reviews
| Fast and accurate quotes | 600-620 | All states but NY | Cash out, rate-and-term |
![]() First Internet Bank | Learn More | 2.6
426 reviews
426 reviews
| Competitive rates | Varies | Nationwide | Cash-out, rate-and-term |
![]() Network Capital | Learn More | 4.5
1,169 reviews
1,169 reviews
| Low fees | Low- to mid-600s | Most states | Cash out, rate-and-term |
![]() Mr. Cooper | Learn More | 1.1
10,951 reviews
10,951 reviews
| Best mobile app | 580 - 620 | Nationwide | Cash out, rate-and-term |
![]() Veterans United Home Loans | Learn More | 4.9
1,857 reviews
1,857 reviews
| Best VA process | Varies | Nationwide | IRRRL, cash-out |
![]() ClearPath Lending | Learn More | 4.5
1,701 reviews
1,701 reviews
| Quick pre-qualifications | Varies | Some states | Cash out, rate-and-term |
![]() North American Savings Bank | Learn More | 3.8
195 reviews
195 reviews
| Customer service | Varies | Most states | Cash-out, rate-and-term, IRRRL |
When picking a refinancing company, make sure you choose a company that offers competitive rates and terms, has helpful customer service and provides options that work for your needs and budget.









Jump into our guides and start learning
Mortgage refinancing is what happens when a mortgage holder replaces their existing mortgage loan with one that has different terms. Some reasons to get a refinancing loan include:
Some people may also obtain a refinance to get cash out of their home equity for home improvements, debt consolidation, tuition or investment.
The application process for a mortgage refinance is similar to that of your original mortgage. You’ll need proof of income, employment and assets. Additionally, you’ll need to provide information about your homeowners insurance plus contact information for your homeowners association representative (if applicable). Streamlined refinancing programs, which require less documentation, are available for FHA, VA and USDA loans.
Depending on your financial goals, the biggest advantages to refinancing your mortgage are reducing your monthly payment or converting some of your equity into cash. The former saves you money, while the latter gives you access to funds you can spend or invest.
The main downside to refinancing is that you’ll have to pay closing costs and reduce your home equity (in a cash-out refinance). If you refinance to a shorter term, your monthly payment will likely be higher.
Like any big financial decision, refinancing a mortgage can seem like a complicated process. Refinancing is popular because it’s so versatile — you can use it to get cash out, lower payments, consolidate debt, remove private mortgage insurance and more.
Here are some tips for choosing the right refinance lender:
Let your financial goals inform where you start looking for a lender. Keep in mind, too, that a mortgage broker can help you compare lenders if you want to save time.
» LEARN: How to refinance a mortgage
On average, it takes most people between 30 and 45 days to refinance a house. However, there can be unexpected delays related to inspections, appraisals and other parts of the process. It’s not uncommon for the process to take up to two months or longer in some situations.
Refinancing makes the most sense when you have the opportunity to lower your rate or need access to funds from your home equity. Usually, it makes more sense to refinance when you plan to stay in the house for a while. You also have to take into account how long you've had your current loan; different types of mortgages have different rules about how soon you can refinance.
The cost to refinance a mortgage depends on several factors, including the size of the loan, your location, your financial history and your existing home equity.
Generally, it costs between 2% and 6% of the total loan balance. For example, for a $150,000 mortgage refinance, expect to pay between $3,000 and $9,000 at closing. You can pay closing costs out of pocket or roll them into the loan.
We started with a list of 26 mortgage lenders that specialize in refinancing. To narrow it down, we first eliminated companies with an overall satisfaction rating below 3.5 stars.
To select top picks, the ConsumerAffairs Research Team then analyzed recent verified review data published on our site over a 12-month period (June 12, 2020, through June 12, 2021). We required all of our picks to have a minimum 2-to-1 ratio of five-star reviews to one-star reviews over this time period.
We also considered the availability of products and overall online experience when selecting our top lenders.
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| Company | Customer rating | About | Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 1.6
854 reviews
| Offers mortgage and reverse mortgage loans. Seller and servicer of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and Ginnie Mae loans. Available in 49 states, with physical branches in 32 states. First-time borrowers need a 640 minimum credit score. | View Rates |
![]() | 4.7
6,154 reviews
| Provides custom quotes with no obligation to purchase or refinance. Offers conventional, FHA, VA and USDA loans. No origination fees. Minimum credit score requirement of 600 to 620. Available in 49 states. | View Rates |
![]() | 4.3
2,753 reviews
| Online lender with multiple mortgage and refinancing options. 24/7 online services and Learning Center. No in-person assistance. Works with credit scores as low as 580. Available in every state and Washington, D.C. | View Rates |
![]() | 4.7
138 reviews
| Conventional, FHA, VA and jumbo loans. Refinancing options available to lower payments, change terms or take cash out. Minimum credit score requirement: 580 to 620. Available nationwide. | View Rates |
![]() | 2.6
98 reviews
| Direct lender providing digital mortgage experience. Offers purchase and refinance loans, including conventional and government-backed loans. Lifetime Guarantee waives lender fees for future refinancing. Available nationwide. | Read reviews |
![]() | 2.2
405 reviews
| Offers purchase and refinance loan options. Apply and qualify for loans 100% online. No commission or lender fee. No prepayment penalty. Requires a minimum credit score of 620. Available in most states. | Read reviews |
![]() | 3.6
123 reviews
| Offers conventional loans, FHA loans and VA loans. Available in all states except New Jersey, New York and West Virginia. Shows sample loan terms online. Online loan calculators and resources. Affiliated lender of Zillow. | Read reviews |
![]() | 4.9
1,857 reviews
| Specializes in loans for veterans, active-duty military and their spouses. Offers conforming, jumbo and refinancing VA mortgages. No private mortgage insurance requirements. Serves all 50 states. | Read reviews |
![]() | 4.5
1,169 reviews
| Offers conventional, FHA and VA home purchase and refinance loans with fixed and variable rates. Publishes rates online. Online application process. No lender fees for qualifying borrowers. Available in 43 states. | Read reviews |
![]() | 4.5
1,701 reviews
| Offers conventional and government-backed loans, including FHA and VA, for home purchasing, as well as refinancing. Fixed and adjustable rates. Jumbo loans. Licensed in 31 states. Apply online and track your application. | Read reviews |
![]() | 3.8
195 reviews
| Provides home purchase, refinancing and emergency loans. Special services for veterans. Multiple locations across the Kansas City area. Minimum credit score requirements vary. Not all products are available in all states. | Read reviews |
![]() | 3.6
83 reviews
| Nationwide lender offering conventional, jumbo, FHA, USDA and VA loans. Also has specialized loans for renovations, condos and tiny houses. Provides free rate quotes. Custom-built loan origination platform. | Read reviews |
![]() | 3.4
206 reviews
| Offers conforming conventional loans, jumbo loans, interest-only loans, FHA loans, VA loans, home renovation loans and HELOCs. Online application process. Provides preapprovals in about 15 minutes. Over 500 branches nationwide. | Read reviews |
![]() | 2.6
426 reviews
| Online-based full-service bank. Offers a variety of loan types, including conventional, jumbo, FHA, VA, construction and home equity loans. Also offers HELOCs. Available nationwide. No physical branches. | Read reviews |
![]() | 2.3
214 reviews
| Offers conventional, FHA, USDA, VA and jumbo loan programs for purchase and refinancing. Lock your rate for 120 days while searching for a home. Available in all states except NY. Apply online or visit a branch in 41 states. | Read reviews |
![]() | 2.3
1,718 reviews
| Offers a wide array of conventional mortgages and government-backed FHA, VA and USDA loans. Home equity and refinancing options available. Shares current rates daily. Online application process. | Read reviews |
![]() | 2.1
955 reviews
| Offers lending and mortgage services directly to consumers. Mortgage products include purchase and refinance options, including conventional loans, FHA loans, VA loans and USDA loans. Personalized dashboard for each customer. | Read reviews |
![]() | 1.8
1,589 reviews
| Offers home purchase and refinance loans. Online and in-store services available. Work with a local consultant. Check rate estimates online. Closing costs are typically 2% to 5% of the purchase price. | Read reviews |
![]() | 1.6
1,977 reviews
| Offers fixed- and adjustable-rate mortgages for purchase and refinance. Has FHA, VA, jumbo and conventional loan options. Get pre-qualified online or in person. Provides an online interactive mortgage calculator. | Read reviews |
![]() | 1.4
1,574 reviews
| Online marketplace for secured and unsecured loans. Free to compare rates and quotes from lenders for mortgages, car loans, personal loans and more. Minimum credit score requirements vary. Available nationwide. | Read reviews |
![]() | 1.4
40 reviews
| Offers home equity and mortgage refinance loans. Fixed APRs start at 5.99% for first liens and 6.99% for second liens at time of publishing. No cash due at closing. Apply online or over the phone. | Read reviews |
![]() | 1.2
902 reviews
| Not-for-profit credit union serving military, veterans and their families. Offers savings and checking accounts, credit cards and loans. Low fees. Competitive interest rates. Large ATM network across the U.S. and Canada. | Read reviews |
![]() | 1.2
2,038 reviews
| Large bank available in 26 states. Offers checking and savings accounts, credit cards, loans, mortgages, insurance and wealth management. Large ATM network. High fees and below-average interest rates on some savings accounts. | Read reviews |
![]() | 1.1
10,951 reviews
| Online-based mortgage lender. Offers home loans for purchases and refinances. Provides a mobile app and multiple online homebuying tools. No in-person assistance. Available in every state and Washington, D.C. | Read reviews |
![]() | 1.3
778 reviews
| Financial services provider for U.S. military and their immediate families. Offers banking, insurance, investments and retirement planning. Low fees. No minimum balance requirements on many accounts. Competitie APYs. | Read reviews |
![]() | 1.2
1,283 reviews
| Offers online and in-person banking, loans, credit cards and retirement accounts. Easy to waive checking and savings account fees. Increased benefits as your account balance grows. Cash-back and airline mile credit cards. | Read reviews |
![]() | 1.0
4,642 reviews
| Online lender with multiple mortgage and refinancing options, including conventional and government-backed loans. Loan officers assist at every step of the process. Offers online checklists, articles and calculators. | Read reviews |
![]() | 1.1
679 reviews
| One of largest residential mortgage originators in the U.S. Also offers checking and savings accounts, loans, credit cards and investment services. Banking only available in California, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin. | Read reviews |
![]() | 1.0
342 reviews
| National mortgage lender with branches in 28 states and Washington, D.C. Offers conventional and government-backed purchase and refinance loans. HELOC allows you to lock in fixed rate during draw period. Check rates online. | Read reviews |
![]() | 1.1
2,921 reviews
| Online and in-store loan services. Offers fixed-rate, adjustable-rate and jumbo loans. Pre-qualification and preapproval services available. Refinancing and home equity lines of credit available. | Read reviews |
![]() | 1.0
354 reviews
| Offers home loans for purchase or refinance. Conventional, FHA, VA and USDA loans available. Licensed nationwide, including in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Rate and closing guarantees. | Read reviews |
![]() | 1.0
894 reviews
| Nonbank mortgage lender offering purchase and refinance loans, reverse mortgages and HELOCs. Low down payment options and down payment assistance available. Licensed in all states except Utah. Operates branches in 31 states. | Read reviews |
![]() | 1.0
45 reviews
| Refinancing lender matching service. Takes your refinancing preferences and matches you with up to three lenders. Gives a lender and mortgage type recommendation. No fee to use. Available in most states. | Read reviews |
![]() | 3.9
View profile
| Provides financial services using blockchain technology. Offers home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) and plans to offer lines of credit secured by cryptocurrency. HELOCs not available in DE, HI, KY, MD, NY, TX and WV. | Read reviews |
![]() | 1.0
View profile
| Marketplace real estate investing platform, not a direct lender. No traditional loans. Cash-only offers from investors. Estimates may be sent within 48 hours. Available nationwide. | Visit Site |