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About Mr. Cooper
Mr. Cooper is a nonbank mortgage lender and a registered service mark of Nationstar Mortgage (NMLS #2119). It offers conventional and government-backed purchase and refinance loans and publishes its current rates online every day. It also provides convenient calculators to help you figure out how much you can afford to borrow, how much house you can afford and how much you can save by refinancing. Mr. Cooper is licensed to operate in all 50 states as well as Washington, D.C., Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Pros & Cons
- Online pre-qualification tool takes minutes
- Online loan tracking
- On-time closing guarantee
- Pays local moving costs in some areas
- No locations for in-person service
- No USDA loans
Featured Reviews
I had a really great experience with Mr. Cooper, and I’ll continue to use them. My original loan got transferred to them, and after the end of my first loan, I used them for my se...
Read full reviewI was assigned a loan coordinator in a very timely manner. … He quickly took ownership of the loan processing through to the point of setting up the closing, which was very conven...
Read full reviewRates
Mr. Cooper publishes its current rates for 15- and 30-year fixed-rate conventional loans and 30-year fixed FHA loans on its website. These rates are updated daily, given that mortgage rates are always changing.
From 2019 to 2021, the company’s average rates for home purchase loans have been slightly higher than the national average. In 2021, the average rate for homebuyers who went through Mr. Cooper was 0.06% higher than the national average.
Mr. Cooper average home purchase rate vs. national average
Year | Difference from national average |
---|---|
2021 | +0.06% |
2020 | +0.35% |
2019 | +0.36% |
Mr. Cooper offers fixed-rate loans and adjustable-rate loans. Because mortgage rates have been higher than normal in 2022, many borrowers are now considering adjustable-rate mortgages. These loans typically have a set interest rate for the first three to 10 years of the loan, but the rate continually resets once that period is over.
When rates are lower, it often makes sense to go with a fixed-rate loan so you can lock in an ideal rate. However, when rates are higher, it might make sense to go with an adjustable-rate loan, especially if you can sell or refinance before your rate begins to change.
As you search for a mortgage company and compare rates, be aware of the difference between an interest rate and an annual percentage rate (APR). An APR is a better measure of the total cost of a loan because it includes not just your interest rate but also additional fees, such as discount points, loan origination fees and other charges.
Application process
Mr. Cooper does not have local branches, but it offers online tools and access to your loan agent online and by phone. You can apply online, and Mr. Cooper offers several other features to help in the homebuying, mortgage application and closing processes, like
- Pre-qualification within minutes for most borrowers
- Agent Assurance, which connects you with local real estate agents
- The StreetSmarts house searching tool
- The Mr. Cooper mobile app for accessing loan documents, making mortgage payments and accessing financial education materials
- A digital loan tracker that lets you follow the process from application to closing
- The Close On Time Guarantee, which covers your first month’s mortgage payment if Mr. Cooper misses your scheduled closing date
- The Zero Dollar Move program, which pays for your move (up to 50 miles) if you buy a home with a Mr. Cooper loan
Mr. Cooper application features
Features | Availability |
---|---|
Online application | |
Mobile document upload | X |
Physical branches | X |
Publishes minimum rate on website | |
Rate lock | 45 days |
Pre-qualification (no hard credit pull) | |
Certified approval letter |
Loan types
Mr. Cooper offers both home purchase loans and refinance loans, and they are available with fixed or adjustable rates.
Conventional loans have made up the majority of Mr. Cooper’s originations during 2020 and 2021, according to Home Mortgage Disclosure Act data submitted by Nationstar Mortgage. However, the company also originates FHA purchase loans, FHA streamline refinance loans, VA purchase loans and VA IRRRLs (interest rate reduction refinance loans).
Mr. Cooper doesn’t offer USDA loans. If you’re interested in a USDA loan, check out our guide on USDA-approved lenders.
In 2021, Mr. Cooper closed on 4,842 home purchase loans out of a total of 6,641 home purchase applications (73%).
Loan applications for home purchases only by year
2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |
---|---|---|---|
Home purchase applications | 6,641 | 7,216 | 19,299 |
Home purchase loans closed | 4,842 | 4,497 | 12,806 |
Home purchase applications denied | 411 | 1,261 | 3,270 |
Home purchase preapprovals denied | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Refinancing
More than half of the mortgages originated by Mr. Cooper in 2021 and 2021 were rate-and-term refinance loans, with cash-out refinances being its second most popular option.
During the same years, only about 3% of loans originated by Mr. Cooper were home purchase loans. This trend toward refinancing was common in the industry; because rates were so low in 2020 and 2021, many homeowners opted to refinance.
Home purchase vs. refinance loans by year
2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |
---|---|---|---|
Home purchase loans | 2.77% | 3.13% | 15.69% |
Refinance loans | 62.63% | 74.75% | 41.11% |
Cash-out refinance | 34.47% | 21.95% | 42.97% |
Requirements
Mr. Cooper does not publish specific requirements for borrowers, but representatives told us the lender follows loan requirements from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac for conventional loans.
Conventional mortgages that conform to these standards typically require a credit score of at least 620, a down payment of at least 3% and a debt-to-income (DTI) ratio of 45% or lower. Nonconforming conventional loans, like jumbo loans, often have different requirements, though.
Government-backed loans, like FHA and VA loans, generally have less strict requirements than conventional loans. You can get approved for an FHA loan with a credit score as low as 500, but you need a score of 580 or higher to qualify for a 3.5% down payment. You can get a VA loan with no down payment.
If you’re unsure of whether you can afford a loan, Mr. Cooper does offer calculators to estimate how much house you can afford, potential mortgage payments, the cost of renting versus buying and how much you could save by refinancing.
National mortgage requirements by type
Min. credit score | Min. down payment | Compare with other lenders | |
---|---|---|---|
Conventional | Typically 620 | Typically 3% | Mortgage lenders |
FHA | 500 | 3.5% with 580 credit score | FHA lenders |
VA | Set by lender (often 580) | 0% | VA lenders |
Cost and fees
Mr. Cooper does not publish its fees online. However, according to a Mr. Cooper representative, origination fees on typical conventional conforming loans are $1,500. Additional fees vary based on your type of loan, your down payment amount, the type of property and other factors.
If you apply, the company is legally required to send you a Loan Estimate within three business days of receiving your loan application. This document shows your estimated interest rate, closing costs and monthly payment amount.
FAQ
How does Mr. Cooper work?
You can start the preapproval process with Mr. Cooper by calling or filling out a form online. Once you provide details about your identity and finances, Mr. Cooper does a soft credit check and provides a preapproval letter showing an amount you generally qualify to borrow. If you’re further along in the process and ready to make an offer, you should seek “verified approval,” which requires a more detailed check of your income and assets and gives you an approval letter to show the seller. Once your offer is accepted, you formally apply for a loan and lock in your interest rate.
Is Mr. Cooper legit?
Mr. Cooper is one of the largest mortgage originators in the U.S. and had 3.9 million customers around the country as of March 2022, according to investor information provided by the company.
Where is Mr. Cooper available?
Mr. Cooper is licensed in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and several U.S. territories, including Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Mr. Cooper Reviews
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A link has directed you to this review. Its location on this page may change next time you visit.
- 4,519,726 reviews on ConsumerAffairs are verified.
- We require contact information to ensure our reviewers are real.
- We use intelligent software that helps us maintain the integrity of reviews.
- Our moderators read all reviews to verify quality and helpfulness.
Sources
- Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council, “ HMDA Data Publication .” Accessed July 13, 2022.
Mr. Cooper Company Information
- Company Name:
- Mr. Cooper
- Company Type:
- Public
- Address:
- 8950 Cypress Waters Blvd
- City:
- Dallas
- State/Province:
- TX
- Postal Code:
- 75019
- Country:
- United States
- Website:
- www.mrcooper.com