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Real Genius Mortgage Review 2026
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At a glance
NMLS: 2389303
State License: RM.804955.000
Editor's take
Real Genius is good for borrowers who want a low mortgage rate and lower fees.
Bankrate Score
Bankrate scores are objectively determined by our editorial team. Our scoring formula weighs several factors consumers should consider when choosing financial products and services.
4.4
Rating: 4.4 stars out of 5
Customer Rating
Star ranking and total number reflects the lifetime customer reviews received while this lender has been an advertiser on Bankrate.
To help serve you with relevant information, the customer reviews shown are limited to only those that this advertiser has received during the past 12 months.
4.8
Loans offered
Conventional, jumbo, FHA, VA, refinancing and more
Min. credit score required
620 for conventional loans, 600 for FHA loans
Nationwide availability
42 states (not available in California, Hawaii, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New York, Utah and Vermont)
Min. down payment
Undisclosed
Real Genius overview
Founded as ConsumerDirect Mortgage in 2012, Real Genius is an online mortgage lender headquartered in Delray Beach, Florida.
Pros and cons of Real Genius
Pros
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Low rates compared to Bankrate averages
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Majority of loans include lender credit to help cover third-party costs
Cons
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No ability to compare rates online
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Difficult to reach a customer service representative
How Bankrate scored Real Genius
Affordability: 4.7 stars
Real Genius’ low rates and fees earn it high marks for affordability.
- Interest rates: You won’t be able to compare Real Genius’ mortgage rates online, but the lender does report rates that are well below Bankrate’s averages.
- Fees: The lender’s origination fee costs $675, but lender credits typically offset this cost.
Availability: 5 stars
Real Genius’ loan options and wide reach get it a perfect score for availability.
- Home loans offered: Real Genius offers the standard loan options, including conventional loans, some government-insured loans (FHA and VA) and refinances. It also offers jumbo loans and help with investment property financing.
- Footprint: Real Genius mortgages are available to borrowers in most states, although not some high-population states, including California and New York.
- Where to find: To apply for a mortgage from Real Genius, you can start the process online or by calling a loan officer.
Borrower experience: 3.6 stars
Unlike many lenders, Real Genius doesn’t let you compare rates online, and it can be tough to reach a loan officer. This dings its borrower experience score.
- Preapproval and application process: According to Real Genius, some applicants can get preapproved for a mortgage in as little as 15 minutes. From there, you can continue the application process online.
- Transparency: It’s not possible to view the lender’s rates online. After you answer a handful of questions about your income, credit and the property you want to buy, you’ll be prompted to provide contact information and connected with a loan officer. Many lenders let you personalize rates on their websites.
- Customer service: You can reach Real Genius by calling 1-888-246-5906 or emailing info@realgenius.com.
How easy is it to contact Real Genius?
It may take some time to get in touch with a live agent at Real Genius. When we reached out by phone, we immediately heard a recorded greeting and were told to leave a message.
Real Genius reputation
Real Genius is accredited by the Better Business Bureau and currently has an A+ rating from the organization. On Trustpilot, the lender has an “Excellent” score from more than 600 reviews.
Learn more:
How to get a mortgage
Compare mortgage lenders
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Rating: 4.4 stars out of 5
4.4
Bankrate Score
Bankrate scores are objectively determined by our editorial team. Our scoring formula weighs several factors consumers should consider when choosing financial products and services.
Bankrate scores are objectively determined by our editorial team. Our scoring formula weighs several factors consumers should consider when choosing financial products and services.
|
Rating: 4.9 stars out of 5
4.9
Bankrate Score
Bankrate scores are objectively determined by our editorial team. Our scoring formula weighs several factors consumers should consider when choosing financial products and services.
Bankrate scores are objectively determined by our editorial team. Our scoring formula weighs several factors consumers should consider when choosing financial products and services.
|
Rating: 4.7 stars out of 5
4.7
Bankrate Score
Bankrate scores are objectively determined by our editorial team. Our scoring formula weighs several factors consumers should consider when choosing financial products and services.
Bankrate scores are objectively determined by our editorial team. Our scoring formula weighs several factors consumers should consider when choosing financial products and services.
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Loans offered Conventional, jumbo, FHA, VA, refinancing and more |
Loans offered Conventional, FHA, VA, jumbo, refinancing and more |
Loans offered Conventional, jumbo, FHA, VA, USDA, refinancing and more |
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Min. credit score required 620 for conventional loans, 600 for FHA loans |
Min. credit score required 580 for conventional loans, 500 for FHA loans |
Min. credit score required 620 for conventional loans, 580 for FHA loans, 580 for VA loans |
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Down payment Undisclosed |
Down payment 3% for conventional loans, 3.5% for FHA loans |
Down payment 3% for conventional loans, 3.5% for FHA loans, none for VA loans and USDA loans |
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Nationwide availability 42 states (not available in California, Hawaii, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New York, Utah and Vermont) |
Nationwide availability Available in all U.S. states except Texas |
Nationwide availability All U.S. states |
Real Genius customer ratings and reviews
NMLS: 2389303
State License: RM.804955.000
4.8
966 ratings
Star ranking and total number reflects the lifetime customer reviews received while this lender has been an advertiser on Bankrate. To help serve you with relevant information, the customer reviews shown below are limited to only those that this advertiser has received during the past 12 months.
This lender has 14 recent reviews.
Knowledge
Level of service
Professionalism
Responsiveness
95% of customers would recommend this lender.
of
14 reviews
The consumer reviews posted on Bankrate.com ("Bankrate") are individual, subjective opinions of reviewers, and not of Bankrate. Bankrate does not endorse any of the opinions expressed by reviewers or any responses to reviews.
Bankrate cannot guarantee or verify the accuracy of the opinions shared by individual reviewers, and reserves the right to reject or remove any review, at any time, for any reason at Bankrate’s sole discretion, including but not limited to those that Bankrate deems inappropriate, fraudulent, invalid, irrelevant, or otherwise outside the parameters of the Bankrate Review Guidelines, the Privacy Policy, or the Terms of Use.
To help serve you with relevant information, the consumer reviews shown below are limited to only those that this advertiser has received during the past 12 months.
Knowledge
Level of service
Professionalism
Responsiveness
Rates and terms of loan honored?
Closed mortgage with this lender?
Closed on time?
Would you recommend this lender?
Knowledge
Level of service
Professionalism
Responsiveness
Rates and terms of loan honored?
Closed mortgage with this lender?
Closed on time?
Would you recommend this lender?
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