ConsumerDirect Mortgage Review 2022
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At a glance

NMLS: 472433
4.7
Bankrate Score
Loans offered
Conventional, jumbo, FHA, VA, fixed-rate, adjustable-rate; rate-and-term and cash-out refinancingNationwide availability
Available in all U.S. states (except Maryland)Min. credit score required
620 for conventional loans; 600 for FHA loansPros and cons
Pros
- Convenient rate quote estimate that doesn’t require sharing name and email address
- Excellent past customer reviews and an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau
- Majority of loans include lender credit to help cover third-party costs
Cons
- Borrower requirements and lender fees not listed online
- No USDA loans
ConsumerDirect overview
ConsumerDirect Mortgage is appropriately named: It’s the consumer-direct online lending division of FirstBank, which is a traditional FDIC-insured bank with more than 80 branches in four states and nearly $12 billion in assets. ConsumerDirect is headquartered in Delray Beach, Florida, and offers the basic menu of loan options.
Good for
Borrowers who appreciate rate transparency and want lender credits to help lower some costs
Loan types
- Conventional
- Jumbo
- FHA
- VA
- Fixed-rate
- Adjustable-rate
- Rate-and-term and cash-out refinancing
Lender fees
ConsumerDirect Mortgage’s fees are not listed online; however, its website does indicate that it offers lender credits for some third-party costs, which can help you save money.
Rates
ConsumerDirect’s mortgage rates are easily accessible online and regularly updated. You can obtain estimates based on the amount you’re looking to borrow, your credit score, the type of property and its location without sharing your personal details. Pay attention to the APR and lender fees associated with each different estimate. For example, you might be able to cut the lender fees by 90 percent in exchange for paying a 0.2 percent higher APR on a 30-year loan.
Online services
The ConsumerDirect website isn’t as comprehensive as those of some other lenders, but the rate quote tool is a key point of differentiation. You can easily apply online, too.
Minimum borrower requirements
While ConsumerDirect Mortgage does not publish minimum borrower requirements online, its rate quote tool shows that borrowers looking for a conventional loan will need a 620 credit score, at minimum, and FHA borrowers will need at least a 600.
Refinancing with ConsumerDirect Mortgage
ConsumerDirect offers both rate-and-term and cash-out refinancing options, and rates are advertised on its website. Notably, the lender has helped more than 10,000 borrowers refinance.
Not sure if ConsumerDirect Mortgage is right for you? Consider these alternatives
- BNC National Bank mortgage review: Another consumer-direct division of a traditional brick-and-mortar bank and specializes in VA loans
- Optimum First Mortgage review: Not as widely available, but also boasts high customer satisfaction and offers lender credits
- Homefinity mortgage review: Outstanding customer reviews and similar credit score requirements
- Lower mortgage review: Great customer reviews on Bankrate and a similarly transparent approach to rates
- NBKC Bank mortgage review: Exceptional reviews from thousands of past customers, but rates are not publicly advertised
Breakdown of ConsumerDirect Mortgage overall review score
- Affordability: 5/5
- Availability: 4.5/5
- Borrower experience: 4.7/5
Review methodology
To determine a mortgage lender’s Bankrate Score, Bankrate’s editorial team rates lenders on a scale of one to five stars based on a variety of factors relating to the lender’s products and services. Bankrate’s partners compensate us, but our opinions are our own, and partner relationships do not influence our reviews. Here is our full methodology.
ConsumerDirect consumer reviews
4.8
951 reviews
Customer service rating
95% of reviews would recommend this lender
5 of 6 rates honored
Review this lender
Write a review of your experience with Real Genius.
6 of 6 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.
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.
Worth the effort!
Simple and fast | Central Missouri | 8/23/2021
Online lenders are not for everyone, however, if you understand the process and acknowledge that you will have to produce thorough financial records it can be rewarding financially. I was able to secure a better rate than my local lender so it was worth the effort. Patrick was easy to deal with and ...
I’m a Realtor & used this company
Lexi C | Henderson, NV | 9/18/2021
I am a full time realtor and this company impressed me so much more than the local lenders I work with. Throughout the entire transaction they gave the best service and were so timely with all communication. Smooth transaction & I was blown away by the competitive fees. Highly recommend.
Highly recommended!!
Ram J | Mystic, CT | 2/4/2022
My loan officer, Gigi was efficient and offered a highly competitive product. Gigi was knowledgeable, prompt and available nights and weekends. The closing team was professional and communicated often throughout the process. Highly recommend them!!
The Best!
SM | New York City | 2/21/2022
Real Genius and Phillip Blasi, Sr. Mortgage Banker are simply The Best. I cannot thank them enough for the quick, efficient, kind, professional client service. During a weekend day, Mr. Blasi answered all of my questions within minutes and helped me with everything I was seeking from Real Genius. If...
Excellence and Professionalism
Excellence and Professionalism | California | 5/4/2022
The Real Genius Team composed of Woody Haskins (Sr. Mortgage Banker), Julie Beaty (Purchase Coordinator), Sarah Jones (Loan Processor), was professional and responsive from our initial conversation to our closing. They answered all our questions in a timely fashion and were quick to let us know of a...
Terrible experience
Terrible Experience | Lutz, FL | 9/8/2021
I had a terrible experience dealing with this company. They couldn't even find an appraiser to get my appraiser done. There was no communication from their side unless I followup and ask for status. I even found an appraiser myself and shared the contact, the response was that it was a wrong number....
Response from Real Genius
We apologize that you experienced these frustrations during the loan process. If you would like to discuss these items in detail, please feel free to reach out to our customer advocate team at 704-209-4435.