First Mortgage Direct Review 2022
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At a glance

NMLS: 244476
State License: MC-5877
4.1
Bankrate Score
Loans offered
Conventional, jumbo, FHA, VA, USDA, fixed-rate, adjustable-rate; rate-and-term, cash-out and streamline refinancing; home equity loan; investment propertyNationwide availability
Available in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and WashingtonMin. credit score required
620 for conventional loans; 580 for FHA loans; 580 for VA loansPros and cons
Pros
- Borrowers assigned readily available loan officer to work with via phone or email
- No origination or hidden fees
- Loans for purchases, first-time homebuyers and refinancing
Cons
- Not available in every state
- Limited call center hours for general inquiries
First Mortgage Direct overview
First Mortgage Direct is the online lending division of First Mortgage Solutions, a brick-and-mortar lender based in Kansas City, Missouri. The lender was founded on the principles of honesty, integrity and experience, with loan officers available to consult with and educate clients throughout the financing process. Notably, the lender doesn’t charge origination fees or other hidden costs, nor participate in any gimmicky specials or limited-time offers. Typically, qualified borrowers can obtain a preapproval within 48 hours, and purchase loans generally close within 30 days (refinances within 60). First Mortgage Direct is currently licensed in 20 states.
Good for
Borrowers looking for fast preapprovals, responsive email support and a variety of mortgage options
Loan types
- Conventional
- Jumbo
- FHA
- VA
- USDA
- Fixed-rate
- Adjustable-rate
- Rate-and-term, cash-out and streamline refinancing
- Home equity loan
- Investment property
Lender fees
First Mortgage Direct doesn’t charge any lender fees. Borrowers can choose to pay discount points for a lower rate.
Rates
First Mortgage Direct advertises rates on its website. Your individual rate will depend on your circumstances, such as loan amount, credit profile and down payment.
Online services
Borrowers can apply for a loan online through First Mortgage Direct’s website and are able to ask questions throughout the process via email or phone. The lender offers online preapprovals within one to two days, and its website features a selection of calculators, including rent versus own, debt consolidation and home closing costs, to help you weigh different scenarios.
Minimum borrower requirements
Following Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac guidelines, borrowers must have a credit score of at least 620 for a conventional loan and at least 3 percent available for a down payment. Borrowers cannot exceed a debt-to-income ratio (DTI) of 50 percent for a conventional loan.
For FHA, VA and USDA loans, those requirements are set by the government. You can find them here:
Refinancing with First Mortgage Direct
First Mortgage Direct offers rate-and-term, cash-out and streamline refinancing, and you can apply for a refinance online. There are no lender fees, but you’ll have to pay for third-party services, such as the appraisal.
Not sure if First Mortgage Direct is right for you? Consider these alternatives
- LoanMonkey mortgage review: Offers instant underwriting decisions
- NBKC Bank mortgage review: On-time loan closing guarantee or you and the seller get $2,500 each
- Better.com mortgage review: Like First Mortgage Direct, this lender doesn’t charge commissions or fees
- Navy Federal Credit Union mortgage review: Below-market rates for military members and families
- Wyndham Capital Mortgage review: Offers on-demand preapprovals and e-closings
Breakdown of First Mortgage Direct overall review score
- Affordability: 3/5
- Availability: 5/5
- Borrower experience: 4.3/5
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.
First Mortgage Direct consumer reviews
4.7
191 reviews
Customer service rating
92% of reviews would recommend this lender
10 of 10 rates honored
Review this lender
Write a review of your experience with First Mortgage Direct.
10 of 27 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.
Excellent expereince
Ash K. | Wayne, NJ | 6/1/2021
I switched from better.com to First Mortgage halfway to my closing due to issues with better.com's service. I found First Mortgage to be extremely responsive and helpful, and I was able to quickly lock in a great rate. They were helpful every step of the way and it was very seamless all the way to t...
Surprisingly Exceptional Service
SteveM | NJ | 6/7/2021
Quick About Me: I've bought and sold properties six times so have experience with different levels of customer services. I had not heard of First Mortgage before my most recent refi nor do I have anything to do with the company. About First Direct Mortgage and specifically Tyler Epley: The ser...
Amazing Experience & Excellent Service!
Yetnayet Demessie | 8230 Jepson Place, Alexandria, VA 22309 | 6/11/2021
Jarrett Pfeiffer and team (Riley Hammel) provided us unparalleled professional support throughout the process. We also got a favorable mortgage rate. Jarrett was easily accessible and responsive. Everything was smooth and seamless. We closed on time and we are very happy:) What an awesome team to wo...
Impressed
Excellent communication and responsiveness | Denver, CO | 6/18/2021
To say the least I was impressed. Alex Hodson and his team (especially Ashley Whaley)went way above and beyond make everything work. The communication was always clear, response rate extremely quick and of course the overall service was stellar. I was always in the loop of where in the process I wa...
Great experience, great service, rapid close
Great experience, very satisfied | Virginia | 6/25/2021
We refinanced our home with First Mortgage Direct and had an excellent experience. Andrew McKay and Gwen Robertson were super responsive and helpful along the way, always giving us quick answers at all hours by email or phone and helped see it through to the end. We got a great rate, were able to lo...
Great Rates, Professional Guidance, and Fast Service
Great rate, with cash out! | Austin, Texas | 6/27/2021
The First Mortgage Direct Team of Tyler Epley, and Gwen Robertson, could not have been more efficient and professional, in moving my loan through. Tyler helping me make decisions on my loan, and Gwen Robertson pushing the loan through, allowing me to get the most money out of my property, at the low...
Fantastic Experience - Would 100% recommend
Kevin | Charlotte, NC | 6/28/2021
First of all I want to thank Alex ans Ashley who really stepped up and made this loan go so smoothly. Without them, this process would have taken a lot longer at other lenders. Ashley did some very heavy lifting on your file, and came to bat for me, which I am truly appreciative for. Alex stayed in...
Great experience
Jay | Austin | 6/29/2021
Both Tyler and Gwen did a great job communicating and getting our mortgage pushed through quickly and seamlessly.
Highly recommend working with Tyler Epley and Gwen Robertson, no matter where you are in the States!
Highly recommend working with Tyler Epley and Gwen Robertson, no matter where you are in the States! | Norwood, NJ | 7/8/2021
We couldn't be happier with our experience with First Mortgage Direct, namely with Tyler Epley and Gwen Robertson! My fiance and I bought a house in Bergen County, NJ. Even though FMD is based in the northwest and it's not a brick and mortar location, Tyler (our loan officer) made himself fully avai...
Kerri Coggins is A on service all the way around!!
Kerri Coggins was amazing to work with | Austin tx | 7/12/2021
Made this process easy and communication was stellar!