Optimum First Mortgage Mortgage Review 2021
Please note: In response to the coronavirus pandemic, lenders are changing their requirements continuously. Although we strive for accuracy at the time of publication, please be sure to check with the lender for updated details on down payments, credit scores, etc.
At a glance

NMLS: 240415
State License: MC-6741
3.6
Bankrate Score
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Find my best matchesLoans offered
Fixed-rate, adjustable-rate (ARM), FHA, VA, HARP 2.0, biweekly mortgages, reverse mortgages, stated-income mortgages; refinancingNationwide availability
Available in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia and WashingtonMin. credit score required
620 for conventional loansPros and cons
Pros
- Wide range of mortgage product choices
- Online loan applications with help from mortgage loan officers
- No layering on top of loan program requirements
- Strong applicant approval
Cons
- Not available in all states
Optimum First Mortgage overview
Optimum First Mortgage is a highly-rated mortgage lender, doing business in 14 states, that has originated more than 20,000 loans. The lender boasts a "Lifetime Rate Protection Guarantee," which allows borrowers to refinance eligible existing loans with the lender, with zero closing costs, if interest rates become lower over the course of their loan term. According to the lender, the majority of its mortgages are funded within 20 days. Established in 2008, Optimum First Mortgage is headquartered in Fountain Valley, California. It has two other branch offices in Maricopa, Arizona, and San Antonio, Texas.
Loan types
- Fixed-rate
- Adjustable-rate (ARM)
- FHA
- VA
- HARP 2.0
- Biweekly mortgages
- Reverse mortgages
- Stated-income mortgages
- Refinancing
Lender fees
Optimum First Mortgage does not provide lender fee information on its website.
Minimum borrower requirements
Optimum First Mortgage adheres to the conforming loan requirements for mortgages approved by government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs), Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, as well as those backed by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
For conventional loans, key requirements include good credit (typically a FICO score of 620 or higher). Depending on the loan, a minimum down payment of 3 percent is required.
Government requirements for FHA and VA loans are detailed here:
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Optimum First Mortgage consumer reviews
5.0
457 reviews
Customer service rating
99% of reviews would recommend this lender
0 of 0 rates honored
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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.
Easy Refi
GK | Monument, CO | 5/21/2020
Working with Thomas Doney. Communication was great. Always prompt and in touch, from start to finish
2nd REFI w/ this mort bkr - Peter DiFerdinand
E Levine | Los Angeles, Calif | 5/26/2020
Clearly I was impressed by/with Peter when I did our first REFI about 7 yrs ago. I'm a BIG believer in professionalism, integrity, responsibility, and that good old fashion sincerity along with personable service. You can believe me when I tell you ... I expect it from someone when I'm paying for a ...
Awesome Experience
Anthony K | San Jose, CA | 6/3/2020
Thomas was great to work with! Very responsive and clearly explained the process and helped us work through the necessary documentation . We didn't get any run-around like you might get with bigger lenders and I couldn't be happier with our rate! We closed with 20 days to spare on our rate lock (...
Great Service
Bear | Los Angeles, CA | 6/5/2020
Erik provided us a very high level of service and expertly answered all of our questions.
Very professional and excellent communication
John | Bakersfield | 6/5/2020
Danyelle did an excellent job managing the loan process and getting everything lined up to succeed. She went the extra mile for our refinance and stuck through the process even as unforeseen complications on our side were going to derail the process. I am very thankful for the hard work and dedicati...
Great Service and Low Rate
gabe834 | Oxnard, CA | 6/5/2020
Kenneth was exceptionally helpful throughout the process. He responded quickly and kept me up to date on the status of the loan. I would definitely go through Kenneth again for a loan or refinance!
Fabulous experience!!
L&S Smith | Northern California | 6/6/2020
We have utilized Lee Glen’s expertise and have refinanced multiple times over the last decade. He is always professional, thorough, prompt, and does his research, often times reaching out to us with possibly better options. He's even called on the weekend after a less than optimal mobile-notary ex...
The Best!
Mark G. | 80439 | 6/18/2020
Our recent refinancing experience with Optimum First and Kelly Schaar was absolutely a most refreshing pleasure. Working with Kelly and Optimum, our loan experience was nothing less than excellent in every possible way. Their attention to detail, the customer’s experience and integrity throughout ...
Optimum First Always A Great Experience
Henrik Weinhold | Lake Balboa, CA | 6/18/2020
We have used Optimum First already three times after some disappointments with the “big” companies. I highly recommend them especially Peter DiFerdinand, who is outstanding. He follows through, is always on top of it, knows what he is doing and has a great personality! Again I highly recommend t...
Refinanced with Optimum
Vickie | Costa Mesa, CA | 6/23/2020
Excellent service from Tim Williams and team. Very quick and efficient. The easiest refinance I have ever done.