Optimum First Mortgage Review 2022

Optimum First Mortgage overview

Optimum First Mortgage offers loans in 14 states and has originated more than 20,000 mortgages since its founding. Borrowers can receive same-day preapprovals and the lender guarantees on-time closings in as little as 10 days. In addition to offering above-average closing time speed, the lender sets itself apart with some unique loan offerings. Its fixed-rate loans come in a variety of terms: 8-, 10-, 12-, 15-, 20-, 22-, 27- and 30-year options. Optimum First is also a good option for self-employed borrowers, as the lender offers stated-income loans. The lender is headquartered in Fountain Valley, California, with a branch office in Maricopa, Arizona.

Good for

Borrowers who want a fast closing process, alternative loan options and rate protection for refinancing

Loan types 

• Conventional
• FHA
• VA
• Fixed-rate
• Adjustable-rate
• Rate-and-term and cash-out refinancing
• HARP 2.0
• Flex-term
• Reverse mortgage
• Stated-income loan

Lender fees

Optimum First Mortgage aims to help borrowers avoid any lender fees by issuing credits. The lender says that credits either help offset or completely reimburse their fees approximately 90 percent of the time.

Rates 

Optimum First Mortgage doesn’t publicly advertise mortgage rates on its website. However, you can get a quick quote by filling out a form online with a few details including loan amount, property value, loan type and credit history.

Online services

The Optimum First Mortgage website includes calculators to help you estimate monthly payments, determine whether you should pay points and understand potential tax benefits and other questions about buying a home. There is no simple preapproval or prequalification option online, but you can easily request to connect with a loan officer. An online application portal allows for easy document uploading. However, there is no option for e-signing at closing.  (It’s done with a traditional, in-person notary.)

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) and a minimum down payment of 3 percent. The requirements for FHA and VA loans are detailed here:

• FHA loan requirements
• VA loan requirements

Stated-income loans come with additional requirements, including excellent credit and a sizable amount of cash reserves.

Refinancing with Optimum First Mortgage 

Optimum First Mortgage offers refinancing, including a compelling offer for any of their borrowers. The lender’s Lifetime Rate Protection Guarantee is a big point of differentiation. The program allows anyone with an eligible loan with Optimum First to refinance with zero closing costs if interest rates drop over the course of the loan. So, for example, if you get a 30-year loan with a 3.6 percent interest rate and you can get a 2.8 percent interest rate five years later, you won’t pay any closing costs.

Not sure if Optimum First Mortgage is right for you? Consider these alternatives

• Homefinity mortgage review: Homefinity has more widespread availability than Optimum First, although its average closing time is slower.
• Rocket Mortgage review: This lender is one of the biggest names in mortgage and consistently receives high ratings from J.D. Power.
• LowRates.com mortgage review: This lender has fast closing times and boasts outstanding customer reviews.
• Bank of America mortgage review: This big bank is available everywhere and offers discounts on home loans to banking customers.
• HomePlus Mortgage review: HomePlus is a mortgage broker for borrowers in Arizona, California and Texas that can help match you with the best loan for your situation.

Breakdown of Optimum First Mortgage overall review score

• Affordability: 3/5
• Availability: 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.