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Real Genius Mortgage Review
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At a glance
NMLS: 2389303
State License: RM.804955.000
Editor's take
Real Genius is good for borrowers who appreciate rate transparency and want lender credits to help lower some costs.
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.
5.0
Rating: 5 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
Real Genius is an online mortgage lender offering conventional and some government-backed loans for both home purchases and refinances. If eligible, you could be preapproved for a mortgage in as few as 15 minutes with this lender. It is headquartered in Delray Beach, Florida and serves borrowers in many states across the U.S.
Pros and cons of Real Genius
Pros
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Convenient rate quote estimate that doesn’t require sharing name and email address
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Excellent past customer reviews and an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau
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Majority of loans include lender credit to help cover third-party costs
Cons
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Borrower requirements not listed online
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No USDA loans available
How Bankrate scored Real Genius
Affordability: 5/5
Real Genius’ mortgage rates are competitive against Bankrate’s averages, easily accessible online and updated regularly. 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. The lender’s origination fee runs $675, but lender credits typically offset this cost.
Availability: 4.5/5
Real Genius is available in most states and maintains branch locations in the Southeast. It offers conventional loans as well as some government-insured loans (FHA and VA), along with options to refinance your existing mortgage. It also offers jumbo loans and help with investment property financing.
Borrower experience: 4.5/5
Real Genius has been in business for more than 10 years, originally as ConsumerDirect Mortgage. The lender was acquired by FirstBank in 2013. Along with the ability to see custom rate quotes in real time, Real Genius’ technology streamlines the process to allow for faster closings and lower costs.
Refinancing with Real Genius
Real Genius offers both rate-and-term and cash-out refinancing options, and rates are advertised on its website.
Compare mortgage lenders
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Rating: 5 stars out of 5
5.0
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: 5 stars out of 5
5.0
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: 5 stars out of 5
5.0
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 620 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
964 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 12 recent reviews.
Knowledge
Level of service
Professionalism
Responsiveness
95% of customers would recommend this lender.
of
12 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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