Real Genius Mortgage Review 2023
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At a glance
NMLS: 2389303
4.6
Bankrate Score
Loans offered
Conventional, jumbo, FHA, VA, fixed-rate, adjustable-rate; rate-and-term and cash-out refinancing; investment property
Nationwide Availability
Available in 38 states (not available in California, Delaware, Hawaii, Indiana, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Utah and Vermont)
Min. credit score required
620 for conventional loans; 600 for FHA loans
Pros 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 not listed online
- No USDA loans
Real Genius overview
Real Genius (formerly ConsumerDirect Mortgage) is an online mortgage lender offering conventional and some government-insured 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. A division of FirstBank, Real Genius is headquartered in Delray Beach, Florida and serves borrowers in many states across the U.S.
Real Genius is good for
Borrowers who appreciate rate transparency and want lender credits to help lower some costs
Breakdown of Real Genius overall score
- Affordability: Real Genius is a direct lender that offers competitive rates compared to Bankrate’s averages. Although there are lender fees, you might be eligible for a credit to either offset or eliminate this cost entirely.
- Availability: Real Genius works with borrowers in the majority of states.
- Borrower experience: You can easily compare rates and other cost information via the Real Genius website, and the lender has high marks from past customers.
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.
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 10 years (originally as ConsumerDirect Mortgage) and is accredited by the Better Business Bureau with an A+ rating. The lender was acquired by FirstBank in 2013. It has worked with more than 51,000 borrowers to date on $16 billion in loans. 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. If you have questions about a mortgage, you can call 855-790-7811.
Refinancing with Real Genius
Real Genius offers both rate-and-term and cash-out refinancing options, and rates are advertised on its website. With a cash-out you might be able to tap up to 80 percent of your home’s value (more if you’re doing a VA refinance).
Alternatives to Real Genius
- 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
Real Genius consumer reviews
NMLS: 2389303
4.8
951 reviews
About consumer ratings
Customer service rating
95% of reviews would recommend this lender
1 of 1 rates honored
Review this lender
Write a review of your experience with Real Genius.
of 1 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.
Written by
David McMillin
Contributing writer
David McMillin is a contributing writer for Bankrate and covers topics like credit cards, mortgages, banking, taxes and travel. David’s goal is to help readers figure out how to save more and stress less.