SoFi Mortgage Review for 2023

SoFi (short for Social Finance) is a leader in the world of tech-based mortgages. They specialize in lending products such as private student loans, student loan refinancing, and mortgages. SoFi generally works with high-income borrowers that have non-traditional forms of credit. In particular, they provide unique opportunities and benefits for mortgage customers.

Whether you prefer the stability of a traditional fixed-rate mortgage or the flexibility of an adjustable-rate loan, SoFi offers an array of mortgage options to suit your needs.

This SoFi Mortgage review provides a detailed overview of the various types of home loans available, the eligibility criteria, and the attractive perks that come with selecting SoFi as your mortgage lender.

SoFi Mortgage Application Requirements

SoFi’s mortgage application process varies. They have stringent credit score requirements in certain areas, while being lenient in others. For example, to qualify for conventional loans or adjustable-rate mortgages, a minimum credit score of 660 is necessary, while for jumbo loans, the threshold is set at 720.

As a lender for high-income borrowers, SoFi mandates a down payment of at least 10% and a minimum loan amount of $100,000. However, SoFi displays flexibility in debt-to-income ratios, enabling borrowers with significant student loan debt to apply for a mortgage online.

While SoFi offers a great option for eligible borrowers, their services are not available everywhere, as they are only licensed to originate mortgages in specific states, including:

Types of Home Loans Available

SoFi doesn’t offer any government loans. That means you can’t apply for government-backed mortgages such as VA loans, FHA loans, or USDA loans through SoFi.

However, they do offer a wide variety of different loan types. Here are the different types of mortgages you can apply for through SoFi.

30-year Fixed-Rate Mortgage

This is a standard mortgage product offered by most mortgage lenders. The advantage of this mortgage is that since your interest rate is fixed, your payments will remain stable over the life of the loan. This will almost be the most affordable plan for most borrowers.

The minimum down payment required is 10% and there’s no private mortgage insurance (PMI) required. On top of that, you can check out up-to-date mortgage rates on their website. It’s a popular option that offers stability along with spread-out payments.

20-Year Fixed-Rate Mortgage

Like the standard 30-year mortgage, a 20-year mortgage is set at a fixed rate. That means your payments won’t change over the life of the loan. It’s a suitable option for borrowers who want to pay their mortgage off a little sooner and save money on interest but aren’t ready to commit to a 15-year mortgage.

15-year Fixed-Rate Mortgage

By opting for a 15-year mortgage, the monthly payment amount remains constant, owing to the unchanging interest rate. The key benefit, however, is that you can save a considerable amount on interest payments if you can cope with the higher monthly payments.

This is primarily because 15-year mortgages usually attract lower interest rates, and the repayment period is shorter, resulting in a reduced accumulation of interest.

Naturally, since the loan must be repaid over a shorter period, monthly payments for a 15-year mortgage are higher compared to a 30-year mortgage. Nevertheless, if you can manage the increased payments, it’s worth assessing your options to determine how much you can save in interest.

10-Year Fixed-Rate Mortgage

For borrowers committed to repaying their mortgage quickly, SoFi provides a 10-year fixed-rate mortgage that offers the best interest rates and maximum savings.

Although the higher monthly payments might not be feasible for everyone, this type of mortgage presents an excellent alternative for high-income borrowers determined to attain homeownership.

7/1 ARM

The 7/1 ARM is the only straightforward adjustable-rate mortgage SoFi offers. Like the other loans, the minimum down payment is also 10%.

If you’re not familiar with adjustable-rate mortgages, the way it works is for the first seven years, you’ll enjoy a fixed interest rate. After that, the rate adjusts on an annual basis for the rest of the 30-year loan.

The biggest benefit with this type of mortgage loan is that interest on a 7/1 ARM starts off much lower than with a fixed rate. If you intend to move from your house or refinancing within seven years, it could be a smart choice to save money in the near term.

However, this could put you in a difficult position financially if things suddenly change and you’re stuck with the mortgage once the rate changes.

Mortgage Refinancing

SoFi also offers refinancing loans for people interested in reducing their mortgage’s interest rate. These loans come with competitive interest rates and no concealed fees.

Moreover, borrowers can apply for a cash-out refinance to leverage the equity in their homes to pay off high-interest debt or undertake home improvements. SoFi also provides the option for borrowers to use their home’s equity to settle their existing student loan debts.

Home Equity Loans

SoFi has teamed with home equity specialists Spring EQ to offer low fixed rates on home equity loans with various terms available. With a home equity loan from SoFi, you can get the funds in as few as two weeks with as few as four documents needed.

Fees and Rates

SoFi is relatively unique in that its loans don’t require private mortgage insurance (PMI). On top of that, there are no origination fees or application fees as long as you meet the minimum 10% threshold.

Mortgage rates are competitive and published online. Plus, you can see your own personalized quote early on in the process, even before proceeding with the formal mortgage application.

SoFi’s Mortgage Process

To start the mortgage process with SoFi, you must obtain prequalification. After setting up your account and providing some personal information, you’ll receive a customized interest rate in roughly two minutes. The prequalification procedure will not have any impact on your credit score.

Apart from your financial details, you’ll be required to inform the lender about the loan amount and expected down payment. You’ll then be able to explore the loan choices and conditions that are available to you.

If you’re satisfied with the rate that SoFi offers, you can proceed with the process and acquire preapproval for the mortgage. Following that, you’ll move ahead with the application procedure.

The application process will be completely digital, and SoFi employs a nontraditional underwriting approach. However, if you require advice or have any questions, you can always speak with a loan officer.

In addition to looking at your FICO score, SoFi also considers other less tangible factors, such as:

• Professional history
• Earning potential
• Income
• Payment history

Another unique feature of the SoFi mortgage process is that you only have to submit your information once. Using that data, SoFi can underwrite your loan to strengthen your offer on a home.

This is especially important in competitive markets where bidding wars are common. According to SoFi, most mortgages close within 28 days.

Special Features

SoFi provides additional benefits for its borrowers, such as career counseling services and access to community events. From local happy hours to networking events, SoFi is dedicated to supporting borrowers in achieving their career goals.

Furthermore, SoFi provides a helpful mortgage calculator that allows you to estimate potential savings on your mortgage based on different interest rates and down payment amounts.

SoFi Mortgage Reviews

SoFi Mortgage reviews are generally positive, with many borrowers praising the company’s competitive interest rates, user-friendly digital application process, and helpful customer service. Borrowers also appreciate the flexibility of SoFi’s underwriting process, which takes into account factors beyond traditional credit scores.

However, some reviewers note that the strict credit score requirements for certain loan types can be a challenge, and that SoFi is not available in all states. Overall, SoFi is a suitable option for borrowers with high incomes who want a wide variety of mortgage options and are comfortable with a fully digital process.

SoFi currently has a Better Business Bureau (BBB) rating of A, which is an indicator of great customer service. They also have very few complaints. You can find more SoFi Mortgage reviews at other review sites as well.

Bottom Line

SoFi provides a range of lending options for borrowers who can show a strong ability to earn and have potential for future career growth. This is particularly advantageous for those who lack significant cash reserves for a down payment.

If you have a high debt-to-income ratio, particularly due to student loans, SoFi may still be a suitable choice. Contact SoFi to determine if your financial circumstances make this digital lender an adequate option for your upcoming home purchase.