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Freedom Mortgage – A Career in Mortgage Origination and Servicing
Freedom Mortgage is a nonbank mortgage lender that originates and services home loans through retail, wholesale, and correspondent channels. It is one of the nation’s largest originators and servicers, licensed in all 50 states.
It offers conventional purchase and refinance options along with government-backed FHA and VA loans. However, it doesn’t offer construction loans or HELOCs.
Customer Service
The customer service team at Freedom Mortgage provides assistance to mortgage applicants. This includes answering questions about the application process, assisting borrowers with preapprovals, and processing loan documents. The company’s goal is to provide a positive experience for each and every customer. This is achieved through timely communication and the use of best practices.
Freedom Mortgage offers a variety of mortgage products and is licensed to operate in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The company offers conventional and government-backed mortgages, as well as options for refinancing existing mortgages. It also provides mortgage loans to borrowers with lower credit scores and down payments. Founded in 1990 and headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida, Freedom Mortgage is one of the largest nonbank mortgage lenders/servicers in the country.
In 2023, the company was named to the Inc. 5000 list of America’s fastest-growing private companies for the ninth time. It is a top VA and FHA lender in the country, and its philanthropic arm supports the United StatesOperation.
Despite its recent layoffs, Freedom Mortgage is still one of the top 10 lenders in the nation. The company has also been accused of fraud and other violations in the past, but has worked to improve its compliance management.
Customers have reported mixed experiences with Freedom Mortgage. Some have complained about problems with underwriting and closing, while others have found the company easy to work with. Overall, the company has a low satisfaction rating, but most of the complaints have been resolved. Customers should be prepared for a lengthy process and potential delays. Some customers may be better off applying for a mortgage with a different lender. This is especially true for those with poor credit. Many financial professionals consider balloon mortgages risky for most borrowers. This type of mortgage offers a low monthly payment in the beginning, but requires a large lump sum payment at the end of the loan term. This is usually not an option for first-time homebuyers. Moreover, these types of mortgages often require higher interest rates than traditional loans.
Sales
As one of the largest mortgage loan originators in the US, Freedom Mortgage offers a variety of conventional and government-backed mortgage loans. The company’s products include a VA home loan for veterans and their families, as well as FHA home loans and Texas 50(a)(6) and 50(a)(7) jumbo mortgages. Freedom Mortgage also has a variety of ARM loan options, such as the Fannie Mae 97 and HomeOne programs for first-time homebuyers and a VA IRRRL program for streamlined refinances.
The company’s philanthropic arm, Freedom Cares, gives back to local communities through volunteer initiatives and fundraising campaigns. In 2023, it donated more than $660,000 and contributed nearly 2,300 hours of employee volunteer time. The organization also supports the military and veteran community with events and donations such as the Rucksacks to Backpacks campaign, which provides school supplies to homeless children.
Freedom Mortgage’s customer service is a top priority for the company. According to the company, its loan officers typically respond to mortgage inquiries within 24 hours and can close on a home purchase in less than 30 days. The lender has an online mortgage calculator to help homebuyers estimate their monthly payments, and it offers a mobile app that allows homeowners to apply for a loan.
The lender received a 4.83 out of 5 rating on Zillow, based on more than 1,860 reviews. Its loan officer staff are knowledgeable about the mortgage loan process, and they provide a personalized evaluation to each potential client. The lender’s application requires a credit check and verification of income and assets. Applicants with less-than-perfect credit may need to pay additional fees or have their loan declined.
The company’s website is easy to navigate, and it provides information about the mortgage lending process including loan applications, closing costs and fees, and the homebuying journey. It also provides a variety of calculators to assist homebuyers in determining their budget and what loan programs they qualify for. The site also has a list of frequently asked questions. The lender’s contact information is listed at the top of each page. The website does not offer a live chat option, but it is possible to call the lender to speak with an adviser.
Accounting
The company is one of the largest full-service independent mortgage companies in the nation and a top VA and FHA lender. It operates in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, as well as in Puerto Rico and Guam. It earned two 2023 Top Workplaces Culture Excellence awards for employee well-being and professional excellence from Energage, a purpose-driven organization that develops solutions to build and brand top workplaces.
Freedom Mortgage offers both conventional and government-backed loans and also provides refinance options. Its government-backed loan offerings include the VA IRRRL (Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loan) and HomeOne, Home Possible and HomeReady loans for first-time buyers. It also offers a variety of conventional mortgages, including Fannie Mae 97 and high-balance/super-conforming loans, and it has specialized FHA and Texas VA loans for residents in those states.
In addition to offering a variety of loan products, Freedom Mortgage is known for its philanthropy. Its employees volunteer their time to help the local community, and it has donated to organizations such as Habitat for Humanity and Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. The company has also sponsored the Mortgage Bankers Association’s Opens Doors Foundation, which provides housing grants to families of critically ill or injured children.
Freedom Mortgage was caught up in several public controversies, such as a lawsuit filed by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau in 2023 that claimed the lender provided regulators with false data on home-purchase and refinance applications. The company paid $502,000 to settle the suit.
The company was founded in 1990 and is based in Boca Raton, Florida. It employs more than 2,500 people and processes mortgages in all 50 states. In addition to its retail and wholesale channels, it also operates a correspondent channel and is an approved FHA lender.
During the past three years, Freedom Mortgage has expanded its footprint by making strategic acquisitions and expanding into new markets. The company has also made the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing, privately held businesses nine times.
The company is rated A+ by the Better Business Bureau and has a 4.85 out of 5 rating on Zillow from nearly 1,900 customer reviews. The company is also a member of the Mortgage Industry Alliance and is an active supporter of USO programs.
Operations
Freedom Mortgage is a full-service mortgage company operating nationwide. It offers a variety of home loan programs, including FHA and VA loans, as well as an assortment of refinance products. Founded in 1990, it is licensed to operate in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. In addition to its residential mortgage lending, the company also provides commercial financing and servicing, as well as investment property financing. The company is headquartered in Mount Laurel, New Jersey. It employs over 5,000 people in locations across the United States. Freedom Mortgage offers a variety of flexible job opportunities, including remote positions.
In 2023, Freedom Mortgage helped more than 80,000 borrowers purchase homes and serviced two million mortgages. The company also aided many borrowers who were facing financial challenges through loan modifications and foreclosures. The company was able to access the capital markets and raise $1.3 billion, showcasing investor confidence in its corporate strategy.
Despite a number of regulatory issues, Freedom Mortgage has seen a steady increase in revenue over the past several years. In the fall of 2017, it merged with Archwell Holdings, a major home loan originator, and expanded its reach in the refinance market. Its growth led to it earning the title of one of America’s fastest-growing private companies on the Inc. 5000 list for the sixth time.
The lender has a few unique features that set it apart from the competition. For instance, it allows borrowers to opt-in to text alerts through its Eagle Eye program when interest rates change. This can help borrowers make informed decisions about when to refinance their mortgages. The lender also doesn’t require a minimum credit score for borrowers to qualify, and it provides information on its fees in the Learning Center.
Nevertheless, the company’s customer experience hasn’t been without its issues. It was ranked near the bottom of the J.D. Power mortgage originator customer satisfaction survey in 2023, and its Better Business Bureau accreditation was revoked in 2021 due to multiple violations. Additionally, the lender has been known to offshore portions of its operations, hiring employees overseas to work mortgage files at a lower cost. Multiple former Freedom Mortgage employees say this has resulted in lower employee morale, as well as reduced accountability.