Guild Mortgage Review: Is It the Right Mortgage Option for You?

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Guild Mortgage Company has focused on residential mortgages for over 60 years and ranked No. 1 on Zillow’s list of most five-star reviewed mortgage lenders in 2024. The lender offers hundreds of loan variations for its customer base. The company’s flexibility allows it to tailor loans to specific types of customers, from first-time homebuyers to military and rural homebuyers.

Guild Mortgage is licensed in all states (except New York) and the District of Columbia. The company also has over 250 mortgage locations in 32 states, which is a plus for those who prefer an in-person lending experience and live nearby. Most borrowers can apply online, or they can fill out a short online form or call to get in touch with a loan officer to start the process.

How the Guild Mortgage Mortgage Process Works

You can apply for a mortgage with Guild online, in person at a branch location or by calling (800) 971-3864. If you go the online route, you’ll need some basic info, including:

• First and last name
• Email
• Loan type (purchase or refinance)
• Property location (state only)

You can also choose a loan officer by searching for them by name or branch location (within a certain distance). A list will pop up with local professionals to guide you through the process. You can choose one or select “I don’t have a loan officer preference.”

You’ll need to create an account at this stage, which entails creating a password. Once you verify your identity (either via text or email), you can proceed to the online application. You can also call (800) 365-4441 if you need help or would prefer to speak with a person. Typical business hours are Monday through Friday from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. PT.

It’s worth noting that Guild Mortgage has its own app — the MyMortgage app. This app provides a personalized experience and a paperless loan application, allowing customers to upload documents and make their Guild mortgage payment from any mobile device.

Pros and Cons of Guild Mortgage

Here are some things to consider while you’re shopping for loans:

Pros:

• Huge variety of home loans for any type of borrower
• Convenient online application and e-closing process
• Handy mobile app for uploading docs, managing applications and more
• Option to work with a loan officer throughout the process
• Plenty of free online resources, including mortgage calculators

Cons:

• Charges a fee for some services
• Not available in New York
• Some loan requirements may be strict

Guild Mortgage Loan Options

The broad mortgage types offered by Guild Mortgage are outlined here. Customers with more specific needs can likely find a loan tailored to their situation by contacting the company.

These are the main mortgage loan types:

• Fixed-rate mortgage: Guild’s fixed-rate mortgage is the traditional mortgage that most homeowners think of when they buy a home. Terms can vary but are typically 30 years, with a locked-in rate for the duration. This type of mortgage is particularly popular with first-time homebuyers or those with higher credit, as payments are often higher than with adjustable-rate mortgages.
• Adjustable-rate mortgage: Adjustable-rate mortgages at Guild have a fixed rate for between three and 10 years, after which time the rate can adjust upwards or downwards once per year. They are best suited for those looking to move or refinance in the first five to 10 years, before the rate changes. Homebuyers require a minimum FICO credit score of 640 to qualify.
• Conforming loan: A conforming loan is guaranteed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which are government-sponsored lenders. Conforming loans can be fixed or adjustable but have financial requirements for borrowers, which include a credit score of at least 620. Additionally, the loan amount cannot exceed a certain limit. The loan limit is dictated by location and cost of living in the area.
• Jumbo loan: Jumbo loans allow lenders to borrow more than the conforming or governmental limit. Because the excess amount must be secured by the lender itself, mortgage companies like Guild typically only extend jumbo loans to borrowers with excellent credit and significant assets.
• Renovation loan: Renovation loans are used to purchase or refinance a home that needs improvements, which buyers can pay for over time. Guild Mortgage offers renovation loans through both government and conventional programs. In most cases, there is no limit to the type of renovation you can undertake.
• USDA loan: A USDA loan is one provided by the United States Department of Agriculture for borrowers living in rural areas. The USDA Property Eligibility website helps borrowers determine if their home is in a qualifying rural area. These types of loans are ideally suited for households with lower to moderate incomes.
• FHA loan: FHA loans are government loans that offer down payments as low as 3.5 percent. However, upfront and annual mortgage insurance premiums are required. FHA loans are commonly used by first-time homebuyers and those with low-to-moderate incomes and credit.
• VA loan: Veterans Administration loans are offered through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. They are thus ideally suited for active or retired members of the U.S. Armed Forces, including the National Guard. VA loans typically have more competitive terms than non-VA loans, such as zero down payment options. Disabled or otherwise exempt veterans might be able to avoid mortgage insurance with a VA loan.
• Bridge loan: This is a short-term loan that makes it easier to move from one home to another before you sell. It uses the equity from your current home (between $40,000 and $300,000) to bridge the gap in financing. You must repay your bridge loan within 6 months.
• Flex payment mortgage: If you’re over 62 years old, you could use your home equity for a variety of reasons, including supplemental income, mortgage payment elimination, relocation and paying for large expenses. There are even jumbo options for high-value properties up to $4 million.
• Manufactured home loan: Guild offers loans for manufactured homes, including conventional, FHA, USDA and VA loans.

Home-Buying Resources

Guild Mortgage also has several niche programs to help with your home purchase, including:

• Down payment assistance programs: Guild has over 500 down payment assistance programs to help first-time buyers become homeowners. Eligible borrowers could get a home with as little as 1% down.
• 3-2-1 Home Plus program: Geared toward low-to-moderate-income buyers, this program also helps with upfront costs. You’ll need at least 3% for the down payment. In return, you’ll get up to $2,500 toward closing and a $2,000 eGift card to Home Depot.
• Complete Rate: Even if you have no traditional credit score, you could potentially get a mortgage with this program. It’s for first-time buyers and primary residences only.
• BuyNow Advantage program: If your loan is still processing, Guild may pay cash for your home before finalizing the sale to make your offer more competitive.
• GreenSmart Advantage program: Wrap the cost of energy-efficient upgrades into your home loan. You’ll need a minimum credit score of 580 and a 3.5% down payment.
• Energy-efficient mortgage programs: Guild Mortgage offers several mortgage programs to help with the cost of things like solar panels and other energy-efficient upgrades.
• Homebuyer protection: If Guild fails to close on your loan through no fault of your own, the lender will give you up to $6,000 ($5,000 in earnest money, $1,000 in inspection and appraisal fees). The lender also has a 17-day closing guarantee or it will put $500 toward your closing costs. And if you buy with Guild, you could refinance later with no fees.
• Lock and shop: Buyers can lock in their interest rate for up to 120 days. You could also negotiate a lower rate if market rates drop.

Guild also offers two main mortgage refinance options:

• Rate-and-term refinance: Change the interest rate, term or both with this option.
• Cash-out refinance: If you’ve got home equity and need to use it for things like home improvements or debt consolidation, you can do so. Interest rates may be higher than typical mortgage loans.

Guild Mortgage Rates and Fees

Guild Mortgage has a list of the fees it may charge on its website. While this list isn’t comprehensive, here’s what you can expect:

• $300 to $2,400 assumption fee
• Foreclosure fee
• Recording fee
• Tax penalties
• Late charges
• $15 non-sufficient funds fee
• Up to $7 in Speedpay fees

Guild doesn’t list its typical annual percentage rates (APRs), but they can vary based on factors like credit score, debt-to-income ratio and market conditions. As of April 29, 2025, typical mortgage rates for common home loans are:

Guild Mortgage vs. Other Mortgage Lenders

Comparing multiple home lenders is a good idea. Here’s how Guild Mortgage stacks up compared to a couple of competitors:

Who Should Consider Guild Mortgage?

Guild Mortgage may be best for:

• Those seeking a variety of loan programs
• First-time and repeat buyers
• Down payment assistance
• In-person and online lending options
• Mortgage refinance

But Guild Mortgage may not be ideal for:

• Borrowers seeking more fee and rate transparency
• Borrowers residing in New York

What Real Customers Say About Guild Mortgage

Here’s what people are saying about Guild Mortgage:

• J.D. Power: Guild ranked second in terms of overall customer satisfaction in 2023.
• Trustpilot: Guild only has six customer reviews on Trustpilot and a 2.5-star rating. Reviews are mixed with some people saying they “worked with one dedicated assistant the whole way through, who was professional, knowledgeable, and friendly”. Others say they had issues with loan servicing and mortgage payments going through.

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