United Wholesale Mortgage Review: Is It the Right Mortgage Option for You?

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United Wholesale Mortgage isn’t your typical lender — and that can be a good thing depending on how you prefer to get a loan. If you’re comfortable working through a mortgage broker and want speed and flexibility, UWM could be worth considering. Read on to learn more.

United Wholesale Mortgage Overview

Based in Pontiac, Michigan, United Wholesale Mortgage is one of the largest wholesale mortgage lenders in the U.S. It doesn’t offer loans directly to borrowers. Instead, it works with independent mortgage brokers to provide a wider range of loan options than most banks or retail lenders.

UWM also supplies the funding and handles the closing process, claiming to deliver speed and service that set it apart from others in the industry.

How the United Wholesale Mortgage Process Works

Borrowers can’t apply for a mortgage with United Wholesale Mortgage. Instead, they must work with a mortgage broker who is approved to submit loans to UWM.

The mortgage process from a borrower’s perspective is not detailed on the UMW website. However, here’s a typical outline of what working with a mortgage broker would be like.

1. Search for a local mortgage broker who is approved by UWM or use UWM’s Mortgage Matchup tool to find one.
2. Complete a mortgage loan application with your chosen broker. Mortgage brokers who are approved with UWM will use an online mortgage loan application system.
3. Wait for the initial approval of your mortgage application. UWM states that initial approval can happen in minutes even on weekends. 
4. Supply any additional documentation that your mortgage broker requests for UWM. 
5. Wait for UWM to complete the processing and underwriting stages of the loan and schedule the closing. 

Expect any communication to be with your broker while UWM works behind the scenes to process, underwrite and close your loan. 

Pros and Cons of United Wholesale Mortgage

Here’s a quick look at the advantages and disadvantages of working with UWM. 

Pros

• Quick initial approvals
• Zero-down purchase option
• Speedy loan process, with most loans cleared in an average of 17 days
• Vast network of independent mortgage brokers

Cons

• Borrowers don’t work directly with UWM
• No physical branches for in-person service 
• Customer experience depends on mortgage broker 

United Wholesale Mortgage Loan Options

UWM offers an extensive lineup of mortgage products that are available through its approved brokers, including the following:

• Conventional loans: Competitive-rate loans for first, second and investment properties at loan-to-values of 75% to 97%. Minimum required credit score is 620. 
• FHA loans: Available for borrowers who don’t qualify for conventional financing at up to 97.75% LTV. Minimum required credit score is 580.
• Jumbo loans: Loans that exceed conforming loan limits for borrowers purchasing higher-priced properties. Adjustable-rate mortgages, 15-year fixed and 30-year fixed loan options are available. Minimum required credit score is 700. 
• VA loans: Loans for eligible veterans, service members and surviving spouses, with no down payment requirement for qualified veterans. Minimum credit score required is 580. 
• USDA: Rural development loans with 100% financing and no down payment. Minimum credit score is 620. 
• HELOC: Home equity line of credit available in standalone or piggyback versions for up to 85% of combined loan-to-value. Minimum credit score is 640 or 680, depending on the type of HELOC and term. 

Brokers who are approved to work with UWM also have access to the wholesale mortgage lender’s exclusive programs and benefits that could lead to better pricing for homebuyers. 

United Wholesale Mortgage Rates and Fees

UWM’s mortgage rates aren’t published; they are only available through mortgage brokers. In general, the mortgage rate you’ll be offered depends on several factors, including the following:

• Credit score
• Income
• Debt-to-income ratio
• Assets
• Interest rates set by the Federal Reserve
• Current market conditions
• Loan type
• Loan amount
• Down payment amount

United Wholesale Mortgage vs. Other Lenders

Compared to a traditional bank, UWM claims speedier service regarding preapproval and clearing loans. However, if in-person service is important, UWM is not a good choice. Online retail lenders can be similar to UWM in terms of offerings and preapproval times but tend to take longer to clear loans. 

Here’s a side-by-side comparison:

Who Should Consider United Wholesale Mortgage?

UWM isn’t for everyone. Here’s a look at who should consider UWM as their mortgage lender. 

Best for:

• Borrowers who want quick loan approvals.
• Borrowers comfortable working online with a broker.
• Buyers looking for a wide variety of loan options.

Not for: 

• Borrowers who prefer working directly with a lender. 
• Borrowers who want in-person service. 
• Borrowers who don’t want to pay an additional fee for assistance they don’t need.

What Customers Say About United Wholesale Mortgage

UWM holds a 2.2-star rating from TrustPilot, but only four out of 12 reviews are from actual customers — the rest are mortgage brokers.

Customer reviews cite issues with communication and account management.

However, it’s worth noting that J.D. Power’s 2024 U.S. Mortgage Servicer Satisfaction Study gave UWM an above-average rating for overall customer satisfaction.

Data is accurate as of May 7, 2025, and is subject to change.

Editorial Note: This content is not provided by any entity covered in this article. Any opinions, analyses, reviews, ratings or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author alone and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any entity named in this article.

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