Embrace Home Loans at a glance
- Conventional loans: Yes
- FHA loans: Yes
- VA loans: Yes
- Refinancing: Yes
- Jumbo loan: Yes
- Adjustable rates: Yes, terms not specified online
- Fixed rates: Yes, terms not specified online
Embrace Home Loans is a mortgage lender that provides many loan options, including conventional, government-backed, jumbo, refinance, construction and renovation loans. With more than 70 locations, this lender is licensed to originate mortgages in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. It’s a direct lender for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac as well as an approved issuer for Ginnie Mae.
Pros
- Wide variety of home loans
- Available nationwide
- Fully underwritten preapprovals via Approved to Move program
- Helpful online resources
Cons
- Doesn’t offer HELOCs
- Website can be difficult to navigate
- Must provide contact info to view rates online
4 things to know about Embrace Home Loans mortgage
1. Loan options for a range of circumstances
Embrace Home Loans offers a wide range of mortgage types, such as conventional, FHA, USDA, VA, jumbo, new construction and 203(k) renovation and rehab loans. Its refinance loans also include a cash-out refinance option for home repairs or paying off debts. But keep in mind that this option can increase your closing costs.
While Embrace doesn’t offer home equity lines of credit, or HELOCs, it has loans for homebuyers in a variety of circumstances, such as those who are self-employed, facing credit challenges or investing in rental properties or second homes.
2. Fully underwritten preapprovals
Embrace Home Loans has several programs tailored to fit various homebuyers’ needs. For example, its Approved to Move program gives you a fully underwritten preapproval before you make an offer on a home, which may help you stand out from other buyers. With Approved to Move, the company verifies all your financial information first so you can make a lender-backed offer that’s good for 90 days.
For conventional, FHA and VA loans, Embrace Home Loans offers an extended rate lock that allows you to lock in a loan’s terms for up to 360 days. For borrowers with limited income, the HomeReady and Home Possible programs have flexible down payment and credit requirements.
3. Extensive FAQs, calculators and a mobile app
The many FAQs listed online offer information about the company, taxes and deductions, forbearance, financing and refinancing, the homebuying process, and various loan types. You can learn how Embrace Home Loans works, what to expect during the loan application process and how to track your loan status.
The website also offers calculators to help you compare your current mortgage to a refinance loan, see an estimate of how much your monthly conventional mortgage payment could be, figure out how much house you can afford and compare the costs of renting and buying. The mobile app allows you to calculate your potential payments, upload documents for underwriting and reach out to your loan representative.
4. Rates are not provided upfront
in general, specific rates aren’t clearly listed online. You can view live, customized rates if you fill out a questionnaire, but you must provide your contact information first.
To get more detailed information about rates and fees and to see how they compare with other lenders you’ll need to contact a customer service representative or fill out an online application.
Who is an Embrace Home Loans mortgage good for?
In general, the company is worth considering for first-time and experienced homebuyers.
Embrace Home Loans may also be a good fit for those who prefer a larger lender that’s available nationwide or those looking to consolidate high-interest debts from credit cards, car loans and medical bills. But if you’re looking to take out a HELOC, you’ll need to go with another lender.
How to apply for an Embrace Home Loans mortgage
- Prequalification — Embrace Home Loans can prequalify you online or over the phone without hurting your credit score. You can find out what loan amount you may be approved for to help you determine if you’re ready to buy a house.
- Preapproval — If you prefer, you can start with preapproval through the Approved to Move program. The company will verify your financial information and give you a fully underwritten preapproval to share with sellers if you make an offer on a home.
- Application — After your offer is accepted, a mortgage specialist can help you with your application, reconfirm your loan terms and order an appraisal.
- Processing and underwriting — Unless you’re already preapproved through Approved to Move, the lender will begin underwriting your loan and gathering the necessary documents from you.
- Approval and closing — Once your mortgage application is approved, the next step is closing on your home. Embrace Home Loans recommends that borrowers bring a check to cover the down payment and other required costs.
Not sure if Embrace Home Loans is right for you? Consider these alternatives.
If you want to compare rates with several lenders or your application is denied, keep in mind that you have a window where multiple hard credit inquiries by lenders only count as one for your credit scores. You typically have 14 days — though it could be longer depending on the scoring model.
- Bank of America: Looking for a lender that offers HELOCs? Bank of America’s HELOC doesn’t come with application fees, annual fees or closing costs.
- PennyMac: PennyMac is one of the nation’s largest lenders — and it’s transparent about its rates.