Pros and cons of Guild Mortgage
Guild Pros:
- Offers help for first-time home buyers
- Provides loans for manufactured homes
- Has renovation loan options
- Supports e-closings for faster, paperless signing
- Accepts alternative creditworthiness, like rental history
Guild Cons:
- Doesn’t list interest rates on its website
- Not available in New York
- Requires a loan officer to start prequalification
- Charges higher-than-average origination fees
Guild Mortgage interest rates
Guild Mortgage rates in 2025 are typically competitive but not listed online. You’ll need to speak with a loan officer to get a personalized rate. Your final offer will depend on your credit score, loan type, down payment, and location.
Loan Type | Average Interest Rate |
Conventional 30-Year | 6.37% |
Conventional 15-Year | 4.62% |
FHA 30-Year | 6.48% |
VA 30-Year | 6.26% |
Average rate and fee data sourced from public rate and fee records required by the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA).
Remember that interest rates vary a lot by customer. Your rate depends on your credit score, down payment, loan type, and home price. That means you shouldn’t take average rates (or advertised rates) at face value. Instead, pick three to five lenders you’re interested in and get rate quotes from each. Then, compare the interest rates, closing costs, and other fees to see which lender can give you the best deal.
Find your lowest mortgage rate. Start hereGuild Mortgage Review for 2025
Guild Mortgage started in 1960 and has built a solid reputation over the years. Based in San Diego, the company now serves borrowers in 49 states through more than 250 branches. Guild stands out for offering a wide variety of loan options, from conventional mortgages to renovation loans and specialty programs designed to support first-time home buyers and underserved communities.
Most borrowers need a credit score of at least 620 to qualify for conventional loans. Government-backed options like FHA, VA, and USDA loans are more flexible, with minimum scores starting at 540. Jumbo loans require a higher score of 680. Down payment needs vary, but Guild offers options to make upfront costs more manageable, including a 1% down program and closing cost assistance.
Affordability
Guild Mortgage's affordability is about average, according to The Mortgage Reports affordability index. The company's average loan origination fees are $4,113, higher than the national average of $2,792. However, Guild offers competitive interest rates, which can lead to savings over the life of the loan. Additionally, Guild offers various homebuyer assistance programs that make homeownership more affordable:
- 1% Down Payment Advantage: You pay 1% down, and Guild adds 2% to meet the 3% minimum for conventional loans.
- 3-2-1 Home Plus: Eligible buyers get up to $2,500 in closing cost assistance and a $2,000 Home Depot gift card.
- Special Purpose Credit Programs (SPCPs): These programs offer lower mortgage rates and down payment requirements for buyers in underserved areas.
Lending flexibility
Guild offers a variety of loan options, including conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, jumbo, and renovation loans. You can also apply for home equity loans or HELOCs.
Guild Mortgage sets its minimum credit score requirements based on loan type. For conventional loans, borrowers need a minimum score of 620. For jumbo loans, the threshold rises to 680. Government-backed loans such as FHA, VA, and USDA have a lower minimum requirement of 540, making them more accessible to borrowers with limited or less-than-perfect credit histories.
Trustworthiness
According to data from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), Guild Mortgage receives fewer complaints than average. The company holds an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and has positive reviews on Trustpilot. In J.D. Power’s 2024 U.S. Mortgage Servicer Satisfaction Study, Guild earned an above-average score, which reflects that customer service is a clear priority.
Customer experience
Guild Mortgage operates in all states except New York, with over 250 branch locations. You can apply for a mortgage loan online, by phone, or in person. The company offers online prequalification and preapproval through its MyMortgage portal, where users can upload documents, manage checklists, and receive real-time updates. Guild also provides e-closing and a 17-day closing guarantee, one of the fastest in the industry. Customer service is available at 800-971-3864, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET.
FAQs about Guild Mortgage
Guild offers conventional loans, FHA, VA, USDA, jumbo loans for larger properties, and renovation loans like the FHA 203(k) and Fannie Mae HomeStyle. You can also apply for a home equity loan or a HELOC.
Yes. The 1% Down Payment Advantage lets first-time buyers contribute just 1% of the home price, with Guild covering the extra 2%. The 3-2-1 Home Plus program includes up to $2,500 in closing cost assistance and a $2,000 Home Depot gift card.
You can apply for a Guild Mortgage home loan by visiting one of their over 250 branch locations, calling their customer service line, or using their MyMortgage online portal. The portal allows applicants to upload documents, track checklists, and receive real-time updates. Guild also supports e-closings and electronic document submission. However, you must first speak with a loan officer to begin the prequalification or preapproval process.
No, Guild Mortgage does not operate in New York. The lender is licensed in 49 states, including the District of Columbia, but New York is the one state it does not serve.
Guild Mortgage is known for offering competitive interest rates, although it does not publish current rates on its website. Borrowers must speak with a loan officer to receive a personalized rate quote. Despite the lack of online transparency, Guild remains competitive in the market thanks to programs that reduce upfront costs and its relatively low long-term interest rates.
Is Guild Mortgage the best mortgage lender for you?
This Guild Mortgage lender review reveals a company that puts flexibility and support at the center of its service. With a broad range of loan options and programs designed for first-time home buyers and underserved communities, Guild is a strong fit if you want hands-on guidance through the home loan process.
However, it’s not ideal for everyone. You might look elsewhere if you live in New York or want to compare rates online without speaking to a loan officer. Guild’s fees are also higher than average, but many borrowers find the personalized service and fast closings worth the trade-off.
In short, if you value variety, flexibility, and a lender that walks with you every step of the way, Guild is a good choice.
Find your lowest mortgage rate. Start hereHow The Mortgage Reports scored Guild Mortgage
The Mortgage Reports evaluates and ranks lenders based on four key factors, each weighted to reflect its impact on the borrowing experience.
- Trustworthiness (20%): Measures customer satisfaction and reliability based on Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) complaints per 1,000 loans and ratings from reputable third-party review platforms such as Trustpilot.
- Customer experience (20%): Examines the lender’s digital and service accessibility, including the availability of an online pre-approval or pre-qualification process, ease of contact, and the presence of a current rates page on their website.
- Affordability (20%): Assesses the average origination charges and the average interest rate the lender offers.
- Lending flexibility (40%): Evaluates the lender’s minimum down payment and credit score requirements, as well as the availability of FHA, VA, and USDA loan options.