Pros and Cons of Zillow Home Loans
Zillow Home Loans Pros:
- Competitive mortgage rates.
- Wide selection of purchase and refinance mortgage loans.
- Offers online mortgage prequalification with no impact on your credit score.
- Provides online resources, including calculators and checklists.
- Offers a down payment assistance program in specific regions.
Zillow Home Loans Cons:
- Higher than average origination fees.
- Online loan applications still require speaking with a loan officer.
- Doesn’t consider alternative credit data.
- Not available in New York state.
- Does not offer home equity loans or HELOCs.
Zillow Home Loans mortgage rates
In 2025, Zillow Home Loans offers competitive mortgage rates often below the national average. While specific rates can vary based on individual circumstances, the lender provides sample rates online for various loan types.
We used HMDA data to find the average Zillow Home Loans interest rates for their most common loan types. The table shows what borrowers have typically seen in recent months.
| Loan Type | Average Interest Rate |
| Conventional 30-Year | 6.72% |
| Conventional 15-Year | 5.91% |
| FHA 30-Year | 6.30% |
| VA 30-Year | 6.21% |
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 you’re offered to see which lender can give you the best deal.
Find your lowest mortgage rate. Start hereZillow Home Loans Review for 2025
This 2025 Zillow Home Loans lender review covers a mortgage company backed by Zillow Group, the real estate platform known for its home listings and “Zestimate” tools. By integrating home search with lending, Zillow Home Loans allows buyers to explore properties, calculate affordability, and get a mortgage in one place. Borrowers can prequalify online in minutes without affecting their credit score and use built-in calculators and rate tools to estimate monthly payments.
Zillow Home Loans offers conventional, FHA, VA, and jumbo loans as well as rate-and-term and cash-out refinancing. It also provides a down payment assistance program for first-time buyers in select markets. The lender operates in 49 states, excluding New York, and runs an online-only service. While most of the process is digital, completing an application still requires a phone conversation with a loan officer.
Affordability
Zillow Home Loans scores below average on The Mortgage Reports affordability index, primarily due to its higher-than-average origination fees, which are $4,041 compared to the national average of $2,792. However, its competitive mortgage rates can help you save money over time.
Zillow offers FHA loans with a 3.5% down payment, conventional loans with a 3% down, and VA loans with no down payment requirement. In select markets, first-time buyers who earn 80% or less of the area’s median income can qualify for help with their down payment. They put down 1%, and Zillow adds 2% at closing.
Lending flexibility
Zillow Home Loans provides a range of loan products, including conventional, jumbo, FHA, and VA loans and options for rate-and-term or cash-out refinancing. The lender operates in every state except New York and functions entirely online. You’ll need a minimum credit score of 620 for most types of loans. Although, FHA applicants may qualify with scores as low as 500, provided they have a higher down payment or meet other criteria.
Trustworthiness
Zillow Home Loans is a newer player in the mortgage space, and its reputation is still taking shape. The Better Business Bureau accredits the lender with an A+ rating, which reflects strong business practices. On Trustpilot, however, customer reviews are more critical, with an overall “Poor” rating. That said, Zillow Home Loans has received fewer complaints than average from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), suggesting a relatively stable track record regarding formal issues.
Customer experience
Zillow Home Loans starts with a quick online prequalification tool that takes just a few minutes and doesn’t affect your credit score. After the seller accepts your offer, you can begin the full mortgage application. At that stage, you’ll need to submit income documents, agree to a credit check, and work with a loan officer to complete and finalize your loan. While much of the process happens online, this step requires direct communication.
The website also offers helpful tools, including a customizable rate estimator, mortgage calculators, and step-by-step checklists. If you need help, you can contact the support team by calling 888-852-2212 or submitting a form on the website.
FAQs about Zillow Home Loans
Zillow Home Loans requires a minimum credit score of 620 for most loan types. However, FHA loan applicants may qualify with scores as low as 500, provided they have a higher down payment or meet other compensating factors.
Yes, Zillow operates its own mortgage company called Zillow Home Loans. It launched in 2018 to offer home financing directly to buyers using the Zillow platform. The lender provides conventional, FHA, VA, and jumbo loans and refinancing options so buyers can shop for a home and secure a mortgage in one place.
Zillow Home Loans offers a down payment assistance program in select markets for first-time buyers who earn 80% or less of the area’s median income. Eligible buyers can contribute just 1% down, and Zillow adds 2% at closing. However, Zillow does not list which markets qualify, so you’ll need to apply or speak with a loan officer to determine if the program is available in your area.
The initial prequalification process with Zillow Home Loans involves a soft credit check, which does not impact your credit score. However, proceeding to preapproval or mortgage approval will require a hard credit inquiry.
The time to close varies, but most borrowers can expect to close within 30 to 45 days. Processing times may depend on your loan type and how quickly you provide documentation.
Is Zillow Home Loans the best mortgage lender for you?
This Zillow Home Loans lender review shows that the company offers a solid mix of loan options, helpful online tools, and competitive rates, especially for borrowers already using Zillow to search for a home. It’s a good fit if you’re comfortable with an online process and meet the credit and income guidelines for its programs.
However, higher-than-average origination fees, limited loan types, and the lack of transparency around specific programs may be drawbacks for some. Zillow Home Loans is worth considering if you’re a first-time buyer or looking for an online experience backed by a familiar brand. But it’s still smart to compare a few lenders before deciding.
Find your lowest mortgage rate. Start hereHow The Mortgage Reports scored Zillow Home Loans
The Mortgage Reports evaluates and ranks lenders based on four key factors, each weighted to reflect its impact on the borrowing experience.
- 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.
- 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.
