Zillow Mortgage Review 2026
Zillow Home Loans offers a range of mortgage loans for borrowers across most of the U.S. The online lender is best for individuals interested in prequalifying for a mortgage loan and who meet Zillow’s minimum credit requirements.
See how we reached our verdict below.
- A wide selection of purchase and refinance mortgage loans
- Offers online mortgage prequalification with no impact to your credit score
- Available in all states except New York
- Limited rate or fee information on Zillow’s website
- Online loan applications still require speaking with a loan officer
- Doesn’t offer home equity loans
Zillow mortgage overview
Zillow Home Loans is an online mortgage lender and a division of the Zillow Group. In 2018, the Zillow Group entered the lending industry by acquiring Mortgage Lenders of America. In 2019, it was rebranded to Zillow Home Loans, which is headquartered in Irvine, California.
- Areas of service: 49 states (New York excluded)
- Digital service: Online-only lender
- Headquarters: 2600 Michelson Drive, Suite 1201, Irvine, CA 92612
- Website: ZillowHomeLoans.com
Zillow rates and fees
Rates
Zillow Home Loans publishes rate examples for various home loans on its website, updated daily. Examples are for estimation purposes only and are based on the following hypothetical borrower profile, not a personalized rate offer: A borrower with a $275,000 loan, a 20% down payment, a credit score of 740 or higher, a debt-to-income ratio below 43% and payment of points at closing.
As of Jan. 8, 2026, Zillow Home Loans’ website listed the following rate examples:
- 30-year fixed: 6.164% APR
- 15-year fixed: 5.645% APR
- 7/6 ARM: 6.418% APR
According to 2024 Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) data, Zillow’s rates averaged 0.40 percentage points above the average prime offer rate (APOR), a slight improvement from 2023 when the spread was 0.41 percentage points. The narrowing rate spread suggests Zillow remains competitive with other online mortgage lenders.
Fees
Zillow does not publish a lender fee schedule on its website. From the 2024 HMDA data, Zillow’s average total loan costs were $8,111, including average origination charges of $4,039. After you receive a loan estimate, review it closely to understand the lender fees and any third-party expenses.
Zillow Home Loans participates in down payment assistance programs in select markets, which can help qualified buyers lower up-front costs. You can check eligibility through Zillow’s online questionnaire, which screens for criteria such as household income and size, employment status and homeownership history.
While individual program terms vary by location, some buyers may qualify for down payment assistance or programs that allow as little as 3% down, depending on their lender and area. Borrowers should speak directly with a Zillow loan officer to confirm loan options and requirements.
What types of mortgage loans does Zillow offer?
Zillow offers a variety of home loans including:
- Conventional loans
- FHA loans
- VA loans
- Jumbo loans
- Home equity lines of credit
Zillow Home Loans offers fixed-rate and adjustable-rate conventional loans with terms ranging from 10 to 30 years. The lender also offers refinancing loans, including rate-and-term, streamline and cash-out refinances.
Conventional loan qualification requirements
- 620 minimum credit score
- 3% minimum down payment
Zillow Home Loans offers FHA loans backed by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) to qualified borrowers. FHA loans have lower credit score and down payment requirements.
FHA loan qualification requirements
- 580 minimum credit score
- 3.5% minimum down payment
Zillow Home Loans offers VA loans, which are purchase and refinancing mortgages partially backed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Eligible current and former military members may qualify for a VA loan.
VA loan qualification requirements
- No down payment is required for borrowers who have full VA loan entitlement
- No private mortgage insurance (PMI) is required
- No minimum credit score requirement from the VA, but lenders generally require borrowers to have at least a 620 credit score
Zillow Home Loans offers jumbo loans for borrowers financing homes that exceed the conforming loan limits set by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA). For 2025, a jumbo loan is required when the loan amount for a single-family home is above $806,500, or over $1,209,750 in high-cost areas.
The FHFA updates conforming loan limits each year based on home price data, with the 2026 limits expected to be announced in late November 2025.
Jumbo loan qualification requirements
- 700 minimum credit score
- Down payment of 10% to 20%
- Maximum DTI ratio of 45%
Zillow Home Loans doesn’t offer home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) directly. Instead, Zillow helps homeowners compare offers from partner lenders that provide HELOCs. A HELOC lets borrowers access cash using their home’s equity without refinancing their existing mortgage.
HELOC qualification requirements
- Sufficient home equity, typically up to 85% combined loan-to-value ratio
- Credit, income and debt-to-income ratio requirements vary by lender
- Property type and occupancy that qualify under the lender’s HELOC guidelines
Zillow mortgage qualifications
| Credit score minimum |
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| DTI ratio
Debt-to-income (DTI) ratio compares your monthly gross income to your monthly debt payments.
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| Down payment minimum |
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Don’t know your credit score? Get your free score on LendingTree Spring today.
Zillow Home Loans doesn’t disclose the exact criteria it uses to approve or deny applications. Based on 2024 nationwide data, Zillow approved borrowers who, on average, had an 86% loan-to-value (LTV) ratio or better, and nearly 43% had a debt-to-income (DTI) ratio below 40%.
In the same year, Zillow Home Loans denied about 7.7% of its mortgage applications, which is lower than the national average denial rate of about 10.5% across all major loan types.
How to apply for a Zillow mortgage
1. Choose your loan type
Start by exploring Zillow’s loan options, including conventional loans, FHA loans, VA loans and jumbo loans, on the Zillow Home Loans website. You can also speak to a loan officer by phone to find the best fit for your goals.
2. Get prequalified
You can get prequalified online in about five minutes with no impact on your credit score. Zillow uses your basic financial details to estimate how much you may be able to borrow. Lenders typically provide a prequalification letter you can share with real estate agents or sellers.
3. Submit a loan application
Once a seller accepts your purchase offer, you can formally apply for a mortgage loan. Contact a Zillow Home Loans officer to begin the application process.
- Identification
- Tax documents
- Bank statement
- Pay stubs
- Debt and asset statements
- Gift letters (if you’re using gifted funds)
Find out more about how to apply for a home loan.
Is it safe to get prequalified with Zillow?
Yes, it is safe to get prequalified with Zillow. The lender uses a soft credit check during prequalification, so the process won’t affect your credit score. You’ll enter basic information about your income, assets and credit to see how much you may be able to borrow.
If you’re eligible, you’ll receive a prequalification letter that can help show sellers you’re a serious buyer. Keep in mind that prequalification isn’t a final loan approval but an early step in understanding your financing options.
Zillow’s customer service experience
Zillow Home Loans combines online tools with hands-on support from loan officers throughout the application process. After prequalification, borrowers can connect directly with a loan officer for help comparing loan options, submitting documents or locking in a rate.
Customer support options are somewhat limited compared to some competitors, but personalized guidance from loan officers helps fill the gap.
How to contact Zillow Home Loans
- Phone: 877-661-3166
- Contact form: Available on the Zillow Home Loans website
Currently, Zillow does not offer email or live chat support. Most communication happens through your assigned loan officer, which may appeal to borrowers who prefer one-on-one service but could be less convenient for those who prefer instant digital help.
How does Zillow compare to other lenders?
|  |  |
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| LendingTree’s rating |
Expert review from LendingTree.
Back to our Zillow summary |
Expert review from LendingTree.
Read our Zillow vs. Rocket Mortgage comparison |
Expert review from LendingTree.
Read our Zillow vs. AmeriSave comparison |
| Minimum credit score | 580 to 700 | 580 | 500 |
| Minimum down payment | 0% to 3% | 0% to 3.5% | 0 to 3.5% |
| Rate spread
Rate spread is the difference between the average prime offer rate (APOR) — the lowest APR a bank is likely to offer any private customer — and the average annual percentage rate (APR) the lender offered to mortgage customers in 2024. The higher the number, the more expensive the loan.
| 0.40% | 0.87% | 2.63% |
| Loan products and programs |
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| Better for: | Borrowers seeking an easy online prequalification process with one-on-one support from loan officers | Borrowers who want a fast, digital mortgage experience and a wide range of loan options | Borrowers focused on flexible loan options, including home equity products and rate customization tools |
Zillow vs. Rocket Mortgage
Zillow Home Loans and Rocket Mortgage are both online-only mortgage lenders with similar loan offerings. Of the two lenders, Rocket Mortgage is the only one that offers home equity loans. While both lenders offer prequalification, Rocket Mortgage offers a wider range of customer support options and transparent rate information on its website.
Read more in our full Rocket Mortgage review.
Zillow vs. AmeriSave
AmeriSave offers more loan options than Zillow, including USDA loans and home equity loans. The lender also provides tools to compare rate scenarios. However, in 2024, AmeriSave’s average rate spread was 2.63%, one of the highest among major lenders, suggesting its loans were priced above market rates. Zillow’s average spread was 0.40%, reflecting more competitive pricing overall.
Read more in our full AmeriSave mortgage review.
How LendingTree rated Zillow Mortgage
LendingTree’s mortgage lender rating is based on a five-point scoring system that factors in several features, including digital application processes, available loan products and the accessibility of product and lending information.
LendingTree’s editorial team calculates each rating based on a review of information available on the lender’s website. Lenders receive a half-point on the “offers standard mortgage products” criterion if they offer only two of the three standard loan programs (conventional, FHA and VA). In some cases, additional information was provided by a lender representative.
Zillow’s scorecard:
- Publishes rates online
- Offers standard mortgage products
- Includes detailed product info online
- Shares resources about mortgage lending
- Provides an online application
Frequently asked questions
Zillow Home Loans offers tools like its BuyAbility calculator to estimate how much you can afford based on real-time rates, your credit score and income. It also supports full prequalification and digital document upload to streamline the process.
When you apply for a loan through Sebonic Financial, the lender will perform a credit inquiry. A credit inquiry can damage your credit score. And, if you take out a loan and miss payments, the lender will submit the delinquencies to the major credit bureaus, significantly affecting your credit score.
Yes, Zillow is a licensed lender under Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) guidelines. You can view more info about Zillow’s state licenses and registrations through the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System and Registry (NMLS) website.
When you use Zillow to prequalify, the lender performs a soft credit inquiry, which won’t impact your credit score. If you submit a full loan application, a hard inquiry will be made, which will temporarily affect your credit.
Many borrowers appreciate Zillow Home Loans for easy online prequalification, flexible down payment options and a streamlined digital experience. However, some reviews mention delays during document verification and communication gaps during underwriting.
At the time of writing, Zillow Home Loans holds an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. However, the lender currently has a rating of 1.9 stars out of 5 on Trustpilot, with critical feedback focused on customer service responsiveness and loan processing speed.
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