In a Nutshell
pros
- Application can be done mostly online
- Specializes in VA loans
cons
- Website lacks information
- Doesn’t offer adjustable rates
HomeDirect Mortgage at a Glance
| Loan types | Purchase, Refinance, Cash-Out Refinance, Home Equity |
| Featured Loans |
Fixed-rate, VA, FHA, USDA, Native American Home Loan |
| Suitable for | Applying for a VA loan online or other types of mortgage loans with only a small down payment. |
Overview
HomeDirect Mortgage is BOK Financial’s (BOKF) online lending platform. Its selling point is that it gives borrowers the best of both worlds: the ability to apply for a mortgage online while also being able to lean on real, human mortgage agents for support. The main difference between applying through HomeDirect or BOKF is that with HomeDirect you can manage your entire application online and by phone. BOK Financial has branches in 9 states, but HomeDirect caters to borrowers across the US and lets you complete your application without having to go to any of the physical branches.
Suitable For?
HomeDirect’s main area of speciality is in providing loans with no down payment or only a small down payment. When BOKF launched the HomeDirect website in 2013, it said the aim was to provide current and former service people and their eligible family members with an easy way of applying online for a VA loan. Today, HomeDirect remains committed to providing VA loans as well as other types of conventional and government-backed loans with low down payments.
Types of Loans/Products
As mentioned above, HomeDirect Mortgage offers an online pathway to all of BOK Financial’s mortgage products. BOKF provides conventional fixed-rate loans and government-backed loans to residents of all 50 states. Whatever the loan type, the main feature of all of HomeDirect and BOKF’s loans is that they come with low or no down payments.
Here’s a full list of HomeDirect and BOKF’s mortgage products, with some basic information about each product.
- Conventional fixed-rate home loans with as low down payment.
- Mortgage refinancing, including standard and cash-out refis.
- Jumbo home loans for loans available.
- VA Loans for eligible service people and eligible spouses, with the option of no down payment.
- FHA Loans, with low down payments
- Native American Home Loan, for members of federally recognized Native American tribes, with reduced down payments and market interest rates regardless of your credit score.
- Lock and Build Loan Program, which lets you lock in your interest rate for up to 270 days while your home is being built.
- USDA Rural Home Loan, offering low down payments to borrowers in areas designated as rural by the US Department of Agriculture.
- Home Equity Loans, a common type of “reverse” loan that allows you to borrow against your equity in your home.
The Application Process
To begin the application process, call HomeDirect or fill out a request for an online quote. Whether you start the process by phone or on HomeDirect’s website, the path is always the same. You’ll be assigned a loan officer, who will offer you a pre-qualified rate. You’ll be given the option of continuing the application online through HomeNow, HomeDirect’s secure, mobile-friendly online portal, or of going down the traditional route in person with your officer.
HomeNow allows you to scan, sign, and upload all your documents online. With HomeNow, you get 24/7 access to your mortgage application, allowing you to track your status from the beginning through to closing. The only time you’ll be asked to go anywhere is at the very end of the process, when your loan officer will help schedule a convenient time and location for you to sign the closing documents. The documentation requirements are fairly similar to most other lenders.
Unfortunately, HomeDirect doesn’t make any promises about processing speeds. However, the fact they allow borrowers to apply online is a good thing, because it lets you do all the paperwork from the comfort of your own home and in your own time.
Pros and Cons
The main benefit of using HomeDirect Mortgage is that it provides home buyers with an online route to all of BOKFs mortgage products. BOKF specializes in VA loans as well as several types of loans that aren’t very common among major lenders, namely:
- Native American Home Loans
- Lock and Build Loan Program.
With HomeDirect’s HomeNow online portal, you can submit all your supporting documents online without ever having to leave your home.
HomeDirect could improve the way it presents the details of its service to prospective borrowers. The company’s website doesn’t mention anything about fees or processing times. HomeDirect’s parent company BOKF is very clear about the details of its mortgage products, but it might not be obvious to users that this information applies to HomeDirect as well.
Rates and Fees– The Bare Basics
The HomeDirect and BOKF websites don’t specify the closing fees. It does offer a rates tool which lets you type in a loan amount, state, and estimated credit score to see sample rates without entering your contact details. This free rates tool is good for getting an idea about rates, although the only way to get an accurate quote is to actually speak to one of HomeDirect’s loan agents. The lowest rate on offer for a 15-year fixed-rate loan is 3.625%.
Repayment Terms
HomeDirect Mortgage offers loan terms between 15-30 years. Again, its website lacks specific details on things like prepayment penalties and late fees.
Help & Support
HomeDirect offers phone support during business hours. To speak to one of its home loan specialists, call toll-free number 855-314-7440.
Summary
HomeDirect Mortgage is a viable option if you’re looking for a loan with a low down payment. It’s especially useful for people who qualify for various government programs, namely: VA loans for active and former military personnel, members of recognized Native American tribes, and residents of rural areas. If you’re a member of one of these groups and you have an internet connection, then HomeDirect Mortgage can assist you.
HomeDirect FAQ
- Who operates HomeDirect Mortgage loans?
HomeDirect Mortgage is owned and operated by BOK Financial (BOKF), a banking group based in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
- Where does HomeDirect operate?
Home buyers from all over the US can apply for mortgages through HomeDirect’s online portal.
- Does HomeDirect have any physical branches?
HomeDirect is an online lender, but parent company BOKF has physical branches in 8 states through the following subsidiaries: Bank of Oklahoma, Bank of Texas, Bank of Albuquerque, Bank of Arizona, Bank of Arkansas, Colorado State Bank and Trust, and MoBank.
- When was HomeDirect founded?
It was founded in 2013, although BOK Financial can trace its roots back to the founding of the Exchange National Bank of Tulsa in 2010.
Physical Address
11880 College Blvd
Overland Park
KS 66210
