In a Nutshell
pros
- Extremely flexible approval requirements
- 3% interest rates and down payments
- Tons of information and online tools
cons
- Hard to modify loans in progress
- Reputation took a hit recently
Wells Fargo at a Glance
| Loan Types | Home purchase, refinancing, home equity lines of credit, fixed, adjustable-rate |
| Featured Loans | VA, FHA, Jumbo |
| Repayment Terms | 5, 10, 15, 30 years |
| Minimum Down Payment | 3% |
| Minimum Credit Score | 620 |
| Suitable For | First time or return home buyers |
Overview
Wells Fargo has been in business for well over 100 years, servicing consumers with a wide range of financial products, including loans, credit cards, and bank accounts. Its mortgage loans are among the most flexible, easy to work with, and feature competitively-marked interest rates. So, Wells Fargo mortgage loans are great for most new home purchases.
Suitable For?
With so many programs to choose from, low-interest rates, and reasonable loan terms, Wells Fargo is really a great choice for new buyers. What's more, Wells Fargo is experienced, knowledgeable, and supportive. Despite being a multi-billion-dollar corporation, this brand doesn't just leave you with a lot of questions unanswered. Instead, it walks you through every step of purchasing or refinancing a house and even sticks with you after you've moved into your new home.
Wells Fargo also offers consumers good online tools like a loan tracker, loan calculator, and monthly expenses calculators. These tools are available online and are totally free. They can help new buyers understand where to start, how much money a loan entails, and how to budget properly in order to finance their new home purchase.
Types of Loans/Products
Wells Fargo covers the spectrum when it comes to mortgage loan varieties. You can get everything from fixed-rate mortgages to ARMs, FHA loans, VA loans, and Jumbo loans. Wells Fargo even has more specialized mortgage loans, including new constructions, renovations, and military mortgage loans.
Fixed-rate mortgages
These keep the interest rate static the entire life of the loan. Wells Fargo offers 15- and 30-year fixed-rate loans.
Adjustable-rate mortgages (ARM)
These interest rates fluctuate throughout the life of the loan. This is a good option if you’re looking to sell your home in a few years. Wells Fargo offers 7/1 ARM and 5/1 ARMs.
Jumbo loans
Conventional mortgage loans have a loan limit (usually between $400,00-$600,000). Jumbo loans are available for loans larger than this amount. Jumbo loans are available in a variety of options, including 30 and 15-year fixed rates and 7 or 10/1 ARM.
FHA loans
Federal housing administration loans are a lot more flexible, so many people find it easier to get approval for one. FHA loans are also available for lower down payments, but sometimes, the interest can be higher.
VA loans
These are suitable for current or former US military members. They come with benefits like lower down payments, no mortgage insurance premiums, and easier approval ratings.
Wells Fargo has a unique option for first-time purchasers: yourFirst Mortgage is a program that allows people to buy a home with a 3% fixed rate, $750 closing cost credit, and incredibly flexible requirements. Here’s a breakdown of this offer:
- Credit required: 620 (flexible)
- Down payments: 3%-5% plus down payment assistance programs
- Who is eligible: No specific income or counseling requirements, but mortgage insurance is required
The Application Process
Wells Fargo makes applying for a loan refreshingly simple. For one thing, there is plenty of information online. So, you can do all the initial research yourself without having to spend time on the phone with an agent.
Once you’re ready to get started, you can apply online, over the phone, or at one of the 8,000+ locations around the country. The online process goes like this:
- Fill out the application form.
- You can upload and sign documents using an e-consent app from your computer or phone.
- Once you’ve completed the initial process, someone will be in touch with you for more details.
What we appreciated about this process was the online portal. This lets you check the status of your loan, upload any additional documents, and provides a convenient checklist of things you need to do.
Rates and Fees – The Bare Basics
Wells Fargo makes it easier for people to purchase homes by offering small down payment options and low-interest rates. Obviously, like with all lenders, the lower the down payment, the higher the interest rates will be and vice versa. Notwithstanding, Wells Fargo still offers fair and low rates as per industry standards.
With the yourFirst Mortgage program, homebuyers can pay a scant 3% down for their homes. In addition, Wells Fargo has several features to help consumers along even further, including:
Closing costs credit
If you go through a homebuyer education course, Wells Fargo will give you a $750 closing costs credit. You will also be eligible for lower interest rates when you finish the course.
Down payment assistance programs
Wells Fargo runs NeighborhoodLIFT programs. These programs are the homebuyer education courses discussed. When you attend events in your neighborhood, you’ll be able to find available grants, get help from local nonprofit organizations, receive valuable financial education, and find out more about discounts available to you.
What's nice about this bank is that it doesn't have a lot of the usual fees involved with most lenders. You won't need to pay an application fee, and Wells Fargo doesn't charge you for early payments either (prepayment penalty). You may have to pay closing costs and origination fees, but these fees are often discounted or waived completely, depending on where you live.
Repayment Terms
Wells Fargo has a wide range of repayment terms, so you can really find one that suits your budget and situation. Terms include 5-, 10-, 15-, and 30-year loans with both fixed and adjustable rates.
Help & Support
Wells Fargo is well-known for having incredible customer support. It has 24/7 phone support via several toll-free numbers, and you can send an email to the support team as well. What’s more, Wells Fargo has a tremendous knowledge base with all the questions and answers you could possibly need for DIY troubleshooting or information gathering. The knowledge base is searchable and well-organized.
How Wells Fargo Compares
| Wells Fargo | Quicken Loans | VA Rate Lock | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Credit requirements | 620 | 620 | Varies based on lender |
| Minimum down payment | 3% | 3% | Varies based on lender |
| DTI ratio | 35% or less | 50% or less | Varies based on lender |
| Fees | Closing costs and origination fee (sometimes) | Origination fee, closing costs | Varies based on lender |
| Repayment terms | 5-, 10-, 15-, 30-year fixed and adjustable rates | 15- or 30-year fixed rate, 5/1 or 7/1 ARM | Varies based on lender |
Summary
Wells Fargo is one of the 4 biggest banks in America today. It's also been around since the 1800s, so you know you're dealing with a solid brand. Wells Fargo offers plenty of options for new homebuyers, flexible repayment terms, and some of the lowest rates around. You can enjoy a 3% down payment, low fees, and an easy online application process as well.
FAQ
Q: Can I make mortgage payments online?
A: Yes. Wells Fargo has an easy to use online portal that lets you manage all of your mortgage details, including status, payments, and interest data.
Q: How do you determine my interest rate?
A: Interest rates are calculated based on a number of factors, including the current financial markets, your credit history, and the loan amount.
Q: Can I get preapproval from Wells Fargo?
A: Yes. Frequently, Wells Fargo will pre-approve borrowers for a mortgage loan. This will make the loan process go faster and more smoothly for you.
Q: Do I need homeowners insurance for a Wells Fargo mortgage?
A: Generally, you will be required to have proof of homeowners insurance before you can close on your loan. If you put down a larger down payment, sometimes this can be waived.
Physical Address
Corporate Offices:
Wells Fargo
420 Montgomery Street
San Francisco, CA 94104
