Academy Mortgage Corp. Reviews

Academy Mortgage Corp. does not publish its starting rates on its website. However, the company had an average home purchase rate lower than the national average for the past three years. In 2021, its average rate for home purchase loans was 0.18% lower.

Mortgage rates depend on several factors, including a borrower’s credit score, debt-to-income (DTI) ratio and down payment amount. Borrowers who have excellent credit (800 and up) and low DTI ratios (less than 36%) who offer a high down payment are likely to get the best rates.

Academy Mortgage Corp. offers both fixed-rate and adjustable-rate mortgages (ARM). You may prefer a fixed-rate mortgage if you plan to stay in your home for a while and can lock in a relatively low rate. On the other hand, you may consider an ARM if you can get a low starting rate and there’s a chance you may sell your home in a few years.

Academy Mortgage Corp. average home purchase rate vs. national average

Unlike many lenders, Academy Mortgage Corp. doesn’t provide an online mortgage loan application. However, you can visit the company’s website and complete a contact form for a loan officer to reach out to you.

Be prepared to answer various questions about your income, debts and assets. It may be a good idea to have the following documents handy when you speak to your loan officer: a recent pay stub, checking and savings account balances, retirement account balances and the prior year’s tax return. You may also need to upload documents like bank statements and tax returns to the My Mortgage app, which keeps track of your application status.

Once you’ve completed the application, your loan officer can advise on the timeline for receiving a preapproval decision. The company keeps processing, underwriting and funding duties within local branches and promises quick closing times.

Academy Mortgage Corp. application features

Academy Mortgage Corp. offers a variety of loan products, including conventional (with fixed or adjustable rates), FHA, VA, USDA and jumbo loans. The company also offers reverse mortgages and renovation loans. Fixed-rate mortgages have loan terms that range from 10 to 30 years.

Academy Mortgage Corp. also offers down payment assistance programs, like those provided by state housing agencies. They have specific eligibility requirements, so you’ll need to discuss your individual situation with your loan officer.

In 2021, borrowers initiated 47,791 home purchase applications with Academy Mortgage Corp. Of those, no preapprovals were denied, which is common with lenders who require a consultation with a loan officer early in the application process. About 3% (1,366) of the applications were denied, which is a lower denial rate than the industry as a whole sees (about 8%). Ultimately, the company closed about 77% (32,184) of these loans.

Loan applications for home purchases only by year

Refinancing

From 2019 to 2021, the majority of the loans Academy Mortgage Corp. originated were home purchase loans. In 2021, about 61% were for home purchase, and 39% were for refinance and cash-out refinance loans combined.

During this time, many lenders experienced an increase in refinance applications. Mortgage rates declined steadily through 2020, reaching historic lows later that year. Borrowers jumped to refinance and lock in a lower rate to save on their monthly payments.

Generally speaking, refinancing makes sense if you can save on interest over time, which means you’ll need to secure a lower rate than your existing mortgage has. Some borrowers may qualify for lower rates if their financial situation has improved (e.g., they’ve paid off debts or their credit score went up). You can check out the lender’s refinancing rates to see if it makes sense for you.

Home purchase vs. refinance loans by year

Academy Mortgage Corp. discloses many of its borrower requirements on its website. The company seems to adhere to the industry norms — for a conventional loan, you’ll need a credit score of at least 620, for instance, and to offer a 3% down payment.

The company doesn’t disclose its minimum credit score for FHA loans; however, it does require a 10% down payment for borrowers with credit scores below 620. VA loans and USDA loans allow for 100% financing, which means there’s no down payment required.

National mortgage requirements by type

For other loan types, read our guide on jumbo loans.

Academy Mortgage Corp. isn’t transparent about the fees it charges for loan originations. You may pay an origination fee of 0.5% to 1% of the loan amount or a flat fee regardless of the loan amount.

Lender fees are a portion of the closing costs you’ll pay when you buy a home. Closing costs tend to add up to around 2% to 5% of the loan amount and generally include appraisal fees, title search fees, real estate taxes, mortgage insurance premiums (if applicable) and recording fees.

To help you prepare to pay closing costs, your lender will give you a document outlining all potential fees (called a Loan Estimate). You’ll receive this document, which includes loan details like your interest rate and estimated monthly payment, after you’re preapproved.