ClearPath Lending Reviews
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About ClearPath Lending
ClearPath Lending (NMLS #936436) is a lender offering home purchase and refinance loans. You can use the portal on its website to upload documents, see your loan info and monitor your application.
In 2020, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau penalized ClearPath Lending for inadequate disclosures and misleading and deceptive statements in its ads for VA loans. The company was ordered to pay a civil penalty.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Specializes in refinancing VA loans
- Loan application tracking
- Loyalty program
Cons
- Application process isn't entirely online
- Not available in all states
Bottom Line
While ClearPath Lending has a variety of loan options, it mostly focuses on lending to veterans. It also offers a unique loyalty program that can help you get a lower rate by refinancing. However, it has been fined for false advertising as recently as 2020.
Featured Reviews
ClearPath made refinancing very simple and pleasurable. There was no stress on it. … I look forward to working with them in the future. If I have friends or family that are lookin...
Read full reviewThe first two times I used ClearPath, the experience was good. This last time was a little rocky though. The first couple of times is just a straight refi and the last time around...
Read full reviewRates
ClearPath Lending isn’t transparent about its current rates, but Home Mortgage Disclosure Act data indicates that its rates generally aren’t too far off from average mortgage rates. Just be aware that small rate changes can have a big impact — the difference between a 4% and a 4.58% interest rate could cost you more than $30,000 in interest over the course of a $250,000 30-year mortgage.
ClearPath Lending average rate vs. national average
Year | Difference from national average |
---|---|
2021 | -0.19% |
2020 | +0.58% |
2019 | +0.23% |
However, it’s worth mentioning that the above rates are for home purchases and do not include refinancing, which is the bulk of ClearPath Lending’s business.
Application process
Getting a mortgage with ClearPath Lending starts by calling or entering your info on the company’s website. However, even if you start online, you're still directed to call the company or wait for them to contact you.
Once you’ve started the application process, though, you can use the ClearPath Lending Portal to upload documents, access your loan information and monitor your application in real time. Many borrowers said that ClearPath Lending’s process was seamless and smooth once the ball got rolling.
ClearPath Lending application features
Features | Availability |
---|---|
Online application | |
Mobile document upload | |
Physical branches | X |
Publishes minimum rate on website | X |
Rate lock | Not disclosed |
Pre-qualification (no hard credit pull) | |
Certified approval letter | Not disclosed |
Loan types
ClearPath lending offers several loan options for homebuyers, including:
- Conventional loans
- FHA loans
- VA loans
- Jumbo loans
However, the company hasn’t had many purchase loan applications in the past few years, and the number of purchase loans it originated is even smaller. That’s because its most popular loans are for refinancing.
Loan applications for home purchases only by year
2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |
---|---|---|---|
Total loans initiated | 38 | 13 | 40 |
Loans originated | 27 | 7 | 22 |
Applications denied | 6 | 1 | 7 |
Preapprovals denied | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Refinancing
The majority of ClearPath Lending’s loans are for refinancing. These products help customers lower their monthly payments, shorten loan terms, access home equity or switch rate structures by replacing their existing loans with new ones.
ClearPath Lending offers three main refinancing options for existing homeowners: conventional loans, FHA streamline loans and VA interest rate reduction refinance loans (IRRRLs). IRRRLs have been the company’s most popular offering in recent years.
In 2020, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau found that ClearPath Lending violated several regulations by sending “mailers for VA-guaranteed mortgages that contained false, misleading, and inaccurate statements or that lacked required disclosures.” The company was required to pay a $625,000 civil penalty.
Home purchase vs. refinance loans by year
2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |
---|---|---|---|
Home purchase loans | 0.21% | 0.03% | 0.24% |
Refinance loans | 92.62% | 99.34% | 96.68% |
Cash-out refinance | 7.18% | 0.63% | 3.09% |
Requirements
ClearPath Lending does not disclose its loan requirements or process for determining how much it believes you can afford. We’ve outlined some generic loan requirements below to help you set some expectations, but be aware that ClearPath Lending's requirements may differ from these guidelines.
National mortgage requirements by type
Min. credit score | Min. down payment | Compare with other lenders | |
---|---|---|---|
Conventional | Typically 620 | Typically 3% | Mortgage lenders |
FHA | 500 | 3.5% with 580 credit score | FHA lenders |
VA | Set by lender (often 580) | 0% | VA lenders |
Additional qualifications may also apply, especially for government-backed loans. For example, VA IRRRLs have their own underwriting requirements set by the Department of Veterans Affairs:
- You must already have a VA-backed home loan.
- You must use the IRRRL to refinance your existing VA-backed home loan.
- You must certify that you currently live in or used to live in the home covered by the loan.
No credit underwriting package is required by the VA when applying for an IRRRL, though.
For information on other loan types, read our guides to jumbo loans and USDA loans.
Costs and fees
ClearPath Lending doesn’t publicly disclose any costs or fees for its products other than stating that you may not need to pay any money out of pocket to get an IRRRL.
In general, closing costs on a mortgage range from 2% to 6% of the loan amount. This includes mortgage insurance, discount points and any additional fees that may come with your loan. You can see your expected closing costs in your Loan Estimate, which you should receive within three business days of your application.
ClearPath Lending also has a Loyalty Program that notifies you when a lower rate is available for your loan so you can refinance and save money on your monthly payments.
FAQ
How does ClearPath Lending work?
To get a mortgage with ClearPath Lending, you must either speak with a representative or provide your information so they can contact you. From there, they can help you finish the application process.
Is ClearPath Lending legit?
ClearPath Lending is a licensed mortgage lender with a high overall satisfaction rate on our site at the time of publishing. However, the government did fine the company in 2020 for deceptive advertising.
Where is ClearPath Lending available?
ClearPath Lending is available in 31 U.S. states.
It is not available in:
- Alaska
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Kansas
- Iowa
- Maine
- Massachusetts
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- New Hampshire
- New York
- North Dakota
- Rhode Island
- South Dakota
- Utah
- Vermont
- West Virginia
- Wyoming
ClearPath Lending Reviews
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Reviewed Oct. 25, 2023
I like ClearPath Lending. They sent a coupon in the mail and I was interested because I wanted to lower my mortgage. At that time, it was 1,500. And when the rep and I first spoke, it was 7.49, he said he could get it down to 5.45, and I was interested. At that time when we spoke, I had made four payments on my mortgage. And to do the application, I had to have made payment for six months. But he decided that he could still take all my information, I continued to make two more payments, not saying he guaranteed. But when he did the credit check, he gave me an update that I would be approved, and it took two months. But he was professional. He gave me his direct line. He would allow me to text him, take pictures, and send it through his text. Any question I had any time of the day except for after-hours of closing, I would feel free to give him a call.
He explained everything to me. It was cut-and-dry. He was truthful with everything and I had faith in him. Even though I called and told him that, "I received another letter in the mail and their payments would have been lower and their mortgage rate would have been lower. But I contacted you first, and you went through trying, doing, checked credit report and everything. I'm gonna stick with you when I could have gone with them because they may have had a better deal, but I wouldn't have known." So, I told them I would get back with ClearPath and I told the rep to continue the process. I didn't have to come out of pocket for any expenses. The appraisal was already included. Also, I was allowed two months without making a payment so I could catch up on a few more bills. It was fantastic. If ClearPath Lending could lower my payments some more, I would love it.
Thank you for your recent review about your refinance experience,. We value your business and welcome you to the ClearPath family!
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Reviewed June 15, 2023
We had a wonderful experience with ClearPath. We bought a house and it so happened that, when we went looking, the person that we were dealing with dealt with ClearPath. So, that was how we got them. We bought this house in 2019 and, after that, we lowered our interest rate. So, we refinanced. This time, we needed to do some upgrades to the house. So, we got a refinancing to do that. It was very quick and easy. They had a lot of our information already because we had done a refinance with them before. The people that they have working there that we deal with are phenomenal. They're fast and they keep in touch with you and I'm very happy. We dealt with Michael and he's very good. He gave me a list of what it is that I need in order to be able to do this.
ClearPath has this loyalty program. What they do is, if you have a loan with them and it's a VA loan, they give you an opportunity to be able to have as many refinances as you want and they don't charge you for the filing of the papers. There are a lot of benefits to it. They work with you so that you don't pay for the appraisal and so on and so forth. We just found out when we went to get a new roof put on our house that my name was not on the loan, but it was supposed to be put on the deed.
So, because it should have happened, the people that they deal with for the title company said that they would waive their fee and they would send me the paperwork for us to be able to do a quitclaim deed to put my name on the deed. That worked out really well. This loyalty program that they have is very helpful. Our house increased in value quite a bit. So, we were able to get quite a bit of money out to be able to replumb the house and get a new roof and update our kitchen and so on all these things are going to be putting value into our house. ClearPath has been very good.
Reviewed June 15, 2023
I received ClearPath’s personal care and customer service, when they treated me nicely and did things according to their plan. I was working with someone else and we didn't complete our process. ClearPath gave me a call and I dropped who I had and went straight back to them. You feel so much more comfortable dealing with people you know and have done that type of job with before.
Quine, the rep, was the best. She was very customer-oriented and knowledgeable. She is a subject matter expert on dealing with taking care of her customer or client. It became personal and more comfortable with processing through her. There was no runaround. This is the most important part that separated her from all the others. She says on her voicemail to call her supervisor and gives the number if we cannot contact her. That's the winner right there. I've gotten the runaround with other people before to where you call that number and they're not there for days. And that's not gonna work. But with her, if I couldn’t contact her, there was always somebody I can talk to on the phone and that was huge.
We were doing this during a volatile time and I was able to get out of credit card debt. I was able to refinance at a rate. But since this is a VA loan, within six months, they automatically re-alert me to move this to a better positioning. Quine’s assistant had a subject matter expert part about him too. He gave me comfort just as much as she did. So if I was to hand it off to him, I knew I was in good hands.
Reviewed May 8, 2023
Nobody prepared me for having to go through all the stuff that I had to go through this last time with ClearPath. I didn't have to jump through a whole bunch of hoops the last few times. But this last time, I had to get the financing estimate and repairs to the house done. Getting paperwork together is one thing, but I had to go through and paint the exterior of the house and tear down a treehouse that I have in the back. There were a lot of people and different inspections that had to get done. This one was more stressful than it was initially to buy the house. When I bought the house, it only took a couple of months. This last refinance, it took six months.
I was in process in November and it took a lot longer this time to get it. It was a little more stressful. But I also was getting my automobile and all my credit cards paid off through it as well. That had something to do with it but I wasn't expecting as much stuff that I had to do beyond what I was normally having to do. The hardest thing I had to do was meet the notary to sign the paperwork. But the people were nice to deal with. I never had a problem getting ahold of them. I'm getting used to doing things more online and not in person. They're good about doing things over the phone, by mail, online, and getting things done. You would think something like this would be something that you'd have to be there for, to be in front of somebody. But they didn't have a problem with any of them.
Reviewed Jan. 11, 2023
I called ClearPath and they didn't call me back. I went with the first person I found and they ended up being another company, and they were not good. Right when I was ready to cancel the whole deal, a fellow named Long called me, returning the call to see if I had gone through with buying a house and all this other stuff. I told him what was going on. I asked him if I could legally switch. He said, "Yeah, do whatever you want. You're the consumer. They can't tell you what you can or can't do." I traded it to him. He has done more in three days, and they did it over a month. My closing date with the original company was November 11th. We're a week and a half to close, and he exceeded that date. We did it on November 1st. I was on the phone with him at 11:48 at night, trying to get the rate locked in because the rates are going up the next day. He finally got it locked in. He stayed up all night working to do that just because it's the kind of guy he is.
Overall, the application process with ClearPath was very easy. Their portal was pretty easy to use. I hate computers, and I was able to do everything on my phone. They emailed me everything. I just took a picture of what they needed from me and uploaded it to their portal and that was it. I can't speak for everybody at ClearPath but Long and his team will bend over backwards to make sure that you get done what you needed done.
Reviewed Nov. 4, 2023
I was looking for a refinance with a lower rate and they got the best plan I thought for myself. They seemed friendly and knowledgeable. They were able to talk with me about what I was trying to do and what they were trying to do. It lowered my payment, but now I owe more than I ever did. They took the other loan and paid it out. I had to pay off the roof repair on the other one and it added 10,000 to it. They had to pick up what half they thought was worth when they financed it and added that to the total. But I knew that would happen.
Reviewed Oct. 18, 2023
Clearpath was good for me. The process took month and a half, which wasn't that long, and the reps were nice people. They kept me informed and I didn’t have to call them. They called and let me know everything that was going on, and I liked that.
Thank you for your wonderful feedback about your recent refinance experience working with our team. We look forward to working with you again.
Reviewed Oct. 17, 2023
ClearPath has a normal application process. They wanted to know how much my house is worth and how much cash I wanted to take out of it, and when I wanted to go to closing. The process took a couple of months, but that was because I was procrastinating. I would call one lender and then, I'd call ClearPath. Ultimately, it came down to the interest rates for moving and ClearPath had the best one going. Once I made up my mind, they were very quick. It was a little bit confusing because the guy I talked to at first had an aide, so she was answering more of my question. Then it seemed to me that I got a couple of other things with either texts or an email, and it was from somebody else.
Finally, one day, I just had to ask him. I said, "All right. Now, who is this?" "Oh, that's my assistant." "Well, then who is this?" They say it was an assistant's assistant. So, it got a little confusing there. But the information that I was being provided was always consistent. I think they just put more people in line so that they would be responsive, and they were always responsive to my questions.
We are pleased to hear that you found our application process and rates better than our competitors. We value your business and look forward to working with you again.
Reviewed Oct. 12, 2023
I'm a ClearPath customer, and everything has been above board. The experience has been beautiful as well. It was easygoing, no hassle or problems, and the price is gonna remain the same. I got help.
Reviewed Oct. 11, 2023
They were very proactive. I had some concerns along the way, but they addressed and handled them all. One was my issue, but they were patient with me on that. My loan officer was cordial, friendly and professional. The application process went very smoothly. I was satisfied.
Sources
- U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA), “ Interest rate reduction refinance loan .” Accessed August 22, 2022.
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), “ ClearPath Lending, Inc .” Accessed August 22, 2022.
ClearPath Lending Company Information
- Social media:
- Company Name:
- ClearPath Lending NMLS # 936436
- Company Type:
- Public
- Address:
- 15615 Alton Parkway Suite 300
- City:
- Irvine
- State/Province:
- CA
- Postal Code:
- 92618
- Country:
- United States
- Fax:
- (855) 866-7284
- Website:
- clearpathlending.com