With hundreds of mortgage lenders to choose from, each with different rates, loan options, fees and closing timelines, choosing a financier can take weeks of research and comparison. Alternatively, buyers can turn to a mortgage broker to compare loan options side by side to find the best value.
LendingTree acts like an online mortgage broker, taking basic information about your future home and your financial situation and providing you with offers from different lenders to compare.
In this LendingTree review, we’ll explain how the site works, what mortgage products and rates are available and whether or not it’s a good option for securing a mortgage.
About LendingTree
LendingTree is a licensed mortgage broker based in Charlotte, NC, and it has been connecting homebuyers with mortgage lenders since 1996. The company primarily acts as a means of lead generation and partners with the lenders it matches homebuyers with. It receives compensation for that service, but this is the industry standard, and individual mortgage brokers have a similar arrangement with the lenders they promote.
How does LendingTree work?
LendingTree is an online marketplace where prospective homebuyers can compare mortgage products and lenders to find the best interest rates, closing costs, contract terms and monthly payments. You provide some basic information about the home you’re looking to purchase along with some personal information, and you get recommendations for lenders and loan products.
Here’s a breakdown of how the process works:
- Go to LendingTree.com and click “Home Purchase.”
- Answer some basic questions about your buying timeline and the type of home you’re looking to purchase.
- Answer questions about your down payment, income, employment status, credit score, military status and more.
- Provide some personal information, including your birthdate, home address and email.
- Provide your Social Security number for verification purposes. LendingTree’s site states that doing so will not affect your credit.
- Get rates and terms from different lenders to compare, and choose whichever seems like the best fit.
- That lender will contact you to get additional information, if necessary, and it will work to get you formally pre-approved and moving toward closing.
Mortgage products available from LendingTree
LendingTree is not a mortgage lender, so it doesn’t offer mortgage products itself. Instead, it matches you with different lenders, each of which has its own set of the following mortgage products available.
Conventional mortgage
A conventional mortgage is one that comes from an individual lender and isn’t backed by a governmental agency. These loans typically have a fixed interest rate that never changes throughout the life of the loan, and most have a 30-year or 15-year term, with a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage being the most common.
With a conventional mortgage, the lender assumes all of the risk, so it dictates the requirements for funding. That means there can be more flexibility than you’d see from something like an FHA loan, but you’ll tend to get a higher interest rate to account for the added risk.
Adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM)
Adjustable-rate mortgages are similar to conventional mortgages, but they have an adjustable rate that can change over the course of your loan. Some lenders have caps on rates and rigid timelines for rate changes, so your interest rate and monthly payment can vary widely depending on which lender LendingTree matches you with.
FHA loan
An FHA loan is a mortgage that the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) insures. Since your lender takes on less risk, it can usually give you better loan terms.
FHA loans have credit score requirements as low as 500, and borrowers with credit scores at or above 580 may qualify for a 3.5% down payment minimum. FHA loans also qualify some buyers for above-average debt-to-income limits.
It’s important to note that the lower down payment requirement for FHA loans means most lenders will require private mortgage insurance (PMI) until you reach 20% equity in your home. PMI can come with an upfront cost and usually adds a monthly payment to your mortgage.
VA loan
A VA loan is a mortgage backed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). These loans are available for active service members, veterans and surviving spouses, although you may need to meet other requirements, depending on the lender.
VA loans have low or no down payment requirements, no PMI requirements and usually have lower interest rates and reduced closing costs.
Investment property loan
An investment property loan is a mortgage specifically for a non-primary home, which often means a long-term rental or a short-term rental. These loans usually come with higher interest rates since your lender is taking on more risk financing a home that you don’t plan to live in. According to LendingTree, investment property loans often have an interest rate that’s 0.5% to 1% higher than you’d get with a conventional mortgage.
Land loan
A land loan is a mortgage for a parcel of unimproved land, meaning there’s no house or structure on it. Unlike a home construction loan, a land loan doesn’t require that you plan on building anytime soon, so it’s ideal for people looking to secure a place to build in the future.
LendingTree’s partners have land loans with repayment periods that last for two to five years, and they use a balloon structure that involves steady payments for a certain period followed by one last large payment.
Jumbo loan
Conventional and government-backed loans have caps on the amount you can borrow. In 2026, these limits are usually at $832,750 but going up to $1,249,125 or more in high-cost areas.
Your lender takes on more risk, so the requirements are more intensive in most cases. According to LendingTree, Jumbo loans typically require a 20% down payment, a credit score of at least 700 and up to two years of cash reserves on hand.
USDA loan
USDA loans are backed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and they’re ideal for homeowners looking to buy in rural areas. They have low or no down payment requirements and no PMI requirements. There are three types of USDA loans available from the lenders that LendingTree features on its website:
- USDA direct loans: Require that you earn less than 80% of the median household income in your area, but they come with below-average interest rates. These come directly from the USDA.
- USDA guaranteed loans: Require that you earn less than 115% of the median household income in your area, and they have varying interest rates. These come from USDA-backed lenders.
- USDA construction loans: Require that you earn less than 115% of the median household income in your area, and they have varying interest rates. These are for buyers looking to purchase land and build a home but finance both the land and the construction.
Home equity loan
A home equity loan is a second mortgage on your home that uses your established equity as collateral. It’s a good option for established homeowners looking to make improvements to their property or use the equity as a down payment on an investment property.
LendingTree’s partners offer home equity loans in the following amounts. Interest rates below are accurate as of August 28, 2026, but they are subject to change.
| Loan amounts available | Minimum interest rate |
| $25,000 | 7.72% |
| $50,000 | 6.25% |
| $100,000 | 6.38% |
| $150,000 | 6.63% |
Home equity line of credit (HELOC)
A HELOC also uses your home equity as collateral, but instead of getting access to the equity all at once in a lump sum, you get a line of credit you can draw against up to a set limit. HELOCs are popular among homeowners who want to use their equity to pay for home improvements or additions that will raise the property value.
Here’s a breakdown of the HELOC rates available from LendingTree partners as of August 2026.
| Loan amounts available | Average interest rate* |
| $25,000–$49,999 | 8.79% |
| $50,000–$74,999 | 8.79% |
| $75,000–$99,999 | 8.76% |
| $100,000–$149,999 | 8.34% |
| $150,000+ | 7.69% |
*Note: Total interest will also depend on added percentage points.
LendingTree rates, fees and more
LendingTree is a mortgage broker and doesn’t have its own rates, fees, lending requirements or closing timelines. However, it does openly share these for all of the lenders that it works with to help you compare your mortgage options.
LendingTree interest rates
The rates you’ll get from LendingTree’s partners depend on many factors, including the loan type, term length, your creditworthiness, home price, the lender you choose and much more. Rates also change on a daily basis, depending on federal benchmark rates and other factors. However, the rates below can give you an idea of where your interest rate is likely to sit.
LendingTree publishes current mortgage rates on its website:
| Loan product | Interest rate* | APR |
| 30-year fixed rate | 6.78% | 7.02% |
| 15-year fixed rate | 5.87% | 6.15% |
| 10-year fixed rate | 6.38% | 6.47% |
| FHA 30-year fixed rate | 6.33% | 6.99% |
| 30-year 5/1 ARM | 6.32% | 6.64% |
| VA 30-year 5/1 ARM | 5.40% | 5.95% |
| VA 30-year fixed rate | 6.06% | 6.25% |
| VA 15-year fixed rate | 5.53% | 5.91% |
*Note: Interest rates are current in the state of Virginia as of August 28, 2026. Rates are subject to change and may vary by location.
LendingTree DTI ratio and credit score requirements
Most mortgage products have a maximum debt-to-income (DTI) ratio, which limits how much mortgage debt you can take on depending on how much you earn and how much debt you already carry. Most of the mortgage products that LendingTree recommends have DTI maximums of 43%, but this can vary based on the mortgage product you choose.
Some FHA loans promoted by LendingTree have maximum DTIs as high as 55%, while certain products, like jumbo loans and investment property loans, may have significantly lower thresholds.
LendingTree also doesn’t set credit score requirements, but the lenders it promotes provide minimums for the different loan types.
“Generally speaking, if your credit score starts with a 7, you’re going to [qualify] across the board,” said Isaac Schultz, Home Loan Specialist at Churchill Mortgage. “Your underlying credit report is just as important as your score, though. A DTI of 45% or less is going to have you able to use just about any product you’d want to pursue.”
Here’s a quick breakdown of the DTI and credit score expectations for different loans through LendingTree’s partners.
| Mortgage type | Maximum DTI* | Minimum credit score* |
| Conventional | 45% | 620 |
| FHA | 43% | 500 |
| VA | 41% | No set minimum; often 620 |
| USDA | 41% | No set minimum; often 640 |
| Investment property loan | 45% | Varies by lender |
| Land loan | 30% to 40% | No set minimum; often 700 |
| ARMs | 41% to 50% | No set minimum; often 640 |
| Jumbo loan | 45% | 700 |
| Home equity loan | N/A | 620 |
| HELOC | 43% to 50% | 620 |
*Note: Some lenders are more lenient with DTI and credit score limits than others. In some cases, other qualifications can make up for an otherwise out-of-compliance DTI or credit score.
LendingTree loan timelines
LendingTree doesn’t lend directly, so your timelines to get pre-approved and then to go from formal approval to closing will vary based on the lender you match with.
“A pre-approval timeline is almost entirely dependent on how fast a borrower can get a great lender for their documentation,” says Schultz. “We can pre-approve a borrower an hour after talking to them if they move fast enough. From offer accepted to closing, we aim for 30 days. That is a good industry average when you consider all different types of loans we close.”
LendingTree customer service ratings
LendingTree has outstanding customer review ratings on TrustPilot, with a 4.5-star rating across over 17,000 reviews. Many customers comment on the prompt responses from LendingTree’s partners, as well as the range of products available that fit different needs.
Unfortunately, the company has a much less impressive 1.05-star rating on the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Most of the negative reviews mention getting bombarded with phone calls from the many lenders LendingTree works with. Some customers even mention continuing to get calls weeks or months after providing their information to LendingTree.
LendingTree pros and cons
There are some benefits and drawbacks to using LendingTree that you should understand before using the service or a similar online marketplace for securing a mortgage.
Pros
- Lets you compare rates and terms from multiple lenders to find the best value
- Provides access to lenders who offer a wide range of mortgage products
- Can be helpful for securing non-standard loans for buyers with unique income sources, unusually high DTI or low credit scores
- Does not affect your credit
Cons
- Does not provide direct lending services
- Some customers report getting inundated with calls from lenders
- Compensation can affect which lenders pair with you
Final verdict: Is LendingTree right for you?
LendingTree might be a good option for finding a mortgage lender if you don’t already have a specific lender you want to work with. This is largely because LendingTree is an online marketplace that lets you compare rates, monthly payments, loan requirements and more for multiple lenders to find the one that suits you best. It can also be helpful for buyers who have unusual circumstances or financial histories and may not qualify with traditional lenders.
However, you should keep in mind that LendingTree doesn’t compare rates and offers from all sources and instead promotes mortgage lenders that pay to be partners or to be featured on the site. Some customers also complain about getting dozens of calls from lenders after submitting their information, so consider your tolerance for continuous sales calls before providing your information.
Since LendingTree only promotes lenders who pay to appear on its site, you should also consider getting pre-approvals from individual mortgage lenders. In our opinion, some of the best mortgage lenders include Bank of America, Better, USAA and Ally.
FAQ
Does a LendingTree mortgage hurt your credit?
Finding a lender through LendingTree for your mortgage will not hurt your credit, as the company doesn’t run a hard credit inquiry even if you provide your Social Security number for verification purposes. However, keep in mind that LendingTree is a mortgage broker that connects you with lenders, so getting pre-approved through the lender you’re paired with could involve a hard inquiry that does affect your credit.
Is it hard to get a loan from LendingTree?
It’s no easier or harder to get a loan through LendingTree than it is through any other broker, as your approval will depend on factors specific to the lender you’re paired with. Things like income, credit score, debt-to-income ratio, financial history and more can all affect your creditworthiness. However, some people find it easier to find a lender willing to work with unusual circumstances when they use an online marketplace like LendingTree.
How trustworthy is LendingTree?
LendingTree appears to be a very trustworthy company. It has an outstanding trust score of 4.5 stars on TrustPilot, and the company is BBB accredited with an A+ rating. However, it does accept compensation from lenders, which affects its rankings and inclusion in its lead sales, and there are many reported instances of users getting inundated with calls from dozens of lenders after providing their information online.