For some consumers, meeting with a mortgage lender face-to-face provides a certain peace of mind. But the popularity of online mortgage companies like Rocket Mortgage, the country’s largest home loan provider, shows that plenty of folks are perfectly comfortable applying for a loan outside of an office.

In May 2021, Quicken Loans announced that it was formally changing its name to Rocket Mortgage, a subsidiary of the publicly traded Rocket Companies (RKT).

What Is Rocket Mortgage (Formerly Quicken Loans)?

If you’re shopping for a new mortgage or trying to refinance via the web, it’s important to realize that not all loan originators have the same approach. Whereas sites like LendingTree and Zillow act as lead generators, sending your loan request to multiple mortgage providers, Rocket Mortgage is an actual lender. 

Using a direct lender like Rocket Mortgage means that you won’t receive an onslaught of emails from lenders trying to get your business. Your personal information gets into fewer hands, a big draw for privacy-minded customers. If you’re looking for a quick way to compare rates from multiple lenders, however, you may want to try websites that feed your information to several lenders at once.

The Detroit-based company claims that it’s the nation’s leading mortgage lender, closing on $351 billion of home loans in 2021.

How Does Rocket Mortgage Compare to Traditional Loans?

Rocket Mortgage is tailored toward borrowers who prefer the convenience of getting a loan from their home or even their local coffee shop. However, the actual process of applying for and closing on a loan are actually quite similar to that of your neighborhood bank. With Rocket Mortgage, you have the option to apply for a loan completely online. For those who do not prefer to apply online, they also have the option to work with a Rocket Mortgage Home Loan Expert. Rocket Mortgage then uses your financial information and employment status to determine the loan options and rates for which you qualify.

Before you close the loan, the company has to check your credit score, as well as verify that your income and employment information are correct and that you have adequate homeowners insurance. It also has to order a home appraisal from a third party.

These steps cost money, which is why Rocket Mortgage requires that borrowers make a “good faith deposit” of $400 to $750. The good news is that the company deducts the deposit from your other closing costs, so in the end, you may not pay more for these fees than you would with other lenders.

The Rocket brand is all about making the borrowing process easier, and its approach to closing on a mortgage is no exception. Customers can select when they want to close and where just by logging into their account. The company claims that it services 99% of the loans that it originates, so you’re more than likely going to make your payments to Rocket Mortgage once you’ve completed your home purchase.

Consumers who like managing their own experience will likely opt to use Rocket Mortgage, an all-digital platform that the company introduced in 2015. Once you log on to the Rocket Mortgage website or app, you’ll be asked to provide information about your finances as well as the type and amount of the loan that you’re trying to obtain. For many consumers, the company is able to pull pay stubs and bank statements directly from their financial institutions, eliminating the need to scrounge up and send over those documents.

You can use the platform to see whether you’re approved and to ask questions about your loan (though you can always pick up the phone, too). You can also log in to the Rocket Mortgage website or app to manage your account and update payment information once you close on the loan.

Pros and Cons of Rocket Mortgage

Unlike online marketplaces like LendingTree and Credible, consumers who use Rocket Mortgage are only dealing with one lender. That has its pros and cons. In the plus column, you won’t receive a barrage of emails from lenders trying to get your business. And your personal information gets into fewer hands, a big draw for privacy-minded customers.

On the other hand, it’s hard to know whether you’re getting the best rate if you don’t have several bids coming your way. Moreover, if you approach more than one direct lender to comparison shop, you could end up with more paperwork—and more queries to your credit report.

One advantage that Rocket Mortgage provides is choice. The company, whose history dates back to 1985, provides conventional mortgages as well as specialized products like U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans.

Rocket Mortgage markets itself as a more convenient alternative to traditional lenders—and is certainly a big part of that. The digital service lets you get in touch with a team member, check the status of your loan, and view information about the closing right from your mobile device.

Do homeowners have to sacrifice service when working with a banker in another part of the country? According to most industry sources, the answer is decidedly “No.” J.D. Power, which ranks mortgage originators based on customer satisfaction, awarded Rocket Mortgage its top spot for the 11th consecutive year in 2020. It slipped slightly to the No. 2 spot in 2021. The company also receives 4.5 stars out of 5 on real estate site Zillow.

The Bottom Line

Over the years, Rocket Mortgage has built a reputation as a convenient way to get financing to buy a home. Still, it doesn’t hurt to do some shopping around to ensure a competitive interest rate.