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PennyMac

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6.2

Overall Score

Author: Kaitlyn Short

LAST UPDATED: September 6th, 2022

PennyMac, founded in 2008, services all 50 U.S. states and is ranked as a top three lender in the nation. It has serviced upwards of $400 billion in loans and helped over 1.8 million homeowners buy or refinance their homes.

Offering home purchasing and refinancing services, PennyMac can be a good option whether you’re looking for a conventional mortgage, a FHA mortgage or VA mortgage, offering competitive rates as low as 2.0 percent and 2.246 percent APR*.

As a direct online lender, PennyMac services all loans it originates, potentially saving you more time and money, and ensuring personalized service and care for whatever stage of life and the home buying journey you are in.

PennyMac is currently offering two special promotions to borrowers:

  • 0.50% Lender Credit — Pre-approved customers get 0.50% of the loan's principal amount applied as a discount to closing costs. Customers must have been pre-approved before locking any purchase loan.
  • $0 Lender Fee ($1,100 savings) — $1,100 origination fee is waived on both conventional and FHA loans. Original fee is reduced by $1,100 for VA loans.

*These rates are for a conventional 15-year fixed rate.

Continue reading for a complete review of this mortgage loan lender and PennyMac reviews from real customers.

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The Good

  • Online Lender
  • Variety of Loan Types
  • Competitive Industry Rates
  • Mortgage Relief and Assistance
  • Free Mortgage Calculators

Online Lender

PennyMac is completely online, streamlining the application, funding, and payment processes. Online services are convenient and can save you more time, but PennyMac does not have any brick-and-mortar locations, which may be a drawback if you prefer the option to speak with someone face to face about your home loan. However, PennyMac representatives and loan officers can be reached via phone if you would like to speak to someone about your loan.

PennyMac’s online services include helpful mortgage calculators and home value estimators that can quickly generate rates, costs, and other dollar amounts for you. You can also make payments online, and even set up auto pay, relieving the stress of ensuring that your payments are made on time each month.

Variety of Loan Types

PennyMac has a variety of home loan products to meet the needs of the majority of homeowners or homebuyers:

  • Conventional fixed rate mortgages
  • Adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs)
  • FHA loans
  • VA loans
  • USDA loans
  • Investment property loans
  • Cash-out refinancing

These home loan products are among the most common in the industry, making it easier to find what you are looking for.

Competitive Industry Rates

As a direct lender, PennyMac offers lower-than-average rates. The current average rate for a 30-year fixed rate mortgage is 3.99 percent.

PennyMac’s rate offerings include:

Conventional Mortgage

  • 15-year fixed — 2.0% and 2.246% APR
  • 20-year fixed — 2.625% and 2.768% APR
  • 30-year fixed — 2.750% and 2.872% APR

FHA Mortgage

  • 15-year fixed — 2.375% and 3.795% APR
  • 20-year fixed — 2.375% and 3.775% APR
  • 30-year fixed — 2.375% and 3.614% APR

VA Mortgage

  • 15-year fixed — 2.625% and 3.440% APR
  • 20-year fixed — 2.500% and 3.154% APR
  • 30-year fixed — 2.500% and 2.957% APR

It is important to note that rates you will receive will be dependent on your financial background and credit score; the higher your credit score the lower the interest rate you could receive.

Mortgage Relief and Assistance

PennyMac understands that circumstances may arise that can make it difficult to make your payments. To help keep people in their homes, PennyMac offers several mortgage relief programs to help meet the needs of a wide range of customers.

Some of these relief options include:

  • State-funded assistance
  • Loan modifications
  • Forbearance plans
  • Property damage assistance

It is important to note that foreclosure occurs when all other options have been exhausted. Servicers and lenders like PennyMac are not in the real estate business and want to help you make your monthly payments, and will work with you accordingly.

Free Mortgage Calculators

PennyMac has a variety of mortgage calculators that can help you see what loan amounts you may qualify for, monthly payment estimations, whether or not you should refinance, and whether or not you’d be better off buying or renting a home. You can even check the value of your home by entering your address and postal code.

These calculators are free and make it easy to see what options are available to you. To use the calculators you are not required to enter your social security number (SSN) and no credit pull will be performed; they are purely for educational purposes.

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The Bad

  • Fees

Fees

PennyMac charges an origination fee and a rate-lock fee in addition to closing costs. Closing costs may include a handful of fees, but these will be dependent on your location and the loan product you have selected.

Most lenders in the mortgage industry have a handful of fees, but if you would like to avoid more fees than not, it would be wise to research and compare other lenders. That being said, PennyMac encourages borrowers to talk to a loan officer about fee details, allowing you to see if there are options to minimize costs upfront.

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The Bottom Line

PennyMac is a trusted servicer in the mortgage industry, providing standard loan products with competitive rates. As a direct mortgage lender, PennyMac is committed to working with you based on your background and particular circumstances.

With an online application, funding, and payment process, you can easily manage your loan through your PennyMac account. Even before applying for a loan, you can check your rates and monthly payments with helpful mortgage calculators that do not require any personal information and have no impact on your credit score, helping you decide if a PennyMac mortgage is for you.

If you have trouble making your payments, PennyMac has solutions and options to help you, and it is committed to keeping people in their homes.

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Star Rating

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4.1

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41 Reviews

Review Breakdown

5 grade

63%

4 grade

15%

3 grade

5%

2 grade

5%

1 grade

12%

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Value

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Quality

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Service

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Cassidy Gundersen Orem, UT

Right after closing with another company, they sold our mortgage to Penny Mac. Since then, they have been easy and good to work with! Their online payment system is instinctive and easy to navigate. It is also convenient and clean. Customer Service is helpful and easy to work with. We have no complaints and would use them again!

7 years ago

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Chary Akmyrat Little Rock, AR

As interest rates fell a rep from PennyMac called me and advised that it was the best time to refinance. The whole process was so easy, and fast. In about a month I was signing the papers which reduced my FSA 30 years to regular 15, 3.99% interest to 2.64%, eliminated the MIP(monthly $200), with only 10% increase of monthly payment, with an additional 16k down. Everything went smoothly, now my principal payment increased to 1000 from 380. This is a huge investment.

3 years ago

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Liz McDougall Ocean Park, WA

So far we love Penny Mac. They made no issue waiving mortgage insurance when we made a down payment of at least 20% of loan amount. They have been responsive and lenient to payments that arrive a few days after due date. They have maintained our mortgage for at least 10 years without selling it off requiring us to get to know and understand a new broker. We are happy customers!

3 years ago

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Joe Leahy Marshfield, MA

We re financed with PennyMac in 2016. The entire process was completed on line and we passed papers in our home on the date and time we selected. We have had no issues with them ever since. I would highly recommend PennyMac to anyone seeking a Mortgage or Refinancing

3 years ago Edited January 10, 2022

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Isabel Báez Torres Worcester, MA

Great rate, great service, easy to pay. PennyMac has an easy autopay option, they have paperless features and an app that allows you to keep track of you mortgage. I'm happy with their service and I'll be with them for the next 30 years :)

3 years ago

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Michigander101 Macomb, MI

I took on a mortgage from PennyMac for a summer getaway home. The customer service I received was excellent. I worked with knowledgeable personal and everyone was courteous. I appreciate the positive experience.

3 years ago

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Jonathan Heng Las Vegas, NV

My mortgage was initially started with a company called the People’s mortgage. The account was sold to PennyMac. The payment system was easy to use and I never had any problems with them.

3 years ago

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Travis Moynahan Reno, NV

PennyMac is the company our mortgage was sold to. They have kept all the original agreements as our first lender. They are courteous and easy to work with and fair on their terms and pricing.

3 years ago

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Mandy Pesce Holmdel, NJ

The representatives are always informative and helpful. They are a long-time mortgage company who have their clients' best interests at heart. We would highly recommend them!

3 years ago

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Dylan Findlay South Jordan, UT

No complaints about any interaction I've had with Penny Mac. The website is easy to navigate, service is great, and they gave me a great rate.

6 years ago

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John Johnston Jacksonville, NC

They also are a great company and the people are great help you when you need it I also like to thank the people that work there

7 years ago

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Kathyw7547 Lakeland, FL

They are a Custer based company. They really do care for their people. They make the transition of home buying go so smooth. We appreciate this from a company.

2 years ago

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Kristin Derby, KS

I have had PennyMac for my mortgage for many years. I’ve really never had any serious issues but whenever I’ve needed anything they are always more than happy to help.

3 years ago Edited September 14, 2021

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Kenneth W. Jones Louisville, KY

So far they have been doing great. I have not had a problem with them. I call and make my payment. So far they have been a great company.

2 years ago

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Nicole Reynoldsburg, OH

I have been with PennyMac since 2016 and they are really good at helping me with all my needs. I would refer everyone I know to them.

3 years ago

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Amanda Hayes Leesville, LA

I use pennymac as my mortgage company so far in almost a year no problem with these ppl and live agents have been very nice

3 years ago

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seanth57 Columbus, GA

The best mortgage company. I used them for all of my banking needs. They are responsive to my needs, Provide quality customer service.

3 years ago

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Anthony Sandor Philadelphia, PA

They are great. Only thing is on the app I wish I could pay more then the amount due

4 years ago

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Linda Flynn

They are an awesome company who is willing to work with people to keep their property.

5 years ago

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Barb Vanderpool

They are very willing to work with you during times of difficulty.

4 years ago

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Elizabeth New Smyrna Beach, FL

Been a great experience! They are always fair and available. Love the website, user friendly

3 years ago

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Kimberly Adams ,

Good mortgage company with an easy to use app. Happy with our service as a homeowner.

4 years ago Edited September 14, 2021

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L Rio Rancho, NM

Excellent service good pricing

4 years ago

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Veronika Komarov Vernon Hills, IL

Good service, user friendly web site, good rate,

6 years ago

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Carol Mayock Miami, FL

They helped me refinance without any hassles.

7 years ago

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Tracey Garella Edwardsville, IL

Very competitive rates for my home mortgage.

3 years ago