01
Pre-approval to buy
A lender reviews your income, assets and credit to show what you may be able to borrow, which many sellers expect before an offer.
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Buying or refinancing
Find a mortgage lender and compare offers before you choose.
Explore city guides to comparing Loan Estimates, checking a lender's license and understanding closing costs, then connect with up to three local lenders.
A mortgage is usually the largest bill tied to a home, and offers for the same buyer can differ. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau recommends getting Loan Estimates from more than one lender and comparing them side by side.
Henry is not a lender and does not make loans, quote rates or decide approvals. We connect you with up to three local lenders, and you compare their terms before choosing anyone.
The work
How a mortgage lender can help
02
Purchase loans
Conventional, FHA, VA and USDA loans have different down payment, credit and mortgage insurance rules. Ask which ones fit you.
03
Refinancing
Replacing your current loan to change the rate, term or loan type. Compare the closing costs against what you expect to save.
04
Home equity
Cash-out refinances, home equity loans and lines of credit borrow against your home. Your home secures the debt, so understand the payments.
Plan the budget
What to compare on a Loan Estimate
Federal rules require a lender to give you a standard three-page Loan Estimate within three business days of receiving your application, so offers can be compared on the same form. Compare the interest rate, APR, monthly payment and closing costs together. Henry is free for borrowers; lenders pay $5 per month per county for one of three spots, and Henry receives nothing based on whether you take a loan.
| Scope | Planning range | What changes it |
|---|---|---|
| Interest rate and APR | Set by each lender | APR includes certain fees, so it helps compare the overall cost of loans. |
| Origination charges and points | Loan Estimate, page 2 | Ask what each charge is for and whether points lower your rate. |
| Cash to close | Loan Estimate, page 2 | Includes closing costs and your down payment, minus any credits. |
Your credit, down payment, loan type, loan amount and whether the rate is locked all change the offer you receive.
Closing costs include lender fees and third-party services such as appraisal and title. The Loan Estimate shows which services you can shop for.
Mortgage insurance may apply with a smaller down payment or certain loan programs. Ask how much it costs and when it can end.
Know the signs
Your rights when you apply
Federal law sets rules for how lenders treat applicants and disclose costs. A good lender explains them plainly.
The Equal Credit Opportunity Act prohibits lending discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, age or receipt of public assistance.
You receive a Loan Estimate within three business days of applying and a Closing Disclosure at least three business days before closing.
Getting more than one Loan Estimate does not commit you to any lender.
No pressure
Want a pro to look at it?
You don't need to diagnose the job before you ask for help. Tell Henry what you see and compare up to three local mortgage lenders.
Get matched with a proHire with confidence
How to choose a mortgage lender
Mortgage loan originators must be licensed or registered through the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System. Look up the company and the loan officer by name or NMLS ID on NMLS Consumer Access and confirm they are authorized in your state.
1
Look up the lender and loan officer on NMLS Consumer Access.
2
Request Loan Estimates from more than one lender on the same day.
3
Compare the rate, APR, points and cash to close together.
4
Ask how long a rate lock lasts and what it costs to extend.
5
Ask which documents they need and how long approval usually takes.
Walk away when you see these
Guaranteed approval before reviewing your finances.
Pressure to sign before you receive a Loan Estimate.
Fees asked for up front that aren't explained in writing.
No NMLS ID, or a license that doesn't cover your state.
Questions homeowners ask
Mortgage lender matching, answered plainly.
Does Henry make loans?
No. Henry is not a lender or mortgage broker and does not quote rates or decide approvals. We connect you with local lenders who can.
Will this affect my credit?
Asking Henry for a match does not check your credit. A lender may check credit when you apply; ask them first. The CFPB notes that multiple mortgage inquiries within a short window are generally treated as a single inquiry by common credit scoring models.
How do I check a lender's license?
Search the company or loan officer on NMLS Consumer Access (nmlsconsumeraccess.org) and confirm they're licensed in your state.
Should I talk to more than one lender?
The CFPB recommends getting multiple Loan Estimates and comparing them. Each lender sets its own rates and fees.
Is matching free?
Yes. Matching costs you nothing and does not obligate you to apply or borrow.
Local market guides
Find your city and see the local home-buying rules.
Each city page covers state first-time buyer and down-payment programs, closing costs and transfer taxes, how to check a lender's license on NMLS, and the local lenders Henry can match.
Alabama
California
Florida
Idaho
Illinois
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Missouri
Nebraska
Nevada
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
South Carolina
South Dakota
Texas
Virginia
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Ready to talk to a local mortgage lender?
Tell Henry what you need. We’ll send your project to no more than three local pros — and you decide whether any of them earns your business.
Sources: CFPB: Loan Estimate explainer · CFPB: Shop around for your mortgage · NMLS Consumer Access · CFPB: Equal Credit Opportunity Act
The Henry Standard
Choose a lender with clear terms.
Check the NMLS license
Look up the lender and loan officer on NMLS Consumer Access and confirm they're licensed in your state.
Compare Loan Estimates
Compare the rate, APR, points and cash to close on the same standard form.
Your choice
Speak with local lenders and choose who fits — or choose nobody. Henry is not a lender.
Nothing revolutionary. Just the way we believe doing business should still be done.
Mortgage help
Buying or refinancing? Talk to a local mortgage lender who calls you back.
Tell Henry what you need once. Up to three local mortgage lenders reach out, and you compare their terms before choosing anyone — or nobody.
How it works
- 1. Tell us what you need. Buying, refinancing or home equity, and your ZIP.
- 2. Up to three lenders get it. Only lenders who cover your area, and never more than three.
- 3. You choose. Talk to them, compare, and pick one — or pick nobody.
- Up to three local mortgage lenders — never a list of twelve
- Free for you, no obligation to sign with anyone
- Buying a home too? The same Henry can match you with a local buyer's agent
Step 1 of 3
Find a mortgage lender
What do you need help with?
How would you prefer their team reach out to you?
Free, no obligation. See how matching works.