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Cardinal Financial Reviews

9

bestfor-icon A wide variety of mortgage products

angelawatson
Written by Angela Mae

About Cardinal Financial | Read More

9

LS Score

8

Credibility

8

Support

10

Accessibility

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Contact Information Contact Information drop-down-btn
  • customercare@cardinalfinancial.com
  • 855-561-4944
  • Headquarters: 3701 Arco Corporate Dr #200 Charlotte, NC 28273
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Cardinal Financial Mortgages Review

Cardinal Financial is a direct lender that offers mortgage loans and refinancing options. They do not have home equity loans or home equity lines of credit, though. The process is straightforward and begins with a free quote and chat with a loan officer.

Cardinal Financial Mortgages Highlight

580

Min Credit Score

Min 8%

APR. Fixed Rate

$80K-$3M

Mortgage Amount

15 or 30 years

Repayment terms

Yes

Soft Credit Pull

Direct

Lender Type

Yes

Other Fees

None

Origination Fee

None

Prepayment Fee

7-35 Days

Funding Time

66247

NMLS

Mortgage Refinance

$80K-$3M

Mortgage Amount

Pros & Cons

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  • con-icon Has first-time home buyers’ guide with comprehensive information about the process, including down payment, closing costs, and credit score details
  • con-icon No prepayment penalty
  • con-icon Hyper-secure loan platform with an easy application process and prequalification
  • con-icon Quick turnaround time for underwriting
  • con-icon Limited information about mortgage loan terms and fees
  • con-icon Must speak with a loan officer for specific details
  • con-icon Doesn’t offer financing for all mortgage types

Mortgage Type

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  • Mortgage Purchase
  • FHA
  • USDA
  • VA
  • Jumbo
View rates

Cardinal Financial Mortgages Terms & Requirements

Unlike most direct lenders, Cardinal Financial doesn’t clearly list the terms and requirements for obtaining financing. However, you’ll need to be at least 18 years old, have a minimum credit score of 580 to 620, and have a maximum debt-to-income ratio of 50%. If you’re applying for financing and are self-employed, be prepared to provide additional documentation proving your income.

How to Apply

To apply for a home loan, click “Get Started” on Cardinal Financial’s homepage. From there, you can get a free rate quote for either home purchase or refinance. This is a prequalification option that doesn’t affect your credit score. It only takes a few minutes. After you submit the form, you’ll be connected with a loan specialist who will discuss your needs and options.

Get a quote
Step 1

Get a quote

Property Type
Step 2

Select the property type

Where do you want to but
Step 3

Where do you want to but

Personal details
Step 4

Personal details

During the prequalification process, be prepared to answer a few questions, such as:

  • Whether you’re already working with a loan originator from Cardinal Financial
  • Property type you want to buy (ex. Single-family, condo, townhouse, multi-family, or manufactured or mobile home)
  • Property purchase (ex. Primary residence, second home, or rental property)
  • When you intend to buy (ex. Under contract already or in the next few months)
  • Property location
  • Whether you’re working with a real estate agent already
  • Property’s estimated purchase price
  • Down payment
  • Estimated credit score
  • Military status
  • Bankruptcy or foreclosure information (if any)
  • First and last name
  • Contact email and phone number

The application process for refinancing a home is similar. The main difference is that you’ll also be asked:

  • If you want to borrow extra money
  • How much remains on your mortgage
  • Whether you have a second mortgage

Qualification Requirements

  • 580 or 620 credit score
  • 50% maximum debt-to-income ratio
  • 18 years or older
  • No minimum annual income listed (but need 2+ years of continual employment)
  • US citizen, permanent resident, or visa holder

Required Information

In order to speak with a loan officer, you’ll need to fill out a basic application form online and provide your:

  • Contact information (name, email, phone number, etc.)
  • Estimated credit score
  • Information about the property you intend to purchase (value, location, type, intended use, etc.)

After the initial application, you’ll also need to provide other documentation and information, such as:

  • Social Security number
  • Proof of income and employment

Application Steps & Time Frames

  • Prequalify with a 5-minute online application. From there, Cardinal Financial will connect you with a loan officer who will discuss your options.
  • Closing times vary but can be in as little as 7 days. This is quick in the industry.

State Availability

- Available in all states

angelawatson
Written by Angela Mae

Angela Mae is a personal finance writer specializing in loans, debt management, investing, retirement planning, and financial literacy. She comes from a journalistic background and pulls from hands-on experience and deep-dive research to breathe life into her stories. Her goal is to help others achieve financial stability and independence. When not writing, she can be found traveling, honing her yoga skills, hiking, or exploring new means of healthy, sustainable living.

faq-icon

FAQ’s

How much should you save up for closing costs?

Although a specific amount is not indicated, Cardinal Financial suggests having around 3% to 5% of the total home’s price for closing costs. The total amount depends on the loan product and other factors as well, such as the down payment.

What are the necessary documents for getting a mortgage?

This depends on whether you’re employed or self-employed. Generally, you will need 2 years of tax returns, pay stubs, and additional proof of employment.

Is it possible to get pre-approved?

Yes, this is part of the initial application process.

Customer Support

Cardinal Financial has an online chat option that connects you to a bot to answer basic queries. If the bot cannot answer something, you can instead contact a real loan officer via phone or email. There’s also an online contact form.

The lender has a quick response time and overall positive customer reviews online. On Trustpilot, they have 4.5 out of 5 stars with 579 reviews. On the Better Business Bureau, the lender has 4.44 out of 5 stars. Many reviews indicate a good experience from their loan officer and the entire team.

Privacy & Security

Cardinal Financial is very transparent about its privacy and security practices. They use a loan platform called Octane to keep consumer information private. They also use security measures from the Cyber Security Framework, from the National Institute of Standards and Technology, to protect data. In addition, the lender uses data encryption technologies for both its Google Cloud and AWS networks.

As for privacy, Cardinal Financial has a policy against collecting data from children under the age of 13. If they collect such information by mistake, they will work to remove it as soon as possible. For adults, the lender may track data such as IP address and web analytics through the use of cookies.

When you use the website, expect the lender to collect general contact and personal information, including your Social Security number. This information is primarily used to improve customer experience. However, Cardinal Financial may also share information to help provide a service or if certain laws or situations require it.

In Conclusion

Cardinal Financial is a solid mortgage lending company located on the East Coast. As a direct lender, they can walk you through the entire process of applying for or refinancing a home loan. They have an experienced team and offer friendly customer service. The main drawback is that the lender doesn’t offer much information about their loan products until after you request a quote or chat with a loan officer.

Brand Disclaimer

“No Warranty. The information and materials contained in this website, including text, graphics, links, or other items, are provided “as is” and “as available.” Cardinal Financial does not warrant the accuracy, adequacy, or completeness of this information and/or materials and expressly disclaims liability for errors and/or omissions in this information and materials. No warranty of any kind, implied, expressed, or statutory, including but not limited to the warranties of noninfringement of third party rights, title, merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and freedom from computer virus, is given in conjunction with the information and materials.”