American Pacific Mortgage review: A range of home loan options

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American Pacific Mortgage at a glance

  • Conventional loans: Yes
  • FHA loans: Yes
  • VA loans: Yes
  • Refinancing: Yes
  • Jumbo loan: Yes
  • Adjustable rates: Yes — 5/1 ARM, 7/1 ARM, 10/1 ARM
  • Fixed rates: Yes — 30 and 15 years

American Pacific is a mortgage lender with more than 200 branches across the U.S. This lender offers a wide selection of mortgages, including conventional, jumbo and government-backed loans, as well as specialty loans for people who want to buy homes that are “outside the norm.” American Pacific is licensed to originate loans in 49 states and Washington, D.C.

Pros

  • Variety of loans
  • Refinancing options include a personalized “mortgage checkup”
  • Application tracking with the mobile app

Cons

  • Not licensed in New York
  • Personalized rate info not available online
  • Fees not disclosed online

4 things to know about an American Pacific Mortgage loan

1. Offers a wide variety of loan options

American Pacific offers multiple loan options, including conventional, FHA, VA and jumbo loans. It has fixed-rate and adjustable-rate mortgage terms.

And if you’re looking to build a home, construction loans are available as well. You can also apply for a mortgage to buy a vacation home or an investment property.

If you’re interested in a mortgage refinance, there are multiple options, and you can choose to make a “mortgage checkup” appointment with a representative before committing to a refi.

2. Specialty mortgage options available

Applying for a home loan can be more challenging when you’re self-employed and have irregular income. Lenders may ask for more-extensive documentation and have stricter lending requirements.

American Pacific offers specialty mortgage options for people with unique lending needs. These specialty loans can also be used to help self-employed borrowers and help people buy homes considered unusual or property types considered “outside the norm.”

3. Mobile app available

American Pacific offers a mobile app that’s available for iOS and Android devices. When you’re in the middle of the application process, you can use the app to track your progress. You can also use the app for updates and educational information.

4. Personalized rates and fees not available online

American Pacific does have a “Disclosures” page where it publishes average APRs for different types of mortgages. But these are estimates that can change depending on your specific situation — and as of September 2022, the rates listed on the site hadn’t been updated in over a year, so you may not want to rely on them as being current. Instead, you’ll have to speak to one of American Pacific’s loan officers to get a personalized rate quote. 

Who is an American Pacific Mortgage loan good for?

If you want to get a good idea about American Pacific’s rates so you can compare them to other lenders, you’ll need to speak to a representative.

From there, an American Pacific loan might be worth considering for both new and experienced buyers. The lender offers conventional loans and government-backed loans, which could be good for first-time homebuyers, but it also has options for real estate investors and buyers looking to purchase a second property. Refinancing an existing mortgage is also an option.

The lender also offers mortgage types that could meet the unique needs of different types of borrowers. For instance, people who are self-employed may qualify for a specialty loan program, and there are construction loans available for those looking to build their dream home.

How to apply for an American Pacific Mortgage loan

  • Contact a loan adviser. The first step in the application process is to contact a loan adviser and begin the preapproval process. Once American Pacific understands what you’re looking for, they can give you a more complete picture of what the application process will look like.
  • Find a home. If you’re preapproved for a mortgage, you can begin looking for your new home. If you don’t already have a real estate agent, American Pacific can help connect you with one.
  • Review your financials. Next, American Pacific will look closely at your financial history. A loan officer will review your credit, employment history, tax returns and more.
  • Find the right loan. American Pacific will work with you to determine which loan option is best for your situation.
  • Go through underwriting. Your application is sent to underwriting to review the specifics of your loan. If your application is approved by underwriting, you’ll receive a list of closing conditions.
  • Close on your home. Now you’re ready to proceed with closing on your home. 

Not sure if American Pacific Mortgage is right for you? Consider these alternatives.

If you want to compare rates with several lenders or your application is denied, keep in mind that you have a window of time where multiple hard credit inquiries by lenders only count as one for your credit scores. You typically have 14 days — though it could be longer depending on the scoring model.

  • Cardinal Financial: Cardinal Financial is worth a look if you want to finance a unique property like a tiny home.
  • Veterans United: If you’re in the market for a VA loan, this lender is worth considering.

About the author: Jamie Johnson is a Kansas City-based freelance writer who specializes in finance and business. She covers a variety of personal finance topics, including building credit, credit cards, personal loans and student loans… Read more.