Lender review
Fairway Independent Mortgage review: what Michigan borrowers should know
Best for: government loans and hands-on loan officers
- Headquarters
- Madison, WI
- Founded
- 1996
- NMLS
- #2289
- Min. credit score
- 600
- Min. down payment
- 3%
A large independent lender built on a local loan-officer model, Fairway consistently ranks near the top for customer satisfaction and is especially strong on FHA, VA, USDA, and renovation loans — the programs that suit much of Michigan's market.
Fairway Independent Mortgage runs on a local loan-officer model out of Madison, Wisconsin, but its footprint reaches well into Michigan, and it has built a genuine reputation for customer satisfaction, consistently landing near the top of those rankings. That people-first structure is the whole idea behind the company.
Its sweet spot is the government and renovation programs that match so much of the Michigan market, FHA, VA, USDA, and rehab loans, handled by officers who know those files intimately rather than treating them as exceptions. For a first-time or veteran buyer who wants a guide, not just a portal, that expertise carries real weight.
Because pricing rides on the individual officer, though, it isn't always the cheapest quote in the stack, and two Fairway borrowers can walk away with different deals. Servicing may also be transferred after closing. The value here is the relationship and the hand-holding; if you're purely chasing the rock-bottom rate, weigh it against the discount online lenders.
What works
- Deep FHA, VA, USDA and renovation expertise
- High customer-satisfaction ratings
- Local loan officers across Michigan
What to watch
- Pricing varies by individual loan officer
- Not always the lowest-rate option
- Servicing may be transferred
Loan programs at Fairway Independent Mortgage
Which core Michigan loan types Fairway Independent Mortgage offers, with the typical minimum down payment for each program. Program floors are industry standards — Fairway Independent Mortgage's own minimums or credit overlays may run higher.
| Loan program | Offered | Typical min. down |
|---|---|---|
| Conventional | ✓ Yes | 3% |
| FHA | ✓ Yes | 3.5% |
| VA | ✓ Yes | 0% |
| USDA | ✓ Yes | 0% |
| Jumbo | ✓ Yes | 10–20% |
| Construction | — No | — |
Also offers: Renovation, Reverse.
Where Fairway Independent Mortgage's credit bar sits
Fairway Independent Mortgage's roughly 600 minimum sits in the fair credit range. The marker below sets 600 against the four credit tiers and the 620 catalog median.
| Fairway Independent Mortgage | Michigan median* | |
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 4.3 / 5 | 4.0 / 5 |
| Min. credit score | 600 | 620 |
| Loan programs offered | 7 | 5 |
| Michigan-headquartered | No | — |
*Median across the 55 Michigan lenders in our catalog.
How Fairway Independent Mortgage's rates and offers compare
Before committing, pull a same-day quote from at least two competitors — pricing gaps of 0.25% are common for identical borrowers. Start with CrossCountry Mortgage, Better Mortgage or PennyMac, then compare Loan Estimates line by line. Current market averages are in our Michigan rate table.
Fairway Independent Mortgage: frequently asked questions
What are Fairway Independent Mortgage's mortgage rates in Michigan?
Fairway Independent Mortgage doesn't post one rate — like every lender, its pricing turns on your credit score, down payment, loan size and the day you lock. Ask for a personalized quote to see the number you'd actually get. The reliable move: pull a written Loan Estimate from Fairway Independent Mortgage and set it beside this week's Michigan averages in our rate table, comparing on the same day.
Is Fairway Independent Mortgage a legitimate mortgage lender?
Yes. Fairway Independent Mortgage is a licensed mortgage lender registered under NMLS #2289 and lending since 1996. You can confirm that registration and any disciplinary history free at NMLS Consumer Access. In our independent scoring it lands at 4.3/5 for Michigan buyers, with no paid placement.
What credit score do you need for a Fairway Independent Mortgage mortgage?
Fairway Independent Mortgage generally looks for a credit score around 600 on its most common loans. Its FHA loans can go lower — often to 580, or 500 with a larger down payment — while conventional and jumbo loans usually want higher scores. Every lender layers on its own overlays, so read 600 as a floor, not a promise.
Does Fairway Independent Mortgage offer FHA, VA and USDA loans?
Fairway Independent Mortgage offers FHA, VA and USDA loans to Michigan borrowers. It covers the full government-loan menu. Its complete Michigan lineup is Conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, Jumbo, Renovation, Reverse.
Does Fairway Independent Mortgage lend in Michigan?
Yes. Although Fairway Independent Mortgage is headquartered in Madison, WI, it is licensed to lend in Michigan and actively originates purchase and refinance loans across the state, from metro Detroit to the Upper Peninsula.
Will Fairway Independent Mortgage sell my mortgage after closing?
Possibly. Borrowers report that Fairway Independent Mortgage frequently transfers servicing after closing, so the company you pay may change even though your loan terms don't. That's common industry-wide, but if keeping one servicer matters to you, ask before you lock.
Independent and unpaid — Fairway Independent Mortgage did not pay for placement. How we score every lender (and where our rate data comes from) is set out in our editorial policy. Figures reflect public information as of 2026-07-01 and can change; the only rate that binds a lender is a written Loan Estimate. Verify the license at NMLS Consumer Access (#2289).