Lender review
Fairway Independent Mortgage review: what Michigan borrowers should know
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.
Best for: government loans and hands-on loan officers
Best fit: first-time or veteran buyers who want a guide
- Headquarters
- Madison, WI
- Founded
- 1996
- NMLS
- #2289
- Min. credit score
- 600
- Min. down payment
- 3%
- MSHDA MI Home Loan
- Approved lender
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
The full picture on Fairway Independent Mortgage
Fairway Independent Mortgage runs on a local loan-officer model out of Madison, Wisconsin, but its footprint reaches well into Michigan. It has built a genuine reputation for customer satisfaction, consistently landing near the top of those rankings.
A guide, not a portal
Its sweet spot is the government and renovation programs that match so much of the Michigan market, handled by officers who know those files intimately.
Pricing rides on the officer
Because pricing rides on the individual officer, 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.
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. Below, that 600 floor is plotted against the four broad credit tiers and the 620 median for the 55 Michigan lenders we track.
| 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.
Compare: CrossCountry Mortgage Better Mortgage PennyMac This week's Michigan rates
Fairway Independent Mortgage: frequently asked questions
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. That 600 is a floor, not a promise: every lender layers on its own overlays, and approval still turns on your income, debts and the property.
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 2026-07-16 and can change; the only rate that binds a lender is a written Loan Estimate. Verify the license at NMLS Consumer Access (#2289). MSHDA status reflects the state's MI Home Loan lending-partners list dated June 12, 2026, which changes over time.