Lender review
Guild Mortgage review: what Michigan borrowers should know
Guild is a long-established retail lender that leans into first-time buyers, government loans, and down-payment-assistance programs, and it retains servicing on most loans it originates. That in-house servicing is a genuine plus for Michigan borrowers who dislike getting handed off. Pricing, though, is loan-officer-driven with little posted online.
Best for: first-time and lower-credit buyers wanting hands-on guidance
- Headquarters
- San Diego, CA
- Founded
- 1960
- NMLS
- #3274
- Min. credit score
- 600
- Min. down payment
- 3%
- MSHDA MI Home Loan
- Approved lender
What works
- Retains servicing in-house, so no surprise transfers
- Strong first-time-buyer and DPA program lineup
- Full product set including USDA and 600-score FHA
What to watch
- Rates and fees not published; quote friction
- Pricing varies noticeably by loan officer and branch
- Fees can run higher than lean online competitors
The full picture on Guild Mortgage
What separates Guild from the retail pack is what happens after you close. This long-established lender retains servicing on most of the loans it originates.
A lender for buyers who need a guide
Guild builds its reputation on first-timers, government loans, and down-payment-assistance programs, and it will write FHA down to a 600 score.
The cost is pricing opacity
Guild posts no rates or fees, so you have to request a quote, and the number varies noticeably by which loan officer and branch you land with.
Fees can run higher than the lean online discounters. Shop it around, but weight the in-house servicing heavily.
Loan programs at Guild Mortgage
Which core Michigan loan types Guild Mortgage offers, with the typical minimum down payment for each program. Program floors are industry standards — Guild 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 | — |
Where Guild Mortgage's credit bar sits
Guild 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.
| Guild Mortgage | Michigan median* | |
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 4.0 / 5 | 4.0 / 5 |
| Min. credit score | 600 | 620 |
| Loan programs offered | 5 | 5 |
| Michigan-headquartered | No | — |
*Median across the 55 Michigan lenders in our catalog.
Compare: Movement Mortgage New American Funding AmeriSave Mortgage This week's Michigan rates
Guild Mortgage: frequently asked questions
What credit score do you need for a Guild Mortgage mortgage?
Guild 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 Guild Mortgage sell my mortgage after closing?
Often not. Guild Mortgage is noted for keeping servicing in-house rather than selling it, so the company you send payments to is more likely to stay the same after closing — a real plus if servicing transfers frustrate you.
Independent and unpaid — Guild 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 (#3274). MSHDA status reflects the state's MI Home Loan lending-partners list dated June 12, 2026, which changes over time.