Sente Mortgage, headquartered in Austin, Texas, takes a hands-on, local approach to lending. With physical branches in Austin—as well as offices in San Antonio, Houston, and beyond—they’re positioned to provide in-person support for borrowers. That face-to-face connection can be a plus, but it historically comes with higher costs: their rates and fees have ran above the market median, so it’s important to weigh convenience against long-term affordability.
See today’s mortgage interest rates on TrueRate.
How Sente Mortgage compares to other lenders
| Headquarters | Austin, Texas |
| Website | sentemortgage.com |
| Rate | 0.17% higher than the median rate |
| Lender fees | $1,595 (Sente Mortgage loan median) |
| Added cost after 1 year, compared to the median interest rate | $187 |
| Added cost after 10 years, compared to the median interest rate | $5,220 |
| Added cost after 1 year (vs. Tomo Mortgage) | $2,765 |
| Added cost after 10 years (vs. Tomo Mortgage) | $16,404 |
For a $400,000 mortgage, Sente Mortgage’s above-market rates and $1,595 in fees translate to around $187 extra in the first year and over $5,200 across a decade compared to the median lender. Compared with ultra-low-cost lenders like Tomo Mortgage, the total added cost can exceed $16,000—so if you’re valuing local, in-person support, make sure it’s worth the trade-off. Always compare multiple loan estimates to keep cost in check.
What customers are saying
Borrowers often praise Sente Mortgage for strong customer service. Loan officers are frequently described as professional, responsive, and helpful in making the process easy to understand. Many borrowers reported smooth closings and good communication throughout.
Customers also appreciated how quickly the company resolved issues, like appraisal problems or last-minute paperwork, and highlighted their competitive rates and transparent fees.
Some borrowers, however, reported frustrations with loan servicing, including escrow mismanagement and late tax payments. A few also mentioned difficulty reaching representatives or getting timely updates once the loan was transferred to servicing.
How to compare mortgage lenders
Interest rates. Comparing rates between lenders isn’t always straightforward. Many promote low headline rates that require paying “points” upfront to buy down the interest rate. To make a true comparison, focus on the par rate (0 points) and the APR, which reflects both the interest rate and any lender fees. Even small differences can translate into significant savings over the life of the loan.
Lender fees or loan origination fees. Many lenders charge fees that add thousands to the cost of a loan. It’s important to look at both the rate and the fees together to understand the true cost of borrowing. For a $400,000 mortgage, avoiding even a $1,000 fee could contribute to meaningful savings in the first year and over the long term.
On-time close rate. Most lenders do not publicly share their on-time close rates. However, it’s a critical factor—especially if your home contract has tight deadlines. Asking about their process for meeting close dates, including underwriting and document review timelines, can give you more confidence when choosing a lender.
Pre-approval and offer letters. Some lenders offer fast pre-qualifications that may not be fully underwritten, which can weaken your offer in competitive markets. It’s important to ask whether a lender’s pre-approvals are fully underwritten and how credible their letters are when presented with an offer.
Customer satisfaction. If detailed customer review data isn’t readily available, check third-party review sites or ask the lender for references. It’s important to understand how they handle communication, responsiveness, and issue resolution throughout the loan process.
Employee reviews. Company culture often influences how clients are treated. A lender with strong employee satisfaction typically delivers better service, more organized processing, and a smoother overall experience for borrowers.
To better understand how we compare mortgage rates fairly, see our TrueRate Methodology.
If you’re ready to start your journey to homeownership, get pre-approved with Tomo Mortgage today.