2025 Mortgage Review: American Pacific Mortgage

American Pacific Mortgage (APM) is a national retail mortgage lender headquartered in Roseville, California. Founded in 1996, APM is 49% employee-owned and has served over 300,000 customers across the U.S.

See today’s mortgage interest rates on TrueRate.

How American Pacific Mortgage compares to other lenders

Headquarters Roseville, California
Websiteapmortgage.com
Rate0.13% higher than the median rate
Lender fees$1,705 (median)
Added cost after 1 year, compared to the median interest rate$32
Added cost after 10 years, compared to the median interest rate$3,669
Added cost after 1 year (vs. Tomo Mortgage) $2,610
Added cost after 10 years (vs. Tomo Mortgage) $14,854

For a $400,000 mortgage, APM’s slightly above-market rates and $1,705 in fees lead to nearly break-even costs in year one, but more than $3,600 in added cost over 10 years compared to a typical lender. When stacked against ultra-competitive lenders like Tomo Mortgage, the difference exceeds $14,000—proof that even seemingly small rate gaps can have a big impact. Taking the time to compare offers could be one of the most valuable financial decisions you make during the homebuying process.

What customers are saying

American Pacific Mortgage (APM) is widely praised for its excellent communication and supportive, knowledgeable staff, with many borrowers describing proactive updates and a smooth process on platforms like Zillow and Birdeye. APM’s extensive loan options-including low down payment, government-backed, and niche products-make it appealing to a range of buyers.

However, reviews on Yahoo Finance, SmartAsset, and the BBB reveal higher-than-average rates and fees, limited rate transparency, and occasional underwriting delays or post-closing servicing issues. APM is best suited for borrowers who value personal guidance and variety over the absolute lowest rates.

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.

Low rates, no gotchas

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5 out of 5 stars
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