On this page13 sections
- Ratings and complaints
- Mortgage Research Network vs. competitors
- Pricing
- Step by step
- Mortgage Research Network legitimacy and licensing
- How Mortgage Research Network works
- Does Mortgage Research Network cost anything?
- Calls, privacy and how to avoid problems
- The rules that protect you
- Who should go elsewhere
- What customers say
- Alternatives
- FAQ
Mortgage Research Network (mortgageresearch.com) is a legitimate mortgage news and education site, owned by Three Creeks Media, LLC of Columbia, Missouri, which also runs Veteran.com. Its articles, daily rate tables and calculators are free, but it is a lead-generation business: it makes money when you're matched with a lender through its forms, and its privacy policy says partner lenders may call you even if you're on the Do Not Call registry. Use it to learn and to see market averages, and only fill out a form if you're ready for lender calls. To compare real offers, get Loan Estimates from at least three lenders and check each one on NMLS Consumer Access.
- What it is
- Mortgage news, guides, podcast, daily rate averages and calculators, plus forms that match you with lenders1
- Owner
- Three Creeks Media, LLC, 503 E. Nifong #121, Columbia, MO 65201; also owns Veteran.com and TheMilitaryWallet.com2
- Is it a lender?
- No; it doesn't originate loans and lists no NMLS ID1
- Cost to you
- Free; it says it is paid when you are matched with a lender, at no extra cost to you1
- What happens to your data
- Form details go to its "Network Members" to fulfill your request; you may be called or emailed even if your number is on the Do Not Call registry3
- Rate data
- Daily averages from RateUpdate.com; on October 13, 2026 the 30-year fixed averaged 7.39%4
- Disputes
- Binding arbitration in Boone County, Missouri under its terms of use2
- BBB
- No BBB profile for Mortgage Research Network or Three Creeks Media5
Pros
- Free articles, daily rate averages, podcast and calculators
- Clear statement of how it makes money
- Covers FHA, VA, USDA and conventional loans
- You don't have to give personal details to use the content
Cons
- Not a lender; forms pass your details to lenders
- Privacy policy allows calls even if you're on the Do Not Call registry
- Rankings may be paid by the companies ranked, and "partner" lenders are corporate affiliates it doesn't name
- No BBB or Trustpilot profile to judge service
- Binding arbitration in Missouri for any dispute with the site
Best for: Homebuyers who want free mortgage news, rate averages and calculators before talking to a lender.
Skip it if: You don't want sales calls, or you'd rather pick lenders yourself and request Loan Estimates directly.
Mortgage Research Network vs. competitors
| Company | Type | Cost to you | What happens to your info | BBB | Next step |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mortgage Research Network | Education and lead-matching site, not a lender | Free | Shared with network lenders who may call | No profile | |
| LendingTree | Loan marketplace, not a lender | Free; lenders set their own fees | Shared with up to five partner lenders | A+ | Visit site |
| Better | Online direct lender | Lender costs on your Loan Estimate | Stays with the lender you apply to | See review | Read review |
| Veterans United | Direct VA lender (Mortgage Research Center, LLC, NMLS 1907) | Lender costs on your Loan Estimate | Stays with the lender you apply to | See review | Read review |
Mortgage lenders we reviewed
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Mortgage Research Network This review BestGuide rating: 4.5 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: Homebuyers who want free mortgage news, rate averages and calculators before talking to a lender. -
NBKC Bank BestGuide rating: 4.2 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: VA borrowers and online-minded buyers who want a bank lender with low fees and a written closing guarantee. -
Better BestGuide rating: 4.1 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: Borrowers with solid credit who want to handle a purchase or refinance online and will compare Better's Loan Estimate with at least two other lenders. -
Chase Bank BestGuide rating: 4.2 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: People who want a big branch network and all their accounts in one app, and who can meet a direct deposit or balance waiver. -
Guild Mortgage BestGuide rating: 4.1 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: First-time or lower-credit buyers who want a local loan officer and help with the down payment through FHA, VA, USDA or assistance programs. -
Veterans United BestGuide rating: 4.1 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: Veterans and service members buying with a VA loan who want a lender that specializes in VA rules and posts its rates openly. -
New American Funding BestGuide rating: 4.0 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: Borrowers with lower credit, self-employed income or unusual properties who want many loan options and a loan officer to guide them. -
PennyMac BestGuide rating: 4.0 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: VA and FHA borrowers looking for a streamline refinance, and buyers who want a large lender with every loan type.
Mortgage Research Network pricing at a glance
What Mortgage Research Network costs and how it's paid, October 20261
| Item | Cost or terms |
|---|---|
| Articles, guides, podcast and rate tables | Free |
| FHA, VA, USDA, conventional and FHA refinance calculators | Free |
| Lender matching form | Free to you; the site is paid when you're matched with a lender |
| Rankings and lists | May be paid by the companies ranked; companies marked "partner" are corporate affiliates |
| Your mortgage | Set by the lender you choose: rate, points, origination and closing costs on your Loan Estimate |
The site doesn't name its parent company or which lenders are its corporate affiliates on the pages we checked.
Mortgage Research Network, step by step
Read and run the numbers
Use the guides, daily rate averages and loan calculators without giving any personal details.
Submit a form (optional)
Links like "Check your homebuying eligibility" go to a lead form. What you enter is shared with network lenders.
Expect contact
A lender representative calls or emails you. The privacy policy says this can happen even if you're on the Do Not Call list.
Apply with the lender
Any loan is between you and that lender. Ask for a Loan Estimate and check the lender's NMLS license.
Compare before you commit
Get at least two more Loan Estimates elsewhere and compare the rate, points and Section A origination charges.
Mortgage Research Network legitimacy and licensing
Yes, as a publisher. Mortgage Research Network runs mortgageresearch.com and is owned by Three Creeks Media, LLC, 503 E. Nifong in Columbia, Missouri. Three Creeks also owns Veteran.com and TheMilitaryWallet.com. The site is led by Tim Lucas, whom it describes as a former loan officer, and publishes daily mortgage news, rate averages, guides and a podcast.
It isn’t a lender or a licensed broker on the pages we checked, and it lists no NMLS ID. It says it makes money when you’re matched with a lender through a web form or rate table, and that rankings may be paid by the companies ranked. Companies labeled “partner” are corporate affiliates, but the site doesn’t say which lenders those are.
One possible point of confusion: Veterans United Home Loans, a large VA lender also based in Columbia, Missouri, operates under the legal name Mortgage Research Center, LLC (NMLS 1907). We found no statement on either site that they’re related, so treat them as separate unless a lender tells you otherwise. A BBB profile for “Mortgage Research” in Los Angeles, rated F, is an unrelated advance-fee broker.
How Mortgage Research Network works
The site has two sides. The free side is content: daily “mortgage rates today” posts with averages for 30-year, 15-year, FHA, VA, USDA and jumbo loans from RateUpdate.com, guides on FHA, USDA and refinancing, and calculators for conventional, VA, FHA, USDA and FHA refinance loans.
The business side is lead generation. Links such as “Check your homebuying eligibility” open a form titled “Get Connected with a Top Home Loan Lender.” Under its privacy policy, what you enter, including your name, email and phone, is shared with its “Network Members” to fulfill your request, and once submitted it can’t be retracted.
The averages on rate pages are market averages, not offers. Your actual rate depends on your credit, down payment, loan type and the lender.
Does Mortgage Research Network cost anything?
No. Reading, using calculators and submitting a form are free. The site says being matched doesn’t cost you anything extra. What you pay for a mortgage is set by the lender: the interest rate, any points, Origination charges. The fees a lender charges for making the loan, shown in Section A of the Loan Estimate. Compare mortgage lenders and third-party closing costs, all of which appear on the Loan Estimate. A standard form lenders must send within three business days of your application that shows the rate, payment and closing costs. Compare mortgage lenders the lender must give you within three business days of your application.
Because matching sites are paid by lenders, the lender you’re matched with isn’t necessarily the cheapest. Compare offers on the same day with the same loan amount and lock period, and look at Section A of each Loan Estimate, where lender fees differ most.
What customers say about Mortgage Research Network
Recurring themes across the review sites and complaint records listed above, not individual quotes.
Common praise
Common complaints
- Lead forms share your details with lenders who may call, a common complaint about matching sites in general
- Rankings may be paid by the companies ranked, per the site's own disclosure
Calls, privacy and how to avoid problems
The main thing to know is what happens after you submit a form. The privacy policy says you may be contacted by phone or email “even if the number you supplied is on the National Do Not Call registry,” and that information may be disclosed to non-affiliated third parties as the law permits. It also uses session-recording software that tracks pages visited and clicks.
To keep control:
- Use the articles and calculators without filling out a form.
- If you do submit, consider a separate email address and be ready to tell callers to stop contacting you.
- To stop emails from Three Creeks Media, write to the address listed in its privacy policy.
- Before sharing your Social Security number or applying, look up the lender on NMLS Consumer Access.
The rules that protect you
Every mortgage lender and loan officer must be licensed through NMLS, and you can check them free at nmlsconsumeraccess.org. Lenders must give you a Loan Estimate within three business days of an application and a Closing Disclosure at least three business days before closing. If you have a problem with a lender, you can file a complaint with the CFPB or your state’s financial regulator.
Your dispute with the website itself is governed by Missouri law and binding arbitration under its terms of use. Mortgage Research Network says its content is general information, not legal or financial advice, and it isn’t affiliated with any federal agency.
Who should go elsewhere
- You don’t want sales calls. Request quotes directly from lenders you choose.
- You want unbiased help. A HUD-approved housing counselor can review your options for free or at low cost.
- You want several offers at once. A marketplace like LendingTree shows multiple lenders, though it also shares your details.
Alternatives to Mortgage Research Network
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CFPB mortgage tools and HUD-approved housing counselors
Free, non-commercial help comparing Loan Estimates and understanding loan types, with no lender calls.
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Better if you want several lender offers side by side from one form.
-
Better
Go straight to an online lender if you'd rather apply yourself than be matched.
-
Veterans United
If you're VA eligible, apply directly with a VA-focused lender.
Mortgage Research Network reviews
Written by readers, read by our moderators, never edited by the company.
No reader reviews yet. If you have used Mortgage Research Network, yours will be the first.
Write a reviewHow do I know I can trust these reviews about Mortgage Research Network?
- Every reviewer confirms an email address before a review can publish.
- Our moderators read every review before it publishes.
- Companies can respond publicly but can never edit, hide or remove a review.
- Paying BestGuide never changes the reader rating or which reviews publish.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mortgage Research Network a lender?
No. It's an education and lender-matching site owned by Three Creeks Media. You apply for and get your loan from a separate lender.
Is Mortgage Research Network legitimate and safe to use?
Yes, it's a real publisher based in Columbia, Missouri, and it discloses that it's paid when you're matched with a lender. It has no BBB or Trustpilot profile.
Who owns mortgageresearch.com?
Three Creeks Media, LLC, which also owns Veteran.com and TheMilitaryWallet.com.
Is Mortgage Research Network the same as Veterans United?
We found no stated link. Veterans United's legal name is Mortgage Research Center, LLC (NMLS 1907), also in Columbia, Missouri, while Mortgage Research Network is run by Three Creeks Media.
How does Mortgage Research Network make money?
It's paid when you're matched with a lender through its forms or rate tables, and it may be paid by companies it ranks.
Will I get calls if I fill out the form?
Likely. Its privacy policy says lenders may contact you by phone or email, even if your number is on the National Do Not Call registry.
Are Mortgage Research Network's rates real?
They're daily market averages from RateUpdate.com, not offers. Your rate will depend on your credit, loan type and lender.
Is it free to use?
Yes. Articles, rate tables, calculators and the matching form are free to you.
How do I check a lender I'm matched with?
Search the company or loan officer on NMLS Consumer Access, a free federal-state licensing database, before you apply.
Sources (8)
Facts on this page come from company websites, government agencies and regulators, checked on the dates shown. Editorial standards
- Mortgage Research Network: About (accessed October 13, 2026)
- Mortgage Research Network: Terms of use (accessed October 13, 2026)
- Mortgage Research Network: Privacy policy (accessed October 13, 2026)
- Mortgage Research Network: Mortgage rates today, October 13, 2026 (accessed October 13, 2026)
- BBB: Search results for Mortgage Research Network (accessed October 13, 2026)
- Veterans United Home Loans: Home page (legal name and NMLS) (accessed October 13, 2026)
- Veteran.com: Home page (Three Creeks Media ownership) (accessed October 13, 2026)
- BBB: Mortgage Research (Los Angeles) business profile (accessed October 13, 2026)
BestGuide is free to use. Some companies we review pay us when you visit their site or contact them through us. Compensation may influence which companies we feature and their order. It doesn't change what our reviews say. Advertising disclosure