Bankrate home equity comparison: how it works and how it's paid
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Our take
Bankrate is a comparison service, not a lender. You answer a few questions, see offers from participating lenders and choose which ones may contact you. Bankrate says it's paid a fixed fee by the lender and that no one can pay to rank higher.
May fit you if
- Homeowners who want to see several lenders' offers side by side
- People who want to choose which lenders can contact them
Look elsewhere if
- You already know the lender you want to work with
We don't give star ratings yet. We'll publish our rating method first.
Key facts
Bankrate, LLC · NMLS #1427381 · Look up licensing
- What it is
- "Bankrate is not a lender, does not hold deposits, and does not underwrite financial products." Source
- Licensing
- Holds mortgage broker, lender and small-loan licenses in many states Source
- How it works
- Enter your ZIP code, answer a few questions, then pick which lenders to hear from; only those lenders will contact you Source
- How it's paid
- "We earn a fixed fee. Nothing more." A fixed fee from the lender when you start an application; free for consumers Source
- Rankings
- Bankrate says offers are ranked by their cost to you and no one can pay to rank higher Source
How it works
You share basic details (location, home value, loan amount, credit range) so participating lenders can show tailored offers.
You choose the lenders you want to hear from. Expect calls or emails from the lenders you select.
Costs and fees
- Cost to you
- Free; lenders pay Bankrate Source
We don't list rates because they change daily. Your rate and costs depend on your credit, home value, location and the amount you borrow.
Things to check before you apply
- Offers are estimates until a lender reviews your application and appraisal.
- Compare the Loan Estimate from each lender, not just the advertised rate.
Sources and method
Every fact on this page comes from Bankrate's own published pages, checked on October 19, 2026. Terms change, so confirm them with the company. Licensing can be checked on NMLS Consumer Access. Spot an error? Tell us. See our editorial standards.