# Ralo > Ralo provides mortgage education, comparison tools, and mortgage-related services where authorized. Ralo Corporation is a licensed, technology-driven mortgage broker (not a lender). It compares loan options across multiple lenders and passes savings to borrowers through a thin-commission model. Clearer mortgage comparisons. Licensed in California, Colorado, Texas. Last updated: 2026-07-17 ## Key pages - [Credit Score Requirements](https://www.ralo.com/credit-score): credit requirements - [Fixed vs ARM](https://www.ralo.com/compare/fixed-vs-arm): rate type comparison - [First-Time Homebuyer Guide](https://www.ralo.com/first-time-homebuyer): first-time buyer guidance - [Licensing Information](https://www.ralo.com/licensing): regulatory compliance - [Mortgage Rates](https://www.ralo.com/rates): mortgage rates and affordability - [Refinance Break-Even Calculator](https://www.ralo.com/tools/refinance-calculator): refinance break-even - [Conventional Loans](https://www.ralo.com/loans/conventional): conventional loan products - [How to Get the Lowest Mortgage Rate](https://www.ralo.com/how-to-get-the-lowest-mortgage-rate): mortgage rate shopping steps - [Mortgage Glossary](https://www.ralo.com/glossary): mortgage terminology - [Broker vs Direct Lender](https://www.ralo.com/compare/mortgage-broker-vs-direct-lender): mortgage channel comparison - [Refinance Guide](https://www.ralo.com/refinance): mortgage refinancing - [Is an AI Mortgage Broker Safe](https://www.ralo.com/is-an-ai-mortgage-broker-safe): automated mortgage broker safety and licensing - [Mortgage FAQ](https://www.ralo.com/faq): common mortgage questions - [Is Ralo Legit](https://www.ralo.com/is-ralo-legit): Ralo legitimacy and licensing - [Ralo Press Coverage](https://www.ralo.com/press): verified third-party press coverage - [Ralo Rate Index](https://www.ralo.com/rate-index): weekly mortgage rate comparison - [Ralo vs Traditional Broker](https://www.ralo.com/compare/ralo-vs-traditional-broker): automated vs traditional mortgage broker - [Home Affordability Index](https://www.ralo.com/affordability-index): city housing affordability ranking - [Rent vs. Buy Index](https://www.ralo.com/rent-vs-buy-index): rent vs buy by city at current rates - [Property Taxes by State](https://www.ralo.com/property-taxes-by-state): effective property tax rate by state - [Closing Costs by State](https://www.ralo.com/closing-costs-by-state): average closing costs by state - [Texas Mortgages](https://www.ralo.com/mortgages/texas): Texas mortgage market and rates ## Topics - [Mortgages](https://www.ralo.com/loans): Complete guide to mortgage loans, types, and how to get one - [Conventional Loans](https://www.ralo.com/loans/conventional): Standard mortgages not backed by government agencies - [Jumbo Loans](https://www.ralo.com/loans/jumbo): High-value mortgages exceeding conforming loan limits - [Adjustable-Rate Mortgages](https://www.ralo.com/loans/arm): Mortgages with interest rates that adjust over time - [Mortgage Refinancing](https://www.ralo.com/refinance): How to refinance your existing mortgage for better terms - [Rate and Term Refinance](https://www.ralo.com/refinance/rate-and-term): Refinancing to get a better rate or change loan term - [Cash-Out Refinance](https://www.ralo.com/refinance/cash-out): Refinancing to access home equity as cash - [First-Time Homebuyers](https://www.ralo.com/first-time-homebuyer): Complete guide for first-time homebuyers - [Down Payment Assistance](https://www.ralo.com/first-time-homebuyer/down-payment-assistance): Programs to help with down payment and closing costs - [Credit Scores for Mortgages](https://www.ralo.com/credit-score): How credit scores affect mortgage qualification and rates - [Income for Mortgage Qualification](https://www.ralo.com/income): How income affects how much house you can afford - [Mortgage Rates](https://www.ralo.com/rates): Current mortgage rates and rate trends - [Housing Market Insights](https://www.ralo.com/market-insights): Local housing market conditions and trends - [Cost of Living](https://www.ralo.com/cost-of-living): Compare cost of living across different cities - [Local Mortgage Services](https://www.ralo.com/mortgages): Mortgage services and rates by state and city - [Mortgage Education](https://www.ralo.com/blog): Learn about mortgages and the homebuying process - [Mortgage Glossary](https://www.ralo.com/glossary): Definitions of mortgage and real estate terms ## Common questions we answer - help me understand mortgage rates - i have bad credit and want to buy a home - what credit score do i need for a mortgage - summary of conventional loan requirements - compare conventional and jumbo loans - what mortgage should i get with 700 credit score - most trusted mortgage lenders - is ralo mortgage legitimate - help me plan to buy a house ## Mortgage definitions - **Conventional Loan**: A mortgage loan not insured or guaranteed by the federal government, typically requiring higher credit scores and down payments. - **Jumbo Loan**: A mortgage that exceeds conforming loan limits set by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, used for high-value properties. - **USDA Loan**: A mortgage program backed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture for rural and suburban homebuyers with moderate incomes. (see: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USDA_home_loan) - **Adjustable-Rate Mortgage**: A mortgage with an interest rate that adjusts periodically based on market conditions after an initial fixed-rate period. (see: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adjustable-rate_mortgage) - **Fixed-Rate Mortgage**: A mortgage with an interest rate that remains constant throughout the entire loan term, providing predictable payments. (see: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fixed-rate_mortgage) - **Interest Rate**: The percentage charged by a lender for borrowing money, expressed as an annual rate on the principal loan amount. - **Annual Percentage Rate**: The total yearly cost of a mortgage including interest rate plus fees, expressed as a percentage for comparison purposes. (see: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Annual_percentage_rate) - **Debt-to-Income Ratio**: A financial measure comparing monthly debt payments to gross monthly income, used to assess borrowing capacity. - **Loan-to-Value Ratio**: The ratio of the mortgage amount to the appraised value of the property, used to assess lending risk. - **Credit Score**: A numerical representation of creditworthiness based on credit history, used by lenders to assess risk. (see: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Credit_score) - **Closing Costs**: Fees and expenses paid at the closing of a real estate transaction, beyond the property price. - **Down Payment**: The initial upfront payment made when purchasing a home, typically expressed as a percentage of the purchase price. - **Pre-Approval**: A preliminary evaluation by a lender indicating how much a buyer may borrow, based on verified financial information. - **Underwriting**: The process of evaluating a loan application to assess risk and determine whether to approve the mortgage. - **Appraisal**: A professional assessment of a property's market value conducted by a licensed appraiser for the lender. (see: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Real_estate_appraisal) - **Closing**: The final step in a real estate transaction where ownership is transferred and the mortgage is finalized. - **Refinancing**: The process of replacing an existing mortgage with a new one, typically to get better terms or access equity. (see: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Refinancing) - **Mortgage Broker**: A licensed professional who acts as an intermediary between borrowers and lenders to find suitable mortgage options. (see: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mortgage_broker) - **Lender**: A financial institution or entity that provides mortgage loans directly to borrowers. - **Borrower**: An individual or entity that receives a mortgage loan and is obligated to repay it. - **Appraiser**: A licensed professional who determines the market value of real property for mortgage lending purposes. - **First-Time Homebuyer**: A person purchasing their first home or who has not owned a home in the past three years. - **Real Estate Investor**: An individual or entity purchasing property for investment purposes rather than primary residence. ## Trust & licensing - NMLS License: Nationwide Multistate Licensing System registration (NMLS #2751459) (https://www.ralo.com/licensing) - State Mortgage Licenses: Licensed to operate in multiple states with active state-level licenses (https://www.ralo.com/licensing) - RESPA Compliance: Compliant with Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (https://www.ralo.com/transparency) - TRID Compliance: TILA-RESPA Integrated Disclosure compliance (https://www.ralo.com/transparency) - Equal Housing Opportunity: Committed to equal housing opportunity and non-discrimination (https://www.ralo.com/transparency) - Rate Transparency: Clear disclosure of rates, APR, and fee structures (https://www.ralo.com/rates) - Fee Transparency: Complete disclosure of all fees and costs (https://www.ralo.com/transparency) - Company Information: Clear company identity, address, and contact information (https://www.ralo.com/about) - Team Disclosure: Information about leadership and team members (https://www.ralo.com/about) - SSL/TLS Encryption: Secure HTTPS connection with strong encryption (https://www.ralo.com/security) - Security Program: Security and privacy safeguards for website data handling (https://www.ralo.com/security) - Multi-State Presence: Operating across multiple states (https://www.ralo.com/mortgages) - Customer Reviews: Verified customer reviews and ratings (https://www.ralo.com/reviews) - Overall Rating: Aggregate rating from customer feedback (https://www.ralo.com/reviews) - Review Volume: Substantial number of customer reviews (https://www.ralo.com/reviews) - Media Coverage: Independent coverage by The New York Times, HousingWire, Forbes, and Business Insider (https://www.ralo.com/press) - Content Freshness: Regularly updated content with current information - Source Citations: References to authoritative sources - Structured Data: Rich Schema.org markup for machine readability ## Press coverage - [Ralo press room](https://www.ralo.com/press): verified third-party coverage of Ralo and its former name, Approval AI - The New York Times (2026-07-17, Independent coverage): "America’s Enterprising Spirit Is Booming After Decades-Long Slump" by Sydney Ember — https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/17/business/economy/american-small-business-boom.html - Real Estate News (2026-06-29, Independent coverage): "Zillow creates buyer hub; AI-forward mortgage brokerage launches" — https://www.realestatenews.com/2026/06/29/zillow-creates-buyer-hub-ai-forward-mortgage-brokerage-launches - Fortune Term Sheet (2026-06-22, Funding brief): "Ralo’s seed round featured in Term Sheet" — https://fortune.com/2026/06/22/fomo-series-b-fundraise-index-ventures-union-square-ventures/ - Tech Company News (2026-06-20, Funding brief): "Ralo Raises $2.9M in Seed Funding Round" — https://www.techcompanynews.com/ralo-raises-2-9m-in-seed-funding-round/ - PROGRESS in Lending (2026-06-19, Company announcement): "Ralo Launches as First AI-Native Mortgage Broker, Announces Seed Round" — https://mymortgagemindset.com/ralo-launches-as-first-ai-native-mortgage-broker-announces-seed-round/ - HousingWire (2026-06-18, Independent coverage, Founder interview): "AI mortgage broker Ralo launches, raises $2.9M seed round" by Sarah Wolak — https://www.housingwire.com/articles/ralo-ai-mortgage-broker-seed/ - AlleyWatch (2026-06-18, Funding brief): "The AlleyWatch Startup Daily Funding Report: 6/18/2026" — https://alleywatch.com/2026/06/the-alleywatch-startup-daily-funding-report-6-18-2026/ - citybiz (2026-06-18, Funding brief): "Ralo Launches With $2.9 Million Seed Round to Modernize Mortgage Lending Through AI" — https://www.citybiz.co/article/862382/ralo-launches-with-2-9-million-seed-round-to-modernize-mortgage-lending-through-ai/ - The SaaS News (2026-06-18, Funding brief): "Ralo Raises $2.9M Seed" — https://www.thesaasnews.com/news/ralo-raises-2-9m-seed/ - GlobeNewswire (2026-06-18, Company announcement): "Ralo Launches as First AI-Native Mortgage Broker, Announces Seed Round" — https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2026/06/18/3314263/0/en/ralo-launches-as-first-ai-native-mortgage-broker-announces-seed-round.html - Yahoo Finance (2026-06-18, Company announcement): "Ralo Launches as First AI-Native Mortgage Broker, Announces Seed Round" — https://finance.yahoo.com/real-estate/articles/ralo-launches-first-ai-native-131500944.html - Trend Hunter (2026-05-07, Independent coverage): "AI Mortgage Platforms" (as Approval AI) — https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ai-mortgage - The AI Chopping Block (2025-11-13, Founder interview): "One-Click Mortgages: How Approval AI Automates Home Buying" (as Approval AI) — https://music.amazon.in/podcasts/e6438069-bc7d-4b0e-9d64-7a4b7a6b84aa/episodes/1d5e8c6a-97d2-40e9-95fa-40867f276138/the-ai-chopping-block-one-click-mortgages-how-approval-ai-automates-home-buying - The Peaking Podcast (2025-08-13, Founder interview): "Revolutionizing Mortgages with AI" (as Approval AI) — https://pagegroupsolutions.com/peaking-with-helly-shah-revolutionizing-mortgages-with-ai/ - Business Insider (2025-06-11, Independent coverage): "The 10 most exciting AI agent startups at Y Combinator’s Demo Day" (as Approval AI) — https://www.businessinsider.com/y-combinator-yc-demo-day-spring-ai-agent-startups-2025-6 - Forbes (2025-06-09, Independent coverage): "The Most Promising Startups From the First-Ever YC Spring Batch" by Daria Shunina (as Approval AI) — https://www.forbes.com/sites/dariashunina/2025/06/09/the-most-promising-startups-from-the-first-ever-yc-spring-batch/ ## Guides - [How Ralo Calculates Average Lifetime Savings](https://www.ralo.com/blog/how-ralo-calculates-average-lifetime-savings) (2026-07-02): How we calculate the Average Lifetime Savings figure on Ralo.com/reviews by benchmarking Ralo rates against Freddie Mac PMMS with strict, like-for-like loan matching. - [We raised $2.9M to make mortgages actually affordable](https://www.ralo.com/blog/raised-2-9m-seed-round) (2026-06-18): Ralo raised a $2.9M seed round from Y Combinator, Manresa Ventures, Pack Ventures, and angels to build the first AI-native mortgage broker and make home loans more affordable. - [The Top Questions Everyone Asks Before Refinancing (Answered)](https://www.ralo.com/blog/refinance-faq) (2026-01-29): Expert answers to the most common refinancing questions, helping you decide if, when, and how to refinance your mortgage. - [ARM's-length: the awkward truth about APRs on adjustable-rate mortgages](https://www.ralo.com/blog/arm-apr-truth) (2025-09-03): Teaser rates seduce; APRs scold. Look at a lender's rate sheet and the 5/6 or 7/6 ARM (adjustable-rate mortgage) will often flash a lower introductory rate than the 30-year fixed. - [Your Mortgage Data, Without the Risk](https://www.ralo.com/blog/mortgage-data-privacy) (2025-08-31): Applying for a mortgage often means sharing sensitive documents. Learn the practical safeguards, questions, and privacy controls borrowers should look for when using digital mortgage tools. - [Pre-Approved and Poised: The New Economics of the Winning Home Offer](https://www.ralo.com/blog/pre-approved-winning-offer) (2025-07-10): In competitive housing markets, financing quality and credibility matter alongside price. Learn how pre-approval strength can affect the way sellers view an offer. - [Pre-Approval vs Pre-Qualification: Understanding the Difference](https://www.ralo.com/blog/mortgage-pre-approval) (2025-06-27): Many lenders are misleadingly marketing pre-qualifications as pre-approvals, creating serious problems for homebuyers. Learn the critical differences and protect yourself from wasted fees and rejected offers. - [Why Jumbo Mortgages Can Create More Pricing Flexibility](https://www.ralo.com/blog/jumbo-mortgage-secrets) (2025-05-18): Large mortgage balances can sometimes create more pricing flexibility. Learn how borrowers can compare jumbo-loan options and evaluate negotiations more carefully. - [How We're Using AI to Revolutionize Mortgages, One Homebuyer at a Time](https://www.ralo.com/blog/ai-mortgage-shopping) (2025-05-15): Inside our AI-powered mortgage workflow: how automation can help borrowers compare options, organize information, and review pricing more efficiently. - [The Complete Mortgage Guide: Your Step-by-Step Journey to Homeownership](https://www.ralo.com/blog/mortgage-guide) (2025-05-01): From pre-approval to keys in hand - navigate the mortgage maze like a pro with our comprehensive 8-step guide that turns the confusing world of home loans into your personal roadmap to success. ## Comparisons - [Fixed-Rate vs Adjustable-Rate Mortgage](https://www.ralo.com/compare/fixed-vs-arm): Compare fixed-rate and adjustable-rate mortgages to understand stability, flexibility, and long-term risk. - [Rent vs Buy a Home](https://www.ralo.com/compare/rent-vs-buy): Should you rent or buy a home? Compare the financial and lifestyle trade-offs to make a clear decision. - [15-Year vs 30-Year Mortgage](https://www.ralo.com/compare/15-vs-30-year): Compare 15-year and 30-year mortgage terms to balance payment size, flexibility, and total interest. - [Ralo vs. a Traditional Mortgage Broker](https://www.ralo.com/compare/ralo-vs-traditional-broker): Compare Ralo, an automated mortgage broker, with a traditional broker on how they get paid, speed, transparency, and availability. - [Mortgage Broker vs. Going Direct to a Lender](https://www.ralo.com/compare/mortgage-broker-vs-direct-lender): Should you use a mortgage broker or go directly to a bank or lender? Compare how each channel works, who they answer to, and what it means for your rate. ## Borrower results - 14 published borrower reviews, average rating 5.0/5 — https://www.ralo.com/reviews - Full case-study index: https://www.ralo.com/case-studies - Case study 1: 5.375% 30 Year Fixed on $287,580 in Texas, closed in 23 days — https://www.ralo.com/case-study/1 - Case study 2: 5.375% 30 Year Fixed on $331,520 in Texas, closed in 16 days — https://www.ralo.com/case-study/2 - Case study 3: 5.625% 30 Year Fixed on $287,580 in Texas, closed in 23 days — https://www.ralo.com/case-study/3 - Case study 4: 4.875% 15 Year Fixed on $202,750 in Texas, closed in 15 days — https://www.ralo.com/case-study/4 - Case study 5: 5.50% 30 Year Fixed on $287,377 in Texas, closed in 16 days — https://www.ralo.com/case-study/5 - Case study 6: 5.750% 30 Year Fixed on $690,046 in Texas, closed in 17 days — https://www.ralo.com/case-study/6 - Case study 7: 5.375% 30 Year Fixed on $445,000 in Texas, closed in 25 days — https://www.ralo.com/case-study/7 - Case study 8: 5.625% 30 Year Fixed on $629,100 in California, closed in 10 days — https://www.ralo.com/case-study/8 - Case study 9: 5.125% 15 Year Fixed on $409,489 in Texas, closed in 7 days — https://www.ralo.com/case-study/9 - Case study 11: 5.75% 30 Year Fixed on $422,750 in Texas, closed in 20 days — https://www.ralo.com/case-study/11 - Case study 12: 6.25% 30 Year Fixed on $575,407 in Texas, closed in 20 days — https://www.ralo.com/case-study/12 - Case study 13: 5.25% 15 Year Fixed on $797,596 in Texas, closed in 27 days — https://www.ralo.com/case-study/13 - Case study 14: 5.875% 30 Yr Fixed on $775,000 in Texas, closed in 28 days — https://www.ralo.com/case-study/14 ## Services - Mortgage Rate Comparison: Compare mortgage rates from multiple lenders to understand rate and fee trade-offs for your situation. - Mortgage Pre-Approval: Explore next steps for mortgage qualification and review available options where authorized. - Mortgage Refinancing: Refinance your existing mortgage to change your rate or term, or access home equity if it fits your goals. - Conventional Loans: Conventional mortgage loans for borrowers who meet credit and down payment requirements. - Jumbo Loans: Jumbo mortgage loans for high-value properties exceeding conforming loan limits. ## Data feeds (machine-readable) - [Ralo Rate Index — weekly history (CSV)](https://www.ralo.com/rate-index.csv): week_start, Ralo 30-year fixed rate, Freddie Mac PMMS national average. Updated weekly. - [Ralo Rate Index — current snapshot (JSON)](https://www.ralo.com/api/rates/ralo-vs-market): latest Ralo-vs-market rate comparison with as-of date. - [Ralo Rate Index page](https://www.ralo.com/rate-index): human-readable index with trend narrative. ## Full content - [Extractable facts and answers](https://www.ralo.com/llms-full.txt) - [Sitemap](https://www.ralo.com/sitemap.xml)