1. Do not choose from rate alone
Rate, APR, payment, points, lender credits, lender-controlled fees, cash to close, and timeline can point in different directions.
Lenny methodology
How Lenny compares mortgage offers and explains the tradeoffs.
Lenny separates disclosed facts, calculated results, assumptions, and lender-confirmation items so a useful explanation does not become a false promise.
Decision discipline
Four rules guide every comparison.
2. Calculate before recommending
When points or added upfront cost are involved, Lenny should calculate the cost difference, payment difference, and break-even before describing the tradeoff.
3. Missing does not mean zero
An undisclosed fee, credit, payment, APR, or lock detail remains unknown and is surfaced as a confirmation item.
4. Match the answer to the evidence
One available offer receives an offer checkup, not a side-by-side winner claim. A recommendation becomes more specific only when comparable evidence supports it.
Recommendation independence
Lender compensation does not influence Lenny's comparison, ranking, or Best Fit designation. Those results use the borrower's scenario, selected priorities and timeline, and the compared offer terms.
By product surface
What happens in each Lenny experience
Mortgage questions
Lenny interprets the question, uses deterministic mortgage calculations when numbers are provided, and gives a direct answer with assumptions and next steps. Questions outside mortgages are declined.
Matched-offer comparison
Pricing inputs are sent to the connected rate source. Lenny then ranks returned offers using the selected priority and timeline without treating unavailable lender data as zero.
Offer analysis
Lenny extracts or receives the disclosed terms, separates lender-controlled costs from other closing items when possible, and checks whether the offers are aligned enough for a fair comparison.
Sources and updates
Official sources come first.
For program rules, disclosures, and regulatory explanations, Lenny's source hierarchy favors government agencies, agency guides, and primary program documentation. Market-sensitive information should be dated and treated separately from permanent guidance.
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau mortgage resources
- Fannie Mae Selling Guide
- Freddie Mac Seller/Servicer Guide
- U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development homebuying resources
What Lenny does not do
Lenny does not approve loans, preapprove borrowers, verify documents, pull credit, lock rates, or commit a lender to terms. A licensed mortgage lender confirms final program fit, eligibility, pricing, costs, and approval.
Last reviewed July 30, 2026. Methodology updates may occur when the product, connected data sources, or governing guidance changes.