LendingTree Finds Homebuyers Can Save Over $60,000 on Average Comparing Mortgage Offers, Yet Many Don't Negotiate

Rhea-AI Summary

LendingTree (NASDAQ:TREE) released a mortgage-shopping study based on data from over 80,000 mortgage shoppers and a survey of 2,000 U.S. consumers. Borrowers choosing the lowest instead of highest rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage could save an average of $62,572, or $174 monthly.

The average rate spread across all borrowers was 0.79 percentage points, rising to 0.98 points for those receiving six or more offers, boosting potential lifetime savings to $81,735. Two-thirds compared quotes, but only 54% negotiated, though 93% of negotiators lowered monthly payments.

News Market Reaction – TREE

+1.18%

+1.18% Session close to close

In the Jun 11 session, TREE gained 1.18%, reflecting a mild positive market reaction.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.

Market Context

This announcement spotlights LendingTree’s marketplace value, quantifying that choosing the lowest a...

Analysis

This announcement spotlights LendingTree’s marketplace value, quantifying that choosing the lowest available rate could save homebuyers an average of $62,572 over a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage, or $174 per month. The report also shows wider rate spreads for borrowers with six or more offers and high success rates for those who negotiate. In context of recent strong earnings and active regulatory filings, investors may watch how effectively such consumer education translates into platform engagement and segment growth.

Key Figures

Sample size: more than 80,000 borrowers Lifetime savings: $62,572 Monthly savings: $174 +5 more

8 metrics

Sample size more than 80,000 borrowers LendingTree mortgage shoppers analyzed

Lifetime savings $62,572 Average savings over 30-year fixed-rate mortgage choosing lowest vs highest rate

Monthly savings $174 Average monthly savings from rate shopping

Annual savings $2,086 Average yearly savings from rate shopping

Rate spread (all borrowers) 0.79 percentage points Average gap between lowest and highest offers

High-offer group threshold six or more offers Borrowers receiving at least six mortgage offers

Lifetime savings (6+ offers) $81,735 Average lifetime savings with six or more offers

Negotiation success rate 93% Borrowers who negotiated and lowered monthly payments

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Apr 30 (Positive)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	24h Move	Catalyst
Apr 30	Earnings results	Positive	-21.7%	Strong Q1 2026 revenue and profit growth with raised full-year guidance.
Apr 14	Earnings date	Neutral	+0.4%	Announcement of timing for Q1 2026 results and earnings call.
Mar 04	Policy support	Positive	+1.3%	Support for Homebuyers Privacy Protection Act aligning with marketplace model.
Mar 02	Earnings results	Positive	+23.9%	Strong Q4 2025 revenue, large tax benefit, and improved leverage metrics.
Feb 10	Policy commentary	Positive	+0.3%	Applause for Housing for the 21st Century Act and focus on affordability.

24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.

Pattern Detected

Earnings and policy/news headlines have generally seen price moves that align with positive fundamentals, though the most recent earnings release showed a notable negative divergence.

Recent Company History

Over the last few months, LendingTree reported strong operating trends. Q4 2025 results on Mar 2 showed revenue of $319.7M and GAAP net income of $144.7M, with the stock rising 23.87%. The Q1 2026 report on Apr 30 delivered revenue of $327.3M and net income of $17.3M, but shares fell 21.74%. Policy-related news in February and March around housing and mortgage regulation saw modest positive reactions. Today’s consumer-focused mortgage-shopping study fits into this broader narrative of LendingTree emphasizing its marketplace advantages.

Key Terms

fixed-rate mortgage, closing costs, nonprobability-based sample

3 terms

fixed-rate mortgage financial

"over the life of a 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage"

A fixed-rate mortgage is a home loan where the interest rate stays the same for the entire loan term, so monthly payments of principal and interest remain predictable. For investors, fixed-rate mortgages matter because they concentrate interest-rate risk and cash-flow certainty: when rates fall or rise, the value of those loans or securities backed by them changes, similar to how a locked subscription compares to a plan with changing fees.

closing costs financial

"negotiated fees and closing costs, 34% reduced upfront expenses"

Fees and charges paid when a deal is finalized—such as the costs to complete a property purchase, loan agreement, or corporate transaction—and that are added on top of the advertised price. These one-time expenses (like taxes, legal fees, agent commissions or administrative charges) matter to investors because they reduce the net cash received or increase the total cash outlay, affecting actual returns much like hidden service fees change the true cost of a car purchase.

nonprobability-based sample technical

"The survey was administered using a nonprobability-based sample"

A nonprobability-based sample is a group of survey respondents or observations selected without random chance — for example, volunteers, customers who opt in, or people chosen for convenience. For investors, results from such samples can be informative but are less reliable for estimating how the wider market or population will behave; it's like reading comments left by a self-selected group rather than getting a random cross-section of all buyers, so treat conclusions with caution.

AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

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CHARLOTTE, N.C., June 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Shopping around for a mortgage can save homebuyers tens of thousands of dollars, yet many borrowers still fail to compare offers or negotiate with lenders, according to a new LendingTree report.

Analyzing more than 80,000 mortgage shoppers on its platform, LendingTree found that borrowers who choose the lowest available rate instead of the highest could save an average of $62,572 over the life of a 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage.

Key Findings:

• Borrowers could save an average of $62,572 over the life of a 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage by shopping around. That's equal to $174 per month or $2,086 annually. While still substantial, potential savings are down from $80,024 in LendingTree's early 2025 analysis as mortgage rate spreads have narrowed and overall rates have declined.
• More mortgage offers can create bigger savings opportunities. Across all borrowers, the average spread between the lowest and highest offered interest rates was 0.79 percentage points. Among borrowers who received six or more offers, the spread widened to 0.98 percentage points, increasing potential monthly savings from $174 to $227 and boosting lifetime savings to $81,735.
• Many borrowers still don't compare offers or negotiate mortgage terms. Two-thirds (66%) of mortgage holders compared quotes from multiple lenders during their most recent mortgage-shopping process, but only 54% attempted to negotiate. Baby boomers were the least likely generation to negotiate, with just 18% doing so, compared with roughly 70% of Gen Zers and millennials. Men were also considerably more likely than women to negotiate (67% versus 36%).
• Negotiation often pays off. Among borrowers who negotiated their interest rate, 93% lowered their monthly payment, including 37% who reduced it by at least $100 per month. Among those who negotiated fees and closing costs, 34% reduced upfront expenses by $2,000 or more, including 12% who saved at least $5,000.

"Consumers have more power in the mortgage process than they often realize," Jeff Lyons, LendingTree's General Manager of Lending, said. "Access to information and choice has never been more important, especially when even small differences in loan terms can have a major impact on long-term costs. At LendingTree, our goal is to help consumers easily compare offers from multiple lenders, create competition for their business and ultimately make more confident financial decisions. This research demonstrates just how valuable that process can be."

To view the full report, visit: https://www.lendingtree.com/home/mortgage/mortgage-shopping-study/.

Methodology

LendingTree analyzed data from more than 80,000 users of LendingTree's online loan marketplace who received two or more offers for 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage purchase loans from Oct. 1, 2025, through April 26, 2026. Researchers compared the lowest and highest interest rates offered to individual borrowers and calculated potential savings based on average mortgage amounts requested.

Separately, LendingTree commissioned QuestionPro to conduct an online survey of 2,000 U.S. consumers ages 18 to 80 from May 4 to 6, 2026. The survey was administered using a nonprobability-based sample, and quotas were used to ensure the sample represented the overall population. Researchers reviewed responses for quality control.

About LendingTree, Inc.

LendingTree, Inc. is the parent of LendingTree, LLC and several companies owned by LendingTree, LLC (collectively, "LendingTree").

LendingTree (NASDAQ: TREE) is one of the nation's largest, most experienced online financial platforms, created to give consumers the power to win financially. LendingTree provides customers with access to the best offers on loans, credit cards, insurance and more through its network of over 770 financial partners. Since its founding, LendingTree has helped millions of customers obtain financing, save money, and improve their financial and credit health in their personal journeys. With a portfolio of innovative products and tools and personalized financial recommendations, LendingTree helps customers achieve everyday financial wins.

LendingTree, Inc. is headquartered in Charlotte, N.C. For more information, please visit www.lendingtree.com.

CONTACT
press@lendingtree.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lendingtree-finds-homebuyers-can-save-over-60-000-on-average-comparing-mortgage-offers-yet-many-dont-negotiate-302798388.html

SOURCE LendingTree, Inc.

FAQ

How much can borrowers save by comparing mortgage offers, according to LendingTree (NASDAQ:TREE)?

Borrowers can save an average of $62,572 over a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage by choosing the lowest offer. According to LendingTree, this equals about $174 per month or $2,086 annually in potential savings for shoppers on its platform.

What did LendingTree (TREE) find about mortgage rate spreads in its 2026 study?

LendingTree found an average spread of 0.79 percentage points between lowest and highest mortgage offers. According to LendingTree, this spread widens to 0.98 points for borrowers receiving six or more offers, raising estimated lifetime savings to about $81,735 on a 30-year fixed mortgage.

How many mortgage shoppers did the 2026 LendingTree (TREE) mortgage study analyze?

The study analyzed data from more than 80,000 mortgage shoppers on LendingTree’s online marketplace. According to LendingTree, all received at least two offers for 30-year fixed-rate purchase loans between October 1, 2025, and April 26, 2026, enabling comparison of highest and lowest rates.

What percentage of borrowers negotiate mortgage terms, based on LendingTree (TREE) research?

Only 54% of mortgage holders attempted to negotiate terms during their most recent mortgage process. According to LendingTree, 66% compared quotes from multiple lenders, but negotiation lagged, with especially low negotiation rates among baby boomers compared with Gen Z and millennial borrowers.

How often does mortgage negotiation lower payments, according to the 2026 LendingTree (TREE) report?

Among borrowers who negotiated their interest rate, 93% lowered their monthly mortgage payment. According to LendingTree, 37% cut payments by at least $100 monthly, while 34% who negotiated fees and closing costs saved $2,000 or more upfront, including 12% saving at least $5,000.

What survey did LendingTree (TREE) use to complement its mortgage savings analysis in 2026?

LendingTree used an online survey of 2,000 U.S. consumers aged 18 to 80 conducted May 4–6, 2026. According to LendingTree, QuestionPro administered the nonprobability-based survey with quotas to reflect the broader population, and responses were reviewed for quality control.