Quick Verdict
Company Overview
- Founded: 2013 (as Caliber Home Loans), headquartered in Coppell, Texas
- Type: Retail mortgage lender — now operating under NewRez LLC (owned by Rithm Capital, NYSE: RITM)
- Licensed in all 50 states
- One of the top 10 retail mortgage lenders by volume
- Known for: Jumbo/luxury market strength, proprietary portfolio products, strong investor relations, non-QM depth
- CEO: Sanjiv Das (Caliber brand); NewRez parent company
- Recent news: Caliber brand maintained post-NewRez acquisition; focus on high-balance and jumbo market; continued corporate integration with NewRez operations
Compensation Structure
- Model: Retail split model — LOs earn a percentage of the origination fee
- Typical range: 75–150 bps depending on volume, market, and negotiated plan
- High-volume jumbo: May negotiate toward 150–175 bps
- Commission option: No 100% commission option — retail model
- Product access: Access to proprietary products (jumbo, portfolio) can increase loan size and total income
- Bonuses: Performance bonuses available in some channels
Lender Access & Products
- Retail model: Loans funded by Caliber/NewRez capital and sold to investors
- Product menu: Conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, Jumbo (up to $5M+), luxury, non-QM, DSCR, bank statement, asset depletion, portfolio products
- Jumbo/non-QM strength: Strongest non-QM and jumbo product depth of any retail lender on this list
- Wholesale pricing: NOT available — Caliber sets its own rates
- Proprietary products: Portfolio products not available at wholesale — a genuine differentiator for luxury market LOs
- Rate competitiveness: Average on conforming, strong on jumbo and non-QM
Support & Company Culture
- Culture shift: Post-NewRez acquisition — more corporate, less entrepreneurial
- Training: Strong jumbo and non-QM training for LOs in those niches
- Marketing support: Caliber-branded materials and marketing resources
- Operations: Processing and underwriting solid — particularly strong on jumbo/complex loans
- Technology: Decent LOS, improving digital tools
- Relationships: Strong investor/realtor relationships in luxury markets
Pros for Loan Officers
- Best-in-class jumbo and portfolio product depth among retail lenders
- Strong non-QM product suite — DSCR, bank statement, asset depletion
- Access to proprietary portfolio products not available wholesale
- National brand with strong luxury market recognition
- Good for LOs in high-value coastal and luxury markets
- Processing expertise on complex/jumbo loans
Cons for Loan Officers
- Retail split comp — well below broker platforms
- Corporate culture post-NewRez acquisition — less independent feel
- No wholesale pricing access
- No 100% commission or revenue share programs
- Outside luxury/jumbo markets, less competitive vs other retail lenders
- NewRez ownership adds layer of corporate complexity
Income Comparison: Caliber vs. NEXA Lending
At $5M Annual Volume
| Platform | Comp Rate | Annual Income |
|---|---|---|
| Caliber (125 bps avg) | 125 bps | $62,500 |
| NEXA Broker | 220 bps | $110,000 |
| NEXA100 | 250 bps | $125,000 |
| Difference | — | +$62,500 |
At $10M Annual Volume
| Platform | Comp Rate | Annual Income |
|---|---|---|
| Caliber (125 bps avg) | 125 bps | $125,000 |
| NEXA Broker | 220 bps | $220,000 |
| NEXA100 | 250 bps | $250,000 |
| Difference | — | +$125,000 |
Note: Caliber's larger average loan sizes (jumbo market) can increase total income at the same bps — but the per-loan comp gap vs broker platforms still exists.
Who Should Consider Caliber Home Loans
- LOs who specialize in jumbo, luxury, and high-balance loans
- LOs with strong high-net-worth client and realtor networks
- LOs who need proprietary portfolio products not available at wholesale
- LOs in high-cost coastal markets (CA, NY, FL, WA)
- LOs who want non-QM depth within a retail structure
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Self-generating LOs producing at mid-market price points
- LOs who want maximum per-loan comp
- LOs who want full wholesale lender access
- LOs focused on conventional/conforming volume vs jumbo
- LOs who want to build revenue share income
Caliber vs. NEXA Lending
| Criteria | Caliber | NEXA Lending |
|---|---|---|
| Compensation | 75–150 bps | 220–250 bps |
| Lender Access | 1 (in-house, strong jumbo/non-QM) | 299 wholesale lenders |
| Model | Retail W-2 | Broker 1099 |
| Jumbo/Non-QM | Proprietary products | Deep Haven, Finance of America, wholesale non-QM |
| Revenue Share | Not available | Robust programs |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is Caliber Home Loans a good company to work for as a loan officer?
Caliber Home Loans is a strong choice for loan officers specializing in jumbo, luxury, and portfolio lending. It offers best-in-class product depth and proprietary investor products not available at wholesale. However, the retail split comp model is significantly below broker platforms, and post-NewRez acquisition, the culture has become more corporate. It's ideal for LOs in high-value markets but less suited for self-generating LOs seeking maximum compensation.
2. How much do Caliber Home Loans loan officers make?
Caliber comp typically ranges from 75–150 bps (basis points) depending on volume, market, and negotiated plan. At $5M annual volume with 125 bps average, an LO would earn approximately $62,500. At $10M volume, that's $125,000. These figures are notably lower than broker platforms like NEXA Lending (220–250 bps), which would yield $110,000–$250,000 at the same volumes.
3. What happened to Caliber Home Loans after the NewRez acquisition?
Caliber Home Loans was acquired by NewRez LLC, which is owned by Rithm Capital (NYSE: RITM). The Caliber brand remains active, but the company has evolved into a more corporate structure. The independent, entrepreneurial culture has shifted, and operations are increasingly integrated with the larger NewRez parent company. The focus on jumbo and luxury markets has been maintained.
4. What is Caliber Home Loans' comp structure?
Caliber uses a retail split model where loan officers earn a percentage of the origination fee. Typical comp ranges from 75–150 bps depending on volume, market, and negotiated plan. High-volume and jumbo-focused LOs may negotiate toward 150–175 bps. There is no 100% commission option available; it remains a retail W-2 model. Performance bonuses are available in some channels.
5. Is Caliber Home Loans good for jumbo loans?
Yes, Caliber Home Loans is one of the best retail lenders for jumbo loans. It offers jumbo products up to $5M+, luxury lending programs, and proprietary portfolio products that provide a genuine differentiator for luxury market loan officers. Caliber's product depth and investor relationships in the jumbo space are best-in-class among retail lenders.
6. How does Caliber compare to broker platforms like NEXA Lending?
Caliber is a retail lender with one in-house product suite, while NEXA Lending is a broker with access to 299 wholesale lenders. Comp differs significantly: Caliber offers 75–150 bps vs. NEXA's 220–250 bps. Caliber excels in proprietary jumbo and portfolio products; NEXA offers broader lender options and wholesale flexibility. Model-wise, Caliber is W-2 retail while NEXA is 1099 broker. NEXA offers revenue share programs; Caliber does not.
7. Does Caliber Home Loans offer non-QM loans?
Yes, Caliber Home Loans has one of the strongest non-QM product suites among retail lenders. Products include DSCR (Debt Service Coverage Ratio), bank statement loans, asset depletion, and other non-QM options. This is a key differentiator for LOs working with self-employed or non-traditional income borrowers.
8. Can I transition from Caliber to a broker platform?
Yes, many loan officers transition from retail lenders like Caliber to broker platforms like NEXA Lending. The move typically involves a shift from W-2 retail to 1099 broker status. NEXA and other brokers actively recruit from retail lenders, offering higher per-loan comp and access to multiple wholesale lenders. Your client base and loan origination history transfer with you.
Curious How Your Jumbo Volume Would Perform at NEXA?
Book a free 20-minute call. I'll run the comp math for your specific loan mix and volume — including how NEXA's wholesale jumbo and non-QM options compare to Caliber's proprietary products.
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