Best Mortgage Lenders of September 2023
Before buying a home, tapping equity or refinancing a mortgage, shop around to find some of the best mortgage lenders for your circumstances.
Some or all of the mortgage lenders featured on our site are advertising partners of NerdWallet, but this does not influence our evaluations, lender star ratings or the order in which lenders are listed on the page. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners.
When you buy a home or tap into home equity, it's a big financial decision, so it makes sense to find the best mortgage lender you can. To do that, shop for offers from at least three lenders.
Compare mortgage rates and other loan elements such as fees, terms, time to close, the availability of online application and loan tracking, and customer service offerings. Taking the time to make an informed decision can save you thousands of dollars over the life of your loan.
To help you choose a mortgage lender, NerdWallet’s editorial team has picked some of the best out there in a variety of categories to help you find the home loan that's right for you.
Here are more of our picks for best mortgage lenders.
For homeowners who want to tap into home equity:
For borrowers who have credit challenges:
For borrowers who want to refinance:
Best Mortgage Lenders
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Lender ▾ ▾ | NerdWallet Rating ▾ ▾ | Min. credit score ▾ ▾ | Min. down payment ▾ ▾ | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|
4.5 /5 | 620 | 3% | ||
5.0 /5 | 620 | 3% | Top 3 most visited 🏆 Learn moreat Pennymacat Pennymac | |
5.0 /5 | 620 | 3% | Top 3 most visited 🏆 Learn moreat Guaranteed Rateat Guaranteed Rate | |
 Bethpage Federal Credit Union: NMLS#449104 Learn moreat Bethpage Federal Credit Union at Bethpage Federal Credit Union | 5.0 /5 | 670 | N/A | Learn moreat Bethpage Federal Credit Union at Bethpage Federal Credit Union |
4.5 /5 | 680 | 20% |
- Offers government-backed loans and some harder-to-find products, such as construction loans and specialty mortgages for pilots.
- Offers low rates and fees compared with other lenders, according to the latest federal data.
- Displays customized rates, with fee estimates, without requiring contact information.
- HELOCs and construction-to-permanent loans are available only in the Kansas City metro area.
- Offers a wide variety of loan products, including government-backed and refinance options, as well as home equity loans.
- Displays custom rate quotes based on home value, down payment or equity, ZIP code and credit score range.
- “Lock & Shop” lets you secure a rate for up to 60 days, even if you don’t have a purchase contract yet.
- Origination fees are on the higher end, according to the latest federal data.
- Doesn't offer home equity lines of credit or renovation loans.
- Offers a one-day mortgage approval process.
- Offers a generous selection of loans, including government-backed, interest-only, ITIN, jumbo, and renovation loans.
- Advertises a HELOC that can be funded in as few as five business days.
- Receives high marks for customer satisfaction, according to J.D. Power and Zillow.
- Origination fees are higher than average, according to the latest federal data.
- HELOC has a relatively short draw period, which may not provide flexibility for someone who wants the option of accessing home equity over a longer period.
Bethpage Federal Credit Union: NMLS#449104
National
85%
670
- Offers a fixed-rate option.
- No annual fees.
- Offers a fixed introductory rate.
- Minimum draw required for best rate.
- Online tools help you estimate mortgage payments and track application progress.
- Can be used for primary or second home purchases.
- $5 million max jumbo loan amount.
- Doesn't offer renovation mortgages.
- In-person service is not available in every state.
- Offers conventional, FHA, VA, USDA and jumbo loans.
- Multiple customer service options, including brick-and-mortar branches, online message center and phone.
- Low average mortgage interest rates and origination fees, according to the latest federal data.
- No mortgage rates displayed online.
- Does not offer home equity loans or lines of credit.
- Multiple loans for those who are renovating or building a home, including loans with interest-only payments during construction.
- Offers home equity loans and lines of credit.
- Offers down payment assistance and loans for underserved borrowers, including ITIN loans and loans with flexible qualifications in certain communities.
- Interest rates are on the low side relative to other lenders, according to the latest federal data.
- Borrowers can enter their information (including their desired loan amount, down payment and zip code) into the lender’s Mortgage Quote Comparison tool and receive a customized rate quote.
- Home equity loans are not available in all locations served by Flagstar.
- In 2022, the lender was fined for violating laws regarding properties in flood zones.
- Offers 24/7 customer service over the phone.
- Offers a free credit counseling service.
- Mortgage rates are on the low side, according to the latest federal data.
- Doesn’t offer home equity loans or HELOCs.
- Veterans United doesn't have branch offices in every state.
- Offers a wide range of affordable mortgage products, including 0% down payment loans, designed for military members.
- Offers HELOCs and home equity loans.
- Offers low rates compared with most lenders, according to the latest federal data.
- Website does not provide customized mortgage rates based on credit score or other factors before you apply.
- Credit union membership is limited to veterans and current military members, their families, and certain federal employees, retirees and contractors.
- Offers down payment and closing cost assistance programs.
- May give existing customers a discount on mortgage lender origination fees and HELOC interest rates.
- Receives high marks for customer satisfaction, according to J.D. Power and Zillow.
- Doesn't offer renovation loans that roll costs into a mortgage.
- Low- or no-down-payment options with no mortgage insurance.
- Offers a home equity line of credit, or HELOC.
- Mortgages are available for non-warrantable condominiums.
- Doesn't offer government-backed mortgages, like FHA or VA loans.
- Mortgage origination fees are on the high side, according to the latest federal data.
How does a mortgage work?
A mortgage is a loan to purchase a home. The loan is repaid with interest in monthly payments over a certain number of years, such as 15, 20 or 30. If the mortgage isn't repaid, the borrower may lose the home in a multistage process known as foreclosure.
Banks, credit unions and other lenders offer mortgages. To apply, fill out an application and provide documentation about your finances. Lenders consider your income, debts and credit score to decide whether you qualify and the terms to offer.
» MORE: What is a mortgage?
Types of mortgages
There are a variety of mortgages and home loan programs. Here are some of your choices.
Fixed vs. adjustable rates
There are fixed-rate and adjustable-rate mortgages. The interest rate stays the same for the entire loan term of a fixed-rate mortgage. With an adjustable-rate mortgage, or ARM, the interest rate stays the same for a certain period, up to 10 years, and then adjusts at a specified interval, usually every six months.
15-, 20- and 30-year mortgages
The most popular mortgage term is 30 years, but 15- and 20-year mortgages are also available. Mortgage payments are spread out monthly through the term. At the end, the loan is paid off and the borrower owns the property free and clear.
Government-backed mortgages
These loans are backed by the federal government:
FHA mortgages are backed by the Federal Housing Administration. They allow down payments as low as 3.5% and have more lenient credit score requirements than other loan programs. Borrowers must pay for mortgage insurance.
USDA mortgages, backed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and meant for rural home buyers, do not require a down payment, but borrowers must pay an upfront and annual guarantee fee, similar to mortgage insurance for FHA loans.
VA loans, backed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, are for veterans and active military members. VA mortgages require no down payment, but borrowers pay a one-time VA funding fee, which can be rolled into the loan.
Conventional loans
Conventional loans are mortgages that are not backed by the federal government. Some conventional loans have down payment requirements as low as 3% — but typically, borrowers must pay for private mortgage insurance if they put down less than 20%.
Conventional mortgages can be conforming or nonconforming. Conforming conventional mortgages fall within certain dollar amount limitations set every year by the Federal Housing Finance Agency. They also meet underwriting guidelines set by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the government-sponsored entities that buy conforming loans.
Nonconforming loans don’t abide by those limits and guidelines. For example, jumbo loans are conventional mortgages that exceed the conforming loan limits. They also typically have stricter criteria for approval than other mortgages.
What’s the credit score needed for a home loan?
The credit score needed to buy a home depends on the type of loan and the lender. Most borrowers have scores in the high 600s to 700s. FHA loans generally have the most lenient credit score requirements.
How to compare mortgage rates
You can check current mortgage rates to see the average of what lenders are offering. Then get initial quotes online from some lenders based on your location, loan term, purchase price, down payment amount and other factors.
To get a firm quote, you'll need to apply for preapproval. During the preapproval process, the lender will check your credit and verify your financial information, such as income, assets and debts.
How to shop for a mortgage lender
The time to shop for a mortgage lender is before you start house hunting. Getting preapproved for a mortgage will show real estate agents and sellers that you're a serious buyer. It's smart to get preapproved and then get Loan Estimates from more than one lender. The Loan Estimate provides details about the loan terms, monthly payment and estimated closing costs. With those pieces of information, you can compare offers and choose the best deal.
Home equity loans and lines of credit
Homeowners who want to access their home equity without refinancing or selling can take out second mortgages. A home equity loan offers access to cash based on the value of the home for any expenses, although it is recommended homeowners use the funds for upgrades and repairs that add value to the home. This loan is paid out in a lump sum that is then repaid over a specific amount of time.
A home equity line of credit, or HELOC, also offers cash but works more like a credit card, allowing a homeowner to withdraw funds multiple times, up to the limit of their credit line, during a specific period and then pay it back.
Because both of these options use the home as collateral, a homeowner must understand that failure to make payments could result in loss of the home. As with purchase loans, it’s wise to compare offers from more than one home equity lender.
More from NerdWallet:
Last updated on September 5, 2023
Methodology
NerdWallet's editorial team selected the mortgage lenders that appear on this page from our lists of best mortgage lenders for: first-time home buyers, jumbo loans, FHA loans, VA loans and home equity lines of credit. In each category, the highest-scoring lenders were selected. To ensure consistency, our ratings are reviewed by multiple people on the NerdWallet Mortgages team.
NerdWallet's Best Mortgage Lenders of September 2023
- NBKC: Best for first-time buyers and VA loans
- Pennymac: Best for online experience
- Guaranteed Rate: Best for online experience
- Bethpage Federal Credit Union: Best for HELOCs and jumbo loans
- PNC: Best for first-time buyers, jumbo loans and HELOCs
- Freedom Mortgage: Best for FHA loans
- Flagstar: Best for first-time buyers and jumbo loans
- Veterans United: Best for VA loans
- Navy Federal: Best for VA loans
- Bank of America: Best for jumbo loans
- Alliant: Best for jumbo loans
Frequently asked questions
- Which mortgage lender is the best?
The answer depends on your needs. Lenders vary by the types of loans and services they offer as well as their credit score minimums and other requirements for borrowers. The best mortgage lender is the one that offers the products you need, has requirements you can meet and charges the lowest mortgage rates and fees.
- How do I find the lender with the lowest mortgage rate?
Some lenders post mortgage rates on their websites and include tools to see how much your rate might be. But those are just estimates. You'll need to get preapproved for a mortgage to get a rate offer based on your credit score and other financial information.
- How much are closing costs?
Closing costs are the various fees and expenses you pay to finalize the mortgage. Closing costs typically run between about 2% and 5% of the loan amount. That means on a $300,000 home loan, you could pay $6,000 to $15,000 in closing costs.
- What if I can't afford closing costs?
Most state housing finance agencies offer first-time home buyer programs, which can include closing cost and down payment assistance. The assistance can come in the form of a grant, a forgivable loan or a deferred-payment loan. To qualify, you need to work with a lender approved by the state agency.
- Should I shop for a home or find a lender first?
You should shop for a lender first and get preapproved for a mortgage before shopping for a house. A mortgage preapproval shows sellers and their real estate agents that you're a serious buyer. It also indicates how much you can borrow, which will help you determine how much home you can afford.
