8 Best Mortgage Lenders of January 2022

A mortgage is one of the largest loans you’ll ever take out. Since, in most cases, you'll be paying it for decades, securing a low interest rate can save you tens of thousands of dollars.

Comparing loan terms such as mortgage rates, fees and closing time are steps that every home buyer should take before settling on a lender.

The best mortgage lenders not only offer lower interest rates, but also feature loans for consumers with different types of credit. They should also have a streamlined mortgage pre-qualification and application process and as clean a record as possible with regulating agencies.

Read on for our review on the best mortgage lenders in the market today. And, if you’d like a better idea of exactly how much you’d be paying a month given your particular circumstances, make sure to check out our mortgage calculator.

 

Our Top Picks for Best Mortgage Lenders


Most Customizable Loans: Quicken Loans

PROS
  • First-time homebuyers can pay as little as 3% down
  • Best in customer satisfaction in J.D. Power study
  • Representatives are available every day of the week during flexible hours

CONS
  • No home equity loans or home equity lines available
  • No brick and mortar locations

HIGHLIGHTS
  • Type of Loans - Purchase, Jumbo, Refinance, Fixed, Adjustable, FHA, VA
  • Minimum Down Payment - 3%
  • Minimum Credit Score - 580


Why we chose this company: While most competitors stick to the traditional 15- or 30-year mortgage terms, Quicken’s YOURgage program gives borrowers the option of choosing terms ranging between 8 and 29 years.

Quicken Loans, offered by Rocket Mortgage, is the largest retail lender in the US, offering a variety of mortgage options, including conventional mortgages, ARM, FHA, VA, and jumbo loans. Aside from the traditional 15- and 30-year mortgages, the lender also has loans with flexible terms between 8 and 29 years.

Quicken’s YOURgage program sets it apart from other online lenders by allowing borrowers to choose the term of their fixed-rate loan (outside of traditional 15 and 30-year terms) and borrow up to $548,250.

And, if you haven’t saved the traditional 20% and can only give a small down payment, Quicken has options — some loans allow first-time homebuyers to put as little as 3% down.

Quicken also stands out for the high quality of its customer experience, as evidenced by the results of J.D. Power’s 2020 U.S. Primary Mortgage Origination Satisfaction Study. Customers are able to speak with one of the company’s 3,000+ mortgage bankers 24/7 and may fully process their loan online in all 50 states.

Moreover, because Quicken services 99% of its mortgages, it keeps a stable line of support from start to finish, instead of handing customers off to another company midway through the process.


Best Marketplace: LendingTree Mortgage

PROS
  • Compare offers from over 1,500 lenders in minutes
  • Comprehensive learning resources available

CONS
  • You could receive multiple phone calls or emails from different lenders competing for your business

HIGHLIGHTS
  • Type of Loans - Purchase, Jumbo, Refinance, Fixed, Adjustable, FHA, VA, USDA (specifics vary by lender)
  • Minimum Down Payment - Varies by lender
  • Minimum Credit Score  ~585 (recommended)


Why we chose this company: LendingTree’s large network of lenders and straightforward quote comparison process makes it our pick for the best mortgage marketplace.

LendingTree is one of the best mortgage marketplaces around, letting you compare loans from over 1,500 different lenders. You can compare lender offers online through a three-step process: you answer a series of questions, compare offers side by side and discuss your options with a loan officer.

LendingTree will ask for your income, assets, education, debts, occupation and length of time at your job, and SSN at the beginning of the quoting process. The company then runs a credit check and uses your FICO score to match you with lenders from their network. Finally, you’ll be contacted by up to five lenders after they’ve put together a preliminary quote.

LendingTree also offers plenty of resources regarding mortgages and loans, including a glossary of loan terminology, current rates for all types of home loans, several calculators, and a national loan officer directory. It also features reviews so users can read about experiences other customers have had with each lender.


Best In-Person Lender for Military Members: Navy Federal

PROS
  • 324 branches nationwide, catering to military members, reservists, veterans, retirees, and annuitants
  • Up to 100% financing and 0% down payment options available
  • Rate loan match available

CONS
  • Doesn't offer customized rates unless you apply
  • No private mortgage insurance

HIGHLIGHTS
  • Type of Loans - Purchase, Jumbo, Refinance, Fixed, Adjustable, FHA, VA, USDA
  • Minimum Down Payment - 0%
  • Minimum Credit Score - 660


Why we chose this company: A combination of its 324 branches nationwide, as well as full in-house servicing of their loans makes Navy Federal Credit Union our best in-person lender for military members.

With its 324 branches, Navy Federal Credit Union (NFCU) ranks as our best lender for in-person assistance for military members. NFCU services all of its mortgages in-house for the life of the loans, which can be important for customers looking to do business solely with their chosen lender. Furthermore, borrowers need fewer mortgage points to access the lowest available rates.

VA loans are government-backed, so they don’t feature the same interest rate across lenders. However, borrowers looking into mortgage products through NFCU can take advantage of its rate loan match. If you find a better rate elsewhere, NFCU will match it or discount $1,000 from your closing costs.

First-time applicants also have access to the Freedom Lock feature, which allows you to lock in a lower interest rate, if one becomes available. Borrowers are allowed up to two locks with a minimum interest decrease of 0.50%.

Navy Federal’s HomeBuyers Choice program is a standout option in the company’s line of financial products. It offers 100% financing, a fixed interest rate, and a seller contribution of up to 6%. This makes it a strong alternative for members of the military who are buying their first home.

Navy Federal membership is open to active-duty military members as well as reservists, veterans, retirees and annuitants.


Best for First-time Home Buyers: Guild Mortgage

PROS
  • One of the nation's top five lenders of FHA loans
  • Specific programs for low-income borrowers available
  • Home improvement and manufactured home mortgage loans available
  • Matches customers with down payment aid

CONS
  • No current mortgage rates on its website
  • No home equity products available
  • Unavailable in NY and NJ

HIGHLIGHTS
  • Types of Loans - Purchase, Jumbo, Refinance, Fixed, Adjustable, FHA, VA, USDA
  • Minimum Down Payment - 0%
  • Minimum Credit Score - 620


Why we chose this company: Guild’s low credit score requirements and down payment assistance programs make it a great choice for first-time homebuyers.

Guild Mortgage offers government-backed FHA, VA, and USDA loans and programs that specialize in down-payment assistance, including bridge loans that can help you secure a new primary residence while you wait to sell your current home.

According to the Mortgage Bankers Association Report (MBA), Guild is among the nation’s top five lenders of FHA loans, making it an excellent option for qualifying borrowers with credit scores as low as 540 (provided they put at least 10% down).

Guild also offers an FHA Zero Down program for low to moderate-income homebuyers with below-average credit (generally under 700) and who don’t have enough saved up for a down payment.

While most FHA loans require at least 3.5% down, Guild’s Zero Down program allows applicants with credit scores as low as 640 to get an FHA home loan without the need for a down payment.

Guild can originate loans in Washington D.C. and all but two states — New York and New Jersey. Additionally, the company can fully close mortgages online via its digital platform, MyMortgage, which provides added security and can help speed up the closing process.


Best Online Lender for Military Members: Veterans United

PROS
  • Competitive interest rates
  • No down payment or PMI required
  • Online credit counseling program available for borrowers with poor credit history

CONS
  • No home equity loans available
  • Only has physical branches in 18 states

HIGHLIGHTS
  • Type of Loans - Purchase, Jumbo, Refinance, Fixed, Adjustable, FHA, VA, USDA
  • Minimum Down Payment - 0%
  • Minimum Credit Score - 620


Why we chose this company: Veterans United’s robust online platform and online credit counseling program make it a solid choice for active-duty military members who may not have the time to visit a physical branch.

Veterans United specializes in loans backed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and is a great option for active-duty service members and reservists, as well as veterans and their families.

Unlike some of its competitors, Veterans United doesn’t offer home equity loans or home equity lines of credit (HELOCs).

VU also offers a free online credit counseling program for veterans and service members with low credit scores called the Lighthouse Program. A credit specialist is assigned to each customer to help fix errors on credit reports, map out a score improvement plan, and advise the borrower until they reach their credit score goal.

VU’s mortgage programs are available in all 50 states and Washington DC. However, keep in mind that the lender only has physical branches in the states of Alabama, Alaska, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Kentucky, Nebraska, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington.


Best for Self-Employed Individuals: Caliber Home Loans

HIGHLIGHTS
  • Types of Loans - Purchase, Jumbo, Refinance, Fixed, Adjustable, FHA, VA, USDA
  • Minimum Down Payment - 3%
  • Minimum Credit Score - 580 for VA loans


Why we chose this company: Caliber’s accepts non-traditional credit information when evaluating loan applications, which greatly favors self-employed individuals and anyone with little to no traditional credit experience.

Caliber’s low minimum credit score requirements their Smartself program — a program tailored specifically to self-employed individuals — make it much easier for borrowers to prove how much they earn even without traditional income sources.

The company also considers alternative credit data during the mortgage application process. In many cases, these alternative sources of credit history can prevent borrowers from getting the best deals. However, Caliber claims borrowers with this alternative credit data can secure down payments as low as 3% on conventional loans.

Caliber Home Loans has one of the largest selections of mortgage products of all the companies on our list, including Conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, ARM, Refinance, Bond, Renovation, Freddie Mac HomeOne, Freddie Mac Home Possible, and Fannie Mae HomeReady.

Unlike many competitors on this list, Caliber offers a disaster relief option, which allows you to pause mortgage payments for a period of time if you’re impacted by a natural disaster. Bear in mind that you do need to file a claim with your insurance agency before reaching out to Caliber to be eligible for the option.

Caliber’s online application process is another standout feature. Customers can apply online by answering a few questions about themselves, their finances and their budget. A representative contacts applicants shortly after, and the process can reportedly take as little as 15 minutes.


Best National Bank: Bank of America

PROS
  • Numerous retail and lending centers available nationwide
  • Down payment and closing costs assistance program
  • Online application

CONS
  • Rates shown are for a credit score of 740 or higher
  • Fee information isn't available online
  • No renovation loans available

HIGHLIGHTS
  • Type of Loans - Purchase, Jumbo, Refinance, Fixed, Adjustable, FHA, VA
  • Minimum Down Payment - 3%
  • Minimum Credit Score - 620


Why we chose this company: With more than 4,300 branches and 2,900 lending centers, Bank of America is the most accessible national bank for mortgage borrowers.

Bank of America’s diverse selection of mortgage options, competitive closing costs, interest rate estimates, and broad reach make it a solid lender choice overall. It’s an even better choice for existing members, as the bank may offer them significant discounts on origination fees.

We chose Bank of America as our best national bank based on their more than 4,300 branches and 2,900 lending centers throughout the country. As a result, accessibility is one of the bank’s strong points, especially for clients who prefer face-to-face interaction.

The bank also allows borrowers to apply and pre-qualify online. Bank of America’s Home Loan Navigator, which can be accessed on the web or through the bank’s mobile app, lets users track, sign, and submit documents online.


Best for Fast Closing Time: Better Mortgage

PROS
  • No origination, underwriting, or application fees
  • Assistance programs for down payment and closing costs
  • Representatives available every day until 9 pm ET

CONS
  • Doesn't offer customizable terms
  • No VA, USDA, FHA, home equity, or home improvement loans
  • Not available in Hawaii, Massachusetts, Nevada, or New Hampshire

HIGHLIGHTS
  • Type of Loans - Purchase, Jumbo, Refinance, Fixed, Adjustable
  • Minimum Down Payment - 3%
  • Minimum Credit Score - 620


Why we chose this company: Better Mortgage offers a fast and streamlined document submission process, which results in faster closing times for many of their customers.

Better Mortgage is an online alternative to traditional brick-and-mortar lenders. Thanks to this business model, Better has lower operating costs, which can translate into savings on some of their products. Despite this focus on the digital, borrowers also have access to a dedicated loan officer.

Speed is another of Better’s strong suits. Consumers can obtain a rate quote and a letter of pre-approval in just a few minutes. Better also affirms that it has an average loan closing time of 32 days, which is significantly faster than the national average. (Ellie Mae, a leading mortgage software company, reports the national average to be 44 days.) While these claims are difficult to verify, many customer reviews do mention they were able to close on their loans in one or two months, which is pretty good for this type of transaction.

Lastly, Better offers a price guarantee, promising to match any valid competitor’s offer and credit you $100.




Other mortgage lenders we considered

When we looked at the mortgage lending industry, we found that many of the biggest home loan lenders didn’t necessarily offer the best products. However, they might excel in other areas. The following are lenders that were considered for top spots, but ultimately didn’t make the cut:

 

Guaranteed Rate: Good for fully online loan applications

PROS
  • Allow borrowers to upload and e-sign documents
  • Provides sample rates for many of its loan products
  • Participates in down payment assistance programs: HomeReady, HomePossible®, Fannie Mae 97%, and Freddie Mac HomeOne
  • Over 350 branches across 50 states

CONS
  • No home equity products
  • Not available in Mississippi, Vermont, or West Virginia


Guaranteed Rate is another online mortgage lender that allows for a fully digital process that can be tracked via an interactive checklist. That said, borrowers who also want a physical branch can visit one of the lender’s over 450 branches across 46 states.

Guaranteed Rate has a full suite of comprehensive educational resources, including a Know Your Neighborhood feature (in beta) that gives borrowers the ability to view market and population trends by zip code, as well as school data and taxes.

While this lender includes a mortgage affordability calculator on their website, it's unclear if the numbers provided take into account any mortgage points purchased by the borrower.

  • Loan Types – Purchase, Jumbo, Refinance, Fixed, Adjustable, FHA, VA, USDA
  • Minimum Down Payment – 3%

 

Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation: Good for online and offline resources

PROS
  • Proprietary FairwayNOW app serves as a one-stop shop for documents, communications, and more
  • Offers physician mortgage loans
  • Flexible term options for fixed-rate loans

CONS
  • No home equity loan or lines of credit available
  • Interest rates and minimum credit score requirements not available upfront

Fairway Independent combines its over 400 branches across 48 states with a comprehensive mobile app to bring customers greater options for consulting with their loan officers. Their FairwayNOW app helps streamline the document submission process while also providing useful payment calculators and a direct line of communication with your loan officer.

In addition to their wide variety of loan products, it also offers flexible mortgage terms of 10,15, 20, 25 and 30 years. Their most notable products are physician loans, which are specially designed to help physicians currently saddled with student loan debt.

While Fairway Independent receives overall favorable reviews, it doesn’t publish any of their rates, credit score requirements and minimum down payments online. Instead, you must reach out to a Fairway Independent agent in order to access this information.

  • Loan Types - Purchase, Jumbo, Refinance, ARM, FHA, Reverse Mortgage, USDA, VA
  • Minimum Down Payment - 5%

 

PrimeLending: Good for home renovation loans

PROS
  • Proprietary Loanplicity® app guides borrowers through the entire process, from application to closing
  • Ample selection of mortgage products
  • Participates in over eight closing cost and down payment assistance programs
  • No lending fees on any VA loan, including renovation
  • Float-down rate lock option available within 20 days of closing, if rates drop

CONS
  • No home equity products
  • Must speak with a loan officer before an online application
  • Qualifying requirements not published


PrimeLending has one of the broadest range of loan products of all the companies on our list, including some unique options, such as pool escrow loans, energy-efficient mortgages, and FHA 203(k) renovation loans. Additionally, with its Neighborhood Edge program, low- to moderate-income borrowers can receive up to $2,000 in closing credits, based on income and area.

While PrimeLending’s selection is certainly wide, the lender could be more transparent regarding its requirements for borrowers. Further, though the company touts its online availability, potential homebuyers must first speak with a loan officer before completing an application.

  • Loan Types – Purchase, Jumbo, Refinance, Fixed, Adjustable, FHA, VA, USDA, Home Renovation, Manufactured Home
  • Minimum Down Payment – Not disclosed

 

Flagstar Bank: Good for loan variety

PROS
  • Over 2,000 mortgage brokers in the U.S. and service loans in every state
  • Offers some options that don't require down payments
  • Has several specialized products, such as multiple properties or high balance loans
  • Borrowers are assigned a single loan advisor and loan processor
  • Rates easily accessible

CONS
  • Home equity products not available nationwide but primarily concentrated in Michigan
  • Home equity products have an annual $7 fee and must be taken out in person
  • A high number of complaints in the CFPB database related to trouble during the payment process


Better known as a mortgage servicer than an originator, Flagstar nonetheless offers a full suite of loans, including home equity products and several specialty loans.
Some examples of the latter include the Professional loan, aimed at recent graduates with high earning potential. In some cases, Flagstar may even exclude some student loan debt from its DTI calculation.

  • Loan Types – Purchase, Jumbo, Refinance, Fixed, Adjustable, FHA, VA, USDA, Home Renovation, Manufactured Homes
  • Minimum Down Payment – 3%

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