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Best Mortgage Refinance of 2026

To find the best mortgage lenders in the U.S., we interviewed more than a dozen experts in the mortgage industry and weighed over 16,000 data points, including the number of originations by state, types of loans offered, customer satisfaction ratings, and average credit rating and mortgage balance by state and region.

Money.com Research Team: Gabriella Cruz-Martínez Heidi Rivera Joan Pabón Colin Grubb Last Updated: March, 2026
Money's Partners
Money's Recommendation
Outstanding Customer Service
  • Outstanding Customer Service
  • Ranked highest in customer satisfaction with JD Power for 10 consecutive years
  • eClosing allows customers to close electronically and quickly
  • Multiple loan & refinance options to fit your needs
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Prequalify online in minutes with no impact to credit

  • No SSN or hard credit pull required to get credit approved
  • Low refinance rates, Cashout refinance and Home Equity financing
  • A+ rating with BBB with 21 years experience
  • Variety of loan options and closing costs. Compare AmeriSave today!
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Money's Top Picks

  • Quicken Loans

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    The reason we chose Quicken as our best overall mortgage lender is simple: their nationwide reach combined with excellent customer service. In 2019, the Mortgage Bankers Association and the Veterans Administration reported that the company originated the highest percentage of loans in almost every category, from conventional to VA loans.

    That being said, we all know size doesn't necessarily equal quality. Quicken, though, has significant strength in customer service and a surprisingly low level of complaints for an institution of its size. Quicken is rated "Among the Best" according to JD Power's Primary Mortgage Origination Satisfaction Study, which takes into account each company's application and approval process, communication, loan closing, and loan offerings. In fact, Quicken has consistently ranked highest in customer satisfaction for loan originations with JD Power for 10 consecutive years.

    Quicken's ​YOURgage​ program is another thing that sets it apart from the pack. YOURgage allows borrowers to choose the term of their fixed-rate mortgage and get a loan of up to $510,400. First-time homebuyers can pay as little as 3% down. This is especially helpful for first-time homebuyers who may not have 20% saved for a down payment.

    Finally, as Quicken has completed 96% of all electronic mortgage closings in the country, the company has a wealth of experience completing the process online, which is highly convenient for most applicants these days.

    Size, reach, and options are important, but only if the company has the customer service chops to back it up. We chose Quicken as the "best overall" mortgage lender because it is most likely to be available to you and offers solid service at the same time. However, if you're looking for something more focused on your area or needs, read on.

    LATEST NEWS AS OF JANUARY 2021

    Quicken and Covid-19

    For clients who have been impacted by COVID-19, Quicken Loans is offering an initial forbearance, which temporarily stops mortgage payments. Clients can fill out an application for assistance by visiting RocketMortgage.com. Once the crisis is over, Quicken Loans will work with clients to determine the best course of action when they are ready to resume payments. Clients won't experience an impact to their credit as a result of the forbearance.

    As for closings and appraisals, Quicken is taking precautionary measures to ensure that their signing agents and appraisers do not have COVID-19. According to their statement, in some cases, they are not required to enter your home for the time being.

  • AmeriSave

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    Best for Easy Application

    AmeriSave prides itself on providing "quotes, not estimates." The company offers a wide variety of mortgage refinancing options and its online mortgage research tool is one of the best we've come across in the industry for comparing refinancing opportunities side by side. When we tested the system, it returned about thirty loan choices with varying terms, interest rates, point options, and monthly payment calculations. (Some borrowers may prefer to pay higher costs upfront in exchange for a lower monthly payment.) Rates are updated daily to reflect changes in financial markets.

    Screenshot from AmeriSave.com 05/04/2021

    In addition, the tool was able to pull information about the property we used as our example and an estimated credit score for the applicant. That made completing loan details fast and convenient and, according to AmeriSave, resulted in more accurate quotes than we might have received from other lenders. Following our completion of the quote process, a customer service representative came online via chat to answer questions or help complete the loan application process. The representative was extremely knowledgeable and responded to a variety of detailed queries confidently and professionally. We didn't ask a single question that resulted in an "I don't know" answer.

    AmeriSave also offers a number of calculators that borrowers can use independently to learn about refinancing under their unique financial circumstances.

    Screenshot from AmeriSave.com 05/04/2021

    AmeriSave's product line is very comprehensive and includes fixed- and variable-rate mortgages, conventional and government-backed loans, and rate-and-term and cash-out refinancing options. Some loans only require a credit score of 520. The company puts homeownership and refinancing within reach of more customers.

    AmeriSave uses powerful financial technology to simplify and speed the loan process, from prequalification to closing. The company states that most loans close within seven to ten days of submitting a completed application. That's a significantly shorter period of time than borrowers typically experience. On average, it takes between 30 and 45 days to close on a refinancing mortgage.

    While highly-rated by consumer organizations like Trustpilot and the Better Business Bureau, one issue of concern is AmeriSave's somewhat spotty regulatory action history. We encourage borrowers to investigate the reputations of all lenders they're considering doing business with by visiting sites like the National Mortgage Licensing System and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau for up-to-date regulatory data.

     

     

     

Mortgage FAQs

Should I go for an adjustable- or a fixed-rate mortgage?​

Right now, I think adjustable rates don't make any sense at all because rates are so ridiculously low.

The only way that I would suggest an adjustable rate is if you're expecting some big inheritance or if you're able to pay off your mortgage in two or three years. Otherwise, it's a big risk having that adjustable rate because at this point it can only go up, so you might as well lock it in for 30 years and never worry about it again.

Tim Lucas, Managing Editor for
The Mortgage Reports

I qualify for both conventional and government-backed loans. Which one should I choose?

If you qualify for both a VA loan and a conventional loan, usually the VA loan will be the better option based on the interest rate if you select the proper lender.

Jason Sharon, Mortgage Broker, US Navy Veteran and owner of
Home Loans, Inc

According to Sharon, it's best to consider the overall costs that will be unique to your loan. VA loans, for example, never have private mortgage insurance (PMI), while conventional loans will require PMI if you make a down payment of less than 20% of the purchase price.

The Department of Veterans Affairs funds their operations and insures defaulted VA loans by charging veterans a funding fee on their loan amount at closing. That funding fee may be as low as 0.5% or as high as 3.6%.

While most VA loans will have a funding fee of 2.3%, that funding fee may be waived for veterans with a disability rating or active duty service members awarded a purple heart. On a $250,000 purchase loan, that will average $5,750, says Sharon. This amount will be added to the loan amount. Conventional loans, by contrast, do not have a funding fee.

In Sharon's opinion, choosing a VA loan could potentially save you hundreds of dollars on your mortgage in the long-run compared to opting for a conventional loan.

What documents do I need to apply?
Copies of your last two pay stubs. A copy of your most recent tax return, W-2 and/or 1099 (although some lenders may require up to two years worth of these, depending on your employment history). A state-issued photo ID, such as your passport or driver's license. Statements of all your assets (IRAs, investment accounts, checking and savings accounts, etc.). Bankruptcy discharge documents (if applicable). A recent credit report. Statements of any outstanding debts.

In some cases, lenders may require additional documentation, like a history of alimony payments and gift letters, so make sure to ask before you apply.

Will I have a higher interest rate because I'm self-employed?

No. Interest rates are typically based on your credit score and the type of loan you get.

Being s​elf-employed​ will basically affect your qualifying status. You'll have a greater chance of being denied because the underwriter for that loan is going to have a harder time proving that you make a certain amount of money.

Tim Lucas, Managing Editor for
The Mortgage Reports

If I want to buy a house, where should I start?

We spoke to Andy Harris, owner of Vantage Mortgage Group, Inc., and he suggests that getting pre-approved before you decide on a property can be crucial to avoid getting ahead of yourself and looking at homes you can't actually afford.

I think what happens is that most consumers get motivated by the piece of real estate because that's the fun part of the transaction, and that's what they're motivated to buy.

No one really wants to go through the process of setting a budget and applying for a mortgage and doing all these things, but you can't put the cart before the horse. You must be pre-approved before you start looking at properties, otherwise, you have no idea of what your target budget is.

Andy Harris, Owner of
Vantage Mortgage Group, Inc.

To Summarize: Best Mortgage Lenders of 2026

In the end, the best mortgage lender in 2026 is the one that can offer you the best terms and interest rates, plus the lowest fees.

Still, our list of top picks can serve as a starting point to simplify your journey and point you in the right direction, when looking for the right financing option to purchase the home of your dreams.

Money's Partners
Money's Recommendation
Outstanding Customer Service
  • Outstanding Customer Service
  • Ranked highest in customer satisfaction with JD Power for 10 consecutive years
  • eClosing allows customers to close electronically and quickly
  • Multiple loan & refinance options to fit your needs
View Rates

Prequalify online in minutes with no impact to credit

  • No SSN or hard credit pull required to get credit approved
  • Low refinance rates, Cashout refinance and Home Equity financing
  • A+ rating with BBB with 21 years experience
  • Variety of loan options and closing costs. Compare AmeriSave today!
View Rates