8 Best Mortgage Lenders of December 2021

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

• Quicken Loans – Most Customizable Loans
• LendingTree – Best Marketplace
• Navy Federal – Best In-person Lender for Military Members
• Guild Mortgage – Best for First-Time Homebuyers
• Caliber Home Loans – Best for Self-Employed Individuals
• Veterans United – Best Online Lender for Military Members
• Bank of America – Best National Bank
• Better Mortgage – Best for Fast Closing Time

Best Mortgage Lender Reviews

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 products, 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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 products, competitive closing costs, interest rate estimates, and broad reach makes 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.

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

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 300 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

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

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

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%

How Much Will I Pay For My Mortgage?

Mortgage Loans Guide

How do mortgages work?

Mortgages are loans given by financial institutions for the purpose of purchasing or refinancing a property. The home you’re buying with a mortgage loan serves as your collateral. If you’re unable to make your mortgage payments, the bank will seize your property.

Financing your new home with a mortgage means that your lender is taking on a financial stake in the property. In some cases — such as with conventional loans with less than 20% down payment — lenders may require borrowers to have homeowners insurance to protect their investment.

If you’re thinking about refinancing your home, check our mortgage refinance calculator and our list of the best mortgage refinance companies to get started.

Type of mortgage loans

Mortgage companies offer several loan products with varying terms and interest rates to fit the needs of homebuyers.

Conventional loans: The most common type of mortgage loan. Typically offered by private lenders (as opposed to loans backed by government programs), they have a loan amount limit of $489,350 in most counties and $726,525 in more expensive areas. Homeowners’ insurance is generally required if the borrower gives less than 20%.

Jumbo loans: Jumbo loans are designed for properties exceeding the limit of $489,350. Non-conforming jumbo loans are meant for properties worth between $1-2 million. Both conforming and non-conforming loans require good credit and a sizable down payment to qualify.

FHA loans: A Federal Home Administration loan protects the lender from default. If the borrower stops making payments on their loan, the FHA pays the lender the unpaid balance on the mortgage. Mortgage rates tend to be lower than conventional loans because of this guarantee by the FHA.

VA loans: Available to service members, veterans and eligible surviving spouses, this loan offers competitive interest rates and doesn’t require a down payment or private mortgage insurance. However, it requires a VA funding fee. VA loans include options for Native American veterans, refinancing and remodeling a home for easier access for the disabled.
For more information about VA loans, check out our guide to the best VA loans.

USDA loans: This loan supports low-income borrowers in rural areas. No down payment is required, and it offers competitive interest rates, flexible credit score requirements, and low monthly mortgage insurance.

Reverse loans: A reverse mortgage allows homeowners age 62 or older to convert part of their home equity into cash without having to sell their property. Generally, as long as they live in the house, they don’t have to pay back the loan — however, there are caveats. Homeowners under the age of 62 can look into home equity loans, which are similar in concept, though with different repayment rules.

Local loans: Provided by local financial institutions, these lenders have developed relationships with other local businesses, including real estate agents, local appraisers, and interior designers. These local lenders can be especially helpful when procuring home services not directly associated with your mortgage process.

Types of mortgage rates

There are a variety of costs associated with a mortgage.

The annual percentage rate (APR) is more than just your interest rate, and may include anything from interest to brokerage fees and other charges established by the lender.
When looking for a loan, always look at the most current mortgage rates.

Lenders typically divide their products between fixed-rate mortgages and adjustable-rate mortgages.

Fixed-Rates	Adjustable-Rate (ARM)
Interest rate doesn't change during the loan term	Interest rates can change during the loan term. By law, ARMs have a lifetime cap, which limits the interest rate raise on the loan
Monthly payments stay the same during the loan term	Monthly payments may vary depending on interest rate fluctuation.
A good option for homebuyers planning to stay for a long time in the house	A better option for homebuyers who plan to live in the house for a shorter amount of time
Three terms for fixed-rate mortgages: 15- year, 20- year, and 30- year	ARMs have an adjustment period where the initial payment and rate for the loan will stay the same for an established period. It can be between 1 month and 5 years. Afterward, rates can change every quarter, year, 3 years, or 5 years
	APR will not always reflect the maximum interest rate for the loan

How to get a mortgage loan

Getting mortgage pre-approval before deciding on a property can be crucial. It will save you time and make the mortgage process more manageable. Check our home affordability calculator to see how much you’ll be able to afford in monthly mortgage payments.

Documents needed to apply for a mortgage:

1. Copies of your two most recent pay stubs
2. A copy of your most recent tax return
3. W-2 and/or 1099 (some lenders may require up to two years’ worth of these, depending on your employment history)
4. A state-issued photo ID, such as your passport or driver’s license
5. Statements of all your assets (IRAs, investment accounts, checking and savings accounts, etc.)
6. Bankruptcy discharge documents (if applicable)
7. A recent credit report (typically obtained by the lender)
8. Records of any outstanding debts, such as credit card and student loan payments.
9. In some cases, lenders may require additional documentation, like a history of alimony payments and gift letters, so make sure to ask before applying.

Before applying for a mortgage, make sure to check your credit score. It is also important to compare mortgage lenders.

Even though lenders will pull your credit — and it is considered a hard credit inquiry — your score will not be affected if all the inquiries are done within 30 days. Credit reporting agencies recognize this as shopping around for the best mortgage rate.

Lastly, check your debt-to-income ratio before applying. Lenders prefer borrowers with a debt-to-income ratio lower than 36%, and many lenders will not even consider borrowers with a ratio higher than 43%.

To answer some of the questions in this section, we contacted Tim Lucas, Managing Editor for The Mortgage Reports; Jason Sharon, mortgage broker, US Navy Veteran, and owner of Home Loans, Inc; and Andy Harris, owner of Vantage Mortgage Group, Inc.

How We Chose the Best Mortgage Lenders

Our rankings were determined based on the following categories:

• Types of loans offered: We favored companies that offered a variety of loan options, such as fixed- and adjustable-rate mortgages, term-lengths, and loans backed by government agencies.
• Customer experience: We favored companies that consider alternative credit data, provide a streamlined application process, at least two forms of customer service, and a variety of resources and educational tools.
• Reputation and transparency: We evaluated consumer complaints with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the number of regulatory actions filed with the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System

Over the course of our research, we consulted the following expert sources:

• The Mortgage Bankers Association
• Veterans Administration’s 2020 list of lenders by loan volume
• J.D. Power’s 2020 U.S. Primary Mortgage Origination Satisfaction Study
• 2020 Residential Originations Databook
• Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)
• Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System (NMLS)

Summary of Money’s Best Mortgage Lenders of December 2021

COMPANY and SPECIALTY	MINIMUM CREDIT SCORE	MINIMUM DOWN PAYMENT
Quicken Loans - Most Customizable Loans	620	3%
LendingTree - Best Marketplace	~585 (recommended)	n/a
Navy Federal - Best for Military Members (In-Person)	620	0%
Guild Mortgage - Best for First-Time Homebuyers	620	3%
Veterans United - Best for Military Members (Online)	660	0%
Caliber Home Loans - Best for Self-employed Individuals	580	3%
Bank of America - Best National Bank	620	3%
Better Mortgage - Best for Fast Closing Time	620	3%