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9 Best 15-Year Fixed-Rate Mortgage Lenders of 2020

NerdWalletOctober 19, 2020

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If you're looking for a 15-year fixed-rate mortgage, NerdWallet has selected some of the best 15-year, fixed-rate lenders of 2020 in a variety of categories.

While 30-year fixed-rate loans are the most common type of mortgage, some home buyers seek a 15-year mortgage with a lower interest rate, which can provide major savings over the life of the loan. The tradeoff is that the monthly payments are higher due to the shorter loan term.

If you can handle the larger payment, browse NerdWallet’s selection of some of the best national mortgage lenders for 15-year loans to help you choose the best one for your needs.

Summary of Best 15-Year Fixed-Rate Mortgage Lenders of 2020

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at Rocket Mortgage

Rocket Mortgage by Quicken Loans: NMLS#3030

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Min. Credit Score

620

Min. Down Payment

3%

at Rocket Mortgage

Why we like it

Good for: borrowers who appreciate smartphone and online convenience for a fully digital home loan experience powered by Quicken Loans.

Pros

  • Caters to self-service users who want to apply for a home loan online and talk to a human only as necessary.

  • Estimates the loan amount you’ll qualify for within minutes.

  • Offers document and asset retrieval capabilities.

Cons

  • If you’re a “look me in the eye” type of customer, you’re out of luck.

  • Getting a customized interest rate requires a credit check, which can lower your credit score by a few points.

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at New American

New American Funding: NMLS#6606

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Min. Credit Score

700

Min. Down Payment

3%

National / Regional

National

at New American

Why we like it

Ideal for borrowers who need to be evaluated on the basis of nontraditional credit. New American Funding offers FHA and VA loans, works with down payment assistance programs, and helps borrowers whose credit histories don't fit the mold of traditional banking.

Pros

  • Uses manual underwriting to evaluate creditworthiness.

  • Offers full online mortgage application, rate quotes, document upload and loan tracking.

  • Home equity lending sets it apart from most non-bank lenders.

Cons

  • Services not available in all 50 states.

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at Guaranteed Rate

Guaranteed Rate: NMLS#2611

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Min. Credit Score

620

Min. Down Payment

3%

at Guaranteed Rate

Why we like it

Good for borrowers seeking conventional or government-backed loans, and a totally online experience.

Pros

  • Offers the ability to securely upload and digitally sign loan documents.

  • Displays detailed sample rates for many of its loan products.

Cons

  • Doesn't offer home equity loans or lines of credit.

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at Reali Loans

Reali Loans: NMLS#991397

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Min. Credit Score

620

National / Regional

Regional

at Reali Loans

Why we like it

Good for: borrowers looking for an online mortgage application experience.

Pros

  • Offers a completely online application process.

  • Provides customized rate quotes online.

Cons

  • No FHA, VA or USDA refinance products.

  • Available only in a dozen states.

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Read review

Chase: NMLS#399798

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Min. Credit Score

620

National / Regional

National

Read review

Why we like it

Ideal for refinancing any way you want: in person, online or over the phone. With branch locations in 22 states, Chase has a strong face-to-face presence, but refinancers can apply through other channels, too.

Pros

  • Fixed- and adjustable-rate refinance options.

  • Aims to close all refinance transactions in 60 days or less.

  • Customized rate quotes available online without providing personal info.

Cons

  • Physical locations not available in all states.

  • Charges an origination fee as well as other third-party fees for refinances.

  • You must speak with a mortgage banker to be approved.

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Read review

Bank of America: NMLS#399802

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Min. Credit Score

620

Min. Down Payment

3%

Read review

Why we like it

Ideal for borrowers who prefer a traditional bank. Bank of America offers a wide array of mortgages and online account management tools. It also has first-time home buyer loans with low down payments and no mandatory mortgage insurance.

Pros

  • Allows borrowers to apply entirely online.

  • Offers down payment and closing cost assistance programs.

  • May give existing customers a discount on mortgage lender origination fees.

Cons

  • Does not offer renovation loans.

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Read review

Chase: NMLS#399798

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Min. Credit Score

620

Min. Down Payment

3%

Read review

Why we like it

Good for borrowers who want to choose among a wide array of mortgage types from a bank with offices in more than half the states that charges below-average origination fees.

Pros

  • Allows electronic submission and tracking of loan documents.

  • Carries a wide variety of mortgage types and products.

  • Generally offers good rates and charges reasonable fees.

Cons

  • Doesn't offer home improvement loans, such as FHA 203(k) and HomeStyle.

  • You have to speak with a home loan advisor to complete the application.

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Read review

Connexus: NMLS#649316

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Min. Credit Score

640

Min. Down Payment

3%

Read review

Why we like it

Good for: home buyers who want a low-down-payment conventional mortgage.

Pros

  • Offers a range of fixed-rate and adjustable-rate mortgages in most states.

  • Displays sample rates for its entire array of loan products, and you don't need to provide personal information to get a custom rate quote.

Cons

  • Does not offer FHA, VA or USDA loans.

  • Lacks document upload and online loan tracking capabilities.

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Alliant: NMLS#197185

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National / Regional

National

Min. Down Payment

3%

Read review

Why we like it

Good for: for first-time home buyers who want to avoid mortgage insurance and prefer a digital application process.

Pros

  • Low- or no-down-payment options with no mortgage insurance.

  • Mortgages are available for non-warrantable condominiums.

Cons

  • Does not offer government-backed mortgages, like FHA and VA loans.

  • Does not offer renovation mortgages.

Read Full Review

Last updated on October 19, 2020

Methodology

NerdWallet's star ratings for mortgage lenders are awarded based on our evaluation of the products and services each lender offers to consumers who are actively shopping for the best mortgage. The five key areas we evaluated include the variety of loan types and products offered, online conveniences, online mortgage rate information, and the rate spread and origination fee lenders reported in the latest available Home Mortgage Disclosure Act data. To ensure consistency, our ratings are reviewed by multiple people on the NerdWallet Mortgages team.

To recap our selections...

NerdWallet's Best 15-Year Fixed-Rate Mortgage Lenders of 2020