9 Best Austin Mortgage Lenders of 2022

Looking for an Austin mortgage lender? We've researched the city’s top lenders, selecting the best in various categories.

Last updated on January 6, 2022
Written by 
NerdWallet
NerdWallet
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  • 50+ mortgage lenders reviewed and rated by our team of experts.
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NerdWallet's mortgage content, including articles, reviews and recommendations, is produced by a team of writers and editors who specialize in home lending. Their work has appeared in The Associated Press, USA Today, The Washington Post, MarketWatch, Newsweek and many other national, regional and local publications. They have been cited in publications including The Wall Street Journal, and appeared on NerdWallet's "Smart Money" podcast as well as local TV and radio.

9 Best Austin Mortgage Lenders of 2022

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Lender
NerdWallet Rating
Min. credit score
Min. down payment
Learn more
Rate

Rate: NMLS#2611

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on NerdWallet
Home loans overall
Best for online experience

620

3%

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on NerdWallet
Fairway Independent Mortgage

Fairway Independent Mortgage: NMLS#2289

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at Fairway Independent Mortgage
at Fairway Independent Mortgage
2.5
/5
Home loans overall
Best for online experience

620

3%

Learn more
at Fairway Independent Mortgage
at Fairway Independent Mortgage
loanDepot

loanDepot: NMLS#174457

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4.5
/5
FHA loans
Best for FHA loans

520

3.5%

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on NerdWallet
PrimeLending

PrimeLending: NMLS#13649

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4.0
/5
VA loans
Best for VA loans

580

0%

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Caliber

Caliber: NMLS#15622

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3.5
/5
VA loans
Best for VA loans

580

0%

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on NerdWallet
Guild Mortgage

Guild Mortgage: NMLS#3274

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4.0
/5
FHA loans
Best for FHA loans

540

3.5%

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on NerdWallet
Flagstar

Flagstar: NMLS#417490

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5.0
/5
Refinancing
Best for refinancing

620

3%

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on NerdWallet
Chase

Chase: NMLS#399798

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4.5
/5
Jumbo loans
Best for jumbo loans

N/A

15%

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on NerdWallet
Bank of America

Bank of America: NMLS#399802

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5.0
/5
Jumbo loans
Best for jumbo loans

720

5%

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on NerdWallet
Rate
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Rate

Rate: NMLS#2611

5.0
Home loans overall
NerdWallet rating
Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%

Why We Like ItRate boasts a streamlined application process, with full underwriting in as little as one business day, though average fees are higher than many competitors’.
Pros
  • Fully underwritten mortgage approval in as little as one day for qualified borrowers.
  • Generous selection of loans, including government-backed, interest-only, jumbo and renovation.
  • Advertises a HELOC that can be funded in as few as five business days.
Cons
  • Origination fees are on the high side, according to the latest federal data.
  • HELOC requires immediate, full withdrawal of funds.
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Fairway Independent Mortgage
Learn more
at Fairway Independent Mortgage
at Fairway Independent Mortgage
Fairway Independent Mortgage

Fairway Independent Mortgage: NMLS#2289

2.5
Home loans overall
NerdWallet rating
Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%

Why We Like ItFairway Independent Mortgage Corporation has many brick-and-mortar branches and a reputation for top-notch customer service, but it was recently penalized for redlining.
Pros
  • Loan options include government-backed mortgages and physician loans.
  • Offers first-time home buyer grants to buyers in eligible locations.
  • Highest scoring mortgage lender for customer satisfaction, according to J.D. Power.
Cons
  • Mortgage rates aren't posted online.
  • Online customer service requires contact information and phone is for existing customers only.
  • Home equity loans and HELOCs are not available.
  • Has been penalized for redlining.
loanDepot
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loanDepot

loanDepot: NMLS#174457

4.5
Min. credit score

520

Min. down payment

3.5%

Why We Like ItGood for: borrowers who want a lender with deep experience in FHA lending.
Pros
  • Was among the top five lenders by volume for FHA lending in 2022, according to the latest federal data.
  • Online loan calculator lets borrowers compare monthly payments and lifetime interest.
  • Receives high marks for customer satisfaction, according to J.D. Power and Zillow.
Cons
  • Mortgage rates aren't available online; you'll need to contact a loan officer.
  • Origination fees for FHA loans tend to be on the high end, according to the latest federal data.
PrimeLending
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PrimeLending

PrimeLending: NMLS#13649

Min. credit score

580

Min. down payment

0%

Why We Like ItGood for: borrowers looking for closing cost assistance, as well as those seeking to renovate or to build a new home.
Pros
  • Full online application includes document uploads and automated loan updates.
  • Offers a "float-down" interest rate lock.
  • Offers government-backed mortgage and refinance options, including FHA, USDA and VA loans.
Cons
  • No online mortgage rates — you have to contact the lender for info.
  • Doesn't offer home equity products.
Caliber
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Caliber

Caliber: NMLS#15622

Min. credit score

580

Min. down payment

0%

Why We Like ItGood for: first-time home buyers, veterans and those who may have credit challenges to overcome.
Pros
  • Offers extensive educational resources for military borrowers.
  • Participates in some down payment assistance and first-time home buyer programs.
Cons
  • No mortgage rates displayed online.
  • Doesn’t offer home equity loans or lines of credit.
Guild Mortgage
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Guild Mortgage

Guild Mortgage: NMLS#3274

4.0
Min. credit score

540

Min. down payment

3.5%

Why We Like ItGood for: borrowers seeking a lender that dedicates a significant portion of its business to FHA lending.
Pros
  • Was one of the top 10 lenders by volume for FHA lending in 2022, according to the latest federal data.
  • Has retail branches in most states.
  • Receives high marks for customer satisfaction, according to J.D. Power and Zillow.
Cons
  • Origination fees for FHA loans tend to be on the high end, according to the latest federal data.
Flagstar
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Flagstar

Flagstar: NMLS#417490

5.0
Min. credit score

620

National / regional

National

Why We Like ItGood for: Borrowers who may benefit from Flagstar’s unique loan options, such as ITIN loans, loans for manufactured homes or physician loans.
Pros
  • 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.
Cons
  • 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.
Chase
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Chase

Chase: NMLS#399798

4.5
National / regional

National

Min. down payment

15%

Why We Like ItGood for: conventional borrowers and those interested in loans with low down payment requirements.
Pros
  • Offers two proprietary loans with low down payment requirements.
  • Provides customizable sample rates.
  • Receives high marks for customer satisfaction, according to J.D. Power and Zillow.
Cons
  • Borrowers must apply for prequalification before accessing a full online application.
  • Origination fees are higher than average, according to the latest federal data.
  • Borrowers may be frustrated with the lender’s website experience.
Bank of America
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Bank of America

Bank of America: NMLS#399802

5.0
Min. credit score

720

Min. down payment

5%

Why We Like ItGood for: low- to moderate-income buyers who qualify for down payment or closing cost assistance programs and homeowners interested in a home equity line of credit.
Pros
  • Offers down payment and closing cost assistance programs.
  • Existing customers who meet certain qualifications can receive a discount on mortgage lender origination fees and HELOC interest rates.
  • Receives high marks for customer satisfaction, according to J.D. Power and Zillow.
Cons
  • Doesn't offer renovation or construction-to-permanent mortgage loans.
  • Must enroll in online banking to access Home Loan Navigator.
  • Fined $12 million for reporting inaccurate mortgage applicant info to the federal government.

Local mortgage lenders in Austin

These lenders are based in Austin, know the city well and are experienced in mortgage lending. They have not been reviewed by NerdWallet.

  • Plenty of mortgage options from one of Austin's busiest mortgage lenders.

  • Offers an array of fixed-rate and adjustable-rate mortgages.

  • Products include VA loans for active-duty military and veterans; Community Hero loans for teachers, firefighters, police officers and military; and Medical Community loans for doctors and nurses.

  • Mortgage services from application to closing are handled by UFCU and not outsourced to a third party.

  • Loans to buy land are available.

  • Members may use a mobile app to begin the application process.

  • Works with home buyers who want to participate in Texas' home buyer assistance programs.

  • Participates in Texas bond programs to provide down payment assistance as well as tax credits.

  • Conventional loans with minimum 3% down payment and minimum credit score 620.

  • Offers FHA loans with minimum 620 credit score and VA loans, which don't require a down payment.

  • Offers borrowers a wide choice of mortgage programs from a homegrown lender.

  • Offers fixed-rate, adjustable-rate, VA, USDA, FHA, jumbo and construction loans.

  • You can start the application online and track the mortgage status.

  • Click to schedule a call from a loan officer if you prefer to speak to someone before or during application.

  • Options for home buyers and refinancers who want to get a mortgage from a local credit union.

  • Offers 15- and 30-year fixed-rate loans and 5/5 and 10/10 ARMs.

  • Down payments on fixed-rate loans as low as 5%.

  • Apply for a mortgage pre-qualification online in English or Spanish.

  • Join by making a one-time $10 payment to the A+ Education Foundation or being affiliated with a qualifying school, business or organization.

More from NerdWallet

Last updated on January 6, 2022

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 Austin Mortgage Lenders of 2022

  • Rate: Best for online experience
  • Fairway Independent Mortgage: Best for online experience
  • loanDepot: Best for FHA loans
  • PrimeLending: Best for VA loans
  • Caliber: Best for VA loans
  • Guild Mortgage: Best for FHA loans
  • Flagstar: Best for refinancing
  • Chase: Best for jumbo loans
  • Bank of America: Best for jumbo loans
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