BEST OF

10 Best Charlotte Mortgage Lenders of 2021

If you’re looking for a mortgage in the Charlotte, North Carolina, metro area, you have many lenders to choose from. Here are the best options for you.

NerdWalletJan 21, 2021
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Charlotte, North Carolina, offers such a wide variety of mortgage lenders that it can be hard to pick one. NerdWallet evaluated Charlotte's leading mortgage companies in various categories to help you decide. Whether you're buying a bungalow in Dilworth or refinancing a condo in Uptown, these national and local lenders are a solid place to start.

» MORE: Learn about North Carolina first-time home buyer programs

Summary of Best Charlotte Mortgage Lenders of 2021

Quicken Loans
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at Quicken Loans

Quicken Loans: NMLS#3030

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
Quicken Loans

Min. Credit Score

580

Min. Down Payment

3.5%
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at Quicken Loans

Why we like it

Good for: borrowers looking for just about all of the services your neighborhood lender offers — with online convenience.

Pros

  • Quicken Loans couples a fully online application with available mortgage advisors for those who want a human touch.

  • Instantly verifies employment and income for many working Americans.

  • Offers custom fixed-rate loan terms that are between eight and 30 years.

  • Provides a wide variety of loan types, including renovation loans and all government-backed mortgage products.

Cons

  • Quicken Loans doesn't offer home equity loans or HELOCs.

  • Quicken's lender fees can be stout and it doesn't offset those fees with particularly low mortgage rates.

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Fairway Independent Mortgage
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at Fairway Independent Mortgage

Fairway Independent Mortgage: NMLS#2289

4.0

NerdWallet rating 
Fairway Independent Mortgage

Min. Credit Score

640

Min. Down Payment

3.5%
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at Fairway Independent Mortgage

Why we like it

Good for: borrowers who want access to a wide variety of mortgages and the convenience of a comprehensive mobile application process.

Pros

  • Offers a robust suite of loan products, including a variety of renovation loans.

  • Has a digital application that can be completed in 10 minutes.

  • Works with some state housing finance agencies to offer mortgages with down payment and closing cost assistance.

Cons

  • Mortgage rates aren't posted online.

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Bank of America
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Bank of America: NMLS#399802

5.0

NerdWallet rating 
Bank of America

Min. Credit Score

620

National / Regional

National
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Why we like it

Good for: borrowers who like options. Bank of America offers multiple refinance loans, including FHA, VA and cash-out.

Pros

  • Offers refinance mortgages with fixed and adjustable rates.

  • Allows borrowers to apply entirely online.

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

Cons

  • Does not offer renovation loans.

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BB&T (Truist)
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BB&T (Truist): NMLS#399803

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
BB&T (Truist)

Min. Credit Score

620

Min. Down Payment

3%
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Why we like it

BB&T excels in online convenience and offers a good variety of loan types, but has a limited physical presence outside the Southeast.

Pros

  • Offers a variety of low-down-payment mortgages as well as construction mortgages.

  • Website lets users estimate rates online by loan and property type, amount and location.

  • Has an online mortgage application.

Cons

  • Branches limited to mostly the Southeast region.

  • Does not offer FHA loans.

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SunTrust (Truist)
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SunTrust (Truist): NMLS#2915

5.0

NerdWallet rating 
SunTrust (Truist)

Min. Credit Score

N/A

Min. Down Payment

N/A
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Why we like it

Good for: first-time home buyers, doctors and other borrowers interested in low-down-payment mortgage options.

Pros

  • Offers a wide variety of loan options, including special programs for doctors, entrepreneurs and other professionals.

  • Offers a complete suite of online mortgage application tools and loan tracking.

  • Sample rates and fees are easy to find on the website.

Cons

  • Customized rates aren't available online without starting an application.

  • Branches are limited mostly to the Southeast.

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loanDepot
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at loanDepot

loanDepot: NMLS#174457

3.5

NerdWallet rating 
loanDepot

Min. Credit Score

580

Min. Down Payment

3.5%
Learn more

at loanDepot

Why we like it

Good for: borrowers looking to refinance or who want to start the application process online.

Pros

  • Offers digital income, asset and employment verification.

  • Offers multiple renovation loan options.

  • Has over 200 affiliated loan stores nationwide for customers who prefer face-to-face service.

Cons

  • Mortgage rates aren't available online; you'll need to contact a loan officer.

  • Does not offer home equity loans or lines of credit.

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Flagstar
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Flagstar: NMLS#417490

5.0

NerdWallet rating 
Flagstar

Min. Credit Score

660

Min. Down Payment

0%
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Why we like it

Good for: borrowers who want a wide range of choices — not only among mortgage products, but also in the channel they prefer, whether a branch, online or on the phone.

Pros

  • Offers a wide range of loan types and products, including FHA, VA and USDA.

  • Has a full suite of online conveniences.

  • Does well with rate transparency, and monthly payment estimates add mortgage insurance, when applicable.

Cons

  • Home equity lending is geographically limited.

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Caliber
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Caliber: NMLS#15622

3.5

NerdWallet rating 
Caliber

Min. Credit Score

620

Min. Down Payment

3%
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Why we like it

Good for: first-time home buyers, veterans and those who may have credit challenges to overcome.

Pros

  • Offers extensive educational resources for military borrowers.

  • Provides digital tools for a streamlined application process.

  • Participates in some state 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.

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Navy Federal
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Navy Federal: NMLS#399807

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
Navy Federal

National / Regional

National

Min. Down Payment

0%
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Why we like it

Good for: military members and their families looking for low-down-payment mortgages.

Pros

  • Offers a wide range of affordable mortgage products designed for military members.

  • Has an online application for preapproval.

  • Offers low rates compared with most lenders.

Cons

  • Website does not provide customized mortgage rates based on credit score or other factors before you apply.

  • Credit union membership is limited to veterans and current military members, their families, and certain federal employees, retirees and contractors.

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Carrington
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Carrington: NMLS#2600

3.0

NerdWallet rating 
Carrington

Min. Credit Score

620

Min. Down Payment

3%
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Why we like it

Good for: first-time home buyers or credit-challenged borrowers interested in government loan products.

Pros

  • Offers multiple low-down-payment loan programs.

  • May consider alternative credit data, like bank statements and rent payments.

Cons

  • To get sample rates, you'll have to speak with a loan officer.

  • Doesn't offer home equity loans or HELOC.

Read Full Review

Local mortgage lenders in Charlotte

These mortgage lenders are based in or near Charlotte and are among the metro area's most active mortgage providers. They have not been reviewed by NerdWallet.

Movement Mortgage

  • Homegrown lender that now has a national presence.

  • Mobile app lets you start your application and sync bank statements and tax software, reducing paperwork.

  • Aims to deliver a loan decision within six hours.

  • Offers low-down-payment, jumbo, FHA, VA and USDA mortgages, plus condo loans up to $3 million.

Allen Tate Mortgage

  • One of Charlotte's best-known brands for homebuying and refinancing.

  • Lets you track loan status online, plus get email notifications of milestones such as receipt of appraisal.

  • "Second Look" program encourages rate-shopping from people who have been preapproved by competing lenders; posts mortgage rates on its site.

  • Offers 15- and 30-year fixed-rate mortgages and 5/1 ARMs as well as jumbo, FHA, VA and USDA loans.

Sharonview Federal Credit Union

  • No lender fees for application, processing or documentation for most loans.

  • More-personalized mortgage rates are available on the site with no registration required.

  • Fixed-rate loans with terms from 30 to 10 years, plus 5/1 and 5/5 ARMs, and possible 100% financing.

  • Schedule a callback from a loan officer within four-hour windows.

  • Borrowers must meet membership eligibility requirements.

Cardinal Financial Company

  • Offers conventional, jumbo, FHA, VA and USDA loans.

  • Get a conventional loan with a down payment as low as 3%.

  • Jumbo loans are available for up to $3 million.

More from NerdWallet

Last updated on January 21, 2021

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 Charlotte Mortgage Lenders of 2021