BEST OF
10 Best Denver Mortgage Lenders of 2021
Looking for a Denver mortgage lender? Compare our picks to find mortgage companies offering loan options for a variety of borrower needs.
Buying a house in Denver raises some "Mile High" questions. Should you live in Jefferson Park so Broncos games are just a hop, skip and a jump away, or Stapleton so getting to Denver International Airport is a breeze? Should you buy new construction or an existing house? And most importantly, which Denver mortgage lender should you choose?
NerdWallet compared Denver’s leading mortgage lenders — big national brands along with smaller hometown options — to identify the best ones for a variety of borrower preferences. These Denver mortgage lenders in the table have been reviewed by NerdWallet and are among the city’s highest-volume mortgage companies, according to the latest available data.
Buying a house in Denver raises some "Mile High" questions. Should you live in Jefferson Park so Broncos games are just a hop, skip and a jump away, or Stapleton so getting to Denver International Airport is a breeze? Should you buy new construction or an existing house? And most importantly, which Denver mortgage lender should you choose?
NerdWallet compared Denver’s leading mortgage lenders — big national brands along with smaller hometown options — to identify the best ones for a variety of borrower preferences. These Denver mortgage lenders in the table have been reviewed by NerdWallet and are among the city’s highest-volume mortgage companies, according to the latest available data.
Summary of Best Denver Mortgage Lenders of 2021
Lender | NerdWallet Rating | Minimum Credit Score | Minimum Down Payment | Learn More |
---|---|---|---|---|
Best for first-time home buyers | 620 | 3% | Read review | |
Best for first-time home buyers | 620 | 3% | Read review | |
Best for an online mortgage experience | 620 | 5% | at loanDepot | |
Best for an online mortgage experience | 620 | 3% | at Guaranteed Rate | |
Best for veterans | 580 | 0% | Read review | |
Best for veterans | 640 | 0% | Read review | |
Best for nonbank option | 620 | 3% | at Quicken Loans | |
Best for nonbank option | 620 | 3% | at Fairway Independent Mortgage | |
Best for existing customers | 620 | 3% | Read review | |
Best for existing customers | 620 | 3% | at Chase |
Min. Credit Score
620
Min. Down Payment
3%
Pros
- Offers multiple online conveniences, including a full mortgage application, e-signatures and digital loan process tracking.
- Offers a wide variety of loan products, including home improvement and manufactured home loans.
Cons
- Does not offer home equity loan products.
- Average interest rates and fees are higher than other lenders.
Min. Credit Score
620
Min. Down Payment
3%
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.
at loanDepot
at loanDepot
Min. Credit Score
620
Min. Down Payment
5%
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.
at Guaranteed Rate
at Guaranteed Rate
Min. Credit Score
620
Min. Down Payment
3%
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.
Min. Credit Score
580
Min. Down Payment
0%
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.
Min. Credit Score
640
Min. Down Payment
0%
Pros
- VA loans are the bulk of USAA’s business, so it knows the ins and outs of eligibility.
- Lots of experience assisting first-time home buyers.
- You can submit loan documents online.
Cons
- Doesn’t offer FHA or USDA loans.
- Limited mortgage rate information is on the USAA website — none of it customized. You'll have to call
at Quicken Loans
at Quicken Loans
Min. Credit Score
620
Min. Down Payment
3%
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 they don't offset those fees with particularly low mortgage rates.
at Fairway Independent Mortgage
at Fairway Independent Mortgage
Min. Credit Score
620
Min. Down Payment
3%
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.
Min. Credit Score
620
Min. Down Payment
3%
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.
at Chase
at Chase
Min. Credit Score
620
Min. Down Payment
3%
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.
Local mortgage lenders in Denver
The following lenders have not been reviewed by NerdWallet. However, these companies originated a significant number of mortgages in Denver and are popular among the city’s home loan shoppers.
Check them out if you want to include some local options in your search for a mortgage lender.
Employs salary-based mortgage consultants.
Offers Colorado first-time home buyer (CHFA) loans and down payment assistance.
Has a bank statement loan program for self-employed borrowers.
Has only one branch located in Aurora, Colorado.
In business since 1986.
Offers specialty loans for first-time home buyers, Native Americans and union members.
Finances new construction and renovations.
Has more than 20 branch locations in Colorado.
Does not require personal information for customized rate quotes online.
Offers first-time home buyer loans with low closing costs and down payment assistance.
Offers construction and lot loans.
Has many branch locations throughout Colorado.
Offers a wide variety of loans, including FHA, VA, USDA and jumbo.
Has a no-closing-cost option for conforming loans.
Displays interest rates online for all its mortgage products, but they’re not customized.
Has more than a dozen branch locations in Colorado.
More from NerdWallet
Last updated on January 27, 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 Denver Mortgage Lenders of 2021
- Guild Mortgage: Best for first-time home buyers
- Flagstar: Best for first-time home buyers
- loanDepot: Best for an online mortgage experience
- Guaranteed Rate: Best for an online mortgage experience
- Caliber: Best for veterans
- USAA: Best for veterans
- Quicken Loans: Best for nonbank option
- Fairway Independent Mortgage: Best for nonbank option
- Bank of America: Best for existing customers
- Chase: Best for existing customers