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9 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.

NerdWallet
By
Last updated on January 26, 2021

Some or all of the mortgage lenders featured on our site are advertising partners of NerdWallet, but this does not influence our evaluations, lender star ratings or the order in which lenders are listed on the page. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners.

  • 50+ mortgage lenders reviewed and rated by our team of experts.
  • 40+ years of combined experience covering mortgages and financial topics.
  • Objective, comprehensive star rating system assessing 120+ categories and 5,000+ data points.
  • Governed by NerdWallet's strict guidelines for editorial integrity.
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.

Best Denver Mortgage Lenders

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

Guaranteed Rate: NMLS#2611

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at Guaranteed Rate
at Guaranteed Rate
Home loans overall
Best for an online mortgage experience

620

3%

Fairway Independent Mortgage

Fairway Independent Mortgage: NMLS#2289

Learn more
at Fairway Independent Mortgage
at Fairway Independent Mortgage
3.0
/5
Home loans overall
Best for nonbank option

620

3%

Learn more
at Fairway Independent Mortgage
at Fairway Independent Mortgage
loanDepot

loanDepot: NMLS#174457

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on NerdWallet
3.5
/5
Home loans overall
Best for an online mortgage experience

620

5%

LEARN MORE
on NerdWallet
Guild Mortgage

Guild Mortgage: NMLS#3274

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on NerdWallet
3.0
/5
Home loans overall
Best for first-time home buyers

620

3%

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on NerdWallet
Caliber

Caliber: NMLS#15622

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on NerdWallet
3.5
/5
VA loans
Best for veterans

580

0%

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on NerdWallet
USAA

USAA: NMLS#8722

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on NerdWallet
5.0
/5
VA loans
Best for veterans

640

0%

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on NerdWallet
Bank of America

Bank of America: NMLS#399802

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on NerdWallet
4.0
/5
Home loans overall
Best for existing customers

660

5%

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on NerdWallet
Chase

Chase: NMLS#399798

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on NerdWallet
3.5
/5
Home loans overall
Best for existing customers

620

3%

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on NerdWallet
Flagstar

Flagstar: NMLS#417490

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on NerdWallet
5.0
/5
Home loans overall
Best for first-time home buyers

620

3%

LEARN MORE
on NerdWallet
Guaranteed Rate
Learn more
at Guaranteed Rate
at Guaranteed Rate
Guaranteed Rate

Guaranteed Rate: NMLS#2611

5.0
Home loans overall
NerdWallet rating
Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%

Why We Like ItGood for: borrowers seeking a broad menu of loans, including jumbo and interest-only options, renovation loans and government-backed mortgages, as well as home equity lines of credit.
Pros
  • Offers a one-day mortgage approval process.
  • Offers a generous selection of loans, including government-backed, interest-only, ITIN, jumbo and renovation loans.
  • Advertises a HELOC that can be funded in as few as five business days.
Cons
  • Origination fees are higher than average, according to the latest federal data.
  • HELOC has a relatively short draw period, which may not provide flexibility for someone who wants the option of accessing home equity over a longer period.
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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

3.0
Home loans overall
NerdWallet rating
Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%

Why We Like ItGood for: borrowers looking for a low-down-payment mortgage, renovation loan, or a specialized mortgage geared to medical professionals.
Pros
  • Offers a robust suite of loan products, including ITIN loans for borrowers without Social Security numbers, renovation loans, government-backed mortgages and loans for self-employed borrowers.
  • Receives high marks for customer satisfaction, according to J.D. Power and Zillow.
Cons
  • Mortgage rates for different types of loans aren't posted online.
  • Origination fees and mortgage rates are on the high side compared with other lenders, according to the latest federal data.
loanDepot
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on NerdWallet
loanDepot

loanDepot: NMLS#174457

3.5
Home loans overall
NerdWallet rating
Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

5%

Why We Like ItGood for: borrowers who are comfortable with an entirely online experience, and who want a one-stop shop for buying and selling.
Pros
  • Offers a variety of repayment terms.
  • 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
  • No sample interest rates are provided.
  • Origination fees are on the higher end, according to the latest federal data.
  • Lender’s website does not have a live chat feature.
Guild Mortgage
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on NerdWallet
Guild Mortgage

Guild Mortgage: NMLS#3274

3.0
Home loans overall
NerdWallet rating
Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%

Why We Like ItGood for: borrowers who value customer service, and first-time home buyers and others who may need the flexibility of a low-down-payment loan program.
Pros
  • Offers a wide variety of loan options, including home improvement loans and mortgages for manufactured homes.
  • Has branches in most states.
  • Receives high marks for customer satisfaction, according to J.D. Power and Zillow.
Cons
  • Origination fees and mortgage rates tend to be on the high side, according to the latest federal data.
  • Mortgage rates are not published online.
  • Mobile app receives mostly negative reviews from users.
Caliber
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on NerdWallet
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.
USAA
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on NerdWallet
USAA

USAA: NMLS#8722

Min. credit score

640

Min. down payment

0%

Why We Like ItGood for: veterans, active-duty service members and eligible reservists looking for VA loans.
Pros
  • VA loans are the bulk of USAA’s business, so it knows the ins and outs of eligibility.
  • Offers a conventional home loan with low down payment for first-time buyers.
  • Mortgage interest rates are on the low side compared with other lenders, according to the latest federal data.
Cons
  • Doesn’t offer FHA or USDA loans, or second mortgages.
  • Limited mortgage rate information is on the USAA website. For customized rates, you'll have to make contact.
Bank of America
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on NerdWallet
Bank of America

Bank of America: NMLS#399802

4.0
Home loans overall
NerdWallet rating
Min. credit score

660

Min. down payment

5%

National / regional

National

Why We Like ItGood for: first-time home buyers looking for low- or no-down-payment options and homeowners interested in a home equity line of credit.
Pros
  • Offers down payment and closing cost assistance programs.
  • May give existing customers 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.
Chase
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on NerdWallet
Chase

Chase: NMLS#399798

3.5
Home loans overall
NerdWallet rating
Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%

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 JD 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.
Flagstar
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on NerdWallet
Flagstar

Flagstar: NMLS#417490

5.0
Home loans overall
NerdWallet rating
Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%

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.

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 26, 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

  • Guaranteed Rate: Best for an online mortgage experience
  • Fairway Independent Mortgage: Best for nonbank option
  • loanDepot: Best for an online mortgage experience
  • Guild Mortgage: Best for first-time home buyers
  • Caliber: Best for veterans
  • USAA: Best for veterans
  • Bank of America: Best for existing customers
  • Chase: Best for existing customers
  • Flagstar: Best for first-time home buyers
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