BEST OF

Delaware State Housing Authority Lenders of 2021

The Delaware State Housing Authority, or DSHA, offers programs to make homeownership more affordable. Here are some of our picks for top DSHA mortgage lenders.

NerdWallet
Jan 21, 2021

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DSHA loans, paired with down payment and closing cost assistance, can reduce the upfront costs of buying a home.

To access these programs, you’ll need to work with a Delaware State Housing Authority participating lender. The DSHA maintains a list of participating lenders on its website, although it does not endorse lenders.

NerdWallet has reviewed some DSHA participating lenders and listed our top selections across several categories below. We’ve also included some participating lenders that aren’t rated by NerdWallet but are among the most active mortgage originators for the DSHA.

» MORE: Explore DSHA loan programs and eligibility requirements

Delaware State Housing Authority Lenders

Caliber
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Caliber: NMLS#15622

3.0

NerdWallet rating 
Caliber

Min. credit score

580

Min. down payment

0%
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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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Fairway Independent Mortgage
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at Fairway Independent Mortgage

Fairway Independent Mortgage: NMLS#2289

3.5

NerdWallet rating 
Fairway Independent Mortgage

Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%
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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.

  • Origination fees are on the high side and are not offset by low rates, according to the latest data.

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Guaranteed Rate
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at Guaranteed Rate

Guaranteed Rate: NMLS#2611

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
Guaranteed Rate

Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%
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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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New American Funding
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at New American Funding

New American Funding: NMLS#6606

5.0

NerdWallet rating 
New American Funding

Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%
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at New American Funding

Why we like it

Good for: borrowers who need to be evaluated on the basis of nontraditional credit and those interested in various down payment assistance programs.

Pros

  • Uses manual underwriting to evaluate creditworthiness, in some cases.

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

Cons

  • Mortgage origination fees tend to be on the high end, according to the latest federal data.

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PrimeLending
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PrimeLending: NMLS#13649

3.5

NerdWallet rating 
PrimeLending

Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%
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Why we like it

Good 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 a proprietary closing-cost assistance program.

Cons

  • No online mortgage rates — you have to contact the lender for info.

  • Doesn't offer home equity products.

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More DSHA participating mortgage lenders

These participating lenders are among the highest-volume mortgage providers for the DSHA, but they haven’t been reviewed by NerdWallet.

Pike Creek Mortgage Services

  • Offers a variety of home purchase and refinance loans.

  • Allows borrowers to request a customized rate quote and apply online.

  • Has four offices in Delaware.

Meridian Bank

  • Offers loans with down payments as low as 3%, as well as renovation loans.

  • Doesn’t have an online application or rate information.

  • Has five branches in Delaware.

Huntingdon Valley Bank

  • Allows borrowers to apply for a mortgage online.

  • Doesn't publish mortgage rates on its website.

  • Options include FHA and VA loans.

Evolve Bank & Trust

  • Offers a wide variety of mortgage types.

  • Lets borrowers start a mortgage application online.

  • Has two mortgage offices in Delaware.

Primary Residential Mortgage, Inc.

  • Offers a variety of mortgages, including renovation and construction loans.

  • Borrowers can begin a preapproval application online.

  • Has one office in Delaware.

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 Delaware State Housing Authority Lenders of 2021