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9 Best FHA 203(k) Mortgage Lenders of February 2026
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9 Best FHA 203(k) Mortgage Lenders of February 2026

Abby Badach Doyle
Dawnielle Robinson-Walker
Abby Badach Doyle
+1
Written by 

Abby Badach Doyle

,  Edited by 

Dawnielle Robinson-Walker

Written by 

Abby Badach Doyle

 and 
1 other
Last updated 01/02/2025
Home buyers can use an FHA 203(k) loan to purchase and renovate a house with the same mortgage — or, for an existing home renovation, you can refinance and pay off home improvements within your monthly mortgage payment.
 

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Best for fast closings

New American Funding

NMLS#6606

NerdWallet rating

4.0

FHA loans
Min. credit score

N/A

Min. down payment

0%

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Our take on New American Funding

The Nerdy headline

New American Funding is a major FHA lender, with a focus on this loan type, but its average FHA rates and fees are less competitive than some lenders.

What we like
  • FHA loans make up a large share of New American's total home loans.
  • Major FHA lender, by loan volume.
  • Offers a strong variety of FHA loan types for purchase and refinance.
What we don't like
  • FHA mortgage rates are on the high side.
  • Average FHA origination fees are on the high side.
  • Personalized mortgage rates are not available on the website without providing contact information.
Read our full review of New American Funding

Best for borrowers with bad credit

CrossCountry Mortgage

NMLS#3029

NerdWallet rating

4.0

FHA loans
Min. credit score

500

Min. down payment

3.5%

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Our take on CrossCountry Mortgage

The Nerdy headline

CrossCountry is a major FHA lender by loan volume, with options for a variety of FHA loan borrowers. FHA rates and fees may be higher than you'll find at other lenders.

What we like
  • Major FHA lender, by loan volume.
  • Offers a strong variety of FHA loan types for purchase and refinance.
What we don't like
  • Average FHA origination fees are on the high side.
  • Average FHA interest rates are higher than competitors.
Read our full review of CrossCountry Mortgage

Best for variety of government loans

Wintrust Mortgage

NMLS#449042

NerdWallet rating

4.0

FHA loans
Min. credit score

N/A

Min. down payment

3.5%

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Our take on Wintrust Mortgage

The Nerdy headline

Wintrust stands out for its mix of conventional and government loans, which made up more than a third of total lending last year. However, you won’t find much information on the lender’s site — including mortgage rates.

What we like
  • Big FHA lender, by loan volume.
  • Offers up to $6,000 in down payment assistance to qualified borrowers in Illinois and Wisconsin.
What we don't like
  • FHA loans represent a somewhat small share of total home lending for Wintrust.
  • FHA mortgage rates are on the high side.
Read our full review of Wintrust Mortgage

Best for low down payment options

Guild Mortgage

NMLS#3274

NerdWallet rating

4.5

FHA loans
Min. credit score

540

Min. down payment

3.5%

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Our take on Guild Mortgage

The Nerdy headline

Guild is a major FHA lender by loan volume, with options for a variety of FHA loan borrowers, but loans aren't available in every state.

What we like
  • Major FHA lender, by loan volume.
  • Offers a strong variety of FHA loan types for purchase and refinance.
What we don't like
  • Mortgage rates aren’t posted online.
  • Licensed in most states, but not all.
Read our full review of Guild Mortgage

Best for down payment assistance

loanDepot

NMLS#174457

NerdWallet rating

4.5

FHA loans
Min. credit score

520

Min. down payment

3.5%

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Our take on loanDepot

The Nerdy headline

LoanDepot, one of the country’s largest mortgage lenders, has faced negative headlines recently. It offers a wide range of FHA mortgages, including the harder-to-find FHA 203(k) renovation loan.

What we like
  • FHA loans make up a large share of LoanDepot's total home loans.
  • Major FHA lender, by loan volume.
  • Offers a strong variety of FHA loan types for purchase and refinance.
What we don't like
  • Average FHA origination fees are on the high side.
  • No mortgage rates posted online.
  • Recent headlines have damaged consumer trust.
Read our full review of loanDepot

Best for fast preapproval

Rate

NMLS#2611

NerdWallet rating

4.5

FHA loans
Min. credit score

580

Min. down payment

3.5%

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Our take on Rate

The Nerdy headline

Rate is a major FHA lender with options for a variety of FHA loan borrowers and a streamlined application process, but average FHA fees are on the high side.

What we like
  • Major FHA lender, by loan volume.
  • Offers a strong variety of FHA loan types for purchase and refinance.
What we don't like
  • Average FHA origination fees are on the high side.
  • FHA loans represent a somewhat small share of total home lending for Rate.
Read our full review of Rate

Best for fixer-uppers overall

PrimeLending

NMLS#13649

NerdWallet rating

4.0

FHA loans
Min. credit score

580

Min. down payment

3.5%

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Our take on PrimeLending

The Nerdy headline

PrimeLending is a big FHA lender with options for a variety of FHA loan borrowers, but FHA rates and fees may be less competitive than other lenders. May appeal to buyers who need help with closing costs.

What we like
  • Big FHA lender, by loan volume.
  • Offers a strong variety of FHA loan types for purchase and refinance.
What we don't like
  • Average FHA origination fees are on the high side.
  • FHA mortgage rates are on the high side.
Read our full review of PrimeLending

Best for low interest rates

AmeriSave

NMLS#1168

NerdWallet rating

4.5

FHA loans
Min. credit score

500

Min. down payment

3.5%

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Our take on AmeriSave

The Nerdy headline

Amerisave is a big FHA lender by loan volume, and average FHA rates are on the low side but average FHA origination fees are high.

What we like
  • FHA loans make up a large share of Amerisave's total home loans.
  • Offers low FHA mortgage rates compared with other lenders.
  • Accepts borrowers with credit scores as low as 500 for certain loan types.
What we don't like
  • Average FHA origination fees are on the high side.
  • No mobile app.
  • Getting custom rates and applying for mortgage preapproval both require contacting a loan expert.
Read our full review of AmeriSave

Best for highly rated mobile app

Newrez

NMLS#3013

NerdWallet rating

4.0

Home loans overall
Min. credit score

N/A

Min. down payment

N/A

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Our take on Newrez

The Nerdy headline

Newrez is a major FHA lender, with loan options for borrowers who have unusual finances or nontraditional income. But there's limited info about these offerings online, and FHA fees may be high.

What we like
  • Major FHA lender, by loan volume.
  • Offers loans for borrowers who've faced financial challenges or credit events, as well as self-employed borrowers.
  • Government-backed loans made up half its 2024 lending, per federal data.
What we don't like
  • Average FHA origination fees are on the high side.
  • Doesn’t post mortgage rates online.
  • Online chat is buried deep in the site.
Read our full review of Newrez
The star ratings on this page reflect each lender's rating for FHA products. Read more about how we determine those ratings.
The lenders on this page are chosen using this methodology:
NerdWallet reviewed 40 mortgage lenders, including the majority of the largest U.S. mortgage lenders by annual loan volume (measured among lenders with at least a 1% market share), lenders with significant online search volume and those that specialize in serving various audiences across the country. We rated them on criteria including rate transparency, loan types offered, ease of application and more.
Some of the providers are NerdWallet partners, but this did not influence our selections.
For inclusion on this roundup, lenders must score a 4 or above according to our FHA loan methodology and offer 203(k) loans.
NerdWallet solicits information from reviewed lenders on a recurring basis throughout the year. All lender-provided information is verified through lender websites and interviews. We also utilized 2024 HMDA data for origination volume, origination fee, average interest rate and share-of-product data.
» MORE: How FHA 203(k) renovation loans work
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Frequently asked questions

  • How do you find an FHA 203(k) lender?

    In addition to the lenders we've highlighted above, you can also use the Department of Housing and Urban Development's FHA lender search page to find FHA 203(k) loan lenders. It's a helpful tool, because while FHA 203(k) rehab loans are widely available, not every FHA-approved lender offers the 203(k).
    To use the HUD search tool, enter your search parameters — your state is probably the most important, since lenders are licensed by individual states — and click the "Rehabilitation" box at the bottom of the list, where it says "203(k) Rehabilitation Mortgage Insurance Program." If you're trying to get the scoop on a specific lender, you can just enter the company name at the top of the form, then click the "Rehabilitation" box at the bottom.
    » MORE: Best FHA lenders

  • Do you need a down payment for a 203(k) loan?

    FHA 203(k) loans have the same down payment requirements as standard FHA loans. If your credit score is 580 or above, the FHA allows a down payment as low as 3.5%. For credit scores between 500 and 579, the required FHA down payment is 10%.
    Although the FHA has low credit score requirements, individual lenders may choose to set higher minimums. If your credit score falls below 620 or so, you may need to do more hunting to find a lender that will approve your 203(k).
    All FHA loans, including the 203(k), allow you to use gift money or other forms of down payment assistance.
    » MORE: Strategies for building up your down payment

  • How do you qualify for a 203(k) rehab loan?

    To qualify for an FHA 203(k) loan, you'll have to meet the same FHA requirements you would for a standard loan. These include the credit score and down payment minimums, as well as having a debt-to-income ratio of no more than 43%. In some cases a slightly higher DTI may be allowed.
    The property you're buying or refinancing must be your primary residence. Though the home does not have to be up to the FHA's housing standards — after all, you're fixing it up — the property should be able to pass an FHA appraisal after the repairs are completed.
    » MORE: Compare the 203(k) rehab loan to the HomeStyle loan