13 Best Georgia Dream Mortgage Lenders of 2024
The Georgia Dream program helps you purchase a home with affordable rates and down payment assistance. See our top picks for Georgia Dream lenders.
Last updated on February 21, 2024
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The Georgia Department of Community Affairs makes homeownership possible for those with low or moderate incomes through its Georgia Dream program.
To apply for a Georgia Dream loan or down payment assistance program, you’ll need to work with a participating lender. Conventional and government-backed loans are available.
NerdWallet reviewed more than 50 lenders and identified banks and mortgage companies that participate in Georgia Dream loan programs. When you reach out to a lender, ask for a loan officer who is familiar with the Georgia Dream offerings.
Start your search by comparing the lenders below.
» MORE: See Georgia Dream loan programs
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Why trust NerdWallet
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- Governed by NerdWallet's strict guidelines for editorial integrity.
13 Best Georgia Dream Mortgage Lenders of 2024
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Lender ▾ ▾ | NerdWallet Rating ▾ ▾ | Min. credit score ▾ ▾ | Min. down payment ▾ ▾ | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 New American Funding: NMLS#6606 Top 3 most visited 🏆 Learn more at New American Funding | 580 | 3% | Top 3 most visited 🏆 Learn more at New American Funding | |
 Truist: NMLS#399803 LEARN MORE on NerdWallet | 620 | 3% | LEARN MORE on NerdWallet | |
 loanDepot: NMLS#174457 LEARN MORE on NerdWallet | 620 | 5% | LEARN MORE on NerdWallet | |
 Guild Mortgage: NMLS#3274 LEARN MORE on NerdWallet | 540 | 3.5% | LEARN MORE on NerdWallet | |
 Churchill: NMLS#1591 LEARN MORE on NerdWallet | 620 | 3% | LEARN MORE on NerdWallet |
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at New American Funding
New American Funding: NMLS#6606
4.0
Home loans overall
NerdWallet ratingMin. credit score
580
Min. down payment
3%
Why We Like ItGood for: first-time home buyers, military members and self-employed or underrepresented borrowers.
Pros
- Offers a wide variety of purchase and refinance mortgages with an emphasis on helping underserved communities.
- Its home equity line of credit can be used for an owner-occupied or second home.
- Has a program to enable buyers to make cash offers.
- Receives high marks for customer satisfaction, according to J.D. Power and Zillow.
Cons
- Mortgage origination fees tend to be on the high end.
- Personalized mortgage rates are not available on the website without providing contact information.
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on NerdWallet
Why We Like ItGood for: first-time and low-income home buyers, early career doctors and other borrowers interested in low-down-payment mortgages, especially those in South Carolina, North Carolina, Texas and Virginia.
Pros
- Offers a wide variety of loan options, including construction loans, programs for early career doctors, a wide variety of jumbo loans and home equity lines of credit.
- Proprietary grant program can help borrowers afford down payment and closing costs.
- Mortgage rates are lower than industry average, according to the latest federal data.
Cons
- Customized rates aren't available online without contacting the lender.
- For borrowers who prefer to apply in person, branches are limited mostly to the South and East.
- Mortgages aren’t available in all 50 states.
LEARN MORE
on NerdWallet
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.
LEARN MORE
on NerdWallet
Why We Like ItGood for: borrowers seeking a lender that dedicates a significant portion of its business to FHA lending.
Pros
- Was one of the top 10 lenders by volume for FHA lending in 2022, according to the latest federal data.
- Has retail branches in most states.
- Receives high marks for customer satisfaction, according to J.D. Power and Zillow.
Cons
- Origination fees for FHA loans tend to be on the high end, according to the latest federal data.
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on NerdWallet
Why We Like ItGood for: borrowers with nontraditional credit who value a debt-free lifestyle. Churchill advocates debt-free homeownership and helps customers try to achieve that goal.
Pros
- Experienced at underwriting loans for borrowers without credit scores.
- Offers conventional mortgages for manufactured homes.
- Has conveniences such as online chat and a mobile app.
Cons
- Doesn't provide sample or customized mortgage rates on its website.
- Mortgage rates and fees are on the high side, according to the latest federal data.
Learn more
at Fairway Independent Mortgage
Fairway Independent Mortgage: NMLS#2289
3.0
Home loans overall
NerdWallet ratingMin. 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.
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on NerdWallet
PrimeLending: NMLS#13649
3.0
Home loans overall
NerdWallet ratingMin. credit score
620
Min. down payment
3%
Why We Like ItGood for: those seeking to buy a fixer-upper, build a new home or make renovations.
Pros
- Offers a broad selection of renovation loans to finance cosmetic upgrades or structural repairs.
- Issues loan approval letters within 24 hours to borrowers who qualify.
- Offers resources to connect eligible borrowers with closing cost and down payment assistance programs.
Cons
- No online mortgage rates — you have to contact the lender for information.
- Rates and fees are on the high side, according to the latest federal data.
- Doesn't offer home equity loans or lines of credit.
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on NerdWallet
Why We Like ItGood for: first-time home buyers, self-employed borrowers and those who may have credit challenges to overcome.
Pros
- Receives high marks for customer satisfaction, according to J.D. Power and Zillow.
- Offers financial assistance, such as grants for down payments or closing costs, to first-time home buyers who qualify.
- Supports military borrowers with extensive online resources and dedicated VA loan specialists.
Cons
- No mortgage rates displayed online.
- Room to improve overall digital experience: No online chat for customer service, and mobile app has poor ratings and reviews.
- Doesn't offer home equity loans or lines of credit.
LEARN MORE
on NerdWallet
CrossCountry Mortgage: NMLS#3029
3.0
Home loans overall
NerdWallet ratingMin. credit score
620
Min. down payment
3%
Why We Like ItGood for: non-traditional borrowers, first-time home buyers and borrowers who need to be approved fast.
Pros
- Offers a wide range of loan types, including loans for manufactured homes, jumbo loans, government loans (FHA, VA and USDA), home equity loans and HELOCs.
- Offers programs that make borrowing more accessible, including down payment grants.
- Offers a FastTrack Credit Approval program, which allows borrowers who have undergone the full preapproval process to close on a loan in as little as seven days once they’ve made an offer.
Cons
- Does not post rates online.
- Both mortgage rates and fees are higher than average.
- Doesn’t offer customer service via live chat.
Learn more
at Guaranteed Rate
Guaranteed Rate: NMLS#2611
5.0
Home loans overall
NerdWallet ratingMin. 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.
Learn more
at Northpointe
Northpointe: NMLS#447490
3.0
Home loans overall
NerdWallet ratingMin. credit score
620
Min. down payment
3%
Why We Like ItGood for: borrowers with credit challenges or self-employed home buyers seeking a variety of mortgage offerings and who don’t mind doing a little bit of manual research.
Pros
- Offers government-backed FHA and VA loans, including refinancing options, and USDA loans.
- Jumbo loans available for vacation homes and investment properties.
- Offers programs for borrowers with credit challenges, self-employed borrowers and professionals early in their careers who may still carry significant debt.
Cons
- Mortgage rates are not published online.
- Origination fees are on the high side, according to the latest federal data.
- Doesn’t offer home equity loans or lines of credit.
LEARN MORE
on NerdWallet
Movement Mortgage: NMLS#39179
3.0
Home loans overall
NerdWallet ratingMin. credit score
620
Min. down payment
3%
National / regional
National
Why We Like ItGood for: borrowers seeking government-backed mortgages or loans for condos, home renovation or construction, especially if speed is an important factor.
Pros
- Loans can be processed in as little as seven days, the lender says.
- Offers renovation loans and home equity lines of credit.
- Movement Boost program can help FHA borrowers with down payment and closing costs.
Cons
- Borrowers cannot browse sample mortgage rates online.
- Mortgage rates and fees are on the high side, according to the latest federal data.
- Recent government regulatory action could affect consumer confidence.
LEARN MORE
on NerdWallet
Why We Like ItGood for: borrowers who are looking for an ITIN loan.
Pros
- Offers government loans, down payment assistance loans and ITIN loans, among other options.
- Has branch locations across the country for borrowers who prefer an in-person experience.
- Site has a live chat feature.
Cons
- Mortgage rates and origination fees are higher than the majority of lenders.
- Borrowers must contact the lender for specific information about their loan offerings and interest rates.
- Does not offer home equity products or adjustable-rate mortgages.
More from NerdWallet:
Last updated on February 21, 2024
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 average interest rate 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. Lenders listed on this page participate in the Georgia Dream program and earned at least three stars in NerdWallet's home loans overall star rating.
NerdWallet's Best Georgia Dream Mortgage Lenders of 2024
- New American Funding: Best for mobile app functionality
- Truist: Best for first-time home buyers
- loanDepot: Best for variety of loan types
- Guild Mortgage: Best for low credit score borrowers
- Churchill: Best for borrowers with nontraditional credit histories
- Fairway Independent Mortgage: Best for USDA loans
- PrimeLending: Best for fixer-uppers
- Caliber: Best for military borrowers
- CrossCountry Mortgage: Best for high customer satisfaction
- Guaranteed Rate: Best for overall mortgage experience
- Northpointe: Best for low credit score borrowers
- Movement Mortgage: Best for customer satisfaction
- Alterra: Best for ease of application
