Best of
Best Georgia Mortgage Lenders of 2019
NerdWalletJuly 2, 2019
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These Georgia mortgage lenders are among the best for borrowers with various needs, from first-time buyers to refinancers.
at Rocket Mortgage
at Rocket Mortgage
Min. Credit Score
620
Min. Down Payment
3%
Ideal for anyone who appreciates smartphone app service, support and time savings. A fully digital home loan experience with a large variety of mortgage products.
Pros
- The site caters to self-service users who want to apply for a home loan without talking to a human unless it’s absolutely necessary.
- With your authorization, accesses asset statements from 98% of U.S. financial institutions.
- Tells you the loan amount you’ll qualify for within minutes.
- Rocket Mortgage’s document and asset retrieval capabilities can save you a bunch of time and hassle.
Cons
- Doesn't offer home equity loans or HELOCs.
- If you’re a “look me in the eye” type of customer, you’re out of luck.
- Doesn’t consider alternative credit data. It just looks at credit scores and debt-to-income ratios, the way most mortgage lenders always have.
at loanDepot
at loanDepot
Min. Credit Score
620
Min. Down Payment
3.5%
Ideal for borrowers looking to get a mortgage with help from a loan officer. Digital back-office operations are said to add efficiency to the loan process.
Pros
- Offers digital income, asset and employment verification.
- Has over 150 affiliated loan stores nationwide for customers who prefer face-to-face service.
- One of the nation’s most active lenders of FHA and VA loans.
Cons
- Published mortgage rates include up to three points of prepaid interest and fees.
- Does not offer home equity loans or lines of credit.
at Quicken Loans
at Quicken Loans
Min. Credit Score
620
Min. Down Payment
3%
Ideal choice for convenience and quick-response customer service. Quicken Loans provides just about all the services your neighborhood lender does — with online convenience.
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 more than 60% of working Americans.
- Offers custom fixed-rate loan terms that are between eight and 30 years.
- Provides FHA-backed loans, USDA loans as well as products offered by Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae that require down payments as low as 3%.
Cons
- Doesn't offer home equity loans or HELOCs.
- If you’re a “look me in the eye” type of customer, you’re out of luck.
- Doesn’t consider alternative credit data. It just looks at credit scores and debt-to-income ratios, the way most mortgage lenders always have.
Min. Credit Score
620
Min. Down Payment
3%
Ideal for first-time home buyers, including those with little money saved for a down payment. SunTrust's online portal offers information and tools in English and in Spanish.
Pros
- Offers a complete online suite of mortgage application tools and loan tracking.
- Has plenty of loan options to choose from and competitive interest rates.
- Provides customer service in its physical locations, online, via chat and by phone.
- Has a Doctor Loan Program for medical professionals who have high earning potential but little cash for down payments.
Cons
- Has a limited number of physical branch locations in 11 states and Washington, D.C.
- Does not consider alternative scoring data, such as rent or utility payments, in standard underwriting.
at New American
at New American
Min. Credit Score
620
Min. Down Payment
3%
Ideal for borrowers who need to be evaluated on the basis of nontraditional credit. New American Funding offers FHA and VA loans, works with down payment assistance programs, and seeks borrowers whose credit histories don't fit the mold of traditional banking.
Pros
- Uses manual underwriting to evaluate creditworthiness.
- Offers full online mortgage application, rate quotes, document upload and loan tracking.
Cons
- Services not available in all 50 states.
Min. Credit Score
620
Min. Down Payment
3%
Ideal for borrowers who worry about taking on debt. Churchill advocates "debt-free homeownership" and helps customers achieve that goal. A well-known advocate: financial guru Dave Ramsey.
Pros
- Offers loans to customers without credit scores, using alternative data.
- Helps customers find relevant state housing and rural/farm programs.
- Offers annual mortgage reviews to help borrowers stay on track toward the goal of living debt-free.
Cons
- Not available everywhere: serves 44 states and D.C.
- Some borrowers, particularly in expensive urban areas, may be put off by the debt-free homeownership strategy.
- Does not offer home equity loans or HELOCs, but will "broker them out."
National / Regional
National
Min. Down Payment
3%
Ideal for borrowers who want lots of options and a quick turn time. Fairway Independent Mortgage offers a full selection of home loans along with a comprehensive mobile app for a fast and easy application process.
Pros
- A robust suite of loan products.
- Licensed in all 50 states.
- Close in as little as 10 days using the Fairway app.
Cons
- Limited branch locations.
- Mortgage rates not posted on website.
at Chase
at Chase
Min. Credit Score
620
Min. Down Payment
3%
Ideal for first-time home buyers who want to talk to a loan officer in person or on the phone, and for homeowners who want to refinance their mortgages in 60 days or less. Chase offers a full line of mortgage products and account management tools.
Pros
- Allows electronic submission and tracking of documents.
- Existing Chase customers can get discounts.
- Offers a wide selection of purchase and refinance mortgages.
Cons
- Charges rate lock, origination and underwriting fees.
- You have to speak with a mortgage banker to get complete info on products and requirements.
Min. Credit Score
620
Min. Down Payment
3%
Ideal for borrowers who prefer a traditional bank. Bank of America offers a wide array of mortgages and online account management tools. It also has first-time home buyer loans with low down payments and no mandatory mortgage insurance.
Pros
- Allows borrowers to apply entirely online.
- Offers down payment and closing cost assistance programs.
- Accepts alternative credit data for some loan types.
- May give existing customers a discount on mortgage lender origination fees.
Cons
- Charges an application fee of $1,170, on average.
- Has a high volume of consumer complaints, even for a big national bank.
Summary of Best Georgia Mortgage Lenders of 2019
| Lender | Best For | Minimum Credit Score | Minimum Down Payment | Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Rocket Mortgage at Rocket Mortgage | online experience | 620 | 3% | at Rocket Mortgage |
loanDepot at loanDepot | online experience | 620 | 3.5% | at loanDepot |
Quicken Loans at Quicken Loans | first-time home buyers | 620 | 3% | at Quicken Loans |
 SunTrust | first-time home buyers & face-to-face service | 620 | 3% | Read review |
New American Funding at New American | low credit | 620 | 3% | at New American |
 Churchill | low credit | 620 | 3% | Read review |
 Fairway | refinancing | N/A | 3% | Read review |
Chase at Chase | refinancing | 620 | 3% | at Chase |
 Bank of America | face-to-face service | 620 | 3% | Read review |
| Lender | Best For | Minimum Credit Score | Minimum Down Payment | Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Rocket Mortgage at Rocket Mortgage | online experience | 620 | 3% | at Rocket Mortgage |
loanDepot at loanDepot | online experience | 620 | 3.5% | at loanDepot |
Quicken Loans at Quicken Loans | first-time home buyers | 620 | 3% | at Quicken Loans |
SunTrust | first-time home buyers & face-to-face service | 620 | 3% | Read review |
New American Funding at New American | low credit | 620 | 3% | at New American |
Churchill | low credit | 620 | 3% | Read review |
Fairway | refinancing | N/A | 3% | Read review |
Chase at Chase | refinancing | 620 | 3% | at Chase |
Bank of America | face-to-face service | 620 | 3% | Read review |
» MORE: Best Atlanta mortgage lenders
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Last updated on July 2, 2019
Methodology
NerdWallet's selection of mortgage lenders for inclusion here was made based on our evaluation of the products and services that lenders offer to consumers who are actively shopping for the best mortgage. The six key areas we evaluated include the loan types and loan products offered, online capabilities, online mortgage rate information, customer service and the number of complaints filed with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau as a percentage of loans issued. We also awarded lenders up to one bonus star for a unique program or borrower focus that set them apart from other lenders. To ensure consistency, our ratings are reviewed by multiple people on the NerdWallet Mortgages team.
To recap our selections...
NerdWallet's Best Georgia Mortgage Lenders of 2019
- : Best for online experience
- : Best for online experience
- : Best for first-time home buyers
- SunTrust: Best for first-time home buyers & face-to-face service
- : Best for low credit
- Churchill: Best for low credit
- Fairway: Best for refinancing
- : Best for refinancing
- Bank of America: Best for face-to-face service
