BEST OF

10 Best Houston Mortgage Lenders of 2022

Houston mortgage lenders serve a wide range of borrowers. Here are the highest-rated NerdWallet-reviewed lenders as well as top-producing local firms.

By NerdWallet  

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Houston mortgage lenders serve a wide range of borrowers: first-time home buyers snagging a condo in the walkable EaDo, commuting suburbanites in The Woodlands or out in Sugar Land or Katy. And H-Town lenders also cater to the pricey ground for sale inside the loop, such as River Oaks.

NerdWallet vetted the capabilities of Houston mortgage companies in various categories. And we found some top-producing local lenders for your consideration.

» MORE: Find out about Texas first-time home buyer programs

Best Houston Mortgage Lenders

Quicken Loans
Learn more

at Quicken Loans

Quicken Loans: NMLS#3030

4.0

NerdWallet rating 
Quicken Loans

Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%
Learn more

at Quicken Loans

Why we like it

Good for: borrowers who appreciate convenience online and on the go for a fully digital home loan experience with consistently acclaimed customer service.

Pros

  • Caters to self-service users who want to apply for a home loan online and talk to a human only as necessary.

  • Estimates the loan amount you’ll qualify for within minutes.

  • Streamlines the online process with document and asset retrieval capabilities, including the ability to edit your preapproval letter.

Cons

  • Getting a customized interest rate requires a credit check, which can affect your credit score.

  • Doesn't offer home equity loans or lines of credit.

  • Lender fees are on the high side and the fees aren't offset by particularly low mortgage rates, according to the latest data.

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Fairway Independent Mortgage
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at Fairway Independent Mortgage

Fairway Independent Mortgage: NMLS#2289

3.0

NerdWallet rating 
Fairway Independent Mortgage

Min. credit score

620

National / regional

National
Learn more

at Fairway Independent Mortgage

Why we like it

Good for: borrowers who want access to a wide variety of mortgages, including renovation loans and ITIN loans.

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 are on the high side compared with other lenders, according to the latest federal data.

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loanDepot
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loanDepot: NMLS#174457

4.0

NerdWallet rating 
loanDepot

Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

5%
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Why we like it

Good for: borrowers who want an easy online application and a variety of loan types to explore.

Pros

  • Has branches across the country for customers who prefer face-to-face service.

  • Receives high marks for customer satisfaction, according to J.D. Power and Zillow.

  • Mortgage interest rates tend to be on the lower end, according to the latest federal data.

Cons

  • Mortgage rates aren't available online; you'll need to contact a loan officer.

  • Doesn't offer home equity loans or lines of credit.

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Caliber
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Caliber: NMLS#15622

3.5

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.

  • 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.

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USAA
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USAA: NMLS#8722

4.0

NerdWallet rating 
USAA

Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%
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Why we like it

Good 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.

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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 government-backed mortgage and refinance options, including FHA, USDA and VA loans.

Cons

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

  • Doesn't offer home equity products.

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Bank of America
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Bank of America: NMLS#399802

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
Bank of America

Min. credit score

660

Min. down payment

5%

National / regional

National
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National / regional

National

Why we like it

Good 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 loans that roll costs into a mortgage.

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Flagstar
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Flagstar: NMLS#417490

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
Flagstar

Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%
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Why we like it

Good for: borrowers who want a wide range of choices — not only among mortgage products, but also in the channel they prefer, whether a branch, online or on the phone.

Pros

  • Offers a wide range of loan types and products, including FHA, VA and USDA.

  • Borrowers can apply and track loan status online.

  • Offers customized online rate quotes with monthly payment estimates, including mortgage insurance, when applicable.

Cons

  • Home equity loans are geographically limited.

  • Origination fees are on the high side compared with other lenders, according to the latest federal data.

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Homebridge
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Homebridge: NMLS#6521

3.5

NerdWallet rating 
Homebridge

Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%
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Why we like it

Good for borrowers who want a loan officer's help, in person or on the phone, when deciding among the wide range of available mortgage options — including loans to buy and renovate.

Pros

  • Offers a full array of mortgage products, including government and renovation loans.

  • Online portal keeps borrowers up to date on the loan application's progress.

  • Offers home equity lines of credit, or HELOCs.

Cons

  • Doesn't post interest rates on its site.

  • Lender fees are on the high side, according to the latest federal data.

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Chase
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Chase: NMLS#399798

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
Chase

Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%
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Why we like it

Good for: borrowers who want a wide selection of loan products, an in-person experience and comparatively low interest rates.

Pros

  • Carries a wide variety of mortgage types and products, including DreaMaker and Standard Agency mortgages, with down payments as low as 3%.

  • Offers low rates compared with other lenders, according to the latest federal data.

  • Offers a customizable mortgage calculator for personalized rate and payment estimates.

Cons

  • Doesn't offer home improvement loans, such as FHA 203(k) and HomeStyle.

  • You have to speak with a home loan adviser to complete the application.

  • Home equity lines of credit (HELOC) are currently unavailable.

Read Full Review

» MORE: Compare Houston mortgage rates

Local mortgage lenders in Houston

If you want to include a local lender or two in your search for the best mortgage, these Houston lenders are among the highest-volume mortgage providers in the city, though they have not been reviewed by NerdWallet.

Cornerstone Home Lending

  • About a dozen offices in the Houston metro area.

  • Complete an online form to pre-qualify.

  • An app allows you to upload documents, check your loan status and even search for homes.

Zions Bank

  • Specializes in jumbo loans in the Houston area.

  • A large selection of home loans, including construction and agriculture mortgages.

  • Offers home equity lines of credit and loans.

AmCap Home Loans

  • Texas-born in 2002, with headquarters in Houston and offices in more than 30 states.

  • Online, you can choose a "Quick Start" option or take about 15 minutes to complete a full pre-qualification.

  • A no-credit-score mortgage option is available, as well as bank statement programs and government-backed loans.

Eagle Home Mortgage

  • Nearly 20 loan officers in its north Houston office.

  • A digital mortgage gateway allows you to complete pre-qual information in as little as 10 minutes.

  • The broad selection of loans includes conventional, government-backed, renovation and even reverse mortgages.

More from NerdWallet

Last updated on January 6, 2022

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 Houston Mortgage Lenders of 2022