9 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.
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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.
Why trust NerdWallet
- 50+ mortgage lenders reviewed and rated by our team of experts.
- 40+ years of combined experience covering mortgages and financial topics.
- Objective, comprehensive star rating system assessing 120+ categories and 5,000+ data points.
- Governed by NerdWallet's strict guidelines for editorial integrity.
Why trust NerdWallet
- 50+ mortgage lenders reviewed and rated by our team of experts.
- 40+ years of combined experience covering mortgages and financial topics.
- Objective, comprehensive star rating system assessing 120+ categories and 5,000+ data points.
- Governed by NerdWallet's strict guidelines for editorial integrity.
9 Best Houston Mortgage Lenders of 2022
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Lender ▾ ▾ | NerdWallet Rating ▾ ▾ | Min. credit score ▾ ▾ | National / regional ▾ ▾ | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Fairway Independent Mortgage: NMLS#2289 See Offers at Fairway Independent Mortgage | 620 | National | See Offers at Fairway Independent Mortgage | |
 loanDepot: NMLS#174457 Compare More Lenders on NerdWallet | 620 | National | Compare More Lenders on NerdWallet | |
 Caliber: NMLS#15622 Compare More Lenders on NerdWallet | 580 | National | Compare More Lenders on NerdWallet | |
 USAA: NMLS#8722 Compare More Lenders on NerdWallet | 620 | Regional | Compare More Lenders on NerdWallet | |
 PrimeLending: NMLS#13649 Compare More Lenders on NerdWallet | 620 | National | Compare More Lenders on NerdWallet | |
 Bank of America: NMLS#399802 Compare More Lenders on NerdWallet | 660 | National | Compare More Lenders on NerdWallet | |
 Flagstar: NMLS#417490 Compare More Lenders on NerdWallet | N/A | National | Compare More Lenders on NerdWallet | |
 Homebridge: NMLS#6521 Compare More Lenders on NerdWallet | 620 | National | Compare More Lenders on NerdWallet | |
 Chase: NMLS#399798 Compare More Lenders on NerdWallet | 620 | National | Compare More Lenders on NerdWallet |
- 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.
ConsRead full review- 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.
- Why we like itLoanDepot is a large nonbank lender that offers the potential for a streamlined mortgage process and cash back, but to start an application or get a rate quote you must work with a loan officer over the phone.Pros
- Offers a variety of repayment terms for fixed-rate loans.
- Does a substantial amount of business in FHA lending.
- mello smartloan product can streamline mortgage application, appraisal and title search.
ConsRead full review- Interest rates are not available on the website.
- Origination fees are on the higher end, according to the latest federal data.
- Why we like itGood 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.
ConsRead full review- No mortgage rates displayed online.
- Doesn’t offer home equity loans or lines of credit.
- Why we like itUSAA is among the top five VA loan lenders by volume, though conventional loans are available, too. USAA membership is open only to current and former military and eligible family members.Pros
- Wide range of VA options, including jumbo loans and refinancing.
- Offers a low-down payment loan for first-time home buyers.
- Offers 10-, 15-, 20- and 30-year repayment terms, which is unusually flexible.
ConsRead full review- Average VA loan interest rates are less competitive than some other top VA lenders, according to the latest data.
- Does not offer home equity loans or HELOCs.
- Why we like itPrimeLending stands out for its wide variety of loan types, including non-QM loans and renovation and construction options, but lacks some technical features like online rates or a mobile app.Pros
- Offers closing cost assistance.
- Wide variety of loan types, including non-QM loans.
- Mortgages are available for manufactured homes, including 3D-printed houses.
ConsRead full review- Loans are not available in all states.
- Rates are not posted online.
- Does not have a mobile app.
- Why we like itBank of America offers low interest rates, in-person service and plenty of loan options. Current banking customers may be eligible for additional perks.Pros
- Interest rates are lower than most lenders, according to the latest federal data.
- Offers up to $10,000 in down payment assistance to qualified borrowers.
- Banking customers can get discounted interest rates or fees.
ConsRead full review- Mortgage origination fees are on the high side, according to the latest federal data.
- Rate estimator tool doesn’t personalize by credit score.
- Why we like itFlagstar Bank stands out for its range of accessible loans and programs, including loans with flexible requirements and down payment grant options. Its mortgage operations were acquired by Mr. Cooper in 2024.Pros
- Conventional loan terms extend to 40 years, which is unusually flexible.
- Offers options for high-balance mortgages.
- Offers specialized mortgages for professionals, such as doctors and lawyers, starting their careers.
- Reported average time to close (20-30 days) is faster than industry standard.
ConsRead full review- The lender’s mobile app is focused on banking, not mortgages.
- Conventional fixed-rate mortgages require a 5% minimum down payment, higher than some competitors.
- Why we like itGood 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.
ConsRead full review- Doesn't post interest rates on its site.
- Lender fees are on the high side, according to the latest federal data.
- Why we like itChase offers a good variety of loan types, including programs for first-time buyers, but it doesn't offer home equity options or stand out for competitive average rates and fees.Pros
- Offers two loans with 3% down payment minimums.
- Home buyer grants up to $7,500 may apply for qualifying borrowers.
- Receives high marks for customer satisfaction, according to J.D. Power and Zillow.
ConsRead full review- Borrowers must speak with a home loan expert before completing an online application.
- No online live chat feature, and in-person services vary by branch location.
» 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
NerdWallet's Best Houston Mortgage Lenders of 2022
- Fairway Independent Mortgage: Best for mobile experience
- loanDepot: Best for customer service
- Caliber: Best for VA borrowers
- USAA: Best for VA borrowers
- PrimeLending: Best for closing costs assistance
- Bank of America: Best for in-person service
- Flagstar: Best for full-service experience
- Homebridge: Best for wide selection of loan products
- Chase: Best for in-person service
