Best of
Best Houston Mortgage Lenders of 2019
NerdWalletJuly 2, 2019
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Houston mortgage lenders serve a wide range of borrowers. Here are the highest-rated, NerdWallet-reviewed lenders as well as top-producing local firms.
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.
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 those who appreciate the full-service experience of a leading regional bank. Flagstar offers a full menu of fixed and adjustable home loans and mortgage refinancing, as well as jumbo loans and home equity financing.
Pros
- Embraces FHA-backed home loans.
- Offers three construction loan offerings.
- A professional loan package is tailored for the needs of doctors, lawyers, architects and certified public accountants.
- Flagstar reps are familiar with low-down-payment state bond programs for first-time home buyers and income-limited households, as well as the areas that qualify for USDA loans.
- Offers home equity loans and home equity lines of credit.
Cons
- Charges an average $1,000 origination fee.
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.
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.
Min. Credit Score
620
Min. Down Payment
3%
Ideal for first-time home buyers, veterans and those who may have credit challenges to overcome.
Pros
- Participates in some down payment assistance programs.
- Offers educational resources for military borrowers.
- Provides digital tools for a streamlined application process.
Cons
- No mortgage rates displayed online.
- Must work with a loan officer for pre-qualification and preapproval.
Min. Credit Score
620
Min. Down Payment
3%
Ideal for borrowers looking for help with closing costs: PrimeLending's proprietary program, NeighborhoodEdge, helps qualified low- to moderate-income borrowers with up to $2,000 in closing cost credits (certain restrictions are based on income and location).
Pros
- Low rate of consumer complaints filed with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
- Request a pre-qualification through PrimeLending’s secure system from a phone, tablet or computer.
- Niche mortgage products include energy-efficient mortgages, FHA 203(k) renovation and remodeling loans, manufactured home mortgages and home construction loans.
- Free “float down” interest rate option lets borrowers choose the lower rate if interest rates fall, even with a rate lock.
- NeighborhoodEdge closing cost assistance program for low- to moderate-income borrowers allows qualified borrowers $2,000 in closing cost credits (restrictions on income and location).
- “Alternative doc” program lets borrowers qualify for mortgage based on bank statements rather than tax returns.
Cons
- No live chat online.
- No online mortgage rate quotes.
Min. Credit Score
620
Min. Down Payment
3%
Ideal for military members and their relatives who are interested in a VA loan.
Pros
- VA loans are the bulk of USAA’s business, so it knows the ins and outs of eligibility.
- Lots of experience assisting first-time home buyers.
- Offers online pre-qualification.
Cons
- Doesn’t offer FHA or USDA loans.
- Alternative credit is not considered.
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.
Min. Credit Score
550
Min. Down Payment
3%
Ideal for borrowers who prefer an online experience. Homebridge offers a variety of home loan options and an online application.
Pros
- A wide variety of loan types.
- Low credit score requirements for government-backed loans.
- A wealth of educational material on its website.
- Licensed in all 50 states.
Cons
- Mortgage application can't be tracked online.
- Charges origination fees on some loans.
- Limited branch locations.
Summary of Best Houston Mortgage Lenders of 2019
| Lender | Best For | Minimum Credit Score | Minimum Down Payment | Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Quicken Loans at Quicken Loans | customer service | 620 | 3% | at Quicken Loans |
Chase at Chase | in-person service | 620 | 3% | at Chase |
 Flagstar | full-service experience | 620 | 3% | Read review |
 Bank of America | in-person service | 620 | 3% | Read review |
loanDepot at loanDepot | customer service | 620 | 3.5% | at loanDepot |
 Caliber | VA borrowers | 620 | 3% | Read review |
 PrimeLending | closing costs assistance | 620 | 3% | Read review |
 USAA | VA borrowers | 620 | 3% | Read review |
 Fairway | mobile experience | N/A | 3% | Read review |
 HomeBridge | wide selection of loan products | 550 | 3% | Read review |
| Lender | Best For | Minimum Credit Score | Minimum Down Payment | Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Quicken Loans at Quicken Loans | customer service | 620 | 3% | at Quicken Loans |
Chase at Chase | in-person service | 620 | 3% | at Chase |
Flagstar | full-service experience | 620 | 3% | Read review |
Bank of America | in-person service | 620 | 3% | Read review |
loanDepot at loanDepot | customer service | 620 | 3.5% | at loanDepot |
Caliber | VA borrowers | 620 | 3% | Read review |
PrimeLending | closing costs assistance | 620 | 3% | Read review |
USAA | VA borrowers | 620 | 3% | Read review |
Fairway | mobile experience | N/A | 3% | Read review |
HomeBridge | wide selection of loan products | 550 | 3% | Read 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 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 Houston Mortgage Lenders of 2019
- : Best for customer service
- : Best for in-person service
- Flagstar: Best for full-service experience
- Bank of America: Best for in-person service
- : Best for customer service
- Caliber: Best for VA borrowers
- PrimeLending: Best for closing costs assistance
- USAA: Best for VA borrowers
- Fairway: Best for mobile experience
- HomeBridge: Best for wide selection of loan products
