BEST OF
10 Best Houston Mortgage Lenders of 2021
Houston mortgage lenders serve a wide range of borrowers. Here are the highest-rated, NerdWallet-reviewed lenders as well as top-producing local firms.
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.
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.
Summary of Best Houston Mortgage Lenders of 2021
| Lender | NerdWallet Rating | Minimum Credit Score | Minimum Down Payment | Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Best for customer service | 620 | 3% | at Quicken Loans | |
Best for in-person service | 620 | 3% | at Chase | |
Best for mobile experience | 620 | 3% | at Fairway Independent Mortgage | |
Best for customer service | 620 | 5% | at loanDepot | |
Best for full-service experience | 620 | 3% | Read review | |
Best for in-person service | 620 | 3% | Read review | |
Best for VA borrowers | 580 | 0% | Read review | |
Best for closing costs assistance | 620 | 3% | Read review | |
Best for VA borrowers | 620 | 3% | Read review | |
Best for wide selection of loan products | 620 | 3% | Read review |
at Quicken Loans
at Quicken Loans
Min. Credit Score
620
Min. Down Payment
3%
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 many working Americans.
- Offers custom fixed-rate loan terms that are between eight and 30 years.
- Provides a wide variety of loan types, including renovation loans and all government-backed mortgage products.
Cons
- Quicken Loans doesn't offer home equity loans or HELOCs.
- Quicken's lender fees can be stout and they don't offset those fees with particularly low mortgage rates.
at Chase
at Chase
Min. Credit Score
620
Min. Down Payment
3%
Pros
- Allows electronic submission and tracking of loan documents.
- Carries a wide variety of mortgage types and products.
- Generally offers good rates and charges reasonable fees.
Cons
- Doesn't offer home improvement loans, such as FHA 203(k) and HomeStyle.
- You have to speak with a home loan advisor to complete the application.
at Fairway Independent Mortgage
at Fairway Independent Mortgage
Min. Credit Score
620
Min. Down Payment
3%
Pros
- Offers a robust suite of loan products, including a variety of renovation loans.
- Has a digital application that can be completed in 10 minutes.
- Works with some state housing finance agencies to offer mortgages with down payment and closing cost assistance.
Cons
- Mortgage rates aren't posted online.
at loanDepot
at loanDepot
Min. Credit Score
620
Min. Down Payment
5%
Pros
- Offers digital income, asset and employment verification.
- Offers multiple renovation loan options.
- Has over 200 affiliated loan stores nationwide for customers who prefer face-to-face service.
Cons
- Mortgage rates aren't available online; you'll need to contact a loan officer.
- Does not offer home equity loans or lines of credit.
Min. Credit Score
620
Min. Down Payment
3%
Pros
- Offers a wide range of loan types and products, including FHA, VA and USDA.
- Has a full suite of online conveniences.
- Does well with rate transparency, and monthly payment estimates add mortgage insurance, when applicable.
Cons
- Home equity lending is geographically limited.
Min. Credit Score
620
Min. Down Payment
3%
Pros
- Allows borrowers to apply entirely online.
- Offers down payment and closing cost assistance programs.
- May give existing customers a discount on mortgage lender origination fees.
Cons
- Does not offer renovation loans.
Min. Credit Score
580
Min. Down Payment
0%
Pros
- Offers extensive educational resources for military borrowers.
- Provides digital tools for a streamlined application process.
- Participates in some state 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.
Min. Credit Score
620
Min. Down Payment
3%
Pros
- Full online application includes document uploads and automated loan updates.
- Offers a "float-down" interest rate lock.
- Offers a proprietary closing-cost assistance program.
Cons
- No online mortgage rates — you have to contact the lender for info.
- Doesn't offer home equity products.
Min. Credit Score
620
Min. Down Payment
3%
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.
- You can submit loan documents online.
Cons
- Doesn’t offer FHA or USDA loans.
- Limited mortgage rate information is on the USAA website — none of it customized. You'll have to call
Min. Credit Score
620
Min. Down Payment
3%
Pros
- Offers a full array of mortgage products, including government and renovation loans.
- Has loans for most purposes, including purchase, refinance and jumbo mortgages.
- Online portal keeps borrowers up-to-date on the loan application's progress.
Cons
- Doesn't post interest rates on its site.
- Doesn’t offer home equity loans or lines of credit.
» 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 February 25, 2021
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 2021
- Quicken Loans: Best for customer service
- Chase: Best for in-person service
- Fairway Independent Mortgage: Best for mobile experience
- loanDepot: Best for customer service
- Flagstar: Best for full-service experience
- Bank of America: Best for in-person service
- Caliber: Best for VA borrowers
- PrimeLending: Best for closing costs assistance
- USAA: Best for VA borrowers
- HomeBridge: Best for wide selection of loan products
