Best of
Best Idaho Housing and Finance Association Lenders of 2019
NerdWalletJuly 17, 2019
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The Idaho Housing and Finance Association offers competitive interest rates for purchase and refinance mortgages, along with down payment and closing cost assistance grants. Here are some lenders that can help you apply.
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 loans.
- 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 with a relatively high credit score who may need down payment assistance or help from a state housing agency.
Pros
- Works with loan programs offered by state and local housing agencies.
- Specializes in mortgages for first-time home buyers.
- Almost half of its loans are low-down-payment government mortgages.
- Considers alternative credit, such as history of payments on rent and utilities.
Cons
- With a concentration of offices in the West and South, Guild has little presence in the Northeast and Midwest.
- Jumbo borrowers may find that banks are more competitive when it comes to large loan amounts.
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
620
Min. Down Payment
3%
Ideal for borrowers looking for a national lender with a complete selection of mortgage products for home buyers in all financial stages.
Pros
- Loan programs to educate and assist first-time home buyers, union members and others.
- Relocation and employee mortgage programs for many large companies.
- Accepts down payments as low as 3% on fixed-rate mortgages through its yourFirst Mortgage program.
Cons
- Government actions and scandals have damaged consumer trust.
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 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.
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 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 Idaho Housing and Finance Association Lenders of 2019
| Lender | Best For | Minimum Credit Score | Minimum Down Payment | Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Flagstar | government loan programs | 620 | 3% | Read review |
 Guild Mortgage | government loan programs | 620 | 3% | Read review |
 Fairway | online convenience | N/A | 3% | Read review |
 Wells Fargo | online convenience | 620 | 3% | Read review |
 PrimeLending | credit challenges | 620 | 3% | Read review |
 Caliber | credit challenges | 620 | 3% | Read review |
loanDepot at loanDepot | customer service | 620 | 3.5% | at loanDepot |
 HomeBridge | customer service | 620 | 3% | Read review |
| Lender | Best For | Minimum Credit Score | Minimum Down Payment | Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Flagstar | government loan programs | 620 | 3% | Read review |
Guild Mortgage | government loan programs | 620 | 3% | Read review |
Fairway | online convenience | N/A | 3% | Read review |
Wells Fargo | online convenience | 620 | 3% | Read review |
PrimeLending | credit challenges | 620 | 3% | Read review |
Caliber | credit challenges | 620 | 3% | Read review |
loanDepot at loanDepot | customer service | 620 | 3.5% | at loanDepot |
HomeBridge | customer service | 620 | 3% | Read review |
More Idaho Housing and Finance lenders
These IHFA lenders do a high volume of lending in Idaho, but they haven't been reviewed by NerdWallet.
Idaho Central Credit Union
- Publishes sample mortgage rates online.
- Has over two dozen branches in Treasure Valley, Magic Valley, Eastern Idaho and North Idaho.
- Says most loans close within 30 days.
- Website has live chat.
Academy Mortgage
- Publishes sample mortgage rates online.
- Has 11 Idaho branches.
- Offers a full menu of mortgages.
- Features home buyer education materials on its website.
Glacier Bank (doing business as Citizens Community Bank and Mountain West Bank)
- Has Citizens Community Bank locations in Ammon, Chubbuck, Idaho Falls, Pocatello and Rexburg.
- Has Mountain West Bank locations in Coeur d’Alene, Hayden and Post Falls.
- Website lets you choose a loan officer and start an application online.
- Doesn't publish mortgage rates online.
D.L. Evans Bank
- Has more than two dozen branches across the state.
- Publishes current sample rates for a variety of mortgages on its website.
- Offers online custom rate quotes, based on credit score, down payment and other factors.
- Website lets you start a mortgage application online.
More from NerdWallet
Last updated on July 17, 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 Idaho Housing and Finance Association Lenders of 2019
- Flagstar: Best for government loan programs
- Guild Mortgage: Best for government loan programs
- Fairway: Best for online convenience
- Wells Fargo: Best for online convenience
- PrimeLending: Best for credit challenges
- Caliber: Best for credit challenges
- loanDepot: Best for customer service
- HomeBridge: Best for customer service
