BEST OF

7 Best IHDA Mortgage Lenders of 2020

IHDA loan programs make homeownership more affordable for Illinois residents. See our top picks for IHDA participating lenders.

By NerdWallet  

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The Illinois Housing Development Authority, or IHDA, offers a variety of programs designed to help you buy a home.

To get an IHDA loan, and up to $10,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance, you’ll have to work with a participating lender. But with over 165 different participating lenders across the state of Illinois, which one should you choose?

NerdWallet can help you narrow it down. We looked at IHDA lenders, identifying the best ones for a variety of borrower needs. Start your search by comparing the lenders below.

» MORE: Explore IHDA loans, grants, mortgage rates and income limits

Best IHDA Mortgage Lenders

New American Funding
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at New American Funding

New American Funding: NMLS#6606

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
New American Funding

Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%
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at New American Funding

Why we like it

Good for: First-time home buyers and other borrowers looking for a broad array of loan choices.

Pros

  • Offers a wide variety of purchase and refinance mortgages with an emphasis on helping underserved communities.

  • Its home equity line of credit can be used for an owner-occupied or second home.

  • Offers a program to enable buyers to make cash offers.

Cons

  • Mortgage origination fees tend to be on the high end, according to the latest federal data.

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Guaranteed Rate
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at Guaranteed Rate

Guaranteed Rate: NMLS#2611

5.0

NerdWallet rating 
Guaranteed Rate

Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%
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at Guaranteed Rate

Why we like it

Good for: borrowers seeking a solid variety of loan types, including jumbo and interest-only options, and a totally online experience.

Pros

  • Displays detailed sample rates for many of its loan products.

  • Offers a wide variety of loans, including jumbo and interest-only products.

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

Cons

  • Doesn't offer home equity loans.

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Fairway Independent Mortgage
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at Fairway Independent Mortgage

Fairway Independent Mortgage: NMLS#2289

3.5

NerdWallet rating 
Fairway Independent Mortgage

Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%
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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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PNC
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PNC: NMLS#446303

5.0

NerdWallet rating 
PNC

Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%

Why we like it

Good for: borrowers with low-to-moderate incomes or limited down payments. PNC offers several low-down-payment loans, including one with no mortgage insurance.

Pros

  • Posts current mortgage rates on its website.

  • Has an online application for mortgage preapproval and a digital tool to track application progress.

  • Offers several affordable loan options, including FHA, VA, USDA and the PNC Community Loan.

Cons

  • Doesn't offer renovation mortgages.

  • In-person service is not available in every state.

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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%

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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Wintrust Mortgage
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Wintrust Mortgage: NMLS#449042

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
Wintrust Mortgage

Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%

Why we like it

Wintrust Mortgage offers a variety of loan products, including home equity lines of credit and even home-improvement loans, and provides a number of online conveniences, such as loan process updates. But you won’t find rates posted online.

Pros

  • Offers specialty loans, such as construction and renovation loans and loans for second homes and investment properties.

  • Participates in first-time home buyer assistance programs in Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin.

Cons

  • Sample rates for some loan products are available only by contacting a loan officer.

  • Physical locations aren't available in all states.

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US Bank
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US Bank: NMLS#402761

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
US Bank

Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

5%

Why we like it

U.S. Bank gets high marks for its loan offerings and online customer conveniences — and has competitive fees and mortgage rates.

Pros

  • Offers a full line of conventional and government loan products.

  • Provides home equity loans and lines of credit.

  • Allows borrowers to apply and track their loan's progress online.

Cons

  • No personalized mortgage rates available online.

  • Published mortgage rates assume an above-average credit score.

Read Full Review
PNC
Read review

PNC: NMLS#446303

5.0

NerdWallet rating 
PNC

Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%

Why we like it

Good for: borrowers with low-to-moderate incomes or limited down payments. PNC offers several low-down-payment loans, including one with no mortgage insurance.

Pros

  • Posts current mortgage rates on its website.

  • Has an online application for mortgage preapproval and a digital tool to track application progress.

  • Offers several affordable loan options, including FHA, VA, USDA and the PNC Community Loan.

Cons

  • Doesn't offer renovation mortgages.

  • In-person service is not available in every state.

Read Full Review

More participating IHDA mortgage lenders

NerdWallet hasn’t reviewed the financial institutions below, but the IHDA lists them among its top participating lenders.

MIDLAND STATES BANK

  • Offers FHA, VA and USDA loans.

  • Full online application and ability to request a call back from a loan officer.

  • A number of Illinois branch offices.

ENVOY MORTGAGE

  • Online application and loan progress tracking.

  • Offers certified VA loan originators.

  • Limited number of Illinois branch offices.

BLACKHAWK BANK

  • Offers FHA, VA and USDA loans.

  • Provides a money-back guarantee on all mortgage preapprovals.

  • Branch offices in Illinois are limited but it offers an online loan application.

DIAMOND RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE CORP.

  • Offers FHA, VA and USDA loans.

  • Lending options for those who are self-employed or have past bankruptcy.

  • About 10 Illinois branch offices, no online application.

More from NerdWallet

Compare Chicago-area mortgage lenders

Calculate your mortgage payment

See Illinois mortgage rates

Last updated on January 2, 2020

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 IHDA Mortgage Lenders of 2020