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.

NerdWallet
Jan 2, 2020

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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

Guaranteed Rate
Learn more

at Guaranteed Rate

Guaranteed Rate: NMLS#2611

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
Guaranteed Rate

Min. Credit Score

620

Min. Down Payment

3%
Learn more

at Guaranteed Rate

Why we like it

Good for: borrowers seeking conventional or government-backed loans, and a totally online experience.

Pros

  • Offers the ability to securely upload and digitally sign loan documents.

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

Cons

  • Doesn't offer home equity loans or lines of credit.

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New American Funding
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at New American Funding

New American Funding: NMLS#6606

5.0

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: borrowers who need to be evaluated on the basis of nontraditional credit and those interested in various down payment assistance programs.

Pros

  • Uses manual underwriting to evaluate creditworthiness, in some cases.

  • Offers full online mortgage application, rate quotes, document upload and loan tracking.

Cons

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

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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 and the convenience of a comprehensive mobile application process.

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.

  • Origination fees are on the high side and are not offset by low rates, according to the latest data.

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loanDepot
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at loanDepot

loanDepot: NMLS#174457

3.5

NerdWallet rating 
loanDepot

Min. Credit Score

620

Min. Down Payment

5%
Learn more

at loanDepot

Why we like it

Good for: borrowers looking to refinance or who want to start the application process online.

Pros

  • Offers digital income, asset and employment verification.

  • Offers multiple renovation loan options.

  • Has affiliated loan stores 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.

Read Full Review
Wintrust Mortgage
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Wintrust Mortgage: NMLS#449042

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
Wintrust Mortgage

Min. Credit Score

620

Min. Down Payment

3%
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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

  • Online application and progress tracking are available.

  • Offers specialty loans, such as construction and renovation loans.

  • Participates in some first-time home buyer assistance programs.

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

3%
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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
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PNC: NMLS#446303

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
PNC

Min. Credit Score

620

Min. Down Payment

3%
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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
PNC
Read review

PNC: NMLS#446303

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
PNC

Min. Credit Score

620

Min. Down Payment

3%
Read review

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