BEST OF

4 Best Iowa Finance Authority Mortgage Lenders of 2021

These mortgage lenders rank among the best of those with expertise implementing Iowa Finance Authority home loan benefits.

NerdWalletJanuary 21, 2021
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The Iowa Finance Authority helps first-time home buyers in the state by offering unique assistance programs that help cover down payment and closing costs. But you'll need an IFA-approved lender to make the loan happen.

NerdWallet has created this short list of participating lenders, highlighting some of the best that know how to navigate state-sponsored home loan benefits for Ioans.

» MORE: Find Iowa Finance Authority loan programs and eligibility requirements

Summary of Best Iowa Finance Authority Mortgage Lenders of 2021

Wells Fargo
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Wells Fargo: NMLS#399801

5.0

NerdWallet rating 
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Min. Credit Score

620

Min. Down Payment

3%

Wells Fargo has a world-class selection of mortgage products and offers competitive, easy-to-shop rates.

Pros

  • Provides numerous online conveniences, including loan application and process updates.
  • Current rates clearly posted for various loan products.
  • Offers a wide variety of loan types and products.

Cons

  • New applications for home equity lines of credit suspended during COVID-19 crisis.
  • Government actions and scandals have damaged consumer trust in recent years.
Read full review
New American Funding

at New American Funding

4.5

NerdWallet rating 

at New American Funding

Min. Credit Score

620

Min. Down Payment

3%

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

Cons

  • Mortgage rates offered to borrowers are higher than the government-reported median of all lenders.
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Fairway Independent Mortgage

at Fairway Independent Mortgage

4.0

NerdWallet rating 

at Fairway Independent Mortgage

Min. Credit Score

620

Min. Down Payment

3%

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.
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Wintrust Mortgage
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Wintrust Mortgage: NMLS#449042

4.0

NerdWallet rating 
Read review
Min. Credit Score

620

Min. Down Payment

3%

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, renovation and reverse mortgages.
  • Participates in some first-time home buyer assistance programs.

Cons

  • Mortgage rates are available only by contacting a loan officer.
  • Physical locations aren't available in all states.
Read full review

More Iowa Finance Authority participating lenders

Here are additional Iowa Finance Authority-approved lenders. While they haven’t been reviewed by NerdWallet, they are among the highest loan volume mortgage originators in the state.

Veridian Credit Union

  • Apply online for a preapproval.

  • Provides fixed- and adjustable-rate construction loans.

  • A 10-year fixed loan option can reduce interest costs.

HomeServices Lending

  • Offers reduced mortgage insurance premiums for low- to moderate-income borrowers.

  • Provides rural housing loans with zero down payments, backed by the USDA.

  • Condo financing also available.

More from NerdWallet

Last updated on January 21, 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 Iowa Finance Authority Mortgage Lenders of 2021