Best of
Best Jacksonville Mortgage Lenders of 2019
NerdWalletJuly 2, 2019
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NerdWallet has narrowed the field to some of the best-rated mortgage companies in Jacksonville, Florida.
at Rocket Mortgage
at Rocket Mortgage
Min. Credit Score
620
Min. Down Payment
3%
Ideal for anyone who appreciates smartphone app service, support and time savings. A fully digital home loan experience with a large variety of mortgage products.
Pros
- The site caters to self-service users who want to apply for a home loan without talking to a human unless it’s absolutely necessary.
- With your authorization, accesses asset statements from 98% of U.S. financial institutions.
- Tells you the loan amount you’ll qualify for within minutes.
- Rocket Mortgage’s document and asset retrieval capabilities can save you a bunch of time and hassle.
Cons
- Doesn't offer home equity loans or HELOCs.
- If you’re a “look me in the eye” type of customer, you’re out of luck.
- Doesn’t consider alternative credit data. It just looks at credit scores and debt-to-income ratios, the way most mortgage lenders always have.
National / Regional
National
Min. Down Payment
0%
Ideal for military members and their families. Navy Federal Credit Union offers a wide range of mortgage products, an online application and considers alternative credit data for certain loan types.
Pros
- Wide range of affordable mortgage products designed for military members.
- Willing to look at nontraditional credit data, such as rent payments, as part of its credit evaluation for certain products.
- Lower minimum loan amounts than many other lenders.
- Online application for preapproval with quick decision.
- $1,000 mortgage rate match program.
- Operates nationwide.
Cons
- Charges application and underwriting fees.
- Origination charge on a typical conventional loan is 1% of the loan amount.
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 borrowers who prefer a traditional bank. Bank of America offers a wide array of mortgages and online account management tools. It also has first-time home buyer loans with low down payments and no mandatory mortgage insurance.
Pros
- Allows borrowers to apply entirely online.
- Offers down payment and closing cost assistance programs.
- Accepts alternative credit data for some loan types.
- May give existing customers a discount on mortgage lender origination fees.
Cons
- Charges an application fee of $1,170, on average.
- Has a high volume of consumer complaints, even for a big national bank.
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 first-time home buyers, including those with little money saved for a down payment. SunTrust's online portal offers information and tools in English and in Spanish.
Pros
- Offers a complete online suite of mortgage application tools and loan tracking.
- Has plenty of loan options to choose from and competitive interest rates.
- Provides customer service in its physical locations, online, via chat and by phone.
- Has a Doctor Loan Program for medical professionals who have high earning potential but little cash for down payments.
Cons
- Has a limited number of physical branch locations in 11 states and Washington, D.C.
- Does not consider alternative scoring data, such as rent or utility payments, in standard underwriting.
at Chase
at Chase
Min. Credit Score
620
Min. Down Payment
3%
Ideal for first-time home buyers who want to talk to a loan officer in person or on the phone, and for homeowners who want to refinance their mortgages in 60 days or less. Chase offers a full line of mortgage products and account management tools.
Pros
- Allows electronic submission and tracking of documents.
- Existing Chase customers can get discounts.
- Offers a wide selection of purchase and refinance mortgages.
Cons
- Charges rate lock, origination and underwriting fees.
- You have to speak with a mortgage banker to get complete info on products and requirements.
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 loan offerings.
- 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 military members and their relatives who are interested in a VA loan.
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.
- Offers online pre-qualification.
Cons
- Doesn’t offer FHA or USDA loans.
- Alternative credit is not considered.
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.
Summary of Best Jacksonville Mortgage Lenders of 2019
| Lender | Best For | Minimum Credit Score | Minimum Down Payment | Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Rocket Mortgage at Rocket Mortgage | online convenience | 620 | 3% | at Rocket Mortgage |
 Navy Federal | military members and their families | N/A | 0% | Read review |
 PrimeLending | closing costs assistance | 620 | 3% | Read review |
 Bank of America | a wide variety of loan products | 620 | 3% | Read review |
loanDepot at loanDepot | customer service | 620 | 3.5% | at loanDepot |
 SunTrust | first-time home buyers | 620 | 3% | Read review |
Chase at Chase | a wide variety of loan products | 620 | 3% | at Chase |
 Flagstar | a wide variety of loan products | 620 | 3% | Read review |
 USAA | military members and their families | 620 | 3% | Read review |
 Caliber | first-time home buyers | 620 | 3% | Read review |
| Lender | Best For | Minimum Credit Score | Minimum Down Payment | Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Rocket Mortgage at Rocket Mortgage | online convenience | 620 | 3% | at Rocket Mortgage |
Navy Federal | military members and their families | N/A | 0% | Read review |
PrimeLending | closing costs assistance | 620 | 3% | Read review |
Bank of America | a wide variety of loan products | 620 | 3% | Read review |
loanDepot at loanDepot | customer service | 620 | 3.5% | at loanDepot |
SunTrust | first-time home buyers | 620 | 3% | Read review |
Chase at Chase | a wide variety of loan products | 620 | 3% | at Chase |
Flagstar | a wide variety of loan products | 620 | 3% | Read review |
USAA | military members and their families | 620 | 3% | Read review |
Caliber | first-time home buyers | 620 | 3% | Read review |
» MORE: Check Jacksonville mortgage rates
Local mortgage lenders in Jacksonville
It’s always a good idea to include a local lender or two in your search for the best mortgage deal. These Jacksonville companies are among the highest-volume mortgage lenders in northeast Florida, though they have not been reviewed by NerdWallet.
Vystar Credit Union
- The largest credit union based in northeast Florida and the second-largest mortgage lender in the region by loan volume.
- Will pay up to $5,000 in borrower closing costs on certain home loans.
- Makes credit union membership available to those who live or work in the Jacksonville area.
TIAA Bank
- While now splashed across the Jacksonville Jaguars’ stadium, many will recognize the bank’s legacy brand as a provider of teacher retirement programs.
- Allows you to lock your interest rate before you find a home to purchase.
- Offers a one-closing construction loan that allows for an 18-month building phase and long-term interest rate lock.
Bank of England
- While the name may seem to imply otherwise, every loan decision is made within the local branch.
- Claims to close loans “50% faster than the national average.”
- Offers bond loans to assist with closing costs.
DHI Mortgage
- Started as the in-house lender for a leading homebuilder.
- Offers a program to help credit-challenged buyers qualify for homeownership.
- Offers an online pre-qualification form to start the homebuying process.
More from NerdWallet
Last updated on July 2, 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 Jacksonville Mortgage Lenders of 2019
- Rocket Mortgage: Best for online convenience
- Navy Federal: Best for military members and their families
- PrimeLending: Best for closing costs assistance
- Bank of America: Best for a wide variety of loan products
- loanDepot: Best for customer service
- SunTrust: Best for first-time home buyers
- Chase: Best for a wide variety of loan products
- Flagstar: Best for a wide variety of loan products
- USAA: Best for military members and their families
- Caliber: Best for first-time home buyers
