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10 Best Jacksonville Mortgage Lenders of 2020

NerdWalletJanuary 2, 2020

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NerdWallet has narrowed the field to some of the best-rated mortgage companies in Jacksonville, Florida.

Jacksonville, Florida, can measure its appeal by the numbers. It has an average commute time of just 25 minutes and 24 annual music festivals. The sun shines on more than 90 miles of area beaches 220 days of the year. An equally impressive number of companies serve the mortgage needs of the 1.6 million residents in the seven-county area.

Because there is a significant military presence across the First Coast, lenders that specialize in mortgages guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs and that cater to first-time home buyers are in high demand.

The challenge for borrowers who want to comparison shop is finding a workable number of high-performing loan providers.

» MORE: Find out about Florida first-time home buyer programs

Here are some of the best-rated lenders NerdWallet has reviewed in various borrower categories. We’ve highlighted some local favorites, too. All are among the mortgage lenders that do the most business in Jacksonville.

Summary of Best Jacksonville Mortgage Lenders of 2020

LenderNerdWallet Rating Minimum Credit Score Minimum Down PaymentLearn More

Rocket Mortgage: NMLS#3030

at Rocket Mortgage

4.5

/5

Best for online convenience

620

3%

at Rocket Mortgage

Navy Federal: NMLS#399807

Read review

4.5

/5

Best for military members and their families

N/A

0%

Read review

PrimeLending: NMLS#13649

Read review

3.5

/5

Best for closing costs assistance

620

3%

Read review

Bank of America: NMLS#399802

Read review

5.0

/5

Best for a wide variety of loan products

620

3%

Read review

loanDepot: NMLS#174457

at loanDepot

4.0

/5

Best for customer service

620

3.5%

at loanDepot

SunTrust: NMLS#2915

Read review

4.0

/5

Best for first-time home buyers

620

3%

Read review

Chase: NMLS#399798

Read review

3.5

/5

Best for a wide variety of loan products

620

3%

Read review

Flagstar: NMLS#417490

Read review

4.5

/5

Best for a wide variety of loan products

620

3%

Read review

USAA: NMLS#8722

Read review

3.0

/5

Best for military members and their families

620

3%

Read review

Caliber: NMLS#15622

Read review

3.5

/5

Best for first-time home buyers

620

3%

Read review
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at Rocket Mortgage

Rocket Mortgage: NMLS#3030

Logo

Min. Credit Score

620

Min. Down Payment

3%

at Rocket Mortgage

Why we like it

Ideal for anyone who appreciates smartphone app service, support and time savings. Rocket Mortgage offers 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.

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Navy Federal: NMLS#399807

Logo

National / Regional

National

Min. Down Payment

0%

Read review

Why we like it

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.

  • Online application for preapproval with quick decision.

Cons

  • Website does not provide customized mortgage rates based on credit score or other factors before you apply.

Read Full Review
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Read review

PrimeLending: NMLS#13649

Logo

Min. Credit Score

620

Min. Down Payment

3%

Read review

Why we like it

Good for: borrowers looking for closing cost assistance, as well as those seeking to renovate or to build a new home.

Pros

  • Full online application includes document uploads and automated loan updates.

  • Offers a "float-down" interest rate lock.

  • Offers a proprietary closing-cost assistance program.

Cons

  • No online mortgage rates — you have to contact the lender for info.

  • Doesn't offer home equity products.

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Read review

Bank of America: NMLS#399802

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Min. Credit Score

620

Min. Down Payment

3%

Read review

Why we like it

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.

  • May give existing customers a discount on mortgage lender origination fees.

Cons

  • Does not offer renovation loans.

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at loanDepot

loanDepot: NMLS#174457

Logo

Min. Credit Score

620

Min. Down Payment

3.5%

at loanDepot

Why we like it

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.

Read Full Review
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Read review

SunTrust: NMLS#2915

Logo

Min. Credit Score

620

Min. Down Payment

3%

Read review

Why we like it

Ideal for borrowers with fair credit or better. SunTrust, now a part of Truist Financial Corp., offers a variety of customer service options.

Pros

  • Offers a complete online suite of mortgage application tools and loan tracking.

  • Provides customer service in its physical locations, online, via chat and by phone.

  • Offers wide variety of loan options, including a loan program for licensed medical professionals

Cons

  • Customized rates not available on website without starting an application.

  • Branches limited to mostly the Southeast.

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Read review

Chase: NMLS#399798

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Min. Credit Score

620

Min. Down Payment

3%

Read review

Why we like it

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.

Read Full Review
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Read review

Flagstar: NMLS#417490

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Min. Credit Score

620

Min. Down Payment

3%

Read review

Why we like it

Good for borrowers who want a wide range of choices — not only among mortgage products, but also in the channel they prefer, whether a branch, online or on the phone.

Pros

  • Offers a wide range of loan types and products, including FHA, VA and USDA.

  • Has a full suite of online conveniences.

  • Does well with rate transparency, and monthly payment estimates add mortgage insurance, when applicable.

Cons

  • Doesn’t offer renovation loans at this time.

  • Home equity lending is geographically limited.

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Read review

USAA: NMLS#8722

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Min. Credit Score

620

Min. Down Payment

3%

Read review

Why we like it

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.

Read Full Review
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Read review

Caliber: NMLS#15622

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Min. Credit Score

620

Min. Down Payment

3%

Read review

Why we like it

Good for: first-time home buyers, veterans and those who may have credit challenges to overcome.

Pros

  • Offers extensive educational resources for military borrowers.

  • Provides digital tools for a streamlined application process.

  • Participates in some state down payment assistance and first-time homebuyer programs.

Cons

  • No mortgage rates displayed online.

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

Read Full 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 January 2, 2020

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 2020