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10 Best Kansas City Mortgage Lenders of 2021

Locating a mortgage lender in Kansas City is easy, but finding the right one can be overwhelming. NerdWallet did the research to recommend some of the best.

By
NerdWallet
Mar 7, 2023

Some or all of the mortgage lenders featured on our site are advertising partners of NerdWallet, but this does not influence our evaluations, lender star ratings or the order in which lenders are listed on the page. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners.

Best Kansas City Mortgage Lenders

Lender
NerdWallet Rating
Min. credit score
Min. down payment
National / regional
Learn more
Bank of America

Bank of America: NMLS#399802

Read review
4.5/5
Best for online convenience

660

5%

National

Carrington

Carrington: NMLS#2600

4.5/5
Best for first-time home buyers

620

5%

National

3.5/5
Best for nonbank option

620

3%

National

Learn moreat Fairway Independent Mortgageat Fairway Independent Mortgage
Flagstar

Flagstar: NMLS#417490

4.5/5
Best for niche loan products

620

3%

National

Guaranteed Rate

Guaranteed Rate: NMLS#2611

5.0/5
Best for nonbank option

620

3%

National

Navy Federal

Navy Federal: NMLS#399807

4.5/5
Best for veterans

N/A

0%

National

NBKC

NBKC: NMLS#409631

5.0/5
Best for online convenience

620

3%

National

PrimeLending

PrimeLending: NMLS#13649

3.5/5
Best for niche loan products

620

3%

National

Quicken Loans

Quicken Loans: NMLS#3030

4.0/5
Best for first-time home buyers

620

3%

National

USAA

USAA: NMLS#8722

4.0/5
Best for veterans

640

0%

Regional

Bank of America
Read review
Bank of America

Bank of America: NMLS#399802

4.5
Min. credit score

660

Min. down payment

5%

National / regional

National

Why We Like ItGood for: first-time home buyers looking for low- or no-down-payment options and homeowners interested in a home equity line of credit.
Pros
  • Offers down payment and closing cost assistance programs.
  • May give existing customers a discount on mortgage lender origination fees and HELOC interest rates.
  • Receives high marks for customer satisfaction, according to J.D. Power and Zillow.
Cons
  • Doesn't offer renovation loans that roll costs into a mortgage.
Carrington

Carrington: NMLS#2600

Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

5%

Why We Like ItGood for: first-time home buyers or credit-challenged borrowers interested in government loan products.
Pros
  • Offers multiple low-down-payment loan programs.
  • May consider alternative credit data, such as bank statements.
  • You can view customized rates for purchasing a home and apply online.
Cons
  • Doesn't offer home equity lines of credit.
  • Lender fees are on the high side, according to the latest federal data.
Why We Like ItGood 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.
Flagstar

Flagstar: NMLS#417490

Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%

Why We Like ItGood 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.
  • Borrowers can apply and track loan status online.
  • Offers customized online rate quotes with monthly payment estimates, including mortgage insurance, when applicable.
Cons
  • Home equity loans are geographically limited.
  • Origination fees are on the high side compared with other lenders, according to the latest federal data.
Guaranteed Rate

Guaranteed Rate: NMLS#2611

Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%

Why We Like ItGood 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.
Navy Federal

Navy Federal: NMLS#399807

National / regional

National

Min. down payment

0%

Why We Like ItGood for: military members and their families looking for low-down-payment mortgages.
Pros
  • Offers a wide range of affordable mortgage products, including 0% down payment loans, designed for military members.
  • Offers HELOCs and home equity loans.
  • Offers low rates compared with most lenders, according to the latest federal data.
Cons
  • Website does not provide customized mortgage rates based on credit score or other factors before you apply.
  • Credit union membership is limited to veterans and current military members, their families, and certain federal employees, retirees and contractors.
NBKC

NBKC: NMLS#409631

Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%

Why We Like ItGood for: borrowers who want low rates and fees and an online experience with phone support. VA loans are an emphasis.
Pros
  • Offers government-backed loans and some harder-to-find products, such as construction loans and specialty mortgages for pilots.
  • Offers low rates and fees compared with other lenders, according to the latest federal data.
  • Displays customized rates, with fee estimates, without requiring contact information.
Cons
  • HELOCs and construction-to-permanent loans are available only in the Kansas City metro area.
PrimeLending

PrimeLending: NMLS#13649

Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%

Why We Like ItGood 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 government-backed mortgage and refinance options, including FHA, USDA and VA loans.
Cons
  • No online mortgage rates — you have to contact the lender for info.
  • Doesn't offer home equity products.
Quicken Loans

Quicken Loans: NMLS#3030

Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%

Why We Like ItGood for: borrowers who appreciate convenience online and on the go for a fully digital home loan experience with consistently acclaimed customer service.
Pros
  • Caters to self-service users who want to apply for a home loan online and talk to a human only as necessary.
  • Estimates the loan amount you’ll qualify for within minutes.
  • Streamlines the online process with document and asset retrieval capabilities, including the ability to edit your preapproval letter.
Cons
  • Getting a customized interest rate requires a credit check, which can affect your credit score.
  • Doesn't offer home equity loans or lines of credit.
  • Lender fees are on the high side and the fees aren't offset by particularly low mortgage rates, according to the latest data.
USAA

USAA: NMLS#8722

Min. credit score

640

Min. down payment

0%

Why We Like ItGood for: veterans, active-duty service members and eligible reservists looking for VA loans.
Pros
  • VA loans are the bulk of USAA’s business, so it knows the ins and outs of eligibility.
  • Offers a conventional home loan with low down payment for first-time buyers.
  • Mortgage interest rates are on the low side compared with other lenders, according to the latest federal data.
Cons
  • Doesn’t offer FHA or USDA loans, or second mortgages.
  • Limited mortgage rate information is on the USAA website. For customized rates, you'll have to make contact.

Local mortgage lenders in Kansas City

The following companies haven’t been reviewed by NerdWallet, but they do a lot of business in the Kansas City metropolitan area. They’re worth investigating if you’re looking for more options.

  • Good for borrowers looking for a homegrown credit union.

  • Offers membership to Kansas City area residents, workers and employees of select companies outside the area.

  • Has an adjustable-rate loan available with no down payment for first-time home buyers.

  • Offers FHA, USDA and VA mortgages, as well as fixed-rate home equity lines of credit.

  • Has two mortgage-lending locations in the Kansas City area.

  • Has an online application available.

  • Makes its lending decisions locally.

  • Good for borrowers looking for a full suite of fixed- and adjustable-rate mortgage options.

  • Allows you to start an application online.

  • Offers FHA, USDA and VA mortgages.

  • Offers no and low down payment options, including a special program for physicians.

  • Good for borrowers looking for online conveniences.

  • Has an online application and displays mortgage rates on its website.

  • Has programs available for low- and moderate-income home buyers.

  • Offers construction loans and combined purchase and renovation loans.

More from NerdWallet

Last updated on March 7, 2023

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 Kansas City Mortgage Lenders of 2021

  • Bank of America: Best for online convenience
  • Carrington: Best for first-time home buyers
  • Fairway Independent Mortgage: Best for nonbank option
  • Flagstar: Best for niche loan products
  • Guaranteed Rate: Best for nonbank option
  • Navy Federal: Best for veterans
  • NBKC: Best for online convenience
  • PrimeLending: Best for niche loan products
  • Quicken Loans: Best for first-time home buyers
  • USAA: Best for veterans
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