BEST OF

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.

NerdWallet
Dec 1, 2021

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You’ll find a strong stable of mortgage companies in the Kansas City area, regardless of which side of State Line Road you look. The challenge? Sifting through the plethora of options. To make the process easier, NerdWallet researched the local market to find some of the best national and regional mortgage lenders for a variety of borrowers. These companies do business throughout the area and are good places to start your search.

» MORE: 5 tips for finding the best mortgage lenders

Best Kansas City Mortgage Lenders

NBKC
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at NBKC

NBKC: NMLS#409631

5.0

NerdWallet rating 
NBKC

Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%
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at NBKC

Why we like it

Good for: borrowers with solid credit who want to pay low rates and get an online experience with phone support. VA loans are an emphasis.

Pros

  • Extends full online capabilities, from application to loan tracking.

  • Displays customized rates, with fee estimates, without requiring contact information.

Cons

  • Equity lines and construction loans are available only in the Kansas City metro area.

  • Doesn’t offer renovation loans.

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Quicken Loans
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at Quicken Loans

Quicken Loans: NMLS#3030

4.0

NerdWallet rating 
Quicken Loans

Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%
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at Quicken Loans

Why we like it

Good 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.

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Guaranteed Rate
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at Guaranteed Rate

Guaranteed Rate: NMLS#2611

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
Guaranteed Rate

Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%
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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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Bank of America
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Bank of America: NMLS#399802

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
Bank of America

Min. credit score

660

Min. down payment

5%

National / regional

National
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National / regional

National

Why we like it

Good for: first-time home buyers looking for low-down-payment options and existing customers who may get a discount on fees.

Pros

  • Offers down payment and closing cost assistance programs.

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

  • Offers home equity line of credit, or HELOC.

Cons

  • Doesn't offer renovation loans that roll costs into a mortgage.

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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%
Learn more

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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Carrington
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Carrington: NMLS#2600

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
Carrington

Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

5%
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Why we like it

Good 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 and rent payments.

  • You can view customized rates for purchasing a home and apply online.

Cons

  • Doesn't offer home equity loans, HELOCs or renovation mortgages.

  • Lender fees and mortgage rates are on the high side, according to the latest data.

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PrimeLending
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PrimeLending: NMLS#13649

3.5

NerdWallet rating 
PrimeLending

Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%
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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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Flagstar
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Flagstar: NMLS#417490

5.0

NerdWallet rating 
Flagstar

Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%
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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.

  • Offers customized online rate quotes with monthly payment estimates, including mortgage insurance, when applicable.

Cons

  • Home equity loans are geographically limited.

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USAA
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USAA: NMLS#8722

3.5

NerdWallet rating 
USAA

Min. credit score

640

Min. down payment

0%
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Why we like it

USAA specializes in VA loans and offers a variety of online conveniences, but its website doesn’t offer customized rate quotes.

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.

  • You can submit loan documents online.

Cons

  • Doesn’t offer FHA or USDA loans, or second mortgages.

  • Limited mortgage rate information is on the USAA website, none of it customized. You'll have to call.

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Navy Federal
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Navy Federal: NMLS#399807

3.5

NerdWallet rating 
Navy Federal

National / regional

National

Min. down payment

0%
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Why we like it

Good for: military members and their families looking for low-down-payment mortgages.

Pros

  • Offers a wide range of affordable mortgage products designed for military members.

  • Has an online application for preapproval.

  • Offers low rates compared with most lenders, according to the latest 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.

Read Full Review

» MORE: See the best Missouri mortgage lenders

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.

CommunityAmerica Credit Union

  • 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.

First State Bank

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

  • Has an online application available.

  • Makes its lending decisions locally.

Busey Bank

  • 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.

Capitol Federal Savings Bank

  • 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 December 1, 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 Kansas City Mortgage Lenders of 2021