BEST OF

7 Best Missouri Housing Mortgage Lenders of 2021

The Missouri Housing Development Commission offers affordable loans and home buyer assistance programs to state residents. These MHDC-approved lenders are highly rated.

NerdWallet
Jan 21, 2021

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The Missouri Housing Development Commission provides down payment and closing costs assistance to state residents, particularly first-time home buyers.

However, you'll still need to work with a local lender to apply those benefits to your home loan.

Here are MHDC-approved lenders that rank among the best in NerdWallet reviews. We also provide links and info for leading Missouri lenders that do some of the highest loan volume in the state. They are also Missouri Housing authorized lenders.

» MORE: Find MHDC loan programs and eligibility requirements

Best Missouri Housing Mortgage Lenders

Caliber
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Caliber: NMLS#15622

4.0

NerdWallet rating 
Caliber

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 home buyer programs.

Cons

  • No mortgage rates displayed online.

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

Read Full Review
New American Funding
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at New American Funding

New American Funding: NMLS#6606

5.0

NerdWallet rating 
New American Funding

Min. Credit Score

620

Min. Down Payment

3%
Learn more

at New American Funding

Why we like it

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, in some cases.

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

Cons

  • Mortgage origination fees tend to be on the high end, according to the latest federal data.

Read Full Review
Guild Mortgage
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Guild Mortgage: NMLS#3274

4.0

NerdWallet rating 
Guild Mortgage

Min. Credit Score

620

Min. Down Payment

3%
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Why we like it

Good for: borrowers who value customer service, and first-time home buyers and others who may need the flexibility of a low-down-payment loan program.

Pros

  • Offers multiple online conveniences, including a full mortgage application, e-signatures and digital loan process tracking.

  • Offers a wide variety of loan products, including home improvement and manufactured home loans.

Cons

  • Does not offer home equity loan products.

  • Origination fees tend to be on the higher end, according to the latest data.

Read Full Review
Homebridge
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Homebridge: NMLS#6521

4.0

NerdWallet rating 
Homebridge

Min. Credit Score

620

Min. Down Payment

3%
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Why we like it

Good for borrowers who want a loan officer's help, in person or on the phone, when deciding among the wide range of available mortgage options — including loans to buy and renovate.

Pros

  • Offers a full array of mortgage products, including government and renovation loans.

  • Has loans for most purposes, including purchase, refinance and jumbo mortgages.

  • Online portal keeps borrowers up-to-date on the loan application's progress.

Cons

  • Doesn't post interest rates on its site.

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

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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%
Learn more

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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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.

Read Full Review
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.

Read Full Review

More Missouri Housing approved lenders

Here are additional mortgage lenders that participate in Missouri Housing Development Commission programs. While not reviewed by NerdWallet, they are among the leading mortgage originators in the state.

USA Mortgage

  • Offers FHA 203(k) repair, replace and upgrade home loans.

  • The leading mortgage lender by volume in Missouri.

  • Headquartered in St. Louis with over 20 offices across Missouri.

Flat Branch Home Loans

  • Its Community Champions program provides exclusive perks to first responders and school employees, among others.

  • A mobile app keeps you in touch with the loan process wherever you are.

  • 20 local offices throughout Missouri.

Busey BANK

  • Wraps several special benefits into one package for former and active service members.

  • Offers lot loans and construction-to-permanent financing.

  • Offers all government-backed mortgages.

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 Missouri Housing Mortgage Lenders of 2021