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.

By NerdWallet  

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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

New American Funding
Learn more

at New American Funding

New American Funding: NMLS#6606

4.5

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: First-time home buyers and other borrowers looking for a broad array of loan choices.

Pros

  • Offers a wide variety of purchase and refinance mortgages with an emphasis on helping underserved communities.

  • Its home equity line of credit can be used for an owner-occupied or second home.

  • Offers a program to enable buyers to make cash offers.

Cons

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

Read Full Review
Guaranteed Rate
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at Guaranteed Rate

Guaranteed Rate: NMLS#2611

5.0

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 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.

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, 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.

Read Full Review
Caliber
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Caliber: NMLS#15622

3.5

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.

  • Participates in some 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
Guild Mortgage
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Guild Mortgage: NMLS#3274

3.5

NerdWallet rating 
Guild Mortgage

Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%
Read review

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 a wide variety of loan products, including home improvement loans and mortgages for manufactured homes.

  • Has retail branches in most states.

  • Receives high marks for customer satisfaction, according to J.D. Power and Zillow.

Cons

  • Does not offer home equity loan products.

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

Read Full Review
Homebridge
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Homebridge: NMLS#6521

3.5

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.

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

  • Offers home equity lines of credit, or HELOCs.

Cons

  • Doesn't post interest rates on its site.

  • Lender fees are on the high side, according to the latest federal data.

Read Full Review
PrimeLending
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PrimeLending: NMLS#13649

3.5

NerdWallet rating 
PrimeLending

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 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.

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