7 Best Missouri Housing Mortgage Lenders of 2020

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

Summary of Best Missouri Housing Mortgage Lenders of 2020

Lender	Best For	Minimum Credit Score	Minimum Down Payment	Learn More
Caliber NerdWallet rating Read review	online convenience	620	3%	Read review
New American Funding NerdWallet rating Learn more at New American	first-time home buyers	620	3%	Learn more at New American
Guild Mortgage NerdWallet rating Read review	first-time home buyers	620	3%	Read review
HomeBridge NerdWallet rating Read review	government loans	620	3%	Read review
Guaranteed Rate NerdWallet rating Read review	government loans	620	3%	Read review
PrimeLending NerdWallet rating Read review	buying a fixer-upper	620	3%	Read review
Fairway Independent Mortgage NerdWallet rating Learn More at Fairway	buying a fixer-upper	N/A	3%	Learn More at Fairway

Lender	Best For	Minimum Credit Score	Minimum Down Payment	Learn More
Caliber NerdWallet rating Read review	online convenience	620	3%	Read review
New American Funding NerdWallet rating Learn more at New American	first-time home buyers	620	3%	Learn more at New American
Guild Mortgage NerdWallet rating Read review	first-time home buyers	620	3%	Read review
HomeBridge NerdWallet rating Read review	government loans	620	3%	Read review
Guaranteed Rate NerdWallet rating Read review	government loans	620	3%	Read review
PrimeLending NerdWallet rating Read review	buying a fixer-upper	620	3%	Read review
Fairway Independent Mortgage NerdWallet rating Learn More at Fairway	buying a fixer-upper	N/A	3%	Learn More at Fairway

Read review

Caliber: NMLS#15622

4.0

NerdWallet rating

Min. Credit Score

620

Min. Down Payment

3%

Read review

Why we like it

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

Pros

Participates in some state down payment assistance programs.
Offers educational resources for military borrowers.
Provides digital tools for a streamlined application process.

Cons

No mortgage rates displayed online.
Must work with a loan officer for pre-qualification and preapproval.

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at New American

New American Funding: NMLS#6606

4.5

NerdWallet rating

Min. Credit Score

620

Min. Down Payment

3%

Learn more

at New American

Why we like it

Ideal for borrowers who need to be evaluated on the basis of nontraditional credit. New American Funding offers FHA and VA loans, works with down payment assistance programs, and helps borrowers whose credit histories don't fit the mold of traditional banking.

Pros

Uses manual underwriting to evaluate creditworthiness.
Offers full online mortgage application, rate quotes, document upload and loan tracking.
Home equity lending sets it apart from most non-bank lenders.

Cons

Services not available in all 50 states.

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Guild Mortgage: NMLS#3274

4.0

NerdWallet rating

Min. Credit Score

620

Min. Down Payment

3%

Read review

Why we like it

Ideal for borrowers with a relatively high credit score who may need down payment assistance or help from a state housing agency.

Pros

Works with loan programs offered by state and local housing agencies.
Specializes in mortgages for first-time home buyers.
Almost half of its loans are low-down-payment government mortgages.
Considers alternative credit, such as history of payments on rent and utilities.

Cons

With a concentration of offices in the West and South, Guild has little presence in the Northeast and Midwest.
Jumbo borrowers may find that banks are more competitive when it comes to large loan amounts.

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HomeBridge: NMLS#6521

3.5

NerdWallet rating

Min. Credit Score

620

Min. Down Payment

3%

Read review

Why we like it

Ideal for borrowers who prefer an online experience. Homebridge offers a variety of home loan options and an online application.

Pros

A wide variety of loan types.
Low credit score requirements for government-backed loans.
A wealth of educational material on its website.
Licensed in all 50 states.

Cons

Mortgage application can't be tracked online.
Charges origination fees on some loans.
Limited branch locations.

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Guaranteed Rate: NMLS#2611

4.5

NerdWallet rating

Min. Credit Score

620

Min. Down Payment

3%

Read review

Why we like it

Ideal for borrowers who are looking to apply for a mortgage and manage the process through online tools, whether buying or refinancing. Guaranteed Rate offers FHA, VA and USDA loans for borrowers who are well-qualified.

Pros

Works with most borrowers as long as they have good credit scores and incomes.
Provides a user-friendly digital platform that’s thorough in covering all types of borrowing scenarios.
Has a 95% customer satisfaction rate, according to company data.

Cons

Charges some fees, such as a $1,290 lender fee that includes a $150 application fee.
Offers many products, which might confuse or overwhelm borrowers.
Several click-throughs required for personalized rates.

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PrimeLending: NMLS#13649

4.0

NerdWallet rating

Min. Credit Score

620

Min. Down Payment

3%

Read review

Why we like it

Ideal for borrowers with past credit issues and those looking for down payment and closing cost assistance programs.

Pros

Low rate of consumer complaints filed with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
Offers a "float-down" interest rate lock.
Offers a proprietary closing-cost assistance program.

Cons

No online mortgage rates.
Charges an origination fee.
Doesn't offer home equity products.

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at Fairway

Fairway Independent Mortgage: NMLS#2289

4.0

NerdWallet rating

National / Regional

National

Min. Down Payment

3%

Learn More

at Fairway

Why we like it

Ideal for borrowers who want lots of options and a quick turn time. Fairway Independent Mortgage offers a full selection of home loans along with a comprehensive mobile app for a fast and easy application process.

Pros

A robust suite of loan products.
Licensed in all 50 states.
Close in as little as 10 days using the Fairway app.

Cons

Limited branch locations.
Mortgage rates not posted on website.

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 Home Mortgage

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.

Stifel Bank & Trust

Has a team of 30 home loan officers with an average of 20 years mortgage industry experience.
An online application is linked to the mortgage banker of your choice.
Based in St. Louis.

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 Missouri Housing Mortgage Lenders of 2020

Caliber: Best for online convenience
New American Funding: Best for first-time home buyers
Guild Mortgage: Best for first-time home buyers
HomeBridge: Best for government loans
Guaranteed Rate: Best for government loans
PrimeLending: Best for buying a fixer-upper
Fairway Independent Mortgage: Best for buying a fixer-upper