10 Best California Mortgage Lenders of 2022
If you’re looking to buy or refinance a home in California in 2022, NerdWallet can help you choose from some of the best mortgage lenders in the state.
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.
Whether you’re shopping for a condo on the coast, a classic suburban ranch or a low-rate refinance, these California mortgage lenders reviewed by NerdWallet can get you there.
Whether you’re shopping for a condo on the coast, a classic suburban ranch or a low-rate refinance, these California mortgage lenders reviewed by NerdWallet can get you there.
Best California Mortgage Lenders
Lender | NerdWallet rating | Min. credit score | Min. down payment | National / regional | Learn more |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() Bank of America: NMLS#399802 | Best for face-to-face service | 660 | 5% | National | Read review |
![]() Better: NMLS#330511 | Best for first-time home buyers | 620 | 3% | National | Read review |
![]() Chase: NMLS#399798 | Best for refinancing | 620 | 3% | National | Read review |
![]() Citibank: NMLS#412915 | Best for face-to-face service | N/A | 3% | National | Read review |
![]() Guaranteed Rate: NMLS#2611 | Best for online experience | 620 | 3% | National | Read review |
![]() loanDepot: NMLS#174457 | Best for refinancing | 620 | 5% | National | Read review |
![]() New American Funding: NMLS#6606 Learn more at New American Funding | Best for borrowers with bad credit | 620 | 3% | National | Learn more at New American Funding |
![]() Rocket Mortgage, LLC: NMLS#3030 Learn more at Rocket Mortgage, LLC | Best for online experience | 620 | 3% | National | Learn more at Rocket Mortgage, LLC |
![]() SoFi: NMLS#1484615 | Best for first-time home buyers | 620 | 3% | Regional | Read review |
![]() Veterans United: NMLS#1907 | Best for borrowers with bad credit | 620 | 0% | National | Read review |
Bank of America: NMLS#399802

Min. credit score
660Min. down payment
5%National / regional
NationalBetter: NMLS#330511

Min. credit score
620Min. down payment
3%Chase: NMLS#399798

Min. credit score
620National / regional
NationalCitibank: NMLS#412915

National / regional
NationalMin. down payment
3%Guaranteed Rate: NMLS#2611

Min. credit score
620Min. down payment
3%loanDepot: NMLS#174457

Min. credit score
620National / regional
National
at New American Funding
New American Funding: NMLS#6606

Min. credit score
620Min. down payment
3%at New American Funding

at Rocket Mortgage, LLC
Rocket Mortgage, LLC: NMLS#3030

Min. credit score
620Min. down payment
3%at Rocket Mortgage, LLC
SoFi: NMLS#1484615

Min. credit score
620Min. down payment
3%Veterans United: NMLS#1907

Min. credit score
620Min. down payment
0%Best California mortgage lenders by city
We took an even closer look to find lenders in major California cities. See our picks for best mortgage lenders in your area.
More from NerdWallet:
Last updated on January 6, 2022
Methodology
To recap our selections...
NerdWallet's Best California Mortgage Lenders of 2022
- Bank of America: Best for face-to-face service
- Better: Best for first-time home buyers
- Chase: Best for refinancing
- Citibank: Best for face-to-face service
- Guaranteed Rate: Best for online experience
- loanDepot: Best for refinancing
- New American Funding: Best for borrowers with bad credit
- Rocket Mortgage, LLC: Best for online experience
- SoFi: Best for first-time home buyers
- Veterans United: Best for borrowers with bad credit
Frequently asked questions
The median price of a home in California in 2020 hovered near $700,000, according to the California Association of Realtors. And while home prices vary widely depending on the region, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose, San Francisco and Sacramento were the least affordable areas for first-time buyers among the 50 largest metros in the U.S. in the fourth quarter of 2020, according to a NerdWallet affordability report.
The California mortgage lender that’s right for you will depend on your financial situation and your needs. Search for lenders offering loans that suit your needs, then be sure to compare interest rates. If you are a first-time buyer, California offers programs that can help you find a lender with favorable rates as well assist with a down payment and closing costs.
While the mortgage you get will depend more on the cost of the home and your situation, you can compare lenders by region as well. NerdWallet has compiled lists of the top lenders in San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego to help you find the right mortgage for your financial situation and needs.