BEST OF
10 Best Florida Mortgage Lenders of 2021
NerdWallet can help you choose the best Florida mortgage lender for you, from all-digital online specialists to major banks for in-person service.
If you're looking to buy or refinance a home in Florida, you have many lenders to choose from. And no matter whether your homeownership dream in the Sunshine State is a beachfront condo or a suburban mid-century modern near great schools, picking the best mortgage lender is a key part of finding the right mortgage for you.
Though they serve borrowers across the country, the national and regional lenders displayed in the table, which have been reviewed by NerdWallet, are some of the best mortgage providers in Florida.
If you're looking to buy or refinance a home in Florida, you have many lenders to choose from. And no matter whether your homeownership dream in the Sunshine State is a beachfront condo or a suburban mid-century modern near great schools, picking the best mortgage lender is a key part of finding the right mortgage for you.
Though they serve borrowers across the country, the national and regional lenders displayed in the table, which have been reviewed by NerdWallet, are some of the best mortgage providers in Florida.
Summary of Best Florida Mortgage Lenders of 2021
| Lender | NerdWallet Rating | Minimum Credit Score | Minimum Down Payment | Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Best for online lending | 620 | 3% | at Rocket Mortgage by Quicken Loans | |
Best for borrowers with bad credit | 620 | 3% | at New American Funding | |
Best for online lending | 620 | 3% | at Guaranteed Rate | |
Best for face-to-face service | 620 | 3% | at Chase | |
Best for first-time home buyers | 620 | 3% | at Quicken Loans | |
Best for refinancing | 620 | 5% | at Reali Loans | |
Best for first-time home buyers | 620 | 3% | Read review | |
Best for face-to-face service | 620 | 3% | Read review | |
Best for refinancing | 620 | 3% | Read review | |
Best for borrowers with bad credit | 620 | 3% | Read review |
at Rocket Mortgage by Quicken Loans
at Rocket Mortgage by Quicken Loans
Min. Credit Score
620
Min. Down Payment
3%
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.
- Offers document and asset retrieval capabilities.
Cons
- If you’re a “look me in the eye” type of customer, you’re out of luck.
- Getting a customized interest rate requires a credit check, which can lower your credit score by a few points.
at New American Funding
at New American Funding
Min. Credit Score
620
Min. Down Payment
3%
Pros
- Uses manual underwriting to evaluate creditworthiness.
- Offers full online mortgage application, rate quotes, document upload and loan tracking.
Cons
- Mortgage rates offered to borrowers are higher than the government-reported median of all lenders.
at Guaranteed Rate
at Guaranteed Rate
Min. Credit Score
620
Min. Down Payment
3%
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.
at Chase
at Chase
Min. Credit Score
620
Min. Down Payment
3%
Pros
- Allows electronic submission and tracking of loan documents.
- Carries a wide variety of mortgage types and products.
- Generally offers good rates and charges reasonable fees.
Cons
- Doesn't offer home improvement loans, such as FHA 203(k) and HomeStyle.
- You have to speak with a home loan advisor to complete the application.
at Quicken Loans
at Quicken Loans
Min. Credit Score
620
Min. Down Payment
3%
Pros
- Quicken Loans couples a fully online application with available mortgage advisors for those who want a human touch.
- Instantly verifies employment and income for many working Americans.
- Offers custom fixed-rate loan terms that are between eight and 30 years.
- Provides a wide variety of loan types, including renovation loans and all government-backed mortgage products.
Cons
- Quicken Loans doesn't offer home equity loans or HELOCs.
- Quicken's lender fees can be stout and they don't offset those fees with particularly low mortgage rates.
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at Reali Loans
at Reali Loans
Min. Credit Score
620
National / Regional
Regional
Pros
- Offers a completely online application process.
- Provides customized rate quotes online.
Cons
- No FHA, VA or USDA refinance products.
- Available only in a dozen states.
Min. Credit Score
620
Min. Down Payment
3%
Pros
- Offers a wide variety of loan options, including special programs for doctors, entrepreneurs and other professionals.
- Offers a complete suite of online mortgage application tools and loan tracking.
- Sample rates and fees are easy to find on the website.
Cons
- Customized rates aren't available online without starting an application.
- Branches are limited mostly to the Southeast.
Min. Credit Score
620
Min. Down Payment
3%
Pros
- Allows borrowers to apply entirely online.
- Offers down payment and closing cost assistance programs.
- May give existing customers a discount on mortgage lender origination fees.
Cons
- Does not offer renovation loans.
Min. Credit Score
620
Min. Down Payment
3%
Pros
- Offers a variety of low-down-payment mortgages as well as construction mortgages.
- Website lets users estimate rates online by loan and property type, amount and location.
- Has an online mortgage application.
Cons
- Branches limited to mostly the Southeast region.
- Does not offer FHA loans.
Min. Credit Score
620
Min. Down Payment
3%
Pros
- Offers loan plans for borrowers without credit scores.
- Annual mortgage reviews help borrowers stay on track toward the goal of living debt-free.
- Offers digital conveniences such as document uploads and e-signature.
Cons
- Doesn't provide information online about rates and fees.
- Doesn't offer home equity loans or HELOCs.
- You can’t apply online without first speaking to a loan specialist.
Local Florida mortgage lenders
Although NerdWallet hasn't reviewed these lenders yet, they may be worth considering if you prefer a Florida-based mortgage provider.
Online application and mobile app
Offers FHA, VA and USDA loans, as well as construction, jumbo and reverse mortgages
Has an online library of homebuying guides and a mortgage glossary
Online application and mobile app
Offers FHA, VA and USDA mortgages, as well as renovation, reverse and jumbo loans
Multiple refinance options
In-house down payment assistance program
Full online application
Automatic loan status updates
Website offers educational resources, including a mortgage glossary and checklist
Best Florida mortgage lenders by city
We took a closer look at mortgage lenders in major Florida cities. See our top picks in your area.
More from NerdWallet
Last updated on January 26, 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 Florida Mortgage Lenders of 2021
- Rocket Mortgage by Quicken Loans: Best for online lending
- New American Funding: Best for borrowers with bad credit
- Guaranteed Rate: Best for online lending
- Chase: Best for face-to-face service
- Quicken Loans: Best for first-time home buyers
- Reali Loans: Best for refinancing
- SunTrust (Truist): Best for first-time home buyers
- Bank of America: Best for face-to-face service
- BB&T (Truist): Best for refinancing
- Churchill: Best for borrowers with bad credit
