BEST OF

9 Best Texas Mortgage Lenders in 2021

If you’re looking to buy or refinance a home in Texas in 2021, NerdWallet can help you choose from some of the best mortgage lenders in the state.

NerdWalletMar 23, 2021

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Texas mortgage lenders vary by the types of home loans they offer, their credit score and other requirements for borrowers, and how they serve customers. Shopping around is important to find a lender that offers the services and products you need at the lowest rates. To help you find the best mortgage lender in Texas for your situation, NerdWallet has reviewed and picked some of the best lenders in a variety of categories.

» FIND: First-time home buyer grants in Texas

Summary of Best Texas Mortgage Lenders in 2021

Lender	NerdWallet Rating	Min. Credit Score	Min. Down Payment	Learn More
Rocket Mortgage by Quicken Loans: NMLS#3030 Learn more at Rocket Mortgage by Quicken Loans	4.5/5 Best for first-time home buyers and online experience	620	3%	Learn more at Rocket Mortgage by Quicken Loans
Guaranteed Rate: NMLS#2611 Learn more at Guaranteed Rate	5.0/5 Best for online experience	620	3%	Learn more at Guaranteed Rate
Reali Loans: NMLS#991397 Learn more at Reali Loans	4.0/5 Best for refinancing	620	N/A	Learn more at Reali Loans
Chase: NMLS#399798 Learn more at Chase	4.5/5 Best for refinancing	620	N/A	Learn more at Chase
PrimeLending: NMLS#13649 Read review	3.5/5 Best for first-time home buyers	620	3%	Read review
Wells Fargo: NMLS#399801 Read review	5.0/5 Best for face-to-face service	620	3%	Read review
Bank of America: NMLS#399802 Read review	5.0/5 Best for face-to-face service	620	3%	Read review
Alterra: NMLS#133739 Read review	3.5/5 Best for bad credit	620	3%	Read review
Carrington: NMLS#2600 Read review	3.0/5 Best for bad credit	620	3%	Read review

Learn more

at Rocket Mortgage by Quicken Loans

Rocket Mortgage by Quicken Loans: NMLS#3030

4.5

NerdWallet rating

Min. Credit Score

620

Min. Down Payment

Learn more

at Rocket Mortgage by Quicken Loans

Why we like it

Good for: borrowers who appreciate smartphone and online convenience for a fully digital home loan experience powered by Quicken Loans.

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.

Read Full Review

Learn more

at Guaranteed Rate

Guaranteed Rate: NMLS#2611

5.0

NerdWallet rating

Min. Credit Score

620

Min. Down Payment

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.

Read Full Review

Learn more

at Reali Loans

Reali Loans: NMLS#991397

4.0

NerdWallet rating

Min. Credit Score

620

National / Regional

Regional

Learn more

at Reali Loans

Why we like it

Good for: borrowers looking for an online mortgage application experience.

Pros

Offers a completely online application process.
Posts current interest rates for purchase and refinancing.
Provides customized rate quotes online.

Cons

No FHA, VA or USDA refinance products.
Available only in a dozen states.

Read Full Review

Learn more

at Chase

Chase: NMLS#399798

4.5

NerdWallet rating

Min. Credit Score

620

National / Regional

National

Learn more

at Chase

Why we like it

Good for: refinancers who want a name-brand bank, with offices in more than half the states, that charges lower rates and fees than many other lenders.

Pros

Fixed- and adjustable-rate refinance options.
Customized refinance rate quotes available online without providing personal info.

Cons

You have to speak with a home loan advisor to complete the application.

Read Full Review

Read review

PrimeLending: NMLS#13649

3.5

NerdWallet rating

Min. Credit Score

620

Min. Down Payment

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 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

Read review

Wells Fargo: NMLS#399801

5.0

NerdWallet rating

Min. Credit Score

620

Min. Down Payment

Read review

Why we like it

Wells Fargo has a world-class selection of mortgage products and offers competitive, easy-to-shop rates.

Pros

Provides numerous online conveniences, including loan application and process updates.
Current rates clearly posted for various loan products.
Offers a wide variety of loan types and products.

Cons

New applications for home equity lines of credit suspended during COVID-19 crisis.
Government actions and scandals have damaged consumer trust in recent years.

Read Full Review

Read review

Bank of America: NMLS#399802

5.0

NerdWallet rating

Min. Credit Score

620

Min. Down Payment

Read review

Why we like it

Good for: first-time home buyers looking for low-down-payment options and existing customers who may get a discount on fees.

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.

Read Full Review

Read review

Alterra: NMLS#133739

3.5

NerdWallet rating

Min. Credit Score

620

Min. Down Payment

Read review

Why we like it

Good for: first-time home buyers and those with nontraditional incomes.

Pros

Offers an ITIN qualification path for undocumented borrowers.
Has a digital application process.
Offers several mortgage options for low- to moderate-income borrowers.
Borrowers can qualify with income from self-employment and other nontraditional sources.

Cons

No mortgage rates published online.
No home equity loans or lines of credit.
Generally has higher rates and fees than other lenders.
Branch offices not available in all states.

Read Full Review

Read review

Carrington: NMLS#2600

3.0

NerdWallet rating

Min. Credit Score

620

Min. Down Payment

Read review

Why we like it

Good for: first-time home buyers or credit-challenged borrowers interested in government loan products.

Pros

Offers multiple low-down-payment loan programs.
May consider alternative credit data, like bank statements and rent payments.

Cons

To get sample rates, you'll have to speak with a loan officer.
Doesn't offer home equity loans or HELOC.

Read Full Review

Best Texas mortgage lenders by city

We dug even deeper to find great lenders in major Texas cities. See our picks for best mortgage lenders in your area.

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 Texas Mortgage Lenders in 2021

Rocket Mortgage by Quicken Loans: Best for first-time home buyers and online experience
Guaranteed Rate: Best for online experience
Reali Loans: Best for refinancing
Chase: Best for refinancing
PrimeLending: Best for first-time home buyers
Wells Fargo: Best for face-to-face service
Bank of America: Best for face-to-face service
Alterra: Best for bad credit
Carrington: Best for bad credit

Frequently asked questions

The best lender depends on your needs. Lenders vary by their borrower qualification requirements as well as the types of home loans they offer. Some lenders offer face-to-face service while others provide a completely online application experience. To find the best Texas mortgage lender, look for companies that offer the type of loan and services you need, and compare their rates and fees.

One isn't necessarily better than another, so don't confine your search to one type of lender. Consider banks, credit unions and mortgage companies that offer the products and services you need, and then compare rates to find the best lender.

The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs, or TDHCA, offers programs that provide down payment and closing cost assistance. To qualify for one of these Texas home buyer programs, you'll need to work with a TDHCA-approved lender.

Mortgage rates fluctuate day by day, and vary by lender. Rates also vary according to other factors, including the size of your loan and down payment, credit score and debt-to-income ratio. Keep in mind that the rate you're offered may differ from the average rates a lender posts on its website.