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9 Best Washington, D.C., Mortgage Lenders of 2021

Browse some of the top mortgage lenders in Washington, D.C., so you can choose the one that’s right for your needs.

NerdWallet
By
Last updated on January 21, 2021
Edited by
✅ Fact checked and reviewed
Amanda Derengowski
Edited by
✅ Fact checked and reviewed

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.

  • 50+ mortgage lenders reviewed and rated by our team of experts.
  • 40+ years of combined experience covering mortgages and financial topics.
  • Objective, comprehensive star rating system assessing 120+ categories and 5,000+ data points.
  • Governed by NerdWallet's strict guidelines for editorial integrity.
NerdWallet's mortgage content, including articles, reviews and recommendations, is produced by a team of writers and editors who specialize in home lending. Their work has appeared in The Associated Press, USA Today, The Washington Post, MarketWatch, Newsweek and many other national, regional and local publications. They have been cited in publications including The Wall Street Journal, and appeared on NerdWallet's "Smart Money" podcast as well as local TV and radio.

Best Washington, D.C., Mortgage Lenders

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Lender
NerdWallet Rating
Min. credit score
Min. down payment
Learn more
Rocket Mortgage, LLC

Rocket Mortgage, LLC: NMLS#3030

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at Rocket Mortgage, LLC
at Rocket Mortgage, LLC
Home loans overall
Best for online experience

620

1%

Learn more
at Rocket Mortgage, LLC
at Rocket Mortgage, LLC
PNC

PNC: NMLS#446303

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on NerdWallet
5.0
/5
Refinancing
Best for refinancing

620

3%

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on NerdWallet
Bank of America

Bank of America: NMLS#399802

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on NerdWallet
4.5
/5
Refinancing
Best for refinancing

620

N/A

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on NerdWallet
Carrington

Carrington: NMLS#2600

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on NerdWallet
4.0
/5
FHA loans
Best for FHA loans

500

3.5%

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on NerdWallet
Caliber

Caliber: NMLS#15622

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on NerdWallet
3.5
/5
VA loans
Best for VA loans

580

0%

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on NerdWallet
Navy Federal

Navy Federal: NMLS#399807

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on NerdWallet
5.0
/5
VA loans
Best for VA loans

N/A

0%

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on NerdWallet
SunTrust (Truist)

SunTrust (Truist): NMLS#2915

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on NerdWallet
4.5
/5
Home loans overall
Best for online experience

620

3%

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on NerdWallet
Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo: NMLS#399801

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on NerdWallet
4.0
/5
Jumbo loans
Best for jumbo loans

620

10.01%

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on NerdWallet
Citibank

Citibank: NMLS#412915

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on NerdWallet
4.5
/5
Jumbo loans
Best for jumbo loans

N/A

N/A

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on NerdWallet
Rocket Mortgage, LLC
Learn more
at Rocket Mortgage, LLC
at Rocket Mortgage, LLC
Rocket Mortgage, LLC

Rocket Mortgage, LLC: NMLS#3030

4.0
Home loans overall
NerdWallet rating
Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

1%

Why We Like ItGood for: FHA borrowers and others short on down payment cash, as well as home buyers who value convenience over low fees.
Pros
  • Streamlined online process with document and asset retrieval capabilities, as well as the ability to edit your preapproval letter.
  • Offers the option to work with loan officers by phone if desired.
  • Largest FHA lender in the nation.
Cons
  • Getting a customized interest rate requires a credit check, which can affect your credit score.
  • Origination fees are on the high side compared with other lenders, according to the latest federal data.
  • Doesn't offer home equity lines of credit.
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PNC
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on NerdWallet
PNC

PNC: NMLS#446303

5.0
Min. credit score

620

National / regional

National

Why We Like ItGood for: borrowers with low-to-moderate incomes or limited down payments. PNC offers several low-down-payment loans, including one with no mortgage insurance.
Pros
  • Posts current mortgage rates on its website.
  • Offers several affordable loan options, including FHA, VA, USDA and the PNC Community Loan.
  • Receives high marks for customer satisfaction, according to J.D. Power and Zillow.
Cons
  • Doesn't offer renovation mortgages.
  • In-person service is not available in every state.
Bank of America
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on NerdWallet
Bank of America

Bank of America: NMLS#399802

4.5
Min. credit score

620

National / regional

National

Why We Like ItGood for: first-time home buyers looking for low- or no-down-payment options and homeowners interested in a home equity line of credit.
Pros
  • Offers down payment and closing cost assistance programs.
  • May give existing customers a discount on mortgage lender origination fees and HELOC interest rates.
  • Receives high marks for customer satisfaction, according to J.D. Power and Zillow.
Cons
  • Doesn't offer renovation loans that roll costs into a mortgage.
Carrington
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on NerdWallet
Carrington

Carrington: NMLS#2600

4.0
Min. credit score

500

Min. down payment

3.5%

Why We Like ItGood 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, such as bank statements.
  • You can view customized rates for purchasing a home and apply online.
Cons
  • Doesn't offer home equity lines of credit.
  • Lender fees are on the high side, according to the latest federal data.
Caliber
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on NerdWallet
Caliber

Caliber: NMLS#15622

Min. credit score

580

Min. down payment

0%

Why We Like ItGood 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.
Navy Federal
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on NerdWallet
Navy Federal

Navy Federal: NMLS#399807

National / regional

National

Min. down payment

0%

Why We Like ItGood for: military members and their families looking for low-down-payment mortgages.
Pros
  • Offers a wide range of affordable mortgage products, including 0% down payment loans, designed for military members.
  • Offers HELOCs and home equity loans.
  • Offers low rates compared with most lenders, according to the latest federal data.
Cons
  • Website does not provide customized mortgage rates based on credit score or other factors before you apply.
  • Credit union membership is limited to veterans and current military members, their families, and certain federal employees, retirees and contractors.
SunTrust (Truist)
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on NerdWallet
SunTrust (Truist)

SunTrust (Truist): NMLS#2915

4.5
Home loans overall
NerdWallet rating
Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%

Why We Like ItGood for: first-time home buyers, doctors and other borrowers interested in low-down-payment mortgage options.
Pros
  • Offers a wide variety of loan options, including special programs for doctors.
  • 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.
Wells Fargo
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Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo: NMLS#399801

4.0
Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

10.01%

Why We Like ItGood for: existing customers of the bank looking for a wide selection of mortgage products.
Pros
  • Sample rates clearly posted for various loan products.
  • Offers a wide variety of loan types and products.
  • Mortgage rates tend to be on the low side compared with other lenders, according to the latest federal data.
Cons
  • Home loans business is broadly focused on bank customers.
  • Doesn’t offer home improvement loans, or home equity loans or lines of credit.
  • Scandals and government actions have damaged consumer trust in recent years.
Citibank
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Citibank

Citibank: NMLS#412915

4.5
National / regional

National

Min. down payment

N/A

Why We Like ItGood for: Rate-focused borrowers who are Citi customers, or home buyers seeking down payment assistance.
Pros
  • Average interest rates are among the lowest compared to other lenders’, according to the latest federal data.
  • Receives high marks for customer satisfaction, according to J.D. Power and Zillow.
  • Borrowers with existing Citi accounts may receive discounts.
Cons
  • Customized mortgage rates are not available without contacting the lender.
  • HELOCs and home equity loans are not currently available.
  • No live chat feature on the lender’s site.

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 Washington, D.C., Mortgage Lenders of 2021

  • Rocket Mortgage, LLC: Best for online experience
  • PNC: Best for refinancing
  • Bank of America: Best for refinancing
  • Carrington: Best for FHA loans
  • Caliber: Best for VA loans
  • Navy Federal: Best for VA loans
  • SunTrust (Truist): Best for online experience
  • Wells Fargo: Best for jumbo loans
  • Citibank: Best for jumbo loans
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