NerdWallet’s editorial team picked the best lenders across categories to help you find the home loan that's right for you. Taking the time to make an informed decision can save you thousands over the life of your loan.
This service is free and will not affect your credit score.
Who is the best mortgage lender?
It depends on your unique needs. For example, if you're new to the market, NerdWallet's winner for first-time home buyers (Rocket) may be worth a look. But, if you're a military member or veteran, you might want to check out NerdWallet's winner for VA loans (Navy Federal). In short: The best mortgage lender is the one that offers the products you need, has requirements you can meet and charges the lowest mortgage rates and fees.
Truist jumps to the front of the pack for offering consistently low rates and fees, particularly compared to its large-bank peers. An impressive array of loan types helps the lender serve a wide range of financial needs and budgets, while its quick and easy application experience and faster-than-average time to close boost its convenience.
Chase mortgage has an above-average reputation for consumer satisfaction, and offers a number of programs that can make home buying more affordable and accessible.
What we like
Offers a wide range of loan types, including options with low down payment requirements.
Home buyer grants up to $5,000 may apply for qualified borrowers.
Receives above-average ratings for customer satisfaction, according to J.D. Power and Zillow.
What we don't like
Borrowers must create an account or speak with a home loan expert before completing an online application.
Parts of the prequal and preapproval process cannot be done solely online.
Veterans United originates more VA mortgages than any other lender. Though average VA APRs are middle of the road, it’s a solid pick for veterans and military borrowers looking for a lender that has ample experience with this loan type.
What we like
Major VA lender, by loan volume.
VA loans make up a large share of Veterans United's total home loans.
Offers a strong variety of VA loan types for purchase and refinance.
What we don't like
Average VA loan APRs are less competitive than some other top VA lenders, according to the latest data.
Wells Fargo has significantly shrunk its mortgage business in recent years, but still offers a range of government-backed and speciality loans, as well as assistance for first-time home buyers.
What we like
Borrowers can see customized mortgage rate estimates online.
Offers relatively low interest rates and fees, according to the latest federal data.
Discounts may be available for existing Wells Fargo customers.
What we don't like
Does not offer home equity loans or HELOCs.
Borrowers need at least $250,000 in assets with the bank to qualify for a rate discount.
Prospective borrowers may be put off by the lender’s past legal issues.
Real Genius is a smart pick for a do-it-yourself online quote. We’re impressed with its "no fine print” approach and options to sort and customize APR and fees. However, Real Genius does not have a mobile app and doesn’t currently prioritize home equity lending.
What we like
Easy and transparent online rate quote tool.
May accept borrowers with low credit scores.
Closes loans in an average of 30 days (faster than industry average).
What we don't like
Federal data isn’t available for us to objectively compare this lender with others.
LoanDepot, one of the country’s largest mortgage lenders, offers a wide range of FHA mortgages, including the harder-to-find FHA 203(k) renovation loan.
What we like
FHA loans make up a large share of LoanDepot's total home loans.
Major FHA lender, by loan volume.
Offers a strong variety of FHA loan types for purchase and refinance.
Rocket Mortgage is the Goliath of home loans in the U.S. It's the largest mortgage lender by volume, and keeps expanding its reach. Fortunately for borrowers, Rocket is a gentle giant, offering affordable borrowing options including a 1% down payment loan.
What we like
Offers down payment and closing cost assistance.
Largest lender, by volume, of FHA loans in 2025.
Borrowers can apply via mobile app.
What we don't like
Average origination fees are on the higher side, according to the latest federal data.
Navy Federal is known for VA lending, but its flexible VA-like loan options truly stand out. You'll need a military connection to join the credit union.
What we like
Low average APRs compared to other lenders.
Major VA lender, by loan volume.
What we don't like
Borrowers must join the credit union before applying for a mortgage, and all borrowers on the loan must be members for the loan to close.
If you want a wide range of loan options from a traditional bank, Truist is worth a look. Its streamlined application process and access to human support can make borrowing easier.
What we like
Offers a wide range of mortgage options focused on affordability.
Convenient online application.
Generous grants for qualifying home buyers in select locations.
What we don't like
Getting custom rates and applying for mortgage preapproval both require human contact.
Customer care leans heavily on phone and in-person service.
HELOCs are not available in most states, though home loans are available everywhere in the U.S. except Alaska, Arizona and Hawaii.
SoFi’s home equity loans offer flexible term options and faster-than-average closing, but may require an appraisal and aren't available for second homes.
U.S. Bank offers a broad selection of mortgages, including some niche options. Rates and fees are middle of the road, per federal data. The bank offers helpful tech for rate shopping and live chat, though its online application could be smoother.
What we like
Wide variety of mortgages, including some harder-to-find types.
Experience in construction and renovation loans.
Offers up to $17,500 in assistance (income/location requirements apply).
What we don't like
Rates shown online don’t reflect your credit score.
Contact form interrupts online application before you can complete it.
Few mortgage options for borrowers with low/bad credit.
Alliant Credit Union allows you to see a wide range of customized mortgage rates without sharing your contact information, and offers competitive loan products for first-time home buyers.
What we like
Offers a competitive combination of low rates and fees.
Mortgage borrowers do not need to become members of the credit union until reaching the closing process.
Sample rates are displayed upfront, and it's easy to get detailed, personalized rates without providing any personally identifying information.
FourLeaf Credit Union, formerly known as Bethpage, is easy to join: Just deposit $5 in a savings account. Its online rates tool lets you estimate monthly payments, but customization is limited.
What we like
Nice selection of specialty mortgages.
Well rated mobile app.
What we don't like
No renovation or construction loans.
Online rate quote is light on detail and doesn’t let you customize.
First Federal Bank stands out for its competitive APRs and its emphasis on government loans. Most likely to appeal to borrowers shopping for low rates and fees.
What we like
Strong experience in FHA and VA lending.
APRs tend to be competitive, according to the latest federal data.
Minimum credit score requirement of 580 for some loans, which is lower than some competitors.
What we don't like
Home equity lending is not a priority.
Customizable rates are not available online without providing contact information.
Our team of mortgage experts follows an objective, consumer-first methodology to assess home loan lenders and pick the best.
40+
Lenders reviewed
We review more than 40 lenders, including major banks, credit unions, and online lenders operating across multiple states.
100+
Categories assessed
Each lender is evaluated across more than 100 weighted categories covering rates and fees, types of home loans offered, rate transparency and customer experience.
11,000+11k+
Data points analyzed
Our team tracks and reassesses thousands of data points annually for reviewed lenders, ensuring up-to-date, accurate comparisons across multiple loan types.
Methodology
NerdWallet rates mortgage lenders based on what matters most to borrowers: rates and fees, product accessibility, customer experience, rate transparency and the range of loan options.
We review more than 40 lenders and score them using a weighted system that prioritizes affordability and a smooth borrowing experience. Lenders earn higher scores for offering lower borrowing costs, making loans widely available, clearly displaying rate information and supporting borrowers from application through closing.
We use a mix of lender-provided information, publicly available data and our own research and analysis to evaluate each lender. Recent regulatory actions may affect a lender’s score.
🏆 Truist is NerdWallet's Overall Best Mortgage Lender of 2026
Truist was NerdWallet's pick for the overall best mortgage lender in 2026. Truist also won best lender for refinancing, home equity lines of credit and second home loans. Here's more about how we made our decisions and why Truist came out on top.
A mortgage is a loan to buy a house. You repay it monthly — with interest — over a number of years (often 15, 20 or 30). If you fail to make payments on time, the lender may take the home through a process known as foreclosure.
Who offers mortgages? Banks, credit unions and third-party lenders.
How do you apply? Depending on the lender, you may be able to fill out an application online, through a mobile app or in person.Â
What do lenders check? Your income, existing debts and credit score typically determine your eligibility, as well as the terms offered.
There are many types of mortgages available on the market. Here is a simple breakdown of your options.
Conventional loans
Conventional loans are the most common type of mortgages. While they are not backed by the federal government — like FHA and VA loans — they still typically adhere to the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) guidelines. Some require as little as 3% down, but private mortgage insurance (PMI) is needed if the down payment is under 20%.
There are two types of conventional loans:
🏠Conforming loans
Conforming loans must stay within loan limits set by the FHFA. They follow rules from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which buy these loans.
🏠Nonconforming loans
Nonconforming loans  — like non-QM loans — do not follow these limits or guidelines, such as Jumbo loans, which typically exceed FHFA loan limits. They often require higher credit scores and stricter approval criteria.
How your mortgage is structured informs the length and overall cost of your loan.
Fixed vs. adjustable rate
Fixed-rate mortgage: The interest rate stays the same for the entire loan.
Adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM): The interest rate stays the same for a certain period (up to 10 years), then adjusts at specific intervals (usually every six months).
The credit score needed to buy a home depends on the type of loan and the lender. Lenders typically require a credit score of at least 620 for conventional loans but can go as low as 500, according to data collected by NerdWallet.
FHA loans generally have the most lenient credit score requirements, with most lenders NerdWallet reviews stating a minimum score of 580 or lower.
Get online quotes from lenders based on personal factors, such as:Â
Your location
Loan term
Purchase price
Down payment
To get a more personalized quote, apply for preapproval. During preapproval, the lender will check your credit score and verify your financial information, such as income, assets and debts.
Getting a mortgage doesn't have to be a one-time decision. Refinancing lets you replace your current home loan with a new one — to lower your interest rate, change your loan term or access home equity, for example. The new loan pays off the old one, and you make payments on the refinance instead.
Why homeowners refinance
Lower the interest rate to reduce monthly payments
Change the loan term (for example, from 30 years to 15)
Switch from an adjustable-rate mortgage to a fixed rate
Lenders review many of the same factors as with a purchase loan:
Income and employment
Credit score
Debt-to-income ratio
Home value and equity
Costs to consider
Refinancing usually comes with closing costs, often 2% to 5% of the loan amount. A refinance makes sense when the long-term savings outweigh these upfront costs.
How do I find the lender with the lowest mortgage rate?
Some lenders post mortgage rates on their websites and include tools to see how much your rate might be. But those are just estimates. You'll need to get preapproved for a mortgage to get a rate offer based on your credit score and other financial information.
How much are closing costs?
Closing costs are the various fees and expenses you pay to finalize the mortgage. Closing costs typically run between about 2% and 5% of the loan amount. That means on a $300,000 home loan, you could pay $6,000 to $15,000 in closing costs.
What if I can't afford closing costs?
Most state housing finance agencies offer first-time home buyer programs, which can include closing cost and down payment assistance. The assistance can come in the form of a grant, a forgivable loan or a deferred-payment loan. To qualify, you need to work with a lender approved by the state agency.
Should I shop for a home or find a lender first?
You should shop for a lender first and get preapproved for a mortgage before shopping for a house. A mortgage preapproval shows sellers and their real estate agents that you're a serious buyer. It also indicates how much you can borrow, which will help you determine how much home you can afford.
