BEST OF

10 Best NCHFA Mortgage Lenders of 2021

The North Carolina Housing Finance Agency provides mortgage and assistance programs to would-be home buyers. See our top picks for NCHFA lenders.

NerdWalletJan 22, 2021
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The North Carolina Housing Finance Agency, or NCHFA, offers mortgage products and home buyer programs to make homeownership more affordable in the Tar Heel State.

NCHFA loans and assistance are offered through a statewide network of participating lenders, but it’s up to you to select the one you’ll work with. Not sure how to choose? We can help.

To narrow your search, NerdWallet reviewed some NCHFA participating lenders, identifying the best ones across several categories. Compare the lenders below to get started.

» MORE: See NCHFA loan programs, rates and income limits

Summary of Best NCHFA Mortgage Lenders of 2021

Fairway Independent Mortgage
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at Fairway Independent Mortgage

Fairway Independent Mortgage: NMLS#2289

4.0

NerdWallet rating 
Fairway Independent Mortgage

Min. Credit Score

620

Min. Down Payment

3%
Learn more

at Fairway Independent Mortgage

Why we like it

Good for: borrowers who want access to a wide variety of mortgages and the convenience of a comprehensive mobile application process.

Pros

  • Offers a robust suite of loan products, including a variety of renovation loans.

  • Has a digital application that can be completed in 10 minutes.

  • Works with some state housing finance agencies to offer mortgages with down payment and closing cost assistance.

Cons

  • Mortgage rates aren't posted online.

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Guild Mortgage
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Guild Mortgage: NMLS#3274

3.5

NerdWallet rating 
Guild Mortgage

Min. Credit Score

620

Min. Down Payment

3%
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Why we like it

Good for: first-time home buyers and others who may need the flexibility of a low-down-payment loan program.

Pros

  • Offers multiple online conveniences, including a full mortgage application, e-signatures and digital loan process tracking.

  • Offers a wide variety of loan products, including home improvement and manufactured home loans.

Cons

  • Does not offer home equity loan products.

  • Average interest rates and fees are higher than other lenders.

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SunTrust (Truist)
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SunTrust (Truist): NMLS#2915

5.0

NerdWallet rating 
SunTrust (Truist)

Min. Credit Score

620

Min. Down Payment

3%
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Why we like it

Good 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, 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.

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New American Funding
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at New American Funding

New American Funding: NMLS#6606

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
New American Funding

Min. Credit Score

620

Min. Down Payment

3%
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at New American Funding

Why we like it

Good for: borrowers who need to be evaluated on the basis of nontraditional credit and those interested in various down payment assistance programs.

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.

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PrimeLending
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PrimeLending: NMLS#13649

3.5

NerdWallet rating 
PrimeLending

Min. Credit Score

580

Min. Down Payment

0%
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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.

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Caliber
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Caliber: NMLS#15622

3.5

NerdWallet rating 
Caliber

Min. Credit Score

580

Min. Down Payment

0%
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Why we like it

Good for: first-time home buyers, veterans and those who may have credit challenges to overcome.

Pros

  • Offers extensive educational resources for military borrowers.

  • Provides digital tools for a streamlined application process.

  • Participates in some state 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.

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State Employees Credit Union
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State Employees Credit Union: NMLS#430055

4.0

NerdWallet rating 
State Employees Credit Union

Min. Credit Score

640

Min. Down Payment

3%
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Why we like it

North Carolina State Employees' Credit Union offers 20-year conventional loans on favorable terms and displays mortgage rates upfront, but it lags in online capabilities.

Pros

  • No private mortgage insurance required, even with a down payment less than 20%.

  • First-time home buyers may borrow up to $400,000 with no down payment required.

  • No fees for applications or credit reports.

  • Offers mortgage credit certificate and down payment assistance programs.

Cons

  • Does not offer 30-year fixed-rate mortgages.

  • Does not have government-backed loan options.

  • Membership eligibility is limited, and loans are only available for properties located in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.

  • Does not offer a full online loan application.

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BB&T (Truist)
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BB&T (Truist): NMLS#399803

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
BB&T (Truist)

Min. Credit Score

620

Min. Down Payment

3%
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Why we like it

BB&T excels in online convenience and offers a good variety of loan types, but has a limited physical presence outside the Southeast.

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.

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Homebridge
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Homebridge: NMLS#6521

3.5

NerdWallet rating 
Homebridge

Min. Credit Score

620

Min. Down Payment

3%
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Why we like it

Good for borrowers who want a loan officer's help, in person or on the phone, when deciding among the wide range of available mortgage options — including loans to buy and renovate.

Pros

  • Offers a full array of mortgage products, including government and renovation loans.

  • Has loans for most purposes, including purchase, refinance and jumbo mortgages.

  • Online portal keeps borrowers up-to-date on the loan application's progress.

Cons

  • Doesn't post interest rates on its site.

  • Doesn’t offer home equity loans or lines of credit.

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Churchill
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Churchill: NMLS#1591

3.5

NerdWallet rating 
Churchill

Min. Credit Score

620

Min. Down Payment

3%
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Why we like it

Offers flexibility for those without credit scores, but its “debt-free” guidance may not appeal to everyone.

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.

Read Full Review

Last updated on January 22, 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 NCHFA Mortgage Lenders of 2021