9 Best New Jersey Mortgage Lenders of 2022
Here are some of the best NJ mortgage lenders, whether you're a first-time home buyer, a refinancer or a borrower with imperfect credit.
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Buying a home in New Jersey is the fun part. Shopping for a mortgage? Not so much. But don’t worry, we’ve cut through the clutter, vetting NJ mortgage lenders to discover which are the best for borrowers' particular needs.
From the hills of Sussex County to the beaches of Cape May, here are some of the best lenders in New Jersey, whether you're a first-time home buyer, a refinancer, a borrower with bad credit, an aficionado of face-to-face transactions or a digital native.
- 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.
- 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.
9 Best New Jersey Mortgage Lenders of 2022
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Lender ▾ ▾ | NerdWallet Rating ▾ ▾ | Min. credit score ▾ ▾ | Min. down payment ▾ ▾ | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 New American Funding: NMLS#6606 Top 3 most visited 🏆 Learn more at New American Funding | 580 | 3% | Top 3 most visited 🏆 Learn more at New American Funding | |
 Rocket Mortgage, LLC: NMLS#3030 Top 3 most visited 🏆 Learn more at Rocket Mortgage, LLC | 620 | 1% | Top 3 most visited 🏆 Learn more at Rocket Mortgage, LLC | |
580 | 3% | Learn more at Guaranteed Rate | ||
 loanDepot: NMLS#174457 LEARN MORE on NerdWallet | 620 | 5% | LEARN MORE on NerdWallet | |
 PNC: NMLS#446303 LEARN MORE on NerdWallet | 620 | 3% | LEARN MORE on NerdWallet | |
 Bank of America: NMLS#399802 LEARN MORE on NerdWallet | 660 | 5% | LEARN MORE on NerdWallet | |
 Citibank: NMLS#412915 LEARN MORE on NerdWallet | N/A | 3% | LEARN MORE on NerdWallet | |
 Carrington: NMLS#2600 LEARN MORE on NerdWallet | 620 | 5% | LEARN MORE on NerdWallet | |
 Chase: NMLS#399798 LEARN MORE on NerdWallet | 620 | 3% | LEARN MORE on NerdWallet |
New American Funding: NMLS#6606
580
3%
- Offers a wide variety of purchase and refinance mortgages with an emphasis on helping underserved communities.
- Its home equity line of credit can be used for an owner-occupied or second home.
- Has a program to enable buyers to make cash offers.
- Receives high marks for customer satisfaction, according to J.D. Power and Zillow.
- Mortgage origination fees tend to be on the high end.
- Personalized mortgage rates are not available on the website without providing contact information.
Rocket Mortgage, LLC: NMLS#3030
620
1%
- 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.
- 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.
Guaranteed Rate: NMLS#2611
580
National
- Offers a one-day mortgage approval process.
- Offers a generous selection of loans, including government-backed, interest-only, ITIN, jumbo, and renovation loans.
- Advertises a HELOC that can be funded in as few as five business days.
- Receives high marks for customer satisfaction, according to J.D. Power and Zillow.
- Origination fees are higher than average, according to the latest federal data.
- HELOC has a relatively short draw period, which may not provide flexibility for someone who wants the option of accessing home equity over a longer period.
- Offers a variety of repayment terms.
- Online loan calculator lets borrowers compare monthly payments and lifetime interest.
- Receives high marks for customer satisfaction, according to J.D. Power and Zillow.
- No sample interest rates are provided.
- Origination fees are on the higher end, according to the latest federal data.
- Lender’s website does not have a live chat feature.
- Offers several low-down-payment loan options, including FHA, VA, USDA and the PNC Community Loan.
- Receives high marks for customer satisfaction, according to J.D. Power and Zillow.
- Mortgage rates are lower than the industry average, according to the latest federal data.
- Jumbo loans available with 5% down payment.
- Doesn't offer renovation mortgages or home equity loans.
- In-person service is not available in every state.
- You’ll have to create an account or supply personal data to get answers by phone.
Bank of America: NMLS#399802
660
5%
National
- 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.
- Doesn't offer renovation or construction-to-permanent mortgage loans.
- Must enroll in online banking to access Home Loan Navigator.
- Fined $12 million for reporting inaccurate mortgage applicant info to the federal government.
Citibank: NMLS#412915
National
3%
- 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.
- 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.
- Offers multiple low-down-payment loans.
- Accepts history of bankruptcy, foreclosure and late payments with flexible loan program.
- Considers borrowers with low credit scores and high debt-to-income ratios.
- Fined $5.25 million for misleading customers about pandemic-era payment relief.
- Doesn't offer home equity lines of credit.
- Lender fees are on the high side, according to the latest federal data.
- Carries a wide variety of mortgage types and products, including mortgages with down payments as low as 3%.
- Offers low rates compared with other lenders, according to the latest federal data.
- Offers a customizable mortgage calculator for personalized rate and payment estimates.
- Receives high marks for customer satisfaction, according to J.D. Power and Zillow.
- Doesn't offer home improvement loans, such as FHA 203(k) and HomeStyle.
- You have to speak with a home loan adviser to complete the application.
- Home equity lines of credit (HELOC) are currently unavailable.
Last updated on January 6, 2022
Frequently asked questions
- What credit score do I need to buy a house in NJ?
The credit score you need to buy a house in New Jersey depends on the type of mortgage you're planning to use. Home loans backed by the Federal Housing Administration tend to have the lowest required minimum credit scores, but individual lenders can ask for higher scores. For most conventional loans, you'll need a credit score of at least 620.
- How much is the average mortgage in NJ?
The median monthly housing payment for New Jersey homeowners was $2,413 in 2019, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey. That number includes principal, interest, insurance, taxes, utility costs and homeowners association or other fees. You can use a mortgage calculator for NJ to get a more specific estimate of what your monthly mortgage payments would be.
- What is the average down payment on a house in New Jersey?
Your down payment amount depends less on where you live, and more on the type of mortgage you're using and how your offer shapes up. With a conventional loan, you can make a down payment that's as low as 3%. However, in a competitive housing market, it may help your offer stand out if you can make a down payment that's beyond the bare minimum. If you need down payment assistance, you may want to look into New Jersey first-time home buyer programs.
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.
NerdWallet's Best New Jersey Mortgage Lenders of 2022
- New American Funding: Best for weaker credit
- Rocket Mortgage, LLC: Best for online lender
- Guaranteed Rate: Best for refinancing
- loanDepot: Best for first-time home buyers & online lenders
- PNC: Best for face-to-face experience
- Bank of America: Best for face-to-face experience
- Citibank: Best for first-time home buyers
- Carrington: Best for weaker credit
- Chase: Best for refinancing
