6 Best Mortgage Lenders with No Origination Fee of 2020

It’s hard to find a lender that doesn’t charge an origination fee. But NerdWallet has done the research and found highly-rated loan providers without lender fees.

Summary of Best Mortgage Lenders with No Origination Fee of 2020

Lender	Best For	Minimum Credit Score	Minimum Down Payment	Learn More
Better.com NerdWallet rating Learn more at Better.com	online experience	620	3%	Learn more at Better.com
Reali Loans NerdWallet rating Learn more at Reali Loans	online experience	620	5%	Learn more at Reali Loans
Network Capital NerdWallet rating Learn more at Network Capital	purchase loans	620	3%	Learn more at Network Capital
Amerisave NerdWallet rating Learn more at AmeriSave	purchase loans	600	3%	Learn more at AmeriSave
NASB NerdWallet rating Learn more at NASB	VA loans	620	3%	Learn more at NASB
PrimeLending NerdWallet rating Read review	VA loans	620	3%	Read review

Lender	Best For	Minimum Credit Score	Minimum Down Payment	Learn More
Better.com NerdWallet rating Learn more at Better.com	online experience	620	3%	Learn more at Better.com
Reali Loans NerdWallet rating Learn more at Reali Loans	online experience	620	5%	Learn more at Reali Loans
Network Capital NerdWallet rating Learn more at Network Capital	purchase loans	620	3%	Learn more at Network Capital
Amerisave NerdWallet rating Learn more at AmeriSave	purchase loans	600	3%	Learn more at AmeriSave
NASB NerdWallet rating Learn more at NASB	VA loans	620	3%	Learn more at NASB
PrimeLending NerdWallet rating Read review	VA loans	620	3%	Read review

Learn more

at Better.com

Better.com: NMLS#330511

4.5

NerdWallet rating

Min. Credit Score

620

Min. Down Payment

3%

Learn more

at Better.com

Why we like it

Ideal for tech-savvy borrowers who prefer an online experience. Better.com provides an easy-to-navigate digital application process and charges no origination fee.

Pros

Claims a three-minute application process for initial preapproval.
An online process with human help as needed.
Loan officers aren't paid commissions, they are strictly available for "support, not sales."
For higher-value homes, offers 10% down with no mortgage insurance on jumbo loans.
Offers an "underwriter-reviewed" preapproval letter in as little as 24 hours.

Cons

Doesn't offer home equity loans or HELOCs.
Doesn't do VA or USDA loans.
Not available in all 50 states.

Read Full Review

Learn more

at Reali Loans

Reali Loans: NMLS#991397

4.0

NerdWallet rating

Min. Credit Score

620

Min. Down Payment

5%

Learn more

at Reali Loans

Why we like it

Ideal for tech-savvy home buyers and refinancers in its multi-state lending territory. Reali Loans has an automated lending platform that offers round-the-clock access to application and loan-management tools.

Pros

Boasts of closing loans quickly.
No upfront origination or broker fees.
24/7 access to your loan and its progress.
Transparent platform that automates (and shortens) the refinance process.

Cons

Currently operates in a limited number of states.
Doesn’t offer USDA government loans.

Read Full Review

Learn more

at Network Capital

Network Capital: NMLS#11712

3.5

NerdWallet rating

Min. Credit Score

620

Min. Down Payment

3%

Learn more

at Network Capital

Why we like it

Ideal for cost-conscious borrowers looking for a lender with no origination fees and online convenience with mortgage banker assistance.

Pros

Charges no lender fees.
A good selection of loan products, including all government-backed mortgages.
Offers jumbo loans up to $3 million.

Cons

Offers no home equity products.
Doesn't lend in all states.

Read Full Review

Learn more

at AmeriSave

Amerisave: NMLS#1168

3.5

NerdWallet rating

Min. Credit Score

600

Min. Down Payment

3%

Learn more

at AmeriSave

Why we like it

Ideal for borrowers looking for a large selection of mortgages, including government loans — and the flexibility of a loan closing in your home.

Pros

Does not charge origination fees or application fees.
Loan closings can be held in your home or at a local office of your choice.
Offers rewards of $250-$4,500 on home purchases or sales completed through a network of affiliated real estate agents.

Cons

Fees shown with mortgage rates on the home page are above the national average.
Doesn’t offer home equity loans or HELOCs.

Learn more

at NASB

NASB: NMLS#400039

4.0

NerdWallet rating

Min. Credit Score

620

Min. Down Payment

3%

Learn more

at NASB

Why we like it

Ideal for active military members and veterans as well as for borrowers with less-than-perfect credit or nontraditional income sources.

Pros

Devotes much of its business to serving military families with VA loans.
Considers nontraditional income sources.
IRA nonrecourse loans for buying investment property.

Cons

No online loan process updates or tracking.

Read Full Review

Read review

PrimeLending: NMLS#13649

4.0

NerdWallet rating

Min. Credit Score

620

Min. Down Payment

3%

Read review

Why we like it

Ideal for borrowers with past credit issues and those looking for down payment and closing cost assistance programs.

Pros

Low rate of consumer complaints filed with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
Offers a "float-down" interest rate lock.
Offers a proprietary closing-cost assistance program.

Cons

No online mortgage rates.
Charges an origination fee.
Doesn't offer home equity products.

Read Full Review

More from NerdWallet

Last updated on January 2, 2020

Methodology

NerdWallet's selection of mortgage lenders for inclusion here was made based on our evaluation of the products and services that lenders offer to consumers who are actively shopping for the best mortgage. The six key areas we evaluated include the loan types and loan products offered, online capabilities, online mortgage rate information, customer service and the number of complaints filed with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau as a percentage of loans issued. We also awarded lenders up to one bonus star for a unique program or borrower focus that set them apart from other lenders. To ensure consistency, our ratings are reviewed by multiple people on the NerdWallet Mortgages team.

To recap our selections...

NerdWallet's Best Mortgage Lenders with No Origination Fee of 2020

Better.com: Best for online experience
Reali Loans: Best for online experience
Network Capital: Best for purchase loans
Amerisave
: Best for purchase loans
NASB: Best for VA loans
PrimeLending: Best for VA loans

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