Best of
Best Non-Bank Mortgage Lenders of 2019
NerdWalletJuly 2, 2019
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See NerdWallet's picks for the best non-bank mortgage lenders of 2019 across five different categories, including first-time home buyers, low down payments and customer service.
at Quicken Loans
at Quicken Loans
Min. Credit Score
620
Min. Down Payment
3%
Ideal choice for convenience and quick-response customer service. Quicken Loans provides just about all the services your neighborhood lender does — with online convenience.
Pros
- Quicken Loans couples a fully online application with available mortgage advisors for those who want a human touch.
- Instantly verifies employment and income for more than 60% of working Americans.
- Offers custom fixed-rate loan terms that are between eight and 30 years.
- Provides FHA-backed loans, USDA loans as well as products offered by Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae that require down payments as low as 3%.
Cons
- Doesn't offer home equity loans or HELOCs.
- If you’re a “look me in the eye” type of customer, you’re out of luck.
- Doesn’t consider alternative credit data. It just looks at credit scores and debt-to-income ratios, the way most mortgage lenders always have.
Min. Credit Score
620
Min. Down Payment
3%
Ideal for borrowers who need to be evaluated on the basis of nontraditional credit. New American Funding offers FHA and VA loans, works with down payment assistance programs, and helps borrowers whose credit histories don't fit the mold of traditional banking.
Pros
- Uses manual underwriting to evaluate creditworthiness.
- Offers full online mortgage application, rate quotes, document upload and loan tracking.
- Home equity lending sets it apart from most non-bank lenders.
Cons
- Services not available in all 50 states.
at loanDepot
at loanDepot
Min. Credit Score
620
Min. Down Payment
3.5%
Ideal for borrowers looking to get a mortgage with help from a loan officer. Digital back-office operations are said to add efficiency to the loan process.
Pros
- Offers digital income, asset and employment verification.
- Has over 150 affiliated loan stores nationwide for customers who prefer face-to-face service.
- One of the nation’s most active lenders of FHA and VA loans.
Cons
- Published mortgage rates include up to three points of prepaid interest and fees.
- Does not offer home equity loans or lines of credit.
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at Reali Loans
at Reali Loans
Min. Credit Score
620
Min. Down Payment
5%
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.
at Veterans United
at Veterans United
Min. Credit Score
620
Min. Down Payment
0%
Ideal for veterans and active-duty servicemembers. Veterans United is the nation's largest VA home purchase lender but also offers an excellent selection of other government and conventional loans.
Pros
- Also offers FHA, USDA and conventional loans.
- Offers 24/7 customer service.
- You can complete a loan application and pre-qualify online.
- Registers a low volume of complaints filed with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
- Offers free credit score education and assistance.
- Provides a client advocate team staffed by former senior enlisted leaders from each branch of the armed forces.
Cons
- Doesn’t offer home equity loans or HELOCs.
- Loans are available in all 50 states, but Veterans United has offices in only about half.
Min. Credit Score
620
Min. Down Payment
3%
Ideal for Latino and other minority borrowers, millennials, foreign nationals, as well as those seeking a full array of purchase and refinance loans, including jumbo mortgages.
Pros
- Offers an ITIN qualification path for undocumented immigrant borrowers.
- Has a digital application process.
- Offers several mortgage options for low- to moderate-income borrowers.
- Has a full Spanish-language version of its website and bilingual loan officers.
- Borrowers can qualify with income from self-employment and other nontraditional sources.
Cons
- No mortgage rates published online.
- Doesn't lend in all states.
- No home equity loans or lines of credit.
at Vylla
at Vylla
Min. Credit Score
620
Min. Down Payment
3%
Ideal for first-time home buyers or credit-challenged borrowers who may have trouble qualifying for a mortgage.
Pros
- Low minimum credit score.
- Online application, loan tracking and document upload.
- Free rate locks.
Cons
- No online preapproval.
- No presence in Massachusetts or North Dakota.
Min. Credit Score
620
Min. Down Payment
3%
Ideal for borrowers with low-to-moderate incomes or limited down payments. PNC offers a low-down-payment loan with no mortgage insurance.
Pros
- Considers nontraditional credit history like rent payments.
- Online tools help you estimate mortgage payments and track application progress.
- Several affordable loan options including FHA, VA, USDA and the PNC Community Loan.
Cons
- It's not possible to complete the entire mortgage process online.
- Offers mortgage loans nationwide, but has branches in only about two dozen states.
National / Regional
National
Min. Down Payment
3%
Ideal for borrowers who want lots of options and a quick turn time. Fairway Independent Mortgage offers a full selection of home loans along with a comprehensive mobile app for a fast and easy application process.
Pros
- A robust suite of loan products.
- Licensed in all 50 states.
- Close in as little as 10 days using the Fairway app.
Cons
- Limited branch locations.
- Mortgage rates not posted on website.
Min. Credit Score
620
Min. Down Payment
3%
Ideal for borrowers who prefer an online experience. Homebridge offers a variety of home loan options and an online application.
Pros
- A wide variety of loan types.
- Low credit score requirements for government-backed loans.
- A wealth of educational material on its website.
- Licensed in all 50 states.
Cons
- Mortgage application can't be tracked online.
- Charges origination fees on some loans.
- Limited branch locations.
Summary of Best Non-Bank Mortgage Lenders of 2019
| Lender | Best For | Minimum Credit Score | Minimum Down Payment | Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Quicken Loans at Quicken Loans | first-time home buyers | 620 | 3% | at Quicken Loans |
 New American Funding | first-time home buyers | 620 | 3% | Read review |
loanDepot at loanDepot | refinancing | 620 | 3.5% | at loanDepot |
Reali Loans at Reali Loans | refinancing | 620 | 5% | at Reali Loans |
Veterans United at Veterans United | veterans | 620 | 0% | at Veterans United |
 Alterra | veterans | 620 | 3% | Read review |
Vylla at Vylla | low down payment | 620 | 3% | at Vylla |
 PNC | low down payment | 620 | 3% | Read review |
 Fairway | customer service | N/A | 3% | Read review |
 HomeBridge | customer service | 620 | 3% | Read review |
| Lender | Best For | Minimum Credit Score | Minimum Down Payment | Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Quicken Loans at Quicken Loans | first-time home buyers | 620 | 3% | at Quicken Loans |
New American Funding | first-time home buyers | 620 | 3% | Read review |
loanDepot at loanDepot | refinancing | 620 | 3.5% | at loanDepot |
Reali Loans at Reali Loans | refinancing | 620 | 5% | at Reali Loans |
Veterans United at Veterans United | veterans | 620 | 0% | at Veterans United |
Alterra | veterans | 620 | 3% | Read review |
Vylla at Vylla | low down payment | 620 | 3% | at Vylla |
PNC | low down payment | 620 | 3% | Read review |
Fairway | customer service | N/A | 3% | Read review |
HomeBridge | customer service | 620 | 3% | Read review |
Last updated on July 2, 2019
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 Non-Bank Mortgage Lenders of 2019
- Quicken Loans: Best for first-time home buyers
- New American Funding: Best for first-time home buyers
- loanDepot: Best for refinancing
- Reali Loans: Best for refinancing
- Veterans United: Best for veterans
- Alterra: Best for veterans
- Vylla: Best for low down payment
- PNC: Best for low down payment
- Fairway: Best for customer service
- HomeBridge: Best for customer service
