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10 Best North Carolina Mortgage Lenders of 2021

If you're shopping for a mortgage in North Carolina, NerdWallet has done the research. Here are the best mortgage lenders for a variety of needs, including first-time home buyers.

NerdWallet
Dec 1, 2021

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As a North Carolinian, you probably have firm ideas about which barbecue style is best. But when you shop for a mortgage, the options may leave you stumped.

Will this be your first home? Do you want to talk face to face with a mortgage lender? Do you have imperfect credit? Are you trying to refinance, or get a VA loan? NerdWallet is here to help you find the best mortgage lender in North Carolina for your needs.

Best North Carolina Mortgage Lenders

Quicken Loans
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at Quicken Loans

Quicken Loans: NMLS#3030

4.0

NerdWallet rating 
Quicken Loans

Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%
Learn more

at Quicken Loans

Why we like it

Good for: borrowers who appreciate convenience online and on the go for a fully digital home loan experience with consistently acclaimed customer service.

Pros

  • Caters to self-service users who want to apply for a home loan online and talk to a human only as necessary.

  • Estimates the loan amount you’ll qualify for within minutes.

  • Streamlines the online process with document and asset retrieval capabilities, including the ability to edit your preapproval letter.

Cons

  • Getting a customized interest rate requires a credit check, which can affect your credit score.

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

  • Lender fees are on the high side and the fees aren't offset by particularly low mortgage rates, according to the latest data.

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New American Funding
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at New American Funding

New American Funding: NMLS#6606

5.0

NerdWallet rating 
New American Funding

Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%
Learn more

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, in some cases.

  • Offers full online mortgage application, rate quotes, document upload and loan tracking.

Cons

  • Mortgage origination fees tend to be on the high end, according to the latest federal data.

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Veterans United
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at Veterans United

Veterans United: NMLS#1907

4.0

NerdWallet rating 
Veterans United

Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

0%
Learn more

at Veterans United

Why we like it

Good for: veterans, active-duty service members and eligible reservists looking for VA or non-VA loans.

Pros

  • Offers 24/7 customer service over the phone.

  • Has online application and pre-qualification.

  • Offers a free credit counseling service.

  • Employs advisors from each branch of the armed forces.

Cons

  • Doesn’t offer home equity loans or HELOCs.

  • Veterans United has physical branch offices in only 17 states.

  • Information on FHA, USDA and conventional loans is harder to find on its website.

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Guaranteed Rate
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at Guaranteed Rate

Guaranteed Rate: NMLS#2611

4.0

NerdWallet rating 
Guaranteed Rate

Min. credit score

620

National / regional

National
Learn more

at Guaranteed Rate

Why we like it

Good for: homeowners who are looking to refinance conventional, FHA or VA mortgages.

Pros

  • Offers the ability to securely upload and digitally sign loan documents.

  • Displays detailed sample rates for many of its refinance loan products.

Cons

  • May charge an application fee.

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Bank of America
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at Bank of America

Bank of America: NMLS#399802

4.0

NerdWallet rating 
Bank of America

Min. credit score

620

National / regional

National
Learn more

at Bank of America

Why we like it

Good for: borrowers who like options. Bank of America offers multiple refinance loans, including FHA, VA and cash-out.

Pros

  • Offers down payment and closing cost assistance programs.

  • May give existing customers a discount on mortgage lender origination fees.

  • Offers home equity line of credit, or HELOC.

Cons

  • Doesn't offer renovation loans that roll costs into a mortgage.

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loanDepot
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loanDepot: NMLS#174457

3.5

NerdWallet rating 
loanDepot

Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

5%
Read review

Why we like it

Good for: borrowers looking to refinance or who want to start the application process online.

Pros

  • Offers digital income, asset and employment verification.

  • Offers multiple renovation loan options.

  • Has affiliated loan stores for customers who prefer face-to-face service.

Cons

  • Mortgage rates aren't available online; you'll need to contact a loan officer.

  • Does not offer home equity loans or lines of credit.

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Navy Federal
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Navy Federal: NMLS#399807

3.5

NerdWallet rating 
Navy Federal

National / regional

National

Min. down payment

0%
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Why we like it

Good for: military members and their families looking for low-down-payment mortgages.

Pros

  • Offers a wide range of affordable mortgage products designed for military members.

  • Has an online application for preapproval.

  • Offers low rates compared with most lenders, according to the latest data.

Cons

  • Website does not provide customized mortgage rates based on credit score or other factors before you apply.

  • Credit union membership is limited to veterans and current military members, their families, and certain federal employees, retirees and contractors.

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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

Good for: borrowers in the Southeast who want the option of face-to-face service. BB&T is now part of Truist Financial Corp., which offers a full menu of home loans.

Pros

  • Offers a variety of home loans, including construction-to-permanent loans, physicians loans and jumbo loans.

  • Has a robust online mortgage application.

Cons

  • Branches limited to mostly the Southeast region.

  • Custom rates are only available if you speak with a representative.

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PNC
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PNC: NMLS#446303

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
PNC

Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%
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Why we like it

Good for: borrowers with low-to-moderate incomes or limited down payments. PNC offers several low-down-payment loans, including one with no mortgage insurance.

Pros

  • Posts current mortgage rates on its website.

  • Has an online application for mortgage preapproval and a digital tool to track application progress.

  • Offers several affordable loan options, including FHA, VA, USDA and the PNC Community Loan.

Cons

  • Doesn't offer renovation mortgages.

  • In-person service is not available in every state.

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Carrington
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Carrington: NMLS#2600

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
Carrington

Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%
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Why we like it

Good for: first-time home buyers or credit-challenged borrowers interested in government loan products.

Pros

  • Offers multiple low-down-payment loan programs.

  • May consider alternative credit data, such as bank statements and rent payments.

  • You can view customized rates for purchasing a home and apply online.

Cons

  • Doesn't offer home equity loans, HELOCs or renovation mortgages.

  • Lender fees and mortgage rates are on the high side, according to the latest data.

Read Full Review

Last updated on December 1, 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 North Carolina Mortgage Lenders of 2021