Best of

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.

By
NerdWallet
Jan 21, 2021

Some or all of the mortgage lenders featured on our site are advertising partners of NerdWallet, but this does not influence our evaluations, lender star ratings or the order in which lenders are listed on the page. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners.

Best North Carolina Mortgage Lenders

Lender
NerdWallet Rating
Min. credit score
Min. down payment
Learn more
New American Funding

New American Funding: NMLS#6606

Learn moreat New American Funding
at New American Funding
Best for weaker credit

580

5%

Learn moreat New American Funding
at New American Funding
Quicken Loans

Quicken Loans: NMLS#3030

4.0
/5
Best for first-time home buyers

620

3%

Guaranteed Rate

Guaranteed Rate: NMLS#2611

5.0
/5
Best for refinancing

620

3%

PNC

PNC: NMLS#446303

5.0
/5
Best for face-to-face service

620

3%

Veterans United

Veterans United: NMLS#1907

4.0
/5
Best for veterans

620

0%

Bank of America

Bank of America: NMLS#399802

4.0
/5
Best for refinancing

620

N/A

loanDepot

loanDepot: NMLS#174457

4.0
/5
Best for first-time home buyers

620

5%

Navy Federal

Navy Federal: NMLS#399807

4.0
/5
Best for veterans

N/A

0%

BB&T (Truist)

BB&T (Truist): NMLS#399803

4.5
/5
Best for face-to-face service

620

3%

Carrington

Carrington: NMLS#2600

4.5
/5
Best for weaker credit

620

5%

New American Funding
Learn moreat New American Funding
at New American Funding
New American Funding

New American Funding: NMLS#6606

4.5
Min. credit score

580

Min. down payment

5%

Why We Like ItGood for: First-time home buyers and other borrowers looking for a broad array of loan choices.
Pros
  • 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.
  • Offers a program to enable buyers to make cash offers.
Cons
  • Mortgage origination fees tend to be on the high end, according to the latest federal data.
Read Full Review
Quicken Loans

Quicken Loans: NMLS#3030

Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%

Why We Like ItGood 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.
Guaranteed Rate

Guaranteed Rate: NMLS#2611

Min. credit score

620

National / regional

National

Why We Like ItGood for: borrowers seeking a solid variety of loan types, including jumbo and interest-only options, and a totally online experience.
Pros
  • Displays detailed sample rates for many of its loan products.
  • Offers a wide variety of loans, including jumbo and interest-only products.
  • Offers low rates compared with other lenders, according to the latest federal data.
Cons
  • Doesn't offer home equity loans.
PNC

PNC: NMLS#446303

Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%

Why We Like ItGood 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.
  • Offers several affordable loan options, including FHA, VA, USDA and the PNC Community Loan.
  • Receives high marks for customer satisfaction, according to J.D. Power and Zillow.
Cons
  • Doesn't offer renovation mortgages.
  • In-person service is not available in every state.
Veterans United

Veterans United: NMLS#1907

Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

0%

Why We Like ItGood for: veterans, active-duty service members and eligible reservists looking for VA loans.
Pros
  • Offers 24/7 customer service over the phone.
  • Offers a free credit counseling service.
  • Mortgage rates are on the low side, according to the latest federal data.
Cons
  • Doesn’t offer home equity loans or HELOCs.
  • Veterans United doesn't have branch offices in every state.
Bank of America

Bank of America: NMLS#399802

Min. credit score

620

National / regional

National

Why We Like ItGood for: first-time home buyers looking for low- or no-down-payment options and homeowners interested in a home equity line of credit.
Pros
  • 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.
Cons
  • Doesn't offer renovation loans that roll costs into a mortgage.
loanDepot

loanDepot: NMLS#174457

Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

5%

Why We Like ItGood for: borrowers who want an easy online application and a variety of loan types to explore.
Pros
  • Has branches across the country for customers who prefer face-to-face service.
  • Receives high marks for customer satisfaction, according to J.D. Power and Zillow.
  • Mortgage interest rates tend to be on the lower end, according to the latest federal data.
Cons
  • Mortgage rates aren't available online; you'll need to contact a loan officer.
  • Doesn't offer home equity loans or lines of credit.
Navy Federal

Navy Federal: NMLS#399807

National / regional

National

Min. down payment

0%

Why We Like ItGood for: military members and their families looking for low-down-payment mortgages.
Pros
  • Offers a wide range of affordable mortgage products, including 0% down payment loans, designed for military members.
  • Offers HELOCs and home equity loans.
  • Offers low rates compared with most lenders, according to the latest federal 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.
BB&T (Truist)

BB&T (Truist): NMLS#399803

Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%

Why We Like ItGood 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.
Carrington

Carrington: NMLS#2600

Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

5%

Why We Like ItGood 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.
  • You can view customized rates for purchasing a home and apply online.
Cons
  • Doesn't offer home equity lines of credit.
  • Lender fees are on the high side, according to the latest federal data.

» MORE: Best Charlotte mortgage lenders

More from NerdWallet

Last updated on January 21, 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

  • New American Funding: Best for weaker credit
  • Quicken Loans: Best for first-time home buyers
  • Guaranteed Rate: Best for refinancing
  • PNC: Best for face-to-face service
  • Veterans United: Best for veterans
  • Bank of America: Best for refinancing
  • loanDepot: Best for first-time home buyers
  • Navy Federal: Best for veterans
  • BB&T (Truist): Best for face-to-face service
  • Carrington: Best for weaker credit
NerdWallet Pixel