6 Best OHFA Mortgage Lenders of 2020

The OHFA offers down payment assistance to Ohio residents. These are our top picks among OHFA-approved lenders.

Summary of Best OHFA Mortgage Lenders of 2020

Lender	Best For	Minimum Credit Score	Minimum Down Payment	Learn More
Flagstar NerdWallet rating Read review	government loans	620	3%	Read review
PrimeLending NerdWallet rating Read review	government loans	620	3%	Read review
Caliber NerdWallet rating Read review	first-time home buyers	620	3%	Read review
loanDepot NerdWallet rating Learn more at loanDepot	first-time home buyers	620	3.5%	Learn more at loanDepot
Guaranteed Rate NerdWallet rating Read review	online convenience	620	3%	Read review
Fairway Independent Mortgage NerdWallet rating Learn More at Fairway	online convenience	N/A	3%	Learn More at Fairway

Lender	Best For	Minimum Credit Score	Minimum Down Payment	Learn More
Flagstar NerdWallet rating Read review	government loans	620	3%	Read review
PrimeLending NerdWallet rating Read review	government loans	620	3%	Read review
Caliber NerdWallet rating Read review	first-time home buyers	620	3%	Read review
loanDepot NerdWallet rating Learn more at loanDepot	first-time home buyers	620	3.5%	Learn more at loanDepot
Guaranteed Rate NerdWallet rating Read review	online convenience	620	3%	Read review
Fairway Independent Mortgage NerdWallet rating Learn More at Fairway	online convenience	N/A	3%	Learn More at Fairway

Read review

Flagstar: NMLS#417490

4.5

NerdWallet rating

Min. Credit Score

620

Min. Down Payment

3%

Read review

Why we like it

Ideal for those who appreciate the full-service experience of a leading regional bank. Flagstar offers a full menu of fixed and adjustable home loans and mortgage refinancing, as well as jumbo loans and home equity financing.

Pros

Embraces FHA-backed home loans.
Offers several types of construction and renovation mortgages.
A professional loan package is tailored for the needs of doctors, lawyers, nurse practitioners, airline pilots and certified public accountants.
Flagstar reps are familiar with low-down-payment state bond programs for first-time home buyers and income-limited households, as well as the areas that qualify for USDA loans.
Offers home equity loans and home equity lines of credit.

Cons

Charges an average $1,295 in underwriting and processing fees.

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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.

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Caliber: NMLS#15622

4.0

NerdWallet rating

Min. Credit Score

620

Min. Down Payment

3%

Read review

Why we like it

Ideal for first-time home buyers, veterans and those who may have credit challenges to overcome.

Pros

Participates in some state down payment assistance programs.
Offers educational resources for military borrowers.
Provides digital tools for a streamlined application process.

Cons

No mortgage rates displayed online.
Must work with a loan officer for pre-qualification and preapproval.

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Learn more

at loanDepot

loanDepot: NMLS#174457

4.0

NerdWallet rating

Min. Credit Score

620

Min. Down Payment

3.5%

Learn more

at loanDepot

Why we like it

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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Guaranteed Rate: NMLS#2611

4.5

NerdWallet rating

Min. Credit Score

620

Min. Down Payment

3%

Read review

Why we like it

Ideal for borrowers who are looking to apply for a mortgage and manage the process through online tools, whether buying or refinancing. Guaranteed Rate offers FHA, VA and USDA loans for borrowers who are well-qualified.

Pros

Works with most borrowers as long as they have good credit scores and incomes.
Provides a user-friendly digital platform that’s thorough in covering all types of borrowing scenarios.
Has a 95% customer satisfaction rate, according to company data.

Cons

Charges some fees, such as a $1,290 lender fee that includes a $150 application fee.
Offers many products, which might confuse or overwhelm borrowers.
Several click-throughs required for personalized rates.

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Learn More

at Fairway

Fairway Independent Mortgage: NMLS#2289

4.0

NerdWallet rating

National / Regional

National

Min. Down Payment

3%

Learn More

at Fairway

Why we like it

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.

Read Full Review

More OHFA-approved lenders

These lenders also participate in OHFA programs and are among the highest-volume mortgage providers in Ohio; however, they haven’t been reviewed by NerdWallet.

Huntington Bank

Offers all government-backed loans.
A single loan provides financing for a purchase and a renovation.
Mortgage loan officers specially trained to help with state bond programs.

Union Savings Bank

Online pre-qualification tool can take five minutes to complete.
Offers assistance to borrowers with financial hardships.
Services most of the loans it makes; it’s unlikely you'll have to route your payment through a different company.

Union Home Mortgage

Offers a guide to buying your first home.
An online process gets your loan application started.
A loan program for self-employed borrowers allows qualifying without providing tax returns.

Park National Bank

Provides information about OHFA assistance programs.
A loan for a lot lets you buy the land first and build later.
An online chat feature is available for quick questions.

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 OHFA Mortgage Lenders of 2020

Flagstar: Best for government loans
PrimeLending: Best for government loans
Caliber: Best for first-time home buyers
loanDepot: Best for first-time home buyers
Guaranteed Rate: Best for online convenience
Fairway Independent Mortgage: Best for online convenience