BEST OF

9 Best Ohio Mortgage Lenders of 2021

Looking for home loans in Ohio? Here are popular local lenders and standouts for first-time buying, refinance, home equity borrowing and traditional and online service.

NerdWallet
Feb 25, 2021

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If you’re looking to buy a house in Ohio or refinance your existing mortgage, this is an excellent place to start. Finding a lender that best suits your situation can save you time — and possibly money.

After reviewing the state’s leading home lenders and matching them to the different needs of Ohio residents, we’ve compiled this short list of the Buckeye State’s best.

The national and regional companies in the table have been reviewed by NerdWallet and are among Ohio's top lenders. We've selected some of the strongest in five categories.

Best Ohio Mortgage Lenders

Rocket Mortgage, LLC
Learn more

at Rocket Mortgage, LLC

Rocket Mortgage, LLC: NMLS#3030

4.0

NerdWallet rating 
Rocket Mortgage, LLC

Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%
Learn more

at Rocket Mortgage, LLC

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.

Read Full Review
Chase
Learn more

at Chase

Chase: NMLS#399798

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
Chase

Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%
Learn more

at Chase

Why we like it

Good for: borrowers who want a name-brand bank with offices in more than half the states that charges lower rates and fees than many other lenders.

Pros

  • Allows electronic submission and tracking of loan documents.

  • Carries a wide variety of mortgage types and products.

  • Generally offers competitive rates, according to the latest data.

Cons

  • Doesn't offer home improvement loans, such as FHA 203(k) and HomeStyle.

  • You have to speak with a home loan adviser to complete the application.

  • Home equity lines of credit (HELOC) are currently unavailable.

Read Full Review
Quicken Loans
Learn more

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.

Read Full Review
Fairway Independent Mortgage
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at Fairway Independent Mortgage

Fairway Independent Mortgage: NMLS#2289

3.5

NerdWallet rating 
Fairway Independent Mortgage

Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%
Learn more

at Fairway Independent Mortgage

Why we like it

Good for: borrowers who want access to a wide variety of mortgages and the convenience of a comprehensive mobile application process.

Pros

  • Offers a robust suite of loan products, including a variety of renovation loans.

  • Has a digital application that can be completed in 10 minutes.

  • Works with some state housing finance agencies to offer mortgages with down payment and closing cost assistance.

Cons

  • Mortgage rates aren't posted online.

  • Origination fees are on the high side and are not offset by low rates, according to the latest data.

Read Full Review
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.

Read Full Review
USAA
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USAA: NMLS#8722

3.5

NerdWallet rating 
USAA

Min. credit score

640

Min. down payment

0%
Read review

Why we like it

USAA specializes in VA loans and offers a variety of online conveniences, but its website doesn’t offer customized rate quotes.

Pros

  • VA loans are the bulk of USAA’s business, so it knows the ins and outs of eligibility.

  • Lots of experience assisting first-time home buyers.

  • You can submit loan documents online.

Cons

  • Doesn’t offer FHA or USDA loans, or second mortgages.

  • Limited mortgage rate information is on the USAA website, none of it customized. You'll have to call.

Read Full Review
PNC
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at PNC

PNC: NMLS#446303

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
PNC

National / regional

National

Max LTV

Varies

Min. credit score

680
Learn more

at PNC

Min. credit score

680

Why we like it

Great for: Flexible rate options

Pros

  • Option to switch between fixed and variable rates during draw period.

  • LTV borrowing limits between 80% and 89.9%, depending on location.

  • Rate discount available for PNC customers.

Cons

  • Fee applies when locking or unlocking fixed rates.

Read Full Review
US Bank
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US Bank: NMLS#402761

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
US Bank

National / regional

National

Max LTV

80%

Min. credit score

620
Read review

Min. credit score

620

Why we like it

Great for: Fixed-rate option

Pros

  • Offers a full line of conventional and government loan products.

  • Provides home equity loans and lines of credit.

  • Allows borrowers to apply and track their loan's progress online.

Cons

  • No personalized mortgage rates available online.

  • Published mortgage rates assume an above-average credit score.

Read Full Review
PrimeLending
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PrimeLending: NMLS#13649

2.5

NerdWallet rating 
PrimeLending

Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%
Read review

Why we like it

Good for: borrowers looking for closing cost assistance, as well as those seeking to renovate or to build a new home.

Pros

  • Full online application includes document uploads and automated loan updates.

  • Offers a "float-down" interest rate lock.

  • Offers a proprietary closing-cost assistance program.

Cons

  • No online mortgage rates — you have to contact the lender for info.

  • Doesn't offer home equity products.

Read Full Review

Local Ohio mortgage lenders

It’s smart to get at least three quotes when shopping mortgage lenders. These local lenders are among those with the highest volume of mortgage sales in Ohio. They have not been reviewed by NerdWallet.

Huntington Bank

  • 7 Ohio branches in Columbus and on the U.S. 23 corridor.

  • Jumbo purchase and refinance, and cash-out refinance.

  • Renovation loans allow $5,000 to $250,000 for repairs.

  • Offers FHA, USDA, VA and conventional loans, and home equity loans and HELOCs.

  • Adjustable-rate mortgages offered, and fixed-rate terms ranging from eight to 30 years.

  • Helps with state down payment assistance bond programs.

  • Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio.

Union Savings Bank

  • Fixed-rate and 1/1 and 3/1 adjustable-rate mortgages.

  • FHA, VA, conventional and jumbo financing.

  • Products include balloon loans, home equity borrowing, construction, blanket (for development) and lot loans.

  • Headquarters in Cincinnati with 28 Ohio offices.

Fifth Third Bank

  • Low down payment option if your income is at or below the local median and for homes in underserved areas.

  • Physicians and dentists may qualify for no down payment and no mortgage insurance.

  • Has FHA, VA, conventional and jumbo purchase, refinance and construction loans.

  • Offers home equity loans and credit lines.

Third Federal Savings & Loan

  • Does not sell its mortgages to other mortgage companies but keeps and services them.

  • Loan officers do not work on commission.

  • Will beat a lower mortgage rate offer or pay you $1,000.

  • No private mortgage insurance required with a 15% down payment.

  • Offers a no-cost 60-day rate lock with a free optional “float down” if rates fall.

  • Home equity products include a 5/1 ARM, fixed-rate loans and a HELOC.

  • Bridge loans available.

  • Headquarters in Cleveland, Ohio.

More from NerdWallet Calculate your Ohio mortgage payment Compare Ohio mortgage rates How much home can you afford?

Last updated on February 25, 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 Ohio Mortgage Lenders of 2021