BEST OF

11 Best Online Mortgage Lenders of December 2021

Online mortgage lenders offer convenience, automation and digital tools. Browse our picks for the best online lenders.

NerdWalletDec 1, 2021

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Online mortgage and refinance companies offer convenience and automation. They can even save you money. And if you want to see a friendly face before you close a deal, online lenders can often provide that, too.

To help you choose an online mortgage lender, NerdWallet has picked some of the best in a variety of categories to help you get the home loan with the best mortgage rate, term and fees.

The coronavirus pandemic introduced some new challenges to getting a mortgage. Many lenders facing high loan demand and staffing issues increased their fees, adjusted minimum required credit scores or temporarily suspended certain loan products. While some products and business practices have returned to pre-pandemic levels, you might still find delays and limited options. If you can’t pay your current home loan, refer to our mortgage assistance resource. For information on how to cope with financial stress during this pandemic, see NerdWallet’s financial guide to COVID-19.

Summary of Best Online Mortgage Lenders of December 2021

Better
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at Better

Better: NMLS#330511

5.0

NerdWallet rating 
Better

Min. Credit Score

620

National / Regional

National
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at Better

Why we like it

Good for: tech-savvy borrowers who prefer an online experience.

Pros

  • An online process with human help as needed.

  • Makes it easy to see customized mortgage rates.

  • Offers an "underwriter reviewed" preapproval letter in as little as 24 hours.

  • Appraisal guarantee promises loan won’t change even if appraisal is lower than expected.

Cons

  • Doesn't do VA or USDA loans.

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NBKC
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at NBKC

NBKC: NMLS#409631

5.0

NerdWallet rating 
NBKC

Min. Credit Score

660

Min. Down Payment

0%
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at NBKC

Why we like it

Good for: borrowers with solid credit who want to pay low rates and get an online experience with phone support. VA loans are an emphasis.

Pros

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

  • Extends full online capabilities, from application to loan tracking.

  • Displays customized rates, with fee estimates, without requiring contact information.

Cons

  • Equity lines and construction loans are available only in the Kansas City metro area.

  • Doesn’t offer renovation loans.

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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%
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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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Ally Bank
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at Ally Bank

Ally Bank: NMLS#181005

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
Ally Bank

Min. Credit Score

620

Min. Down Payment

3%
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at Ally Bank

Why we like it

Good for: home buyers and mortgage refinancers, including jumbo borrowers, who want a digital experience with attentive customer service.

Pros

  • Excels in online convenience, with document upload, loan tracking and e-signatures.

  • Offers good rate transparency; rate shoppers can see customized interest rates.

Cons

  • Limited variety of loan products: FHA, VA and USDA loans are unavailable.

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

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Guaranteed Rate
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at Guaranteed Rate

Guaranteed Rate: NMLS#2611

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
Guaranteed Rate

Min. Credit Score

620

National / Regional

National
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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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Rocket Mortgage, LLC
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at Rocket Mortgage, LLC

Rocket Mortgage, LLC: NMLS#3030

4.0

NerdWallet rating 
Rocket Mortgage, LLC

Min. Credit Score

620

Min. Down Payment

3%
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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
Bank of America
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at Bank of America

Bank of America: NMLS#399802

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
Bank of America

Min. Credit Score

620

Min. Down Payment

5%

National / Regional

National
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at Bank of America

National / Regional

National

Why we like it

Good for: first-time home buyers looking for low-down-payment options and existing customers who may get a discount on fees.

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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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

640

Min. Down Payment

3.5%
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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.

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Reali Loans
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at Reali Loans

Reali Loans: NMLS#991397

4.0

NerdWallet rating 
Reali Loans

Min. Credit Score

620

National / Regional

Regional
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at Reali Loans

Why we like it

Good for: borrowers looking for an online mortgage application experience.

Pros

  • Offers a completely online application process.

  • Posts current interest rates for purchase and refinancing.

  • Provides customized rate quotes online.

Cons

  • No FHA, VA or USDA refinance products.

  • Available only in a dozen states.

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SunTrust (Truist)
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SunTrust (Truist): NMLS#2915

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
SunTrust (Truist)

Min. Credit Score

620

Min. Down Payment

3.5%
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Why we like it

Good for: first-time home buyers, doctors and other borrowers interested in low-down-payment mortgage options.

Pros

  • Offers a wide variety of loan options, including special programs for doctors.

  • Offers a complete suite of online mortgage application tools and loan tracking.

  • Sample rates and fees are easy to find on the website.

Cons

  • Customized rates aren't available online without starting an application.

  • Branches are limited mostly to the Southeast.

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Wells Fargo
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Wells Fargo: NMLS#399801

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
Wells Fargo

Min. Credit Score

620

Min. Down Payment

3%
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Why we like it

Wells Fargo has a solid selection of mortgage products and offers easy-to-shop rates.

Pros

  • Provides numerous online conveniences, including loan application and process updates.

  • Current rates clearly posted for various loan products.

  • Offers a wide variety of loan types and products.

Cons

  • Home equity loans and lines of credit suspended due to COVID-19 are still unavailable.

  • Scandals and government actions have damaged consumer trust in recent years.

  • No home improvement loans offered.

Read Full Review

What is an online mortgage?

"Online mortgage" refers to a mortgage from a lender with no physical presence. That definition has broadened, as even banks with brick-and-mortar branches all across the country offer robust online capabilities.

When NerdWallet gathers the top online mortgage lenders, we look for lenders that let borrowers apply, upload necessary documents and track the entire loan process via an app or a mobile-friendly website. But you'll find plenty of lenders that offer even more online conveniences, like online preapproval, custom rate quotes or the ability to live chat with an actual person.

» MORE: Get an overview of the homebuying process

How does an online mortgage work?

The process varies depending on the lender. But in general, an online mortgage lender should allow you to accomplish key tasks like getting rate quotes, filling out an application and uploading documents from your computer or mobile device. In some cases, you may not even need to dig up all of the documents yourself.

Many lenders can access necessary information from government agencies, financial institutions and employers (with your permission, of course), and take days off the closing process. And with e-closings, you can even close the loan remotely in a little as 15 minutes.

» MORE: Applying for a mortgage, step by step

More from NerdWallet:

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 Online Mortgage Lenders of December 2021

Frequently asked questions