BEST OF

9 Best San Antonio Mortgage Lenders of 2021

NerdWallet scanned San Antonio mortgage lenders to recommend some of the best in important categories.

NerdWalletJan 22, 2021

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Whether buying a home inside or outside of Loop 410, you want a mortgage lender that performs like the Spurs — gets the job done well with a minimum of fuss. NerdWallet researched mortgage companies in San Antonio and identified some of the best in important categories. Our national and regional picks are a good place to start as you shop for a mortgage. These national companies do a lot of business in San Antonio and are among NerdWallet’s top-rated mortgage lenders.

» FIND first-time home buyer grants in Texas

Summary of Best San Antonio Mortgage Lenders of 2021

Navy Federal
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Navy Federal: NMLS#399807

4.5

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.

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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USAA
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USAA: NMLS#8722

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
USAA

Min. Credit Score

620

Min. Down Payment

3%
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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.

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

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Caliber
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Caliber: NMLS#15622

3.5

NerdWallet rating 
Caliber

Min. Credit Score

580

Min. Down Payment

3.5%
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Why we like it

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

Pros

  • Offers extensive educational resources for military borrowers.

  • Provides digital tools for a streamlined application process.

  • Participates in some state down payment assistance and first-time home buyer programs.

Cons

  • No mortgage rates displayed online.

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

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Rocket Mortgage by Quicken Loans
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at Rocket Mortgage by Quicken Loans

Rocket Mortgage by Quicken Loans: NMLS#3030

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
Rocket Mortgage by Quicken Loans

Min. Credit Score

620

Min. Down Payment

3%
Learn more

at Rocket Mortgage by Quicken Loans

Why we like it

Good for: borrowers who appreciate smartphone and online convenience for a fully digital home loan experience powered by Quicken Loans.

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.

  • Offers document and asset retrieval capabilities.

Cons

  • If you’re a “look me in the eye” type of customer, you’re out of luck.

  • Getting a customized interest rate requires a credit check, which can lower your credit score by a few points.

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Fairway Independent Mortgage
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at Fairway Independent Mortgage

Fairway Independent Mortgage: NMLS#2289

4.0

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.

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PrimeLending
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PrimeLending: NMLS#13649

3.5

NerdWallet rating 
PrimeLending

Min. Credit Score

620

Min. Down Payment

3%
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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.

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Flagstar
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Flagstar: NMLS#417490

5.0

NerdWallet rating 
Flagstar

Min. Credit Score

620

Min. Down Payment

3%
Read review

Why we like it

Good for: borrowers who want a wide range of choices — not only among mortgage products, but also in the channel they prefer, whether a branch, online or on the phone.

Pros

  • Offers a wide range of loan types and products, including FHA, VA and USDA.

  • Has a full suite of online conveniences.

  • Does well with rate transparency, and monthly payment estimates add mortgage insurance, when applicable.

Cons

  • Home equity lending is geographically limited.

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Chase
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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 good rates and charges reasonable fees.

Cons

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

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

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Bank of America
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Bank of America: NMLS#399802

5.0

NerdWallet rating 
Bank of America

Min. Credit Score

620

Min. Down Payment

5%

National / Regional

National
Read review

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

  • Allows borrowers to apply entirely online.

  • Offers down payment and closing cost assistance programs.

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

Cons

  • Does not offer renovation loans.

Read Full Review

» MORE: See the best Texas mortgage lenders

Local and regional mortgage lenders in San Antonio

The following mortgage companies are among the top lenders by loan volume in San Antonio, so they’re worth checking out if you’re looking for more options. NerdWallet has not reviewed these lenders.

AMCAP Mortgage

  • Offers options for low-down-payment borrowers.

  • One of the highest-volume FHA lenders in the area.

  • Offers combined purchase and renovation home loans.

  • Offers online pre-qualification.

Cornerstone Home Lending

  • More than half of its lending volume is in FHA and VA loans.

  • Has a full menu of conventional loan options, too, including jumbo loans.

  • Offers online pre-qualification.

Legacy Mutual Mortgage

  • Good for borrowers who want a homegrown lender based in San Antonio.

  • Offers a full menu of conventional and government-backed loans.

  • Makes Spanish-language versions of forms available online for borrowers to reference.

  • Has an online application process.

Security Service Federal Credit Union

  • Offers home equity loans and lines of credit.

  • Offers lot, land and construction loans.

  • Allows certain borrowers to save up to $5,000 on select closing costs for conventional loans.

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Last updated on January 22, 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 San Antonio Mortgage Lenders of 2021