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9 Best San Antonio Mortgage Lenders of 2021

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

NerdWallet
By
Last updated on January 22, 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.

  • 50+ mortgage lenders reviewed and rated by our team of experts.
  • 40+ years of combined experience covering mortgages and financial topics.
  • Objective, comprehensive star rating system assessing 120+ categories and 5,000+ data points.
  • Governed by NerdWallet's strict guidelines for editorial integrity.
NerdWallet's mortgage content, including articles, reviews and recommendations, is produced by a team of writers and editors who specialize in home lending. Their work has appeared in The Associated Press, USA Today, The Washington Post, MarketWatch, Newsweek and many other national, regional and local publications. They have been cited in publications including The Wall Street Journal, and appeared on NerdWallet's "Smart Money" podcast as well as local TV and radio.

Best San Antonio Mortgage Lenders

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Lender
NerdWallet Rating
Min. credit score
Min. down payment
Learn more
Rocket Mortgage, LLC

Rocket Mortgage, LLC: NMLS#3030

Learn more
at Rocket Mortgage, LLC
at Rocket Mortgage, LLC
Home loans overall
Best for online convenience

620

1%

Learn more
at Rocket Mortgage, LLC
at Rocket Mortgage, LLC
Fairway Independent Mortgage

Fairway Independent Mortgage: NMLS#2289

Learn more
at Fairway Independent Mortgage
at Fairway Independent Mortgage
4.0
/5
Refinancing
Best for online convenience

620

3%

Learn more
at Fairway Independent Mortgage
at Fairway Independent Mortgage
Navy Federal

Navy Federal: NMLS#399807

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on NerdWallet
5.0
/5
VA loans
Best for veterans

N/A

0%

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on NerdWallet
PrimeLending

PrimeLending: NMLS#13649

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on NerdWallet
3.0
/5
Home loans overall
Best for first-time home buyers

620

3%

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on NerdWallet
USAA

USAA: NMLS#8722

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on NerdWallet
4.0
/5
Home loans overall
Best for veterans

620

3%

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on NerdWallet
Caliber

Caliber: NMLS#15622

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on NerdWallet
3.5
/5
FHA loans
Best for FHA loans

620

3.5%

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on NerdWallet
Bank of America

Bank of America: NMLS#399802

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on NerdWallet
4.0
/5
Home loans overall
Best for conventional & jumbo loans

660

5%

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on NerdWallet
Chase

Chase: NMLS#399798

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on NerdWallet
3.5
/5
Home loans overall
Best for conventional & jumbo loans

620

3%

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on NerdWallet
Flagstar

Flagstar: NMLS#417490

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on NerdWallet
5.0
/5
Home loans overall
Best for first-time home buyers

620

3%

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on NerdWallet
Rocket Mortgage, LLC
Learn more
at Rocket Mortgage, LLC
at Rocket Mortgage, LLC
Rocket Mortgage, LLC

Rocket Mortgage, LLC: NMLS#3030

4.0
Home loans overall
NerdWallet rating
Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

1%

Why We Like ItGood for: FHA borrowers and others short on down payment cash, as well as home buyers who value convenience over low fees.
Pros
  • Streamlined online process with document and asset retrieval capabilities, as well as the ability to edit your preapproval letter.
  • Offers the option to work with loan officers by phone if desired.
  • Largest FHA lender in the nation.
Cons
  • Getting a customized interest rate requires a credit check, which can affect your credit score.
  • Origination fees are on the high side compared with other lenders, according to the latest federal data.
  • Doesn't offer home equity lines of credit.
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Fairway Independent Mortgage
Learn more
at Fairway Independent Mortgage
at Fairway Independent Mortgage
Fairway Independent Mortgage

Fairway Independent Mortgage: NMLS#2289

4.0
Min. credit score

620

National / regional

National

Why We Like ItGood for: borrowers looking for a low-down-payment mortgage, renovation loan, or a specialized mortgage geared to medical professionals.
Pros
  • Offers a robust suite of loan products, including ITIN loans for borrowers without Social Security numbers, renovation loans, government-backed mortgages and loans for self-employed borrowers.
  • Receives high marks for customer satisfaction, according to J.D. Power and Zillow.
Cons
  • Mortgage rates for different types of loans aren't posted online.
  • Origination fees and mortgage rates are on the high side compared with other lenders, according to the latest federal data.
Navy Federal
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on NerdWallet
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.
PrimeLending
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on NerdWallet
PrimeLending

PrimeLending: NMLS#13649

3.0
Home loans overall
NerdWallet rating
Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%

Why We Like ItGood for: those seeking to buy a fixer-upper, build a new home or make renovations.
Pros
  • Offers a broad selection of renovation loans to finance cosmetic upgrades or structural repairs.
  • Issues loan approval letters within 24 hours to borrowers who qualify.
  • Offers resources to connect eligible borrowers with closing cost and down payment assistance programs.
Cons
  • No online mortgage rates — you have to contact the lender for information.
  • Rates and fees are on the high side, according to the latest federal data.
  • Doesn't offer home equity loans or lines of credit.
USAA
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on NerdWallet
USAA

USAA: NMLS#8722

4.0
Home loans overall
NerdWallet rating
Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%

Why We Like ItGood for: veterans, active-duty service members and eligible reservists who are looking for VA loans and prefer to manage their mortgage online.
Pros
  • VA loans are the bulk of USAA's business, so its loan officers know the ins and outs of eligibility and the application process.
  • Offers HomeReady loans, a conventional mortgage with flexible down payment options for low- and moderate- income buyers.
  • Has a highly rated mobile app.
Cons
  • Offers a limited selection of loans apart from VA, including no FHA or USDA loans.
  • Doesn’t offer home equity loans or lines of credit.
  • Only sample mortgage rate information is on the USAA website. For customized rates, you have to make contact.
Caliber
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on NerdWallet
Caliber

Caliber: NMLS#15622

3.5
Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3.5%

Why We Like ItGood for: first-time home buyers, veterans and those who may have credit challenges to overcome.
Pros
  • Offers extensive educational resources for military borrowers.
  • Participates in some 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.
Bank of America
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on NerdWallet
Bank of America

Bank of America: NMLS#399802

4.0
Home loans overall
NerdWallet rating
Min. credit score

660

Min. down payment

5%

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 or construction-to-permanent mortgage loans.
  • Must enroll in online banking to access Home Loan Navigator.
  • Fined $12 million for reporting inaccurate mortgage applicant info to the federal government.
Chase
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on NerdWallet
Chase

Chase: NMLS#399798

3.5
Home loans overall
NerdWallet rating
Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%

Why We Like ItGood for: conventional borrowers and those interested in loans with low down payment requirements.
Pros
  • Offers two proprietary loans with low down payment requirements.
  • Provides customizable sample rates.
  • Receives high marks for customer satisfaction, according to JD Power and Zillow.
Cons
  • Borrowers must apply for prequalification before accessing a full online application.
  • Origination fees are higher than average, according to the latest federal data.
  • Borrowers may be frustrated with the lender’s website experience.
Flagstar
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on NerdWallet
Flagstar

Flagstar: NMLS#417490

5.0
Home loans overall
NerdWallet rating
Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%

Why We Like ItGood for: Borrowers who may benefit from Flagstar’s unique loan options, such as ITIN loans, loans for manufactured homes or physician loans.
Pros
  • Multiple loans for those who are renovating or building a home, including loans with interest-only payments during construction.
  • Offers home equity loans and lines of credit.
  • Offers down payment assistance and loans for underserved borrowers, including ITIN loans and loans with flexible qualifications in certain communities.
  • Interest rates are on the low side relative to other lenders, according to the latest federal data.
  • Borrowers can enter their information (including their desired loan amount, down payment and zip code) into the lender’s Mortgage Quote Comparison tool and receive a customized rate quote.
Cons
  • Home equity loans are not available in all locations served by Flagstar.
  • In 2022, the lender was fined for violating laws regarding properties in flood zones.

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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

More from NerdWallet

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

  • Rocket Mortgage, LLC: Best for online convenience
  • Fairway Independent Mortgage: Best for online convenience
  • Navy Federal: Best for veterans
  • PrimeLending: Best for first-time home buyers
  • USAA: Best for veterans
  • Caliber: Best for FHA loans
  • Bank of America: Best for conventional & jumbo loans
  • Chase: Best for conventional & jumbo loans
  • Flagstar: Best for first-time home buyers
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