10 Best San Francisco Mortgage Lenders of 2022
San Francisco mortgage lenders vary by size and capabilities. These are highly rated lenders in various home loan categories for Bay Area home buyers.
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San Francisco mortgage lenders are about as varied as Bay Area homes. Whether cutting-edge modern or button-down traditional, the capabilities of San Francisco mortgage lenders vary nearly as much as the features of a postmodern home in SoMa compared with a Queen Anne in the Pacific Heights neighborhood.
NerdWallet screened the capabilities of San Francisco mortgage companies in various categories — from national brands to leading local lenders. Here are the results.
Best San Francisco Mortgage Lenders
Lender ▾ ▾ | NerdWallet Rating ▾ ▾ | Min. credit score ▾ ▾ | Min. down payment ▾ ▾ | National / regional ▾ ▾ | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
4.5/5 Best for traditional banks | 660 | 5% | National | ||
4.0/5 Best for refinancing | 620 | 3% | National | ||
4.5/5 Best for traditional banks | N/A | 3% | National | ||
4.5/5 Best for home equity products | 680 | 3% | National | ||
5.0/5 Best for refinancing | 620 | 3% | National | ||
4.0/5 Best for government-backed loans | 620 | 5% | National | ||
5.0/5 Best for government-backed loans | 620 | 3% | National | ||
4.0/5 Best for first-time home buyers | 620 | 3% | National | Learn moreat Quicken Loansat Quicken Loans | |
4.0/5 Best for first-time home buyers | 620 | 3% | Regional | ||
4.5/5 Best for home equity products | 620 | N/A | National |
Bank of America: NMLS#399802
660
5%
National
- 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.
- Doesn't offer renovation loans that roll costs into a mortgage.
- Carries a wide variety of mortgage types and products, including mortgages with down payments as low as 3%.
- Offers low rates compared with other lenders, according to the latest federal data.
- Offers a customizable mortgage calculator for personalized rate and payment estimates.
- Receives high marks for customer satisfaction, according to J.D. Power and Zillow.
- 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.
- Offers a wide variety of loan options, including low-down-payment mortgages and jumbo mortgages.
- Offers low rates compared with other lenders, according to the latest data.
- Receives high marks for customer satisfaction, according to J.D. Power and Zillow.
- Requires help from a loan officer to complete an online mortgage application.
- Customized mortgage rates not available without making contact.
- Doesn’t offer renovation loans, or home equity loans or lines of credit.
- Offers a wide range of loan types and products, including FHA, VA and USDA.
- Borrowers can apply and track loan status online.
- Offers customized online rate quotes with monthly payment estimates, including mortgage insurance, when applicable.
- Home equity loans are geographically limited.
- Origination fees are on the high side compared with other lenders, according to the latest federal data.
- Displays detailed sample rates for many of its loan products.
- Offers a wide variety of loans, including jumbo and interest-only products.
- Offers low rates compared with other lenders, according to the latest federal data.
- Doesn't offer home equity loans.
- Has branches across the country for customers who prefer face-to-face service.
- Receives high marks for customer satisfaction, according to J.D. Power and Zillow.
- Mortgage interest rates tend to be on the lower end, according to the latest federal data.
- Mortgage rates aren't available online; you'll need to contact a loan officer.
- Doesn't offer home equity loans or lines of credit.
- Posts current mortgage rates on its website.
- Offers several affordable loan options, including FHA, VA, USDA and the PNC Community Loan.
- Receives high marks for customer satisfaction, according to J.D. Power and Zillow.
- Doesn't offer renovation mortgages.
- In-person service is not available in every state.
- 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.
- 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.
- Borrowers with an existing loan or investment account from SoFi may qualify for a $500 discount on mortgage fees.
- Mortgage rates tend to be on the low side, according to the latest federal data.
- Offers jumbo loans with a minimum down payment of 10%.
- Does not offer government-backed loans, such as FHA or VA.
- Requires users to create an account to see customized mortgage rates.
- SoFi conforming mortgages are unavailable in Hawaii.
- 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.
- No personalized mortgage rates available online.
- Published mortgage rates assume an above-average credit score.
Local mortgage lenders in San Francisco
If you want to include a local lender or two in your search for the best mortgage, these San Francisco lenders are among the highest-volume mortgage makers in the city. The lenders have not been reviewed by NerdWallet.
Offers single-family, co-op and condo loans.
All-in-one construction-to-permanent loans finance the building of your dream home.
Underwrites vacation and second-home loans.
No-closing-cost options reduce out-of-pocket fees.
Offers loan options that don't require mortgage insurance.
Home hunters can get pre-qualified over the phone “in minutes.”
Combo loans allow the purchase of a property using a primary mortgage and a HELOC.
Portfolio loans provide underwriting flexibility for higher-value homes.
HELOCs feature no application fee or closing costs, subject to some restrictions.
Over 100 branches in Northern California.
An independent mortgage banking firm established in 1996.
Application documents are available online for downloading.
More from NerdWallet
Last updated on March 9, 2023
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.
NerdWallet's Best San Francisco Mortgage Lenders of 2022
- Bank of America: Best for traditional banks
- Chase: Best for refinancing
- Citibank: Best for traditional banks
- Flagstar: Best for home equity products
- Guaranteed Rate: Best for refinancing
- loanDepot: Best for government-backed loans
- PNC: Best for government-backed loans
- Quicken Loans: Best for first-time home buyers
- SoFi: Best for first-time home buyers
- US Bank: Best for home equity products
