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10 Best Seattle Mortgage Lenders of 2020

NerdWalletJanuary 2, 2020

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Looking for a Seattle mortgage lender? We researched Seattle's best mortgage companies so you can compare loan options, mortgage rates and more.

Seattle is one of America’s fastest-growing cities, and it’s easy to see why. Residents can enjoy views of Mt. Rainier, plenty of coffee shops and ample job opportunities. Want to join them and become an Emerald City homeowner? It all starts with the right mortgage lender, and we’ve narrowed the field so your search can be even simpler.

NerdWallet compared Seattle’s leading mortgage companies — high-volume national brands along with local options — to identify the best ones for first-time home buyers and current homeowners alike.

When shopping for a mortgage in Seattle, it’s important to keep your personal needs and preferences in mind. Some companies may offer lower rates or many different loan options, while others may have more affordable fees or specialize in certain mortgage types.

» MORE: Five tips for finding the best mortgage lender

These national and regional institutions have been reviewed by NerdWallet and are among the top mortgage lenders in the Seattle area, according to the latest available data.

Summary of Best Seattle Mortgage Lenders of 2020

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Caliber: NMLS#15622

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Min. Credit Score

620

Min. Down Payment

3%

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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 homebuyer programs.

Cons

  • No mortgage rates displayed online.

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

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at Quicken Loans

Quicken Loans: NMLS#3030

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Min. Credit Score

620

Min. Down Payment

3%

at Quicken Loans

Why we like it

Ideal choice for convenience and quick-response customer service. Quicken Loans provides just about all the services your neighborhood lender does — with online convenience.

Pros

  • Quicken Loans couples a fully online application with available mortgage advisors for those who want a human touch.

  • Instantly verifies employment and income for more than 60% of working Americans.

  • Offers custom fixed-rate loan terms that are between eight and 30 years.

  • Provides FHA-backed loans, USDA loans as well as products offered by Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae that require down payments as low as 3%.

Cons

  • Quicken Loans doesn't offer home equity loans or HELOCs.

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

  • Doesn’t consider alternative credit data. It just looks at credit scores and debt-to-income ratios, the way most mortgage lenders always have.

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Guild Mortgage: NMLS#3274

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Min. Credit Score

620

Min. Down Payment

3%

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Why we like it

Good for: first-time home buyers and others who may need the flexibility of a low-down-payment loan program.

Pros

  • Offers multiple online conveniences, including a full mortgage application, e-signatures and digital loan process tracking.

  • Offers a wide variety of loan products, including home improvement and manufactured home loans.

Cons

  • Does not offer home equity loan products.

  • Average interest rates and fees are higher than other lenders.

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Bank of America: NMLS#399802

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Min. Credit Score

620

Min. Down Payment

3%

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Why we like it

Ideal for borrowers who prefer a traditional bank. Bank of America offers a wide array of mortgages and online account management tools. It also has first-time home buyer loans with low down payments and no mandatory mortgage insurance.

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.

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at Fairway

Fairway Independent Mortgage: NMLS#2289

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Min. Credit Score

620

Min. Down Payment

3%

at Fairway

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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Chase: NMLS#399798

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Min. Credit Score

620

Min. Down Payment

3%

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Why we like it

Good for borrowers who want to choose among a wide array of mortgage types from a bank with offices in more than half the states that charges below-average origination fees.

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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at loanDepot

loanDepot: NMLS#174457

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Min. Credit Score

620

Min. Down Payment

5%

at loanDepot

Why we like it

Ideal for borrowers looking to get a mortgage with help from a loan officer. Digital back-office operations are said to add efficiency to the loan process.

Pros

  • Offers digital income, asset and employment verification.

  • Offers multiple renovation loan options.

  • Has over 200 affiliated loan stores nationwide 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.

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Flagstar: NMLS#417490

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Min. Credit Score

620

Min. Down Payment

3%

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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

  • Doesn’t offer renovation loans at this time.

  • Home equity lending is geographically limited.

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Navy Federal: NMLS#399807

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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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PrimeLending: NMLS#13649

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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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» MORE: See more Washington mortgage lenders

Local mortgage lenders in Seattle

While these lenders have not been reviewed by NerdWallet, they do a lot of lending in Seattle and are popular with the city’s mortgage shoppers. Check them out if you want to include a local company or two on your list.

Homestreet Bank

  • Participates in down payment assistance programs.

  • Offers special loans for medical professionals and borrowers with unique income streams.

  • Provides mortgage lending customer service only Monday through Friday.

  • Has over a dozen home loan centers in and around Seattle.

Boeing Employees Credit Union (BECU)

  • Offers membership to anyone who lives or works in Washington state.

  • Does not charge origination fees on conventional mortgage loans.

  • Works with third-party companies to provide rebates on real estate agent commissions.

  • Over a dozen branch locations in and around Seattle.

Evergreen HOME LOANS

  • An independent mortgage company headquartered in Bellevue, Washington

  • Has a program that reimburses the down payment amount if the property is sold at loss in the future.

  • Offers a guarantee that pays a seller $2,500 if a borrower makes an offer and the loan then falls through.

  • Has only one branch location in Seattle.

First Tech Federal Credit Union

  • Primarily serves high-tech or telecom company employees and their families.

  • Doesn’t offer FHA, VA or USDA loans.

  • Offers a specialized 5/5 adjustable-rate mortgage.

  • Has only one branch location in Seattle.

More from NerdWallet

Last updated on January 2, 2020

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 Seattle Mortgage Lenders of 2020