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9 Best Seattle Mortgage Lenders of 2022

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

NerdWallet
By
Last updated on January 6, 2022

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  • 50+ mortgage lenders reviewed and rated by our team of experts.
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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 Seattle Mortgage Lenders

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Lender
NerdWallet Rating
Min. credit score
Min. down payment
Learn more
Fairway Independent Mortgage

Fairway Independent Mortgage: NMLS#2289

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at Fairway Independent Mortgage
at Fairway Independent Mortgage
Home loans overall
Best for mobile app experience

620

3%

Learn more
at Fairway Independent Mortgage
at Fairway Independent Mortgage
loanDepot

loanDepot: NMLS#174457

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on NerdWallet
3.5
/5
Home loans overall
Best for strong customer service

620

5%

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on NerdWallet
Caliber

Caliber: NMLS#15622

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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
Guild Mortgage

Guild Mortgage: NMLS#3274

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on NerdWallet
3.0
/5
Home loans overall
Best for down payment assistance

620

3%

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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 loans

620

3%

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on NerdWallet
Bank of America

Bank of America: NMLS#399802

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on NerdWallet
5.0
/5
Jumbo loans
Best for jumbo loans

720

5%

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on NerdWallet
Flagstar

Flagstar: NMLS#417490

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on NerdWallet
5.0
/5
Home loans overall
Best for renovation and construction loans

620

3%

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on NerdWallet
Navy Federal

Navy Federal: NMLS#399807

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on NerdWallet
5.0
/5
VA loans
Best for military members and their families

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 borrowers with past credit issues

620

3%

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on NerdWallet
Fairway Independent Mortgage
Learn more
at Fairway Independent Mortgage
at Fairway Independent Mortgage
Fairway Independent Mortgage

Fairway Independent Mortgage: NMLS#2289

3.0
Home loans overall
NerdWallet rating
Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%

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.
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loanDepot
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on NerdWallet
loanDepot

loanDepot: NMLS#174457

3.5
Home loans overall
NerdWallet rating
Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

5%

Why We Like ItGood for: borrowers who are comfortable with an entirely online experience, and who want a one-stop shop for buying and selling.
Pros
  • Offers a variety of repayment terms.
  • Online loan calculator lets borrowers compare monthly payments and lifetime interest.
  • Receives high marks for customer satisfaction, according to J.D. Power and Zillow.
Cons
  • No sample interest rates are provided.
  • Origination fees are on the higher end, according to the latest federal data.
  • Lender’s website does not have a live chat feature.
Caliber
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on NerdWallet
Caliber

Caliber: NMLS#15622

3.0
Home loans overall
NerdWallet rating
Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%

Why We Like ItGood for: first-time home buyers, self-employed borrowers and those who may have credit challenges to overcome.
Pros
  • Receives high marks for customer satisfaction, according to J.D. Power and Zillow.
  • Offers financial assistance, such as grants for down payments or closing costs, to first-time home buyers who qualify.
  • Supports military borrowers with extensive online resources and dedicated VA loan specialists.
Cons
  • No mortgage rates displayed online.
  • Room to improve overall digital experience: No online chat for customer service, and mobile app has poor ratings and reviews.
  • Doesn't offer home equity loans or lines of credit.
Guild Mortgage
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on NerdWallet
Guild Mortgage

Guild Mortgage: NMLS#3274

3.0
Home loans overall
NerdWallet rating
Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%

Why We Like ItGood for: borrowers who value customer service, and first-time home buyers and others who may need the flexibility of a low-down-payment loan program.
Pros
  • Offers a wide variety of loan options, including home improvement loans and mortgages for manufactured homes.
  • Has branches in most states.
  • Receives high marks for customer satisfaction, according to J.D. Power and Zillow.
Cons
  • Origination fees and mortgage rates tend to be on the high side, according to the latest federal data.
  • Mortgage rates are not published online.
  • Mobile app receives mostly negative reviews from users.
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.
Bank of America
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on NerdWallet
Bank of America

Bank of America: NMLS#399802

5.0
Min. credit score

720

Min. down payment

5%

Why We Like ItGood for: low- to moderate-income buyers who qualify for down payment or closing cost assistance programs and homeowners interested in a home equity line of credit.
Pros
  • Offers down payment and closing cost assistance programs.
  • Existing customers who meet certain qualifications can receive 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.
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.
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.

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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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 6, 2022

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 2022

  • Fairway Independent Mortgage: Best for mobile app experience
  • loanDepot: Best for strong customer service
  • Caliber: Best for first-time home buyers
  • Guild Mortgage: Best for down payment assistance
  • Chase: Best for conventional loans
  • Bank of America: Best for jumbo loans
  • Flagstar: Best for renovation and construction loans
  • Navy Federal: Best for military members and their families
  • PrimeLending: Best for borrowers with past credit issues
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