11 Best Tampa Mortgage Lenders of 2021
If you’re looking for a Tampa mortgage lender, we’ve done the legwork. Here are well-regarded lenders for several types of borrowers.
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You have many choices when shopping for a mortgage in the Tampa Bay area. To make your decision easier, NerdWallet has selected some of the top-rated lenders around Tampa and St. Petersburg. While most are high-volume national and regional lenders that we have reviewed, we've also included some local mortgage companies that do plenty of business in the area.
From New Port Richey to St. Pete Beach, and all the way over to Plant City, here are our picks for lenders that cater to borrowers in various categories.
These mortgage lenders are among the most active institutions in the Tampa Bay area. They have been reviewed and rated by NerdWallet.
Best Tampa Mortgage Lenders
Lender ▾ ▾ | NerdWallet Rating ▾ ▾ | Min. credit score ▾ ▾ | Min. down payment ▾ ▾ | National / regional ▾ ▾ | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
4.5/5 Best for low down payments | 660 | 5% | National | ||
4.5/5 Best for jumbo loans | N/A | 3% | Regional | ||
3.5/5 Best for online experience | 620 | 3% | National | ||
4.5/5 Best for FHA loans | 620 | 3% | National | ||
5.0/5 Best for online experience | 620 | 3% | National | ||
3.5/5 Best for home renovation loans | 620 | 3% | National | ||
4.0/5 Best for FHA loans | 620 | 5% | National | ||
4.5/5 Best for VA loans | N/A | 0% | National | ||
4.5/5 Best for refinancing | 620 | 3% | National | Learn moreat Rocket Mortgage, LLCat Rocket Mortgage, LLC | |
4.5/5 Best for jumbo loans | 620 | 3% | National | ||
4.0/5 Best for VA loans | 640 | 0% | Regional |
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.
- Offers a variety of home loans, including construction-to-permanent loans, physicians loans and jumbo loans.
- Has a robust online mortgage application.
- Branches limited to mostly the Southeast region.
- Custom rates are only available if you speak with a representative.
- Offers extensive educational resources for military borrowers.
- Participates in some down payment assistance and first-time home buyer programs.
- No mortgage rates displayed online.
- Doesn’t offer 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.
- Offers a full array of mortgage products, including government and renovation loans.
- Online portal keeps borrowers up to date on the loan application's progress.
- Offers home equity lines of credit, or HELOCs.
- Doesn't post interest rates on its site.
- Lender fees are on the high side, according to the latest federal data.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Streamlined online process with document and asset retrieval capabilities, as well as the ability to edit your preapproval letter.
- Mortgage interest rates are on the low side compared to other lenders, according to the latest federal data.
- Offers the option to work with loan officers by phone if desired.
- Getting a customized interest rate requires a credit check, which can affect your credit score.
- Doesn't offer home equity lines of credit.
- Origination fees are on the high side compared with other lenders, according to the latest federal data.
- Offers a wide variety of loan options, including special programs for doctors.
- Offers a complete suite of online mortgage application tools and loan tracking.
- Sample rates and fees are easy to find on the website.
- Customized rates aren't available online without starting an application.
- Branches are limited mostly to the Southeast.
- VA loans are the bulk of USAA’s business, so it knows the ins and outs of eligibility.
- Offers a conventional home loan with low down payment for first-time buyers.
- Mortgage interest rates are on the low side compared with other lenders, according to the latest federal data.
- Doesn’t offer FHA or USDA loans, or second mortgages.
- Limited mortgage rate information is on the USAA website. For customized rates, you'll have to make contact.
Local mortgage lenders in Tampa
These companies are among the highest-volume lenders in the Tampa Bay area. While they haven't been reviewed by NerdWallet, give them a look if you prefer doing business with a local institution.
Offers a first-time home buyer 10/1 ARM with a 3% down payment and no private mortgage insurance requirement.
Has a “Community Heroes” loan program for teachers, nurses, law enforcement and other eligible professions that features 100% financing.
Posts its mortgage interest rates online.
Allows you to start a mortgage application online.
Credit union that posts and updates interest rates daily.
Has a low down-payment loan for first-time home buyers, plus FHA, VA and home equity loans.
Offers English and Spanish-language online mortgage applications.
Has multiple locations in the Tampa Bay area.
Offers conventional mortgages with as little as 3% for a down payment, as well as FHA, VA and USDA loans.
Provides cash-out refinances and the streamlined refinancing of VA and FHA mortgages.
Has five Tampa Bay branches.
Offers purchase, refinance and home equity loans and lines of credit.
Posts its mortgage interest rates online.
Has a preapproval program that gives a loan commitment for up to six months, even before finding a home.
Lets you "float down" a locked interest rate in the event that rates drop.
More from NerdWallet
Last updated on March 7, 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 Tampa Mortgage Lenders of 2021
- Bank of America: Best for low down payments
- BB&T (Truist): Best for jumbo loans
- Caliber: Best for online experience
- Flagstar: Best for FHA loans
- Guaranteed Rate: Best for online experience
- Homebridge: Best for home renovation loans
- loanDepot: Best for FHA loans
- Navy Federal: Best for VA loans
- Rocket Mortgage, LLC: Best for refinancing
- SunTrust (Truist): Best for jumbo loans
- USAA: Best for VA loans
