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8 Best Washington Mortgage Lenders of 2021

NerdWallet picked some of the best Washington mortgage lenders across five different categories, including loans for first-time home buyers, borrowers with low credit and those looking to refinance.

By
NerdWallet
Mar 7, 2023

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.

Best Washington Mortgage Lenders

Lender
NerdWallet Rating
Min. credit score
Min. down payment
Learn more
Carrington

Carrington: NMLS#2600

Read review
4.5/5
Best for low credit

620

5%

Citibank

Citibank: NMLS#412915

4.5/5
Best for first-time home buyers

N/A

3%

Flagstar

Flagstar: NMLS#417490

4.5/5
Best for government loans

620

3%

Guaranteed Rate

Guaranteed Rate: NMLS#2611

5.0/5
Best for online lenders

620

3%

loanDepot

loanDepot: NMLS#174457

4.0/5
Best for refinancing

620

5%

4.5/5
Best for low credit

620

3%

Learn moreat New American Fundingat New American Funding
Rocket Mortgage, LLC

Rocket Mortgage, LLC: NMLS#3030

Learn moreat Rocket Mortgage, LLCat Rocket Mortgage, LLC
4.5/5
Best for online lenders

620

3%

Learn moreat Rocket Mortgage, LLCat Rocket Mortgage, LLC
Veterans United

Veterans United: NMLS#1907

4.0/5
Best for military borrowers

620

0%

Carrington
Read review
Carrington

Carrington: NMLS#2600

4.5
Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

5%

Why We Like ItGood for: first-time home buyers or credit-challenged borrowers interested in government loan products.
Pros
  • Offers multiple low-down-payment loan programs.
  • May consider alternative credit data, such as bank statements.
  • You can view customized rates for purchasing a home and apply online.
Cons
  • Doesn't offer home equity lines of credit.
  • Lender fees are on the high side, according to the latest federal data.
Citibank

Citibank: NMLS#412915

National / regional

National

Min. down payment

3%

Why We Like ItGood for: Buyers who want to explore low down payment mortgages, including government-backed loans and Citi’s proprietary option.
Pros
  • 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.
Cons
  • 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.
Flagstar

Flagstar: NMLS#417490

Min. credit score

620

National / regional

National

Why We Like ItGood 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.
  • Borrowers can apply and track loan status online.
  • Offers customized online rate quotes with monthly payment estimates, including mortgage insurance, when applicable.
Cons
  • Home equity loans are geographically limited.
  • Origination fees are on the high side compared with other lenders, according to the latest federal data.
Guaranteed Rate

Guaranteed Rate: NMLS#2611

Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%

Why We Like ItGood for: borrowers seeking a solid variety of loan types, including jumbo and interest-only options, and a totally online experience.
Pros
  • 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.
Cons
  • Doesn't offer home equity loans.
loanDepot

loanDepot: NMLS#174457

Min. credit score

620

National / regional

National

Why We Like ItGood for: borrowers who want an easy online application and a variety of loan types to explore.
Pros
  • 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.
Cons
  • Mortgage rates aren't available online; you'll need to contact a loan officer.
  • Doesn't offer home equity loans or lines of credit.
Why We Like ItGood for: First-time home buyers and other borrowers looking for a broad array of loan choices.
Pros
  • Offers a wide variety of purchase and refinance mortgages with an emphasis on helping underserved communities.
  • Its home equity line of credit can be used for an owner-occupied or second home.
  • Offers a program to enable buyers to make cash offers.
Cons
  • Mortgage origination fees tend to be on the high end, according to the latest federal data.
Rocket Mortgage, LLC
Learn moreat Rocket Mortgage, LLCat Rocket Mortgage, LLC
Rocket Mortgage, LLC

Rocket Mortgage, LLC: NMLS#3030

Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%

Learn moreat Rocket Mortgage, LLCat Rocket Mortgage, LLC
Why We Like ItGood for: borrowers who appreciate a fully digital home loan experience with mortgage rates lower than other lenders’.
Pros
  • 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.
Cons
  • 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.
Veterans United

Veterans United: NMLS#1907

Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

0%

Why We Like ItGood for: veterans, active-duty service members and eligible reservists looking for VA loans.
Pros
  • Offers 24/7 customer service over the phone.
  • Offers a free credit counseling service.
  • Mortgage rates are on the low side, according to the latest federal data.
Cons
  • Doesn’t offer home equity loans or HELOCs.
  • Veterans United doesn't have branch offices in every state.

» MORE: Best Seattle mortgage lenders

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.

To recap our selections...

NerdWallet's Best Washington Mortgage Lenders of 2021

  • Carrington: Best for low credit
  • Citibank: Best for first-time home buyers
  • Flagstar: Best for government loans
  • Guaranteed Rate: Best for online lenders
  • loanDepot: Best for refinancing
  • New American Funding: Best for low credit
  • Rocket Mortgage, LLC: Best for online lenders
  • Veterans United: Best for military borrowers
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