5 Best WSHFC Mortgage Lenders of 2020

The WSHFC aims to expand the access and affordability of housing in Washington. Here are some of the highest-rated WSHFC-affiliated lenders we’ve reviewed.

Summary of Best WSHFC Mortgage Lenders of 2020

Lender	Best For	Minimum Credit Score	Minimum Down Payment	Learn More
Guild Mortgage NerdWallet rating Read review	government loans & borrowers with credit issues	620	3%	Read review
PrimeLending NerdWallet rating Read review	government loans	620	3%	Read review
Fairway Independent Mortgage NerdWallet rating Learn More at Fairway	customer service	N/A	3%	Learn More at Fairway
loanDepot NerdWallet rating Learn more at loanDepot	customer service	620	3.5%	Learn more at loanDepot
Caliber NerdWallet rating Read review	borrowers with credit issues	620	3%	Read review

Lender	Best For	Minimum Credit Score	Minimum Down Payment	Learn More
Guild Mortgage NerdWallet rating Read review	government loans & borrowers with credit issues	620	3%	Read review
PrimeLending NerdWallet rating Read review	government loans	620	3%	Read review
Fairway Independent Mortgage NerdWallet rating Learn More at Fairway	customer service	N/A	3%	Learn More at Fairway
loanDepot NerdWallet rating Learn more at loanDepot	customer service	620	3.5%	Learn more at loanDepot
Caliber NerdWallet rating Read review	borrowers with credit issues	620	3%	Read review

Read review

Guild Mortgage: NMLS#3274

4.0

NerdWallet rating

Min. Credit Score

620

Min. Down Payment

3%

Read review

Why we like it

Ideal for borrowers with a relatively high credit score who may need down payment assistance or help from a state housing agency.

Pros

Works with loan programs offered by state and local housing agencies.
Specializes in mortgages for first-time home buyers.
Almost half of its loans are low-down-payment government mortgages.
Considers alternative credit, such as history of payments on rent and utilities.

Cons

With a concentration of offices in the West and South, Guild has little presence in the Northeast and Midwest.
Jumbo borrowers may find that banks are more competitive when it comes to large loan amounts.

Read Full Review

Read review

PrimeLending: NMLS#13649

4.0

NerdWallet rating

Min. Credit Score

620

Min. Down Payment

3%

Read review

Why we like it

Ideal for borrowers with past credit issues and those looking for down payment and closing cost assistance programs.

Pros

Low rate of consumer complaints filed with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
Offers a "float-down" interest rate lock.
Offers a proprietary closing-cost assistance program.

Cons

No online mortgage rates.
Charges an origination fee.
Doesn't offer home equity products.

Read Full Review

Learn More

at Fairway

Fairway Independent Mortgage: NMLS#2289

4.0

NerdWallet rating

National / Regional

National

Min. Down Payment

3%

Learn More

at Fairway

Why we like it

Ideal for borrowers who want lots of options and a quick turn time. Fairway Independent Mortgage offers a full selection of home loans along with a comprehensive mobile app for a fast and easy application process.

Pros

A robust suite of loan products.
Licensed in all 50 states.
Close in as little as 10 days using the Fairway app.

Cons

Limited branch locations.
Mortgage rates not posted on website.

Read Full Review

Learn more

at loanDepot

loanDepot: NMLS#174457

4.0

NerdWallet rating

Min. Credit Score

620

Min. Down Payment

3.5%

Learn more

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.
Has over 150 affiliated loan stores nationwide for customers who prefer face-to-face service.
One of the nation’s most active lenders of FHA and VA loans.

Cons

Published mortgage rates include up to three points of prepaid interest and fees.
Does not offer home equity loans or lines of credit.

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Read review

Caliber: NMLS#15622

4.0

NerdWallet rating

Min. Credit Score

620

Min. Down Payment

3%

Read review

Why we like it

Ideal for first-time home buyers, veterans and those who may have credit challenges to overcome.

Pros

Participates in some state down payment assistance programs.
Offers educational resources for military borrowers.
Provides digital tools for a streamlined application process.

Cons

No mortgage rates displayed online.
Must work with a loan officer for pre-qualification and preapproval.

Read Full Review

More WSHFC participating mortgage lenders

These are among the high-volume WSHFC-approved lenders in Washington. The lenders haven't been reviewed by NerdWallet.

HomeStreet Bank

Headquartered in Seattle with over two dozen home loan centers in the state.
A dedicated loan officer guides the process from application to closing.
Offers a “shared appreciation” equity investment program that can cut your down payment in half in exchange for an equity stake in your home.

Evergreen Home Loans

A guaranteed financing commitment reinforces your purchase offer and can help speed closing.
You can start your loan application online.
If you don’t have a real estate agent, Evergreen will help you find one.

Umpqua Bank

Banking customers can receive a $500 discount on their home loan.
It was founded in Oregon, but it's also a top-10 mortgage lender in Washington.
No origination fee on certain loans.

Eagle Home Mortgage

Offers a digital mortgage process from your phone, tablet or laptop.
Get pre-qualified in as little as 10 minutes.
A first-time home buyer guide helps you prepare for the process.

More from NerdWallet

Last updated on January 2, 2020

Methodology

NerdWallet's selection of mortgage lenders for inclusion here was made based on our evaluation of the products and services that lenders offer to consumers who are actively shopping for the best mortgage. The six key areas we evaluated include the loan types and loan products offered, online capabilities, online mortgage rate information, customer service and the number of complaints filed with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau as a percentage of loans issued. We also awarded lenders up to one bonus star for a unique program or borrower focus that set them apart from other lenders. To ensure consistency, our ratings are reviewed by multiple people on the NerdWallet Mortgages team.

To recap our selections...

NerdWallet's Best WSHFC Mortgage Lenders of 2020

Guild Mortgage: Best for government loans & borrowers with credit issues
PrimeLending: Best for government loans
Fairway Independent Mortgage: Best for customer service
loanDepot: Best for customer service
Caliber: Best for borrowers with credit issues

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