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.
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.
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.
- 50+ mortgage lenders reviewed and rated by our team of experts.
- 40+ years of combined experience covering mortgages and financial topics.
- Objective, comprehensive star rating system assessing 120+ categories and 5,000+ data points.
- Governed by NerdWallet's strict guidelines for editorial integrity.
- 50+ mortgage lenders reviewed and rated by our team of experts.
- 40+ years of combined experience covering mortgages and financial topics.
- Objective, comprehensive star rating system assessing 120+ categories and 5,000+ data points.
- Governed by NerdWallet's strict guidelines for editorial integrity.
Best Tampa Mortgage Lenders
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Lender ▾ ▾ | NerdWallet Rating ▾ ▾ | Min. credit score ▾ ▾ | Min. down payment ▾ ▾ | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|
620 | 3% | Learn more at Guaranteed Rate | ||
620 | 1% | Learn more at Rocket Mortgage, LLC | ||
 Bank of America: NMLS#399802 LEARN MORE on NerdWallet | 660 | 5% | LEARN MORE on NerdWallet | |
 loanDepot: NMLS#174457 LEARN MORE on NerdWallet | 620 | 5% | LEARN MORE on NerdWallet | |
 Caliber: NMLS#15622 LEARN MORE on NerdWallet | 620 | 3% | LEARN MORE on NerdWallet | |
 SunTrust (Truist): NMLS#2915 LEARN MORE on NerdWallet | 620 | 3% | LEARN MORE on NerdWallet | |
 Flagstar: NMLS#417490 LEARN MORE on NerdWallet | 620 | 3% | LEARN MORE on NerdWallet | |
 Homebridge: NMLS#6521 LEARN MORE on NerdWallet | 620 | 3% | LEARN MORE on NerdWallet | |
 BB&T (Truist): NMLS#399803 LEARN MORE on NerdWallet | N/A | 3% | LEARN MORE on NerdWallet | |
 USAA: NMLS#8722 LEARN MORE on NerdWallet | 640 | 0% | LEARN MORE on NerdWallet | |
 Navy Federal: NMLS#399807 LEARN MORE on NerdWallet | N/A | 0% | LEARN MORE on NerdWallet |
Guaranteed Rate: NMLS#2611
620
3%
- Offers a one-day mortgage approval process.
- Offers a generous selection of loans, including government-backed, interest-only, ITIN, jumbo and renovation loans.
- Advertises a HELOC that can be funded in as few as five business days.
- Origination fees are higher than average, according to the latest federal data.
- HELOC has a relatively short draw period, which may not provide flexibility for someone who wants the option of accessing home equity over a longer period.
Rocket Mortgage, LLC: NMLS#3030
620
1%
- Streamlined online process with document and asset retrieval capabilities, as well as the ability to edit your preapproval letter.
- Offers the option to work with loan officers by phone if desired.
- Largest FHA lender in the nation.
- Getting a customized interest rate requires a credit check, which can affect your credit score.
- Origination fees are on the high side compared with other lenders, according to the latest federal data.
- Doesn't offer home equity lines of credit.
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 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
SunTrust (Truist): NMLS#2915
620
3%
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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 January 26, 2021
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
- Guaranteed Rate: Best for online experience
- Rocket Mortgage, LLC: Best for refinancing
- Bank of America: Best for low down payments
- loanDepot: Best for FHA loans
- Caliber: Best for online experience
- SunTrust (Truist): Best for jumbo loans
- Flagstar: Best for FHA loans
- Homebridge: Best for home renovation loans
- BB&T (Truist): Best for jumbo loans
- USAA: Best for VA loans
- Navy Federal: Best for VA loans
