This year’s best
Our Nerds scrutinized rates and fees, variety of loans, ease of application, and more to find the best mortgages of 2022. While some winners may be partners, this didn't influence our decisions or opinions.
Best Mortgage Lender for First-Time Home Buyers
Min. Credit Score
620
Min. down payment
3%
Pros
- Devotes much of its business to serving military families with VA loans.
- Offers a mortgage tailored to self-employed borrowers.
- Offers low rates and fees compared with other lenders, according to the latest federal data.
Cons
- Doesn’t offer home improvement mortgages.
- Doesn't offer home equity loans or lines of credit.
Pros
- Devotes much of its business to serving military families with VA loans.
- Offers a mortgage tailored to self-employed borrowers.
- Offers low rates and fees compared with other lenders, according to the latest federal data.
Cons
- Doesn’t offer home improvement mortgages.
- Doesn't offer home equity loans or lines of credit.
Min. Credit Score
620
Min. down payment
3%
Pros
- Devotes much of its business to serving military families with VA loans.
- Offers a mortgage tailored to self-employed borrowers.
- Offers low rates and fees compared with other lenders, according to the latest federal data.
Cons
- Doesn’t offer home improvement mortgages.
- Doesn't offer home equity loans or lines of credit.
Pros
- Devotes much of its business to serving military families with VA loans.
- Offers a mortgage tailored to self-employed borrowers.
- Offers low rates and fees compared with other lenders, according to the latest federal data.
Cons
- Doesn’t offer home improvement mortgages.
- Doesn't offer home equity loans or lines of credit.
Min. Credit Score
620
Min. down payment
3%
Pros
- Devotes much of its business to serving military families with VA loans.
- Offers a mortgage tailored to self-employed borrowers.
- Offers low rates and fees compared with other lenders, according to the latest federal data.
Cons
- Doesn’t offer home improvement mortgages.
- Doesn't offer home equity loans or lines of credit.
Pros
- Devotes much of its business to serving military families with VA loans.
- Offers a mortgage tailored to self-employed borrowers.
- Offers low rates and fees compared with other lenders, according to the latest federal data.
Cons
- Doesn’t offer home improvement mortgages.
- Doesn't offer home equity loans or lines of credit.
Why this lender made the list
NASB offers multiple loans for first-time home buyers who might need flexible down payment or credit score requirements, and charges low fees.
Read our methodologyBest Mortgage Lender for Refinancing
Min. Credit Score
620
Min. down payment
3%
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.
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.
Min. Credit Score
620
Min. down payment
3%
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.
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.
Min. Credit Score
620
Min. down payment
3%
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.
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.
Why this Lender made the list
Flagstar provides a wide menu of refinance options and a fully digital application process while charging competitive origination fees.
Read our methodologyBest Mortgage Lender for FHA Loans
at Pennymac
at Pennymac
Min. Credit Score
620
Min. down payment
3%
Pros
- Offers a wide variety of loan products, including government-backed and refinance options, as well as home equity loans.
- Displays custom rate quotes based on home value, down payment or equity, ZIP code and credit score range.
- “Lock & Shop” lets you secure a rate for up to 60 days, even if you don’t have a purchase contract yet.
Cons
- Origination fees are on the higher end, according to the latest federal data.
- Doesn't offer home equity lines of credit or renovation loans.
Pros
- Offers a wide variety of loan products, including government-backed and refinance options, as well as home equity loans.
- Displays custom rate quotes based on home value, down payment or equity, ZIP code and credit score range.
- “Lock & Shop” lets you secure a rate for up to 60 days, even if you don’t have a purchase contract yet.
Cons
- Origination fees are on the higher end, according to the latest federal data.
- Doesn't offer home equity lines of credit or renovation loans.
Min. Credit Score
620
Min. down payment
3%
Pros
- Offers a wide variety of loan products, including government-backed and refinance options, as well as home equity loans.
- Displays custom rate quotes based on home value, down payment or equity, ZIP code and credit score range.
- “Lock & Shop” lets you secure a rate for up to 60 days, even if you don’t have a purchase contract yet.
Cons
- Origination fees are on the higher end, according to the latest federal data.
- Doesn't offer home equity lines of credit or renovation loans.
Pros
- Offers a wide variety of loan products, including government-backed and refinance options, as well as home equity loans.
- Displays custom rate quotes based on home value, down payment or equity, ZIP code and credit score range.
- “Lock & Shop” lets you secure a rate for up to 60 days, even if you don’t have a purchase contract yet.
Cons
- Origination fees are on the higher end, according to the latest federal data.
- Doesn't offer home equity lines of credit or renovation loans.
Min. Credit Score
620
Min. down payment
3%
Pros
- Offers a wide variety of loan products, including government-backed and refinance options, as well as home equity loans.
- Displays custom rate quotes based on home value, down payment or equity, ZIP code and credit score range.
- “Lock & Shop” lets you secure a rate for up to 60 days, even if you don’t have a purchase contract yet.
Cons
- Origination fees are on the higher end, according to the latest federal data.
- Doesn't offer home equity lines of credit or renovation loans.
Pros
- Offers a wide variety of loan products, including government-backed and refinance options, as well as home equity loans.
- Displays custom rate quotes based on home value, down payment or equity, ZIP code and credit score range.
- “Lock & Shop” lets you secure a rate for up to 60 days, even if you don’t have a purchase contract yet.
Cons
- Origination fees are on the higher end, according to the latest federal data.
- Doesn't offer home equity lines of credit or renovation loans.
Why this lender made the list
Pennymac offers multiple FHA loans for purchase and refinance with transparent rates, a fully digital loan application and low fees.
Read our methodologyBest Mortgage Lender for VA Loans
Min. Credit Score
620
Min. down payment
3%
Pros
- Devotes much of its business to serving military families with VA loans.
- Offers a mortgage tailored to self-employed borrowers.
- Offers low rates and fees compared with other lenders, according to the latest federal data.
Cons
- Doesn’t offer home improvement mortgages.
- Doesn't offer home equity loans or lines of credit.
Pros
- Devotes much of its business to serving military families with VA loans.
- Offers a mortgage tailored to self-employed borrowers.
- Offers low rates and fees compared with other lenders, according to the latest federal data.
Cons
- Doesn’t offer home improvement mortgages.
- Doesn't offer home equity loans or lines of credit.
Min. Credit Score
620
Min. down payment
3%
Pros
- Devotes much of its business to serving military families with VA loans.
- Offers a mortgage tailored to self-employed borrowers.
- Offers low rates and fees compared with other lenders, according to the latest federal data.
Cons
- Doesn’t offer home improvement mortgages.
- Doesn't offer home equity loans or lines of credit.
Pros
- Devotes much of its business to serving military families with VA loans.
- Offers a mortgage tailored to self-employed borrowers.
- Offers low rates and fees compared with other lenders, according to the latest federal data.
Cons
- Doesn’t offer home improvement mortgages.
- Doesn't offer home equity loans or lines of credit.
Min. Credit Score
620
Min. down payment
3%
Pros
- Devotes much of its business to serving military families with VA loans.
- Offers a mortgage tailored to self-employed borrowers.
- Offers low rates and fees compared with other lenders, according to the latest federal data.
Cons
- Doesn’t offer home improvement mortgages.
- Doesn't offer home equity loans or lines of credit.
Pros
- Devotes much of its business to serving military families with VA loans.
- Offers a mortgage tailored to self-employed borrowers.
- Offers low rates and fees compared with other lenders, according to the latest federal data.
Cons
- Doesn’t offer home improvement mortgages.
- Doesn't offer home equity loans or lines of credit.
Why this lender made the list
NASB originates a significant volume of VA loans, charges low fees and has a convenient digital application process.
Read our methodologyBest Mortgage Lender for Jumbo Loans
Min. Credit Score
620
Min. down payment
3%
Pros
- Sample rates clearly posted for various loan products.
- Offers a wide variety of loan types and products.
- Mortgage rates tend to be on the low side compared with other lenders, according to the latest federal data.
Cons
- Home loans business is broadly focused on bank customers.
- Doesn’t offer home improvement loans, or home equity loans or lines of credit.
- Scandals and government actions have damaged consumer trust in recent years.
Pros
- Sample rates clearly posted for various loan products.
- Offers a wide variety of loan types and products.
- Mortgage rates tend to be on the low side compared with other lenders, according to the latest federal data.
Cons
- Home loans business is broadly focused on bank customers.
- Doesn’t offer home improvement loans, or home equity loans or lines of credit.
- Scandals and government actions have damaged consumer trust in recent years.
Min. Credit Score
620
Min. down payment
3%
Pros
- Sample rates clearly posted for various loan products.
- Offers a wide variety of loan types and products.
- Mortgage rates tend to be on the low side compared with other lenders, according to the latest federal data.
Cons
- Home loans business is broadly focused on bank customers.
- Doesn’t offer home improvement loans, or home equity loans or lines of credit.
- Scandals and government actions have damaged consumer trust in recent years.
Pros
- Sample rates clearly posted for various loan products.
- Offers a wide variety of loan types and products.
- Mortgage rates tend to be on the low side compared with other lenders, according to the latest federal data.
Cons
- Home loans business is broadly focused on bank customers.
- Doesn’t offer home improvement loans, or home equity loans or lines of credit.
- Scandals and government actions have damaged consumer trust in recent years.
Min. Credit Score
620
Min. down payment
3%
Pros
- Sample rates clearly posted for various loan products.
- Offers a wide variety of loan types and products.
- Mortgage rates tend to be on the low side compared with other lenders, according to the latest federal data.
Cons
- Home loans business is broadly focused on bank customers.
- Doesn’t offer home improvement loans, or home equity loans or lines of credit.
- Scandals and government actions have damaged consumer trust in recent years.
Pros
- Sample rates clearly posted for various loan products.
- Offers a wide variety of loan types and products.
- Mortgage rates tend to be on the low side compared with other lenders, according to the latest federal data.
Cons
- Home loans business is broadly focused on bank customers.
- Doesn’t offer home improvement loans, or home equity loans or lines of credit.
- Scandals and government actions have damaged consumer trust in recent years.
Why this lender made the list
Wells Fargo offers jumbo loans for various property types. It allows down payments under 20% and charges competitive origination fees.
Read our methodologySee the latest rates
Easily compare today's mortgage rates and find the right one for you with our personalized mortgage tool.
