Compare top home loan lenders
Reach out to the lender you think is best for you, or contact each one. It pays to compare multiple offers.
The best lenders for your home loan
- Offers loan products starting with as little as 3% down
- Doesn't charge lender fees, such as application, underwriting and origination charges
- Strengths: Offers an "underwriter reviewed" preapproval letter in as little as 24 hours.
- Weaknesses: Not available in all 50 states.
- Read our Better.com review
at Better.com
- Good for: borrowers who need to be evaluated on the basis of nontraditional credit and those interested in various down payment assistance programs.
- Read our New American Funding review
at New American Funding
- Full line of fixed and adjustable rate mortgages, including FHA and VA loans.
- Good for: People comfortable using online tools and those looking for FHA loans. Minimum credit score of 620, 580 for FHA loans.
- Strengths: Verifies employment and tells you how much you qualify for in minutes.
- Weaknesses: No HELOC or home equity loans. Relies on traditional credit measures.
- Read our Quicken Loans review
at Quicken Loans
To select the top home loan lender for you, you should first determine what kind of loan you need. Then consider what you’re looking for in a lender. Do you need a lender with the latest online capabilities? Is face-to-face interaction important to you? Are you researching home loan lenders that cater to first-time buyers? There are arguably more loan options and lenders today than ever before. The marketplace is made up of large, traditional lenders such as Chase and Bank of America; regional lenders such as SunTrust; small, local banks; credit unions such as Navy Federal; and even mortgage brokers acting as middlemen, looking all over to find you the best deal. Once you’ve decided what you need in a lender, contact several lenders at around the same time to get the most accurate comparison of interest rates and fees.
Mortgage borrowers waste thousands of dollars each year by not shopping around for more than one offer. Compare offers from at least three lenders when applying for a home loan. Even a slight difference in interest can save or cost you big money over the life of your loan. By applying to several lenders, you can compare the all-in cost of each offer to see the best deal. There’s more that goes into shopping for the best loan than the lowest rate, but that doesn’t mean it’s not important. Comparing fees alongside the interest rate will provide a good indication of the loan’s costs both upfront and over the long term.
Taking the time to get a preapproval letter before you start shopping for homes is essential in today’s market. Showing a seller your preapproval letter can put you way ahead of the competition. Why? It’s proof to the seller that a lender has evaluated your finances and calculated how much house you can afford.
Here’s a list of the information you’ll have to provide to a lender to get preapproved:
- Social Security numbers for all borrowers
- Banking, savings, checking and investment account statements
- A list of your monthly outstanding debts, including credit cards, car loans, student loans and more
- Two years of tax returns
- Salary and employer information
- Your down payment amount and where the money is coming from
If you’re ready to move forward, the home loan lenders above all offer mortgage preapprovals.
