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Smart mortgage decisions start here

Our Nerds reviewed rates, fees and more from a variety of lenders — including HELOC lenders — to bring you the best mortgage lenders of 2023. While some winners may be partners, this didn't influence our decisions.

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Check out the winners

Best Mortgage Lender Overall

NBKC

at NBKC

Min. Credit Score

620

Min. down payment

3%

Pros

  • Offers government-backed loans and some harder-to-find products, such as construction loans and specialty mortgages for pilots.
  • Offers low rates and fees compared with other lenders, according to the latest federal data.
  • Displays customized rates, with fee estimates, without requiring contact information.

Cons

  • HELOCs and construction-to-permanent loans are available only in the Kansas City metro area.
Read full review
Min. Credit Score

620

Min. down payment

3%

Pros

  • Offers government-backed loans and some harder-to-find products, such as construction loans and specialty mortgages for pilots.
  • Offers low rates and fees compared with other lenders, according to the latest federal data.
  • Displays customized rates, with fee estimates, without requiring contact information.

Cons

  • HELOCs and construction-to-permanent loans are available only in the Kansas City metro area.
Read full review

Why our Nerds love it

NBKC offers a variety of loan types with low rates and fees, including government-backed mortgages. It’s easy to browse options and apply online.

Read our methodology

Best Mortgage Lender for Home Equity Lines of Credit

Bethpage Federal Credit Union

at Bethpage Federal Credit Union

National / regional

National

Max LTV

85%

Min. Credit Score

670

Pros

  • Offers a fixed-rate option.
  • Max CLTV over 80%.
  • No annual fees.
  • Offers a fixed introductory rate.

Cons

  • Minimum draw required for best rate.
Read full review
National / regional

National

Max LTV

85%

Min. Credit Score

670

Pros

  • Offers a fixed-rate option.
  • Max CLTV over 80%.
  • No annual fees.
  • Offers a fixed introductory rate.

Cons

  • Minimum draw required for best rate.
Read full review

Why our Nerds love it

Bethpage offers a home equity line of credit with a high borrowing limit, no annual fee and a fixed-rate option. It’s easy to see HELOC qualifications, too.

Read our methodology

Best Mortgage Lender for First-Time Home Buyers

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.
Read full review
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.
Read full review

Why our Nerds love it

Wells Fargo offers loans for first-time buyers seeking flexible down payment or credit score options, with relatively low rates and fees.

Read our methodology

Best Mortgage Lender for FHA Loans

Pennymac

at Pennymac

Min. Credit Score

580

Min. down payment

3.5%

Pros

  • Offers a wide variety of loan products, including government-backed and refinance options.
  • 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 across all loan types are on the higher end, according to the latest federal data.
  • Doesn't offer home equity products or renovation loans.
Read full review
Min. Credit Score

580

Min. down payment

3.5%

Pros

  • Offers a wide variety of loan products, including government-backed and refinance options.
  • 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 across all loan types are on the higher end, according to the latest federal data.
  • Doesn't offer home equity products or renovation loans.
Read full review

Why our Nerds love it

Pennymac is a repeat winner in this category with several FHA loans and transparent rates, a fully digital application and low FHA origination fees compared with other lenders.

Read our methodology

Best Mortgage Lender for Cash-Out Refinancing

NBKC

at NBKC

Min. Credit Score

660

National / regional

National

Pros

  • Offers government-backed loans and some harder-to-find products, such as construction loans and specialty mortgages for pilots.
  • Offers low rates and fees compared with other lenders, according to the latest federal data.
  • Displays customized rates, with fee estimates, without requiring contact information.

Cons

  • HELOCs and construction-to-permanent loans are available only in the Kansas City metro area.
Read full review
Min. Credit Score

660

National / regional

National

Pros

  • Offers government-backed loans and some harder-to-find products, such as construction loans and specialty mortgages for pilots.
  • Offers low rates and fees compared with other lenders, according to the latest federal data.
  • Displays customized rates, with fee estimates, without requiring contact information.

Cons

  • HELOCs and construction-to-permanent loans are available only in the Kansas City metro area.
Read full review

Why our Nerds love it

NBKC has easy-to-find rates and a convenient online application. It offers a significant volume of cash-out refinancing with unusually low origination fees.

Read our methodology

Best Mortgage Lender for Refinancing

NBKC

at NBKC

Min. Credit Score

620

National / regional

National

Pros

  • Offers government-backed loans and some harder-to-find products, such as construction loans and specialty mortgages for pilots.
  • Offers low rates and fees compared with other lenders, according to the latest federal data.
  • Displays customized rates, with fee estimates, without requiring contact information.

Cons

  • HELOCs and construction-to-permanent loans are available only in the Kansas City metro area.
Read full review
Min. Credit Score

620

National / regional

National

Pros

  • Offers government-backed loans and some harder-to-find products, such as construction loans and specialty mortgages for pilots.
  • Offers low rates and fees compared with other lenders, according to the latest federal data.
  • Displays customized rates, with fee estimates, without requiring contact information.

Cons

  • HELOCs and construction-to-permanent loans are available only in the Kansas City metro area.
Read full review

Why our Nerds love it

NBKC offers several refinance options, including government-backed loans, with easy-to-find rates and low origination fees compared with other lenders.

Read our methodology

Best Mortgage Lender for VA Loans

NBKC

at NBKC

Min. Credit Score

620

Min. down payment

0%

Pros

  • Offers government-backed loans and some harder-to-find products, such as construction loans and specialty mortgages for pilots.
  • Offers low rates and fees compared with other lenders, according to the latest federal data.
  • Displays customized rates, with fee estimates, without requiring contact information.

Cons

  • HELOCs and construction-to-permanent loans are available only in the Kansas City metro area.
Read full review
Min. Credit Score

620

Min. down payment

0%

Pros

  • Offers government-backed loans and some harder-to-find products, such as construction loans and specialty mortgages for pilots.
  • Offers low rates and fees compared with other lenders, according to the latest federal data.
  • Displays customized rates, with fee estimates, without requiring contact information.

Cons

  • HELOCs and construction-to-permanent loans are available only in the Kansas City metro area.
Read full review

Why our Nerds love it

NBKC originates a significant percentage of VA loans, has low fees compared with other lenders and offers a convenient online application process.

Read our methodology

Best Mortgage Lender for Jumbo Loans

Min. Credit Score

620

Min. down payment

10.01%

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.
Read full review
Min. Credit Score

620

Min. down payment

10.01%

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.
Read full review

Why our Nerds love it

Wells Fargo wins again with jumbo loans for various properties, down payments under 20%, competitive origination fees and low rates compared with other lenders.

Read our methodology

Frequently asked questions

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