Best mortgage lenders of March 2023

When you set out to get a mortgage, you’ll find many options, from well-known banks to online lenders. Here are Bankrate’s picks for the best mortgage lenders, including borrower requirements — so you know which you might qualify for — and loan terms, so you can figure where you might get the best deal.

Best mortgage lenders

Better

Better mortgage review

• No fees
• Can close as fast as three weeks
• No VA or USDA loans
• No home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) or home equity loans (second mortgages)

Direct Home Lending

Direct Home Lending mortgage review

• Can close as fast as two weeks
• No USDA loans
• No HELOCs or home equity loans

Fairway Independent Mortgage

Fairway Independent Mortgage review

• No HELOCs or home equity loans

Navy Federal Credit Union

Navy Federal Credit Union mortgage review

• Can close as fast as 30-35 days
• No FHA or USDA loans
• No HELOCs or home equity loans
• Limited to armed forces members and families

Optimum First Mortgage

Optimum First Mortgage review

• Credits to offset fees
• Can close as fast as 10 days
• No USDA loans
• No HELOCs or home equity loans

Veterans United Home Loans

Veterans United Home Loans mortgage review

• Can close as fast as 30-45 days
• No HELOCs or home equity loan

Ally Bank

Ally Bank mortgage review

• No fees
• Can close as fast as 25-45 days
• No FHA, VA or USDA loans
• No HELOCs or home equity loans

Bank of America

Bank of America mortgage review

• Can close as fast as 30-45 days
• No USDA loans
• Offers HELOCs

eClick Lending

eClick Lending mortgage review

• Can close as fast as two weeks
• No HELOCs or home equity loans

LowRates.com

LowRates.com mortgage review

• No fees
• Can close as fast as 20 days
• Offers HELOCs and home equity loans

Old National Bank

Old National Bank mortgage review

• Can close as fast as three weeks
• Offers HELOCs and home equity loans

Sage Mortgage

Sage Mortgage review

• Can close as fast as 27 days
• Broker with access to multiple wholesalers

Wyndham Capital Mortgage

Wyndham Capital Mortgage review

• No fees
• Can close as fast as 20 days
• Offers home equity loans

Summary: Best mortgage lenders of March 2023

How to compare mortgage lenders

Your first step to finding the best mortgage lender is to comparison shop. Borrowers who do more upfront research tend to save more money than those who go with the first lender they find. It’s best to get quotes from three lenders, at minimum. Because rates fluctuate frequently, it’s best to get these quotes on the same day so you have an accurate basis of comparison.

As you compare loan estimates, look at the APR (annual percentage rate) and interest rate quoted by each lender. Consider what’s important to you as far as experience, too. For some, how fast a lender can turn around a preapproval letter or close a loan is critical. If you have specific needs or financing preferences — for example, you want an FHA loan — you might also want focus on  the top mortgage lenders who specialize in those products.

Once you determine what your needs and preferences are, get started by comparing mortgage rates and finding a lender in your area through Bankrate.

Current mortgage rates

Bankrate regularly publishes mortgage rates for purchases and refinances, based on its latest lender surveys. They include: 

• Current 30-year mortgage rates
• Current 15-year mortgage rates
• Current 30-year refinance rates
• Current 15-year refinance rates

FAQ about mortgages

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  What are the different types of mortgages?

  There are five main types of mortgage loans: conventional loans; jumbo loans; government-insured loans (FHA, VA and USDA loans); and fixed- and adjustable-rate mortgages. Conventional loans, offered by private financial institutions, are ideal for borrowers with strong credit scores. Jumbo loans are for higher-priced homes that exceed Federal Housing Finance Agency borrowing limits. FHA, VA and USDA loans are backed by the government and designed for borrowers with lower credit scores and low or no down payment, or military members (VA loans) or those buying in a rural area (USDA loans). Fixed-rate mortgages have the same interest rate for the life of the loan, while the rate on an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) can fluctuate.
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  How do you get a mortgage?

  Before applying for a mortgage, it’s important to bolster your credit score and savings and have a clear understanding of how much you can afford and what type of loan would best fit your needs. In addition, gather documentation about your finances so you’re prepared to complete a mortgage application when the time comes. Once you’ve taken these initial steps, begin comparing mortgage lenders based on factors such as annual percentage rate (APR), fees and your overall experience. It’s best to get rate quotes from at least three different lenders. When you know which lender you want to work with, get preapproved so you can start house-hunting with financing in hand.
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  How much money do you need for a down payment?

  The minimum down payment requirement varies based on loan type. If you qualify, you can obtain a 3 percent-down conventional loan, a 3.5 percent-down FHA loan or a no-down payment VA or USDA loan. If you want to avoid paying mortgage insurance, however, you’ll need to make a down payment of 20 percent.

Methodology

To determine the best mortgage lenders, Bankrate evaluates more than 85 lenders for factors relating to affordability, availability and customer experience, assigning each a Bankrate Score out of five stars. Based on this methodology, the best mortgage lenders generally have a Bankrate Score of 4.9 stars or higher. Note: The Bankrate Score considers a mortgage lender’s products and services only; it is not a reflection of a lender’s internal operations or practices.