When you decide to buy a home and finance it with a mortgage, it only makes sense to go for the best possible option and lender you can find.
But finding the “best” lender can be a confusing and painstakingly long process. You need to create a budget for yourself to determine how much home you can afford and run a credit score check to get an idea about what kind of interest rates to expect, and not to forget shopping around for different mortgage rates offered in the market, the fees various lenders charge, time to close, customer service and so much more.
While putting in all this effort may seem like an inconvenience, making an informed decision can save you thousands of dollars.
To help you narrow your search down and save you some time, we’ve picked our top 3 mortgage lenders in the market based on rates offered and minimum down payment required:
Better.com
Perfect for tech-savvy borrowers who are looking for a seamless and easy-to-navigate online application process. Better.com requires a minimum credit score of 620 and doesn’t typically charge an origination fee. However, this mortgage lender does not provide any government-backed loans.
Pros
Easy to access and calculate customized mortgage rates
Offers “underwriter-reviewed” pre-approval letters in as little as 24 hours
Cons
Doesn’t offer any FHA, VA, or USDA loans.
New American Funding
New American Funding offers a wide range of products (including government loans) via online applications. With just under 200 branches in 49 states, this lender requires a minimum credit score of 620 and a minimum down payment of 3%. It is the perfect fit for borrowers who are on the lookout for various down payment assistance programs.
Pros
Evaluates creditworthiness using manual underwriting in some cases
Fully online application process, rate quotes, document uploading & loan tracking
Cons
Mortgage rates offered are usually higher than other lenders
Quicken Loans
Good for borrowers looking for a large volume of loan products (including renovation loans and some government-backed mortgage products) along with online convenience and on-demand personal help. Quicken Loans demands a minimum down payment of 3% and a credit score of 620.
Pros
Instant employment and income verification
Custom fixed-rate loan terms between 8 to 30 years
Cons
Charge a high lending fee
