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Our Top Mortgage Lenders

by:  The Ascent Staff | June 1, 2024
The Ascent is 100% free thanks to commissions we receive from our partners including for the offers on this page, but this never influences our opinions.

Checking your rates with multiple lenders can help you find the best deal. Our list of top mortgage lenders is a great place to start.

Compare Our Top Picks:

New American Funding

Best for: Diverse loan types and terms

New American Funding

Rating image, 4.5 out of 5 stars.
4.5/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor

Bottom Line

New American Funding is one of the largest privately owned direct mortgage lenders in the country. The lender offers competitive rates and a wide variety of loans and customizable loan terms. The lender also has a highly efficient lending process that allows for quicker closing times. What's more, New American can be a good solution for people building credit and wanting a good mortgage. It focuses on lending to underserved communities.

Min. Credit Score 580 FHA 620 other mortgage products

  • 580 - 620

Min. Down Payment 0% VA 3% Conventional 3.5% FHA

  • 0% - 3.5%

Key Features

  • Fast service
  • One of the top lenders to Hispanic and Black borrowers.
  • Offer customizable loans, including home addition loans
  • High customer satisfaction, A BBB rating

Loan Types

  • Conventional
  • FHA
  • VA
  • USDA
  • Jumbo

Fixed Rate Terms

  • Customizable (8-30 years)

Adjustable Rate Terms

  • 10/1 and 10/6, 7/1 and 7/6, 5/1 and 5/6
Award Icon 2024 Award Winner
Logo for Better
Check Rates for Better

On Better's Secure Website.

Best for: No lender fees and online application

Better

Rating image, 4.5 out of 5 stars.
4.5/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor

Bottom Line

Better has the right combination of features and perks, including no unnecessary fees, low mortgage rates, and a fast, 100% online application process. Better Mortgage does not charge lender fees such as those for origination, application, processing, and underwriting. As a result, Better states that home buyers save $8,200 and customers who refinance save $8,200 over the life of their loans. In addition, Better states that applicants can get a personalized rate and a pre-approval in minutes. This can help buyers cut their costs while saving time. The lender also offers $150 off closing costs when applying through The Ascent site.

Min. Credit Score 580 FHA 620 Conventional 680 Jumbo

  • 580

Min. Down Payment

  • 3%

Key Features

  • One Day Mortgage. Lock a rate, get a Commitment Letter in 24 hours. Terms apply.
  • Close 10-17 days faster than industry average
  • Apply 100% online, entirely on your schedule
  • Better Price Guarantee: Better will match any valid competitor's offer, and credit you an extra $100. If Better can't, the $100 is yours to keep.

Loan Types

  • Conventional
  • FHA
  • VA
  • Jumbo

Fixed Rate Terms

  • 10y, 20y, 30y

Adjustable Rate Terms

  • 10/6, 7/6, 5/6
Award Icon 2024 Award Winner
Logo for Rocket Mortgage®
Check Rates for Rocket Mortgage®

On Rocket Mortgage/Quicken Loans' Secure Website.

Best for: Streamlined online application

Rocket Mortgage®

Rating image, 5.0 out of 5 stars.
5.0/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor

Bottom Line

Rocket Mortgage led the transition to a full digital experience and online-only applications. Its seamless process is one reason Rocket Mortgage is consistently ranked in the top two on J.D. Power's customer service rankings. Rocket Mortgage has a robust and high-quality app that makes it easy to use.

Min. Credit Score 580 FHA 620 other mortgage products

  • 580 - 680

Min. Down Payment 0%-3.5% (FHA & VA loans) 3% (conventional loans)

  • 0% - 3%

Key Features

  • Online-only
  • Low down payment options
  • Opportunities to get cash toward closing
  • High customer satisfaction ratings

Loan Types

  • Conventional
  • FHA
  • VA
  • Jumbo

Fixed Rate Terms

  • Customizable (10-30 years)

Adjustable Rate Terms

  • 10/6, 7/6

How can I find the best mortgage rate?

You can find the best mortgage rate by shopping around. In fact, the more lenders you compare, the more you may save on interest rates and fees.

But don't just read about rates online -- request a quote from multiple lenders. Lenders look at factors unique to you, such as your credit score and down payment, when determining your mortgage rate. That means rates and fees can vary from person to person.

Requesting a personalized quote is a great next step to make sure you get the best deal.

$150 DISCOUNT FOR READERS OF THE ASCENT

We worked with Better Mortgage to secure a limited-time $150 discount on closing costs for readers of The Ascent (aka, you!). Claim your discount by checking your rates through the link here or above. You can receive a personalized quote in as little as 3 minutes and it won’t impact your credit score!

Our Mortgages Experts

The Ascent Staff
The Ascent brings financial expertise, trusted advice, and unbiased analysis to the world of daily personal finance decisions. Our mission is to help you live more richly.