9 Best Charlotte Mortgage Lenders of 2021
If you’re looking for a mortgage in the Charlotte, North Carolina, metro area, you have many lenders to choose from. Here are the best options for you.
Some or all of the mortgage lenders featured on our site are advertising partners of NerdWallet, but this does not influence our evaluations, lender star ratings or the order in which lenders are listed on the page. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money.
Charlotte, North Carolina, offers such a wide variety of mortgage lenders that it can be hard to pick one. NerdWallet evaluated Charlotte's leading mortgage companies in various categories to help you decide. Whether you're buying a bungalow in Dilworth or refinancing a condo in Uptown, these national and local lenders are a solid place to start.
Why trust NerdWallet
- 50+ mortgage lenders reviewed and rated by our team of experts.
- 40+ years of combined experience covering mortgages and financial topics.
- Objective, comprehensive star rating system assessing 120+ categories and 5,000+ data points.
- Governed by NerdWallet's strict guidelines for editorial integrity.
Why trust NerdWallet
- 50+ mortgage lenders reviewed and rated by our team of experts.
- 40+ years of combined experience covering mortgages and financial topics.
- Objective, comprehensive star rating system assessing 120+ categories and 5,000+ data points.
- Governed by NerdWallet's strict guidelines for editorial integrity.
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Explore loans up to $500,000 with no impact on your credit score9 Best Charlotte Mortgage Lenders of 2021
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Lender ▾ ▾ | NerdWallet Rating ▾ ▾ | Min. credit score ▾ ▾ | Min. down payment ▾ ▾ | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Fairway Independent Mortgage: NMLS#2289 Learn more at Fairway Independent Mortgage | 580 | 3.5% | Learn more at Fairway Independent Mortgage | |
620 | N/A | |||
520 | 3.5% | |||
620 | 3% | |||
N/A | N/A | |||
580 | 0% | |||
620 | 3% | |||
N/A | 0% | |||
620 | 3% |
Fairway Independent Mortgage: NMLS#2289
580
3.5%
- Why We Like ItGood for: borrowers who want access to a wide variety of mortgages, including renovation loans and ITIN loans.Pros
- Offers a robust suite of loan products, including ITIN loans for borrowers without Social Security numbers, renovation loans, government-backed mortgages and loans for self-employed borrowers.
- Receives high marks for customer satisfaction, according to J.D. Power and Zillow.
Cons- Mortgage rates for different types of loans aren't posted online.
- Origination fees are on the high side compared with other lenders, according to the latest federal data.
Bank of America: NMLS#399802
620
National
- Why We Like ItGood for: first-time home buyers looking for low- or no-down-payment options and homeowners interested in a home equity line of credit.Pros
- Offers down payment and closing cost assistance programs.
- May give existing customers a discount on mortgage lender origination fees and HELOC interest rates.
- Receives high marks for customer satisfaction, according to J.D. Power and Zillow.
Cons- Doesn't offer renovation loans that roll costs into a mortgage.
- Why We Like ItWorking with LoanDepot partners offers the potential for a streamlined mortgage process and cash back, and the lender offers a wide variety of FHA loan types.Pros
- Offers a variety of repayment terms for fixed-rate loans.
- Does a substantial amount of business in FHA lending.
- mello smartloan product can streamline mortgage application, appraisal and title search.
Cons- Interest rates are not available on the website.
- Can't apply for a mortgage on the lender's mobile app.
BB&T (Truist): NMLS#399803
620
Regional
- Why We Like ItBB&T excels in online convenience and offers a good variety of loan types, but has a limited physical presence outside the Southeast.Pros
- Offers a variety of low-down-payment mortgages as well as construction mortgages.
- Website lets users estimate rates online by loan and property type, amount and location.
- Has an online mortgage application.
Cons- Branches limited to mostly the Southeast region.
- Does not offer FHA loans.
- Why We Like ItGood for: first-time home buyers, doctors and other borrowers interested in low-down-payment mortgage options.Pros
- Offers a wide variety of loan options, including special programs for doctors.
- Offers a complete suite of online mortgage application tools and loan tracking.
- Sample rates and fees are easy to find on the website.
Cons- Customized rates aren't available online without starting an application.
- Branches are limited mostly to the Southeast.
- Why We Like ItFlagstar offers a range of VA loans, including VA refinancing and VA renovation loans.Pros
- Offers VA refinancing.
- Offers VA renovation loans.
- Rate estimates can be customized online.
Cons- VA lending makes up a small part of Flagstar’s originations.
- Why We Like ItGood for: first-time home buyers, self-employed borrowers and those who may have credit challenges to overcome.Pros
- Receives high marks for customer satisfaction, according to J.D. Power and Zillow.
- Offers financial assistance, such as grants for down payments or closing costs, to first-time home buyers who qualify.
- Supports military borrowers with extensive online resources and dedicated VA loan specialists.
Cons- No mortgage rates displayed online.
- Room to improve overall digital experience: No online chat for customer service, and mobile app has poor ratings and reviews.
- Doesn't offer home equity loans or lines of credit.
- Why We Like ItNavy Federal Credit Union stands out for having exceptionally low VA interest rates and fees.Pros
- Best-scoring VA lender for interest rates and fees.
- Offers VA refinancing.
- Specializes in working with military borrowers.
Cons- Does not offer VA renovation loans.
- Why We Like ItCarrington Mortgage offers loans for people who might have trouble qualifying for a mortgage elsewhere, like self-employed borrowers or those with heavy debt. However, its interest rates are on the high side.Pros
- Considers borrowers with bad credit, foreclosure or bankruptcy.
- Accepts self-employed borrowers.
- Mortgage origination fees are on the low side, according to the latest federal data.
Cons- Interest rates are on the high side, according to the latest federal data.
- Doesn’t post interest rates online.
- No online chat for customer service.
Local mortgage lenders in Charlotte
These mortgage lenders are based in or near Charlotte and are among the metro area's most active mortgage providers. They have not been reviewed by NerdWallet.
Homegrown lender that now has a national presence.
Mobile app lets you start your application and sync bank statements and tax software, reducing paperwork.
Aims to deliver a loan decision within six hours.
Offers low-down-payment, jumbo, FHA, VA and USDA mortgages, plus condo loans up to $3 million.
One of Charlotte's best-known brands for homebuying and refinancing.
Lets you track loan status online, plus get email notifications of milestones such as receipt of appraisal.
"Second Look" program encourages rate-shopping from people who have been preapproved by competing lenders; posts mortgage rates on its site.
Offers 15- and 30-year fixed-rate mortgages and 5/1 ARMs as well as jumbo, FHA, VA and USDA loans.
No lender fees for application, processing or documentation for most loans.
More-personalized mortgage rates are available on the site with no registration required.
Fixed-rate loans with terms from 30 to 10 years, plus 5/1 and 5/5 ARMs, and possible 100% financing.
Schedule a callback from a loan officer within four-hour windows.
Borrowers must meet membership eligibility requirements.
Offers conventional, jumbo, FHA, VA and USDA loans.
Get a conventional loan with a down payment as low as 3%.
Jumbo loans are available for up to $3 million.
More from NerdWallet
Last updated on January 21, 2021
Methodology
NerdWallet's star ratings for mortgage lenders are awarded based on our evaluation of the products and services each lender offers to consumers who are actively shopping for the best mortgage. The five key areas we evaluated include the variety of loan types and products offered, online conveniences, online mortgage rate information, and the rate spread and origination fee lenders reported in the latest available Home Mortgage Disclosure Act data. To ensure consistency, our ratings are reviewed by multiple people on the NerdWallet Mortgages team.
NerdWallet's Best Charlotte Mortgage Lenders of 2021
- Fairway Independent Mortgage: Best for FHA loans
- Bank of America: Best for refinancing
- loanDepot: Best for FHA loans
- BB&T (Truist): Best for refinancing
- SunTrust (Truist): Best for jumbo loans
- Flagstar: Best for VA loans
- Caliber: Best for first-time home buyers
- Navy Federal: Best for VA loans
- Carrington: Best for first-time home buyers
