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.

Last updated on January 21, 2021
Written by 
NerdWallet
NerdWallet
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9 Best Charlotte Mortgage Lenders of 2021

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Lender
NerdWallet Rating
Min. credit score
Min. down payment
Learn more
Fairway Independent Mortgage

Fairway Independent Mortgage: NMLS#2289

Learn more
at Fairway Independent Mortgage
at Fairway Independent Mortgage
FHA loans
Best for FHA loans

580

3.5%

Learn more
at Fairway Independent Mortgage
at Fairway Independent Mortgage
Bank of America

Bank of America: NMLS#399802

Read review
4.5
/5
Refinancing
Best for refinancing

620

N/A

loanDepot

loanDepot: NMLS#174457

4.5
/5
FHA loans
Best for FHA loans

520

3.5%

BB&T (Truist)

BB&T (Truist): NMLS#399803

4.5
/5
Refinancing
Best for refinancing

620

3%

SunTrust (Truist)

SunTrust (Truist): NMLS#2915

4.5
/5
Jumbo loans
Best for jumbo loans

N/A

N/A

Flagstar

Flagstar: NMLS#417490

4.5
/5
VA loans
Best for VA loans

580

0%

Caliber

Caliber: NMLS#15622

3.0
/5
Home loans overall
Best for first-time home buyers

620

3%

Navy Federal

Navy Federal: NMLS#399807

5.0
/5
VA loans
Best for VA loans

N/A

0%

Carrington

Carrington: NMLS#2600

3.5
/5
Home loans overall
Best for first-time home buyers

620

3%

Fairway Independent Mortgage
Learn more
at Fairway Independent Mortgage
at Fairway Independent Mortgage
Fairway Independent Mortgage

Fairway Independent Mortgage: NMLS#2289

4.0
FHA loans
NerdWallet rating
Min. credit score

580

Min. down payment

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.
Read Full Review
Bank of America

Bank of America: NMLS#399802

4.5
Min. credit score

620

National / regional

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.
loanDepot

loanDepot: NMLS#174457

4.5
Min. credit score

520

Min. down payment

3.5%

Why We Like ItGood for: borrowers who want a lender with deep experience in FHA lending.
Pros
  • Was among the top five lenders by volume for FHA lending in 2022, according to the latest federal data.
  • Online loan calculator lets borrowers compare monthly payments and lifetime interest.
  • Receives high marks for customer satisfaction, according to J.D. Power and Zillow.
Cons
  • Mortgage rates aren't available online; you'll need to contact a loan officer.
  • Origination fees for FHA loans tend to be on the high end, according to the latest federal data.
BB&T (Truist)

BB&T (Truist): NMLS#399803

4.5
Min. credit score

620

National / regional

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.
SunTrust (Truist)

SunTrust (Truist): NMLS#2915

4.5
Min. credit score

N/A

Min. down payment

N/A

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.
Flagstar

Flagstar: NMLS#417490

Min. credit score

580

Min. down payment

0%

Why We Like ItGood for: borrowers who want a wide range of choices — not only among mortgage products, but also in the channel they prefer, whether a branch, online or on the phone.
Pros
  • Offers a wide range of loan types and products, including FHA, VA and USDA.
  • Borrowers can apply and track loan status online.
  • Offers customized online rate quotes with monthly payment estimates, including mortgage insurance, when applicable.
Cons
  • Home equity loans are geographically limited.
Caliber

Caliber: NMLS#15622

3.0
Home loans overall
NerdWallet rating
Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%

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.
Navy Federal

Navy Federal: NMLS#399807

National / regional

National

Min. down payment

0%

Why We Like ItGood for: military members and their families looking for low-down-payment mortgages.
Pros
  • Offers a wide range of affordable mortgage products, including 0% down payment loans, designed for military members.
  • Offers HELOCs and home equity loans.
  • Offers low rates compared with most lenders, according to the latest federal data.
Cons
  • Website does not provide customized mortgage rates based on credit score or other factors before you apply.
  • Credit union membership is limited to veterans and current military members, their families, and certain federal employees, retirees and contractors.
Carrington

Carrington: NMLS#2600

3.5
Home loans overall
NerdWallet rating
Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%

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.

To recap our selections...

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
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