Best Mortgage Lenders for First-Time Home Buyers in 2024
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Low down payment loan options, first-time home buyer programs and top-notch customer care can all be especially helpful if this is your first time getting a mortgage. To help find the right lender for you, NerdWallet has picked some of the best mortgage lenders for first-time home buyers in a variety of categories.
- 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.
- 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.
Best Mortgage Lenders for First-Time Home Buyers in 2024
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Lender ▾ ▾ | NerdWallet Rating ▾ ▾ | Min. credit score ▾ ▾ | Min. down payment ▾ ▾ | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|
620 | 0% | |||
580 | 3.5% | Learn more at First Federal Bank | ||
620 | 1% | Learn more at Rocket Mortgage, LLC | ||
620 | 3% | Learn more at Northpointe | ||
 CrossCountry Mortgage: NMLS#3029 LEARN MORE on NerdWallet | 620 | 3% | LEARN MORE on NerdWallet |
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- Interest rates and origination fees are on the lower side compared to other VA lenders.
- Offers energy-efficient mortgages.
- Offers VA refinancing.
- Does not offer VA renovation loans.
First Federal Bank: NMLS#408902
580
3.5%
- Almost a quarter of all loans last year were FHA loans.
- Average mortgage rates are on the lower side, according to the latest federal data.
- Offers 15-, 20-, 25-, and 30-year repayment terms, which is unusually flexible.
- No dedicated mobile app for mortgage borrowers.
- Some loans are geographically limited.
Rocket Mortgage, LLC: NMLS#3030
620
1%
- Reported average time to close is 15 days faster than industry average.
- FHA and VA loans make up 40% of Rocket Mortgage’s total loan volume.
- Borrowers can apply via mobile app.
- Origination fees are on the higher end, according to the latest federal data.
- No construction or renovation loans.
- Physical branches are only available in Detroit, Cleveland, and Phoenix.
Northpointe: NMLS#447490
620
3%
- Closing may be available within 15 business days.
- Offers loans and programs aimed at making homeownership more accessible.
- Offers mortgages for investment properties, including jumbo loans.
- Average mortgage origination fees are on the high side, according to the latest data.
- Bank’s mobile app isn’t useful for mortgage borrowers.
CrossCountry Mortgage: NMLS#3029
620
3%
- Receives high marks for customer satisfaction, according to J.D. Power and Zillow.
- Qualified borrowers can receive up to $6,500 in down payment assistance.
- Offers conventional loans for manufactured homes.
- Doesn’t post rates online.
- No mobile app.
- Fees are on the high side, according to the latest federal data.
- Reported average time to close (20-30 days) is faster than industry standard.
- Offers down payment assistance to first-time home buyers.
- The lender’s mobile app is focused on banking, not mortgages.
- Some loans and programs are restricted by area.
- Offers mortgage options focused on affordability.
- Convenient online application.
- Offers a HELOC and construction loans.
- HELOCs are not available in every state.
- Borrowers must reach out for customized rates.
- Average jumbo origination fees are on the low side, according to the latest federal data.
- Jumbo loans made up almost 20% of purchase originations in 2023.
- Jumbo financing available for up to $5M.
- Getting customer service over the phone requires sharing personal data if you don't already have an account.
- In-person service is not available in every state.
- Online rate quotes are only available for loans up to $2.5M.
- Fully underwritten mortgage approval in as little as one day for qualified borrowers.
- Generous selection of loans, including government-backed, interest-only, jumbo and renovation.
- Advertises a HELOC that can be funded in as few as five business days.
- Origination fees are on the high side, according to the latest federal data.
- HELOC requires immediate, full withdrawal of funds.
Wells Fargo: NMLS#399801
620
3%
- Sample rates are shown for various loan products, along with the type of borrower and loan that would get them.
- Offers generous down payment and closing cost assistance programs for qualified borrowers.
- Market leader in number of jumbo loans and refinances originated, according to the latest federal data.
- Rate-and-term refinance interest rates offered are lower than average, according to the latest federal data.
- Home loans business is broadly focused on existing bank customers.
- Doesn’t offer specialty home loans or equity borrowing (home equity loans or HELOC).
- Scandals and government actions have damaged consumer trust in recent years.
Guild Mortgage: NMLS#3274
N/A
3%
- Offers several programs to make homeownership more accessible.
- Offers loans for manufactured homes.
- Renovation loan options are available.
- Does not publish interest rates online.
- No mortgage mobile app.
- Loans are not available in every state.
- Offers up to $17,500 in down payment and closing cost assistance.
- Wide variety of mortgage types.
- Experienced with construction-to-permanent and renovation loans.
- Assistance programs limited to select cities and states.
- Online rate tool doesn’t customize by credit score.
PrimeLending: NMLS#13649
620
3%
- Offers closing cost assistance.
- Wide variety of loan types, including non-QM loans.
- Mortgages are available for manufactured homes, including 3D-printed houses.
- Loans are not available in all states.
- Rates are not posted online.
- Does not have a mobile app.
How do I choose a mortgage lender?
Once you have an idea of the type of mortgage you're looking for, finding the right lender may be easier than you think, especially when you compare at least three lenders and let them compete for your business. It's likely one lender's mortgage package will rise above the others’ — with a lower rate and lower fees.
» MORE: Tips for first-time home buyers
How do I compare mortgage lenders?
After determining what kind of loan you need, think about what type of service and lending experience is important to you. Maybe you'd prefer to talk to a banker in person at an actual brick-and-mortar bank. Or perhaps minimizing contact is more your style, and you'd like to be able to do almost the entire mortgage process on an app. Depending on what you prefer, you might focus on traditional banks, nonbank lenders, credit unions — or you might decide to have a mortgage broker do the research for you.
Apply for mortgage preapproval with multiple lenders to see how much you might qualify to borrow, what kind of rate you might be offered and also get a taste of what it would be like to work with each lender. In order to see actual interest rates and fees, you'll need to go through with applying for a mortgage with more than one lender. Since that'll cost you an application fee whether or not you go through with the loan, it'll help if you can narrow the field with your preapprovals. Once you've applied for a mortgage, you'll receive a Loan Estimate within three business days. This standard form allows you to compare lenders side by side to see who is offering you the best mix of rates and fees.
How much do I need to save for a down payment?
The amount you'll need for a down payment varies depending on the type of home loan you're using. Conventional loans can offer down payments as low as 3%, though some buyers will make down payments as high as 20% in order to avoid paying private mortgage insurance. FHA loans can come with down payments as low as 3.5%, depending on your credit score. VA loans and USDA loans do not require down payments.
Can I get help making a down payment?
As a first-time home buyer, you may qualify for down payment assistance and other types of first-time home buyer benefits. These programs are generally run by state housing authorities, though depending on where you live, you may find options that are city- or county-specific. Income and residency restrictions may apply, and you'll often have to take a first-time home buyer class in order to qualify for assistance.
More from NerdWallet
Last updated on December 19, 2024
Frequently asked questions
- What type of loan is best for a first-time home buyer?
The best mortgage for you as a first-time home buyer is the loan for which you're most qualified. And that depends on a number of factors, including your credit score. With a credit score of at least 580, you may find that a loan backed by the FHA is your best option. With a credit score around 620 or higher, a conventional loan might be a better option, and could require an even lower down payment of 3%.
- What programs are available for first-time home buyers?
Many grants, special loans and down payment assistance programs are available to borrowers looking to buy their first home. These first-time home buyer programs are offered by agencies in the state where you live.
- What is the easiest home loan for a first-time home buyer to get?
The loan program that's easiest to qualify for is an FHA-backed loan. That's because FHA loan requirements allow a lower credit score and less stringent debt-to-income guidelines than conventional loans. However, if you’re a first-time buyer with strong credit, conventional loans may allow even lower minimum down payments than an FHA loan.
Methodology
The star ratings on this page reflect each lender's overall star ratings. Read more about how we determine those ratings. The lenders on this page are chosen using this methodology:
NerdWallet reviewed more than 50 mortgage lenders, including the majority of the largest U.S. mortgage lenders by annual loan volume (measured among lenders with at least a 1% market share), lenders with significant online search volume and those that specialize in serving various audiences across the country.
All reviewed mortgage lenders that offer programs for first-time home buyers were evaluated based on (1) the portion of their business dedicated to FHA and VA lending, (2) their ability to offer conventional loans with a down payment as low as 3%, (3) their origination fees, (4) their proprietary first-time home buyer loans or assistance (e.g. grants or loans to cover down payment and closing costs), (5) mortgage rate transparency, and (6) the ease of their online application. The highest scoring lenders appear on this page.
NerdWallet solicits information from reviewed lenders on a recurring basis throughout the year. All lender-provided information is verified through lender websites and interviews. We also utilized 2022 HMDA data for origination volume, origination fee, average interest rate and share-of-product data.
NerdWallet's Best Mortgage Lenders for First-Time Home Buyers in 2024
- NBKC: Best for VA loans
- First Federal Bank: Best for government loans
- Rocket Mortgage, LLC: Best for first-time home buyers overall
- Northpointe: Best for first-time home buyers overall
- CrossCountry Mortgage: Best for fast closing
- Flagstar: Best for FHA loans
- Truist: Best for variety of loan types
- PNC Bank: Best for jumbo loans
- Rate: Best for lower credit scores
- Wells Fargo: Best for Wells Fargo banking customers
- Guild Mortgage: Best for borrower assistance programs
- U.S. Bank: Best for home loans overall
- PrimeLending: Best for construction loans
