11 Best Tampa Mortgage Lenders of 2021
If you’re looking for a Tampa mortgage lender, we’ve done the legwork. Here are well-regarded lenders for several types of borrowers.
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.
You have many choices when shopping for a mortgage in the Tampa Bay area. To make your decision easier, NerdWallet has selected some of the top-rated lenders around Tampa and St. Petersburg. While most are high-volume national and regional lenders that we have reviewed, we've also included some local mortgage companies that do plenty of business in the area.
From New Port Richey to St. Pete Beach, and all the way over to Plant City, here are our picks for lenders that cater to borrowers in various categories.
These mortgage lenders are among the most active institutions in the Tampa Bay area. They have been reviewed and rated by 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.
- 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.
11 Best Tampa Mortgage Lenders of 2021
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Lender ▾ ▾ | NerdWallet Rating ▾ ▾ | Min. credit score ▾ ▾ | Min. down payment ▾ ▾ | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|
620 | 3% | Learn more at Rate | ||
620 | 1% | Learn more at Rocket Mortgage, LLC | ||
 Bank of America: NMLS#399802 LEARN MORE on NerdWallet | 660 | 5% | LEARN MORE on NerdWallet | |
 loanDepot: NMLS#174457 LEARN MORE on NerdWallet | 620 | 3% | LEARN MORE on NerdWallet | |
 Caliber: NMLS#15622 LEARN MORE on NerdWallet | 620 | 3% | LEARN MORE on NerdWallet | |
 SunTrust (Truist): NMLS#2915 LEARN MORE on NerdWallet | 620 | 3% | LEARN MORE on NerdWallet | |
 Flagstar: NMLS#417490 LEARN MORE on NerdWallet | N/A | 5% | LEARN MORE on NerdWallet | |
 Homebridge: NMLS#6521 LEARN MORE on NerdWallet | 620 | 3% | LEARN MORE on NerdWallet | |
 BB&T (Truist): NMLS#399803 LEARN MORE on NerdWallet | N/A | 3% | LEARN MORE on NerdWallet | |
 USAA: NMLS#8722 LEARN MORE on NerdWallet | 640 | 0% | LEARN MORE on NerdWallet | |
 Navy Federal: NMLS#399807 LEARN MORE on NerdWallet | N/A | 0% | LEARN MORE on NerdWallet |
- 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.
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.
Bank of America: NMLS#399802
660
5%
National
- Interest rates are lower than most lenders, according to the latest federal data.
- Offers up to $10,000 in down payment assistance to qualified borrowers.
- Banking customers can get discounted interest rates or fees.
- Mortgage origination fees are on the high side, according to the latest federal data.
- Rate estimator tool doesn’t personalize by credit score.
- Fined $12 million for reporting inaccurate mortgage applicant info to the federal government.
- 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.
- Interest rates are not available on the website.
- Origination fees are on the higher end, according to the latest federal data.
- 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.
- 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.
SunTrust (Truist): NMLS#2915
620
3%
- 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.
- Customized rates aren't available online without starting an application.
- Branches are limited mostly to the Southeast.
- Conventional loan terms extend to 40 years, which is unusually flexible.
- Offers options for high-balance mortgages.
- Offers specialized mortgages for professionals, such as doctors and lawyers, starting their careers.
- Reported average time to close (20-30 days) is faster than industry standard.
- The lender’s mobile app is focused on banking, not mortgages.
- Conventional fixed-rate mortgages require a 5% minimum down payment, higher than some competitors.
- Offers a full array of mortgage products, including government and renovation loans.
- Online portal keeps borrowers up to date on the loan application's progress.
- Offers home equity lines of credit, or HELOCs.
- Doesn't post interest rates on its site.
- Lender fees are on the high side, according to the latest federal data.
- Offers a variety of home loans, including construction-to-permanent loans, physicians loans and jumbo loans.
- Has a robust online mortgage application.
- Branches limited to mostly the Southeast region.
- Custom rates are only available if you speak with a representative.
- VA loans are the bulk of USAA’s business, so it knows the ins and outs of eligibility.
- Offers a conventional home loan with low down payment for first-time buyers.
- Doesn’t offer FHA or USDA loans, or second mortgages.
- Limited mortgage rate information is on the USAA website. For customized rates, you'll have to make contact.
- 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.
- 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.
Local mortgage lenders in Tampa
These companies are among the highest-volume lenders in the Tampa Bay area. While they haven't been reviewed by NerdWallet, give them a look if you prefer doing business with a local institution.
Offers a first-time home buyer 10/1 ARM with a 3% down payment and no private mortgage insurance requirement.
Has a “Community Heroes” loan program for teachers, nurses, law enforcement and other eligible professions that features 100% financing.
Posts its mortgage interest rates online.
Allows you to start a mortgage application online.
Credit union that posts and updates interest rates daily.
Has a low down-payment loan for first-time home buyers, plus FHA, VA and home equity loans.
Offers English and Spanish-language online mortgage applications.
Has multiple locations in the Tampa Bay area.
Offers conventional mortgages with as little as 3% for a down payment, as well as FHA, VA and USDA loans.
Provides cash-out refinances and the streamlined refinancing of VA and FHA mortgages.
Has five Tampa Bay branches.
Offers purchase, refinance and home equity loans and lines of credit.
Posts its mortgage interest rates online.
Has a preapproval program that gives a loan commitment for up to six months, even before finding a home.
Lets you "float down" a locked interest rate in the event that rates drop.
More from NerdWallet
Last updated on January 26, 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 Tampa Mortgage Lenders of 2021
- Rate: Best for online experience
- Rocket Mortgage, LLC: Best for refinancing
- Bank of America: Best for low down payments
- loanDepot: Best for FHA loans
- Caliber: Best for online experience
- SunTrust (Truist): Best for jumbo loans
- Flagstar: Best for FHA loans
- Homebridge: Best for home renovation loans
- BB&T (Truist): Best for jumbo loans
- USAA: Best for VA loans
- Navy Federal: Best for VA loans
