9 Best Atlanta Mortgage Lenders of 2021
Atlanta mortgage lenders serve a massive real estate market. NerdWallet has narrowed the field to the best lenders for borrowers of varying needs.
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.
Atlanta mortgage lenders cater to a massive real estate market that's home to the employees of more than a dozen Fortune 500 companies, including Home Depot, UPS, Coca-Cola and Delta Air Lines. In a city with diverse and growing employment, national mortgage makers, regional players and online lenders vie for the business of a broad array of home buyers. NerdWallet has researched the offerings of the leading mortgage providers by loan volume in Atlanta and picked the best in different borrower categories. We dug even deeper and found top local lenders as well.
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.
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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 Atlanta Mortgage Lenders of 2021
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Lender ▾ ▾ | NerdWallet Rating ▾ ▾ | Min. credit score ▾ ▾ | Min. down payment ▾ ▾ | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|
580 | N/A | Learn more at New American Funding | ||
 Fairway Independent Mortgage: NMLS#2289 Learn more at Fairway Independent Mortgage | 620 | 3% | Learn more at Fairway Independent Mortgage | |
 loanDepot: NMLS#174457 Compare More Lenders on NerdWallet | 620 | 3% | Compare More Lenders on NerdWallet | |
 SunTrust (Truist): NMLS#2915 Compare More Lenders on NerdWallet | 620 | 3% | Compare More Lenders on NerdWallet | |
 Navy Federal: NMLS#399807 Compare More Lenders on NerdWallet | N/A | 0% | Compare More Lenders on NerdWallet | |
 Caliber: NMLS#15622 Compare More Lenders on NerdWallet | 620 | 3% | Compare More Lenders on NerdWallet | |
 Guild Mortgage: NMLS#3274 Compare More Lenders on NerdWallet | N/A | 3% | Compare More Lenders on NerdWallet | |
 Bank of America: NMLS#399802 Compare More Lenders on NerdWallet | 660 | 5% | Compare More Lenders on NerdWallet | |
 Flagstar: NMLS#417490 Compare More Lenders on NerdWallet | N/A | 3% | Compare More Lenders on NerdWallet |
New American Funding: NMLS#6606
580
N/A
- Why We Like ItNew American Funding offers a large menu of loan products, as well as programs like first-time home buyer assistance, but personalized mortgage rates aren't available on its website.Pros
- Offers a wide variety of purchase and refinance mortgages, as well as unique buyer assistance programs.
- Its home equity line of credit can be used for a primary residence or second home.
Cons- Average origination fees are on the high side, according to the latest federal data.
- Personalized mortgage rates are not available on the website without providing contact information.
Fairway Independent Mortgage: NMLS#2289
620
3%
- Why We Like ItFairway Independent Mortgage Corporation has many brick-and-mortar branches and a reputation for top-notch customer service, but it was recently penalized for redlining.Pros
- Loan options include government-backed mortgages and physician loans.
- Offers first-time home buyer grants to buyers in eligible locations.
- Highest scoring mortgage lender for customer satisfaction, according to J.D. Power.
Cons- Mortgage rates aren't posted online.
- Online customer service requires contact information and phone is for existing customers only.
- Home equity loans and HELOCs are not available.
- Has been penalized for redlining.
- Why We Like ItLoanDepot is a large nonbank lender that offers the potential for a streamlined mortgage process and cash back, but to start an application or get a rate quote you must work with a loan officer over the phone.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.
- Origination fees are on the higher end, according to the latest federal data.
SunTrust (Truist): NMLS#2915
620
3%
- 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.
Navy Federal: NMLS#399807
National
0%
- Why We Like ItNavy Federal is known for VA lending, but it's the flexible VA-like loan options that truly stand out. While you don't have to be a current or former servicemember to take advantage of them, you will need a military connection to join the credit union.Pros
- Offers unique no-down-payment and no mortgage insurance loan options for military and civilian borrowers.
- 24/7 customer service supports borrowers stationed overseas.
- Has both home equity loans and lines of credit.
Cons- Borrowers must join the credit union before applying for a mortgage.
- Does not offer FHA, renovation or construction loans.
- We sometimes waited longer than 10 minutes before connecting with a customer service representative.
- 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.
Guild Mortgage: NMLS#3274
N/A
3%
- Why We Like ItGuild offers a number of loans and programs that stand out, including renovation loans and home equity products. However, Guild does not have a mobile app, and interest rates aren’t published online.Pros
- Offers several programs to make homeownership more accessible.
- Offers loans for manufactured homes.
- Renovation loan options are available.
Cons- Does not publish interest rates online.
- No mortgage mobile app.
- Loans are not available in every state.
Bank of America: NMLS#399802
660
5%
National
- Why We Like ItBank of America offers low interest rates, in-person service and plenty of loan options. Current banking customers may be eligible for additional perks.Pros
- 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.
Cons- Mortgage origination fees are on the high side, according to the latest federal data.
- Rate estimator tool doesn’t personalize by credit score.
- Why We Like ItFlagstar Bank, recently acquired by Mr. Cooper, stands out for a wide variety of refinance loan types and convenient digital tools that make it easy to shop rates online.Pros
- Solid variety of refinance loan types.
- Easy to shop for mortgage rates on the website.
- Closes loans faster than average.
Cons- Average origination fee is on the high side, according to the latest federal data.
- Doesn't offer energy-efficient mortgage refinances.
Local mortgage lenders in Atlanta
If you want to include a local lender or two in your search for the best mortgage, these Atlanta lenders are among the highest-volume mortgage underwriters in the city, though they have not been reviewed by NerdWallet.
Established in 1974 and claims to be the largest community bank in metro Atlanta.
Services home loans after closing, rather than selling them off to a third party to collect.
Offers a first-time home buyer grant for down payment and closing-cost assistance.
Based in Buckhead, with branches throughout Georgia.
A mobile app allows you to apply for a mortgage, scan documents and track your loan status.
Offers conventional loans, as well as all government-backed mortgages and construction/renovation loans.
A Georgia-born lender with about 80 branch offices in the Southeast.
A wide variety of loan offerings, including 203(k) renovation loans, jumbos and government-backed mortgages, in addition to conventional loans.
Jumbo loans available for up to $5 million on nearly all property types, including first and second homes.
Claims to be the largest nonbank lender in Georgia.
Processing, underwriting and document preparation are all based in Atlanta.
Seven offices across Georgia, with four in Atlanta and another eight offices in surrounding states.
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 Atlanta Mortgage Lenders of 2021
- New American Funding: Best for borrowers with nontraditional credit
- Fairway Independent Mortgage: Best for a wide selection of loan products
- loanDepot: Best for customer service
- SunTrust (Truist): Best for first-time home buyers
- Navy Federal: Best for military-connected borrowers
- Caliber: Best for first-time home buyers
- Guild Mortgage: Best for borrowers needing down payment assistance
- Bank of America: Best for in-person service
- Flagstar: Best for refinancing
