9 Best Houston Mortgage Lenders of 2022

Houston mortgage lenders serve a wide range of borrowers. Here are the highest-rated NerdWallet-reviewed lenders as well as top-producing local firms.

Last updated on January 6, 2022
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NerdWallet
NerdWallet
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9 Best Houston Mortgage Lenders of 2022

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Lender
NerdWallet Rating
Min. credit score
National / regional
Learn more
Fairway Independent Mortgage

Fairway Independent Mortgage: NMLS#2289

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at Fairway Independent Mortgage
at Fairway Independent Mortgage
Refinancing
Best for mobile experience

620

National

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at Fairway Independent Mortgage
at Fairway Independent Mortgage
loanDepot

loanDepot: NMLS#174457

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4.0
/5
Home loans overall
Best for customer service

620

National

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on NerdWallet
Caliber

Caliber: NMLS#15622

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on NerdWallet
3.5
/5
VA loans
Best for VA borrowers

580

National

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USAA

USAA: NMLS#8722

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4.0
/5
Home loans overall
Best for VA borrowers

620

Regional

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on NerdWallet
PrimeLending

PrimeLending: NMLS#13649

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on NerdWallet
4.0
/5
Home loans overall
Best for closing costs assistance

620

National

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on NerdWallet
Bank of America

Bank of America: NMLS#399802

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4.0
/5
Home loans overall
Best for in-person service

660

National

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on NerdWallet
Flagstar

Flagstar: NMLS#417490

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5.0
/5
Home loans overall
Best for full-service experience

N/A

National

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on NerdWallet
Homebridge

Homebridge: NMLS#6521

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on NerdWallet
3.5
/5
Home loans overall
Best for wide selection of loan products

620

National

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on NerdWallet
Chase

Chase: NMLS#399798

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on NerdWallet
4.0
/5
Home loans overall
Best for in-person service

620

National

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on NerdWallet
Fairway Independent Mortgage
Learn more
at Fairway Independent Mortgage
at Fairway Independent Mortgage
Fairway Independent Mortgage

Fairway Independent Mortgage: NMLS#2289

4.0
Refinancing
NerdWallet rating
Min. credit score

620

National / regional

National

Why We Like ItGood for: borrowers looking for a low-down-payment mortgage, renovation loan, or a specialized mortgage geared to medical professionals.
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 and mortgage rates are on the high side compared with other lenders, according to the latest federal data.
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loanDepot
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loanDepot

loanDepot: NMLS#174457

4.0
Home loans overall
NerdWallet rating
Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%

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.
Caliber
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Caliber

Caliber: NMLS#15622

Min. credit score

580

Min. down payment

0%

Why We Like ItGood for: first-time home buyers, veterans and those who may have credit challenges to overcome.
Pros
  • Offers extensive educational resources for military borrowers.
  • Participates in some down payment assistance and first-time home buyer programs.
Cons
  • No mortgage rates displayed online.
  • Doesn’t offer home equity loans or lines of credit.
USAA
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USAA

USAA: NMLS#8722

4.0
Home loans overall
NerdWallet rating
Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%

Why We Like ItUSAA is among the top five VA loan lenders by volume, though conventional loans are available, too. USAA membership is open only to current and former military and eligible family members.
Pros
  • Wide range of VA options, including jumbo loans and refinancing.
  • Offers a low-down payment loan for first-time home buyers.
  • Offers 10-, 15-, 20- and 30-year repayment terms, which is unusually flexible.
Cons
  • Average VA loan interest rates are less competitive than some other top VA lenders, according to the latest data.
  • Does not offer home equity loans or HELOCs.
PrimeLending
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PrimeLending

PrimeLending: NMLS#13649

4.0
Home loans overall
NerdWallet rating
Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%

Why We Like ItPrimeLending stands out for its wide variety of loan types, including non-QM loans and renovation and construction options, but lacks some technical features like online rates or a mobile app.
Pros
  • Offers closing cost assistance.
  • Wide variety of loan types, including non-QM loans.
  • Mortgages are available for manufactured homes, including 3D-printed houses.
Cons
  • Loans are not available in all states.
  • Rates are not posted online.
  • Does not have a mobile app.
Bank of America
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Bank of America

Bank of America: NMLS#399802

4.0
Home loans overall
NerdWallet rating
Min. credit score

660

Min. down payment

5%

National / regional

National

Why We Like ItBank of America offers low interest rates, in-person service and plenty of loan options, but it was fined by regulators for reporting inaccurate mortgage data.
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.
  • Fined $12 million for reporting inaccurate mortgage applicant info to the federal government.
Flagstar
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Flagstar

Flagstar: NMLS#417490

5.0
Home loans overall
NerdWallet rating
Min. credit score

N/A

Min. down payment

5%

Why We Like ItFlagstar Bank stands out for its range of accessible loans and programs, including loans with flexible requirements and down payment grant options. Its mortgage operations will be acquired by Mr. Cooper in 2024.
Pros
  • 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.
Cons
  • 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.
Homebridge
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Homebridge

Homebridge: NMLS#6521

3.5
Home loans overall
NerdWallet rating
Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%

Why We Like ItGood for borrowers who want a loan officer's help, in person or on the phone, when deciding among the wide range of available mortgage options — including loans to buy and renovate.
Pros
  • 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.
Cons
  • Doesn't post interest rates on its site.
  • Lender fees are on the high side, according to the latest federal data.
Chase
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on NerdWallet
Chase

Chase: NMLS#399798

4.0
Home loans overall
NerdWallet rating
Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%

Why We Like ItChase offers a good variety of loan types, including programs for first-time buyers, but it doesn't offer home equity options or stand out for competitive average rates and fees.
Pros
  • Offers two loans with 3% down payment minimums.
  • Home buyer grants up to $7,500 may apply for qualifying borrowers.
  • Receives high marks for customer satisfaction, according to J.D. Power and Zillow.
Cons
  • Borrowers must speak with a home loan expert before completing an online application.
  • No online live chat feature, and in-person services vary by branch location.

Local mortgage lenders in Houston

If you want to include a local lender or two in your search for the best mortgage, these Houston lenders are among the highest-volume mortgage providers in the city, though they have not been reviewed by NerdWallet.

  • About a dozen offices in the Houston metro area.

  • Complete an online form to pre-qualify.

  • An app allows you to upload documents, check your loan status and even search for homes.

  • Specializes in jumbo loans in the Houston area.

  • A large selection of home loans, including construction and agriculture mortgages.

  • Offers home equity lines of credit and loans.

  • Texas-born in 2002, with headquarters in Houston and offices in more than 30 states.

  • Online, you can choose a "Quick Start" option or take about 15 minutes to complete a full pre-qualification.

  • A no-credit-score mortgage option is available, as well as bank statement programs and government-backed loans.

  • Nearly 20 loan officers in its north Houston office.

  • A digital mortgage gateway allows you to complete pre-qual information in as little as 10 minutes.

  • The broad selection of loans includes conventional, government-backed, renovation and even reverse mortgages.

More from NerdWallet

Last updated on January 6, 2022

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 Houston Mortgage Lenders of 2022

  • Fairway Independent Mortgage: Best for mobile experience
  • loanDepot: Best for customer service
  • Caliber: Best for VA borrowers
  • USAA: Best for VA borrowers
  • PrimeLending: Best for closing costs assistance
  • Bank of America: Best for in-person service
  • Flagstar: Best for full-service experience
  • Homebridge: Best for wide selection of loan products
  • Chase: Best for in-person service
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