8 Best San Diego Mortgage Lenders of 2022

Shopping for San Diego mortgage lenders? Compare our picks for the city’s top mortgage companies to get the best loan options, mortgage rates and more.

Last updated on January 6, 2022

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Thanks to white-sand beaches and year-round sunshine, deciding to live in San Diego is a no-brainer. But with scores of mortgage companies to pick from, finding the right one to finance your house can feel more difficult. That’s where NerdWallet comes in. We compared San Diego’s leading mortgage lenders — high-volume national brands along with local options — to identify top options for first-time home buyers and repeat buyers alike.

» MORE: Five tips for finding the right mortgage lender

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.

NerdWallet's mortgage content, including articles, reviews and recommendations, is produced by a team of writers and editors who specialize in home lending. Their work has appeared in The Associated Press, USA Today, The Washington Post, MarketWatch, Newsweek and many other national, regional and local publications. They have been cited in publications including The Wall Street Journal, and appeared on NerdWallet's "Smart Money" podcast as well as local TV and radio.

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.

8 Best San Diego Mortgage Lenders of 2022

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Lender ▾ ▾	NerdWallet Rating ▾ ▾	Min. credit score ▾ ▾	Min. down payment ▾ ▾	Learn more
Fairway Independent Mortgage: NMLS#2289 Learn more at Fairway Independent Mortgage at Fairway Independent Mortgage	3.0 /5 Home loans overall Best for a digital mortgage experience	620	3%	Learn more at Fairway Independent Mortgage at Fairway Independent Mortgage
Guild Mortgage: NMLS#3274 Compare More Lenders on NerdWallet	4.0 /5 Home loans overall Best for first-time home buyers	N/A	3%	Compare More Lenders on NerdWallet
Caliber: NMLS#15622 Compare More Lenders on NerdWallet	3.5 /5 VA loans Best for veterans	580	0%	Compare More Lenders on NerdWallet
Navy Federal: NMLS#399807 Compare More Lenders on NerdWallet	5.0 /5 Home loans overall Best for a credit union mortgage	N/A	0%	Compare More Lenders on NerdWallet
Bank of America: NMLS#399802 Compare More Lenders on NerdWallet	4.5 /5 Home loans overall Best for face-to-face service	660	5%	Compare More Lenders on NerdWallet
Chase: NMLS#399798 Compare More Lenders on NerdWallet	4.0 /5 Home loans overall Best for face-to-face service	620	3%	Compare More Lenders on NerdWallet
Flagstar: NMLS#417490 Compare More Lenders on NerdWallet	5.0 /5 Home loans overall Best for first-time home buyers	N/A	5%	Compare More Lenders on NerdWallet
San Diego County Credit Union: NMLS#580585 Compare More Lenders on NerdWallet	4.0 /5 Home loans overall Best for a credit union mortgage	N/A	N/A	Compare More Lenders on NerdWallet

Local mortgage lenders in San Diego

The following lenders have not been reviewed by NerdWallet. However, they do a significant volume of mortgage lending in San Diego and are popular among the city’s mortgage shoppers. Check them out if you prefer to include a local lender or two in your search for the best mortgage.

Union Bank

Several low-down-payment loans.
Loan options with no closing costs and no mortgage insurance.
Mobile app available.
Multiple branch locations in San Diego.

CrossCountry Mortgage

Pre-qualification requires a phone call with a loan officer.
Loan programs for foreign nationals and self-employed borrowers.
Will finance all types of condos.
Several branch locations in and around San Diego.

Bay Equity Home Loans

Conventional, government and jumbo loan options.
Offers refinancing and reverse mortgages.
Only one branch location in San Diego.

AIMLoan (American Internet Mortgage)

Website provides instant customized rate quotes.
Offers 3% down conventional loans.
Claims to charge a flat, guaranteed lender fee.

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 San Diego Mortgage Lenders of 2022

Fairway Independent Mortgage: Best for a digital mortgage experience
Guild Mortgage: Best for first-time home buyers
Caliber: Best for veterans
Navy Federal: Best for a credit union mortgage
Bank of America: Best for face-to-face service
Chase: Best for face-to-face service
Flagstar: Best for first-time home buyers
San Diego County Credit Union: Best for a credit union mortgage