9 Best Seattle Mortgage Lenders of 2022

Looking for a Seattle mortgage lender? We researched Seattle's best mortgage companies so you can compare loan options, mortgage rates and more.

Last updated on January 6, 2022
Written by 
NerdWallet
NerdWallet
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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.

9 Best Seattle Mortgage Lenders of 2022

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Lender
NerdWallet Rating
Min. credit score
Min. down payment
Learn more
Fairway Independent Mortgage

Fairway Independent Mortgage: NMLS#2289

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at Fairway Independent Mortgage
at Fairway Independent Mortgage
Home loans overall
Best for mobile app experience

620

3%

Learn more
at Fairway Independent Mortgage
at Fairway Independent Mortgage
loanDepot

loanDepot: NMLS#174457

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on NerdWallet
4.0
/5
Home loans overall
Best for strong customer service

620

3%

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on NerdWallet
Caliber

Caliber: NMLS#15622

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on NerdWallet
3.0
/5
Home loans overall
Best for first-time home buyers

620

3%

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on NerdWallet
Guild Mortgage

Guild Mortgage: NMLS#3274

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on NerdWallet
4.0
/5
Home loans overall
Best for down payment assistance

N/A

3%

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on NerdWallet
Chase

Chase: NMLS#399798

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on NerdWallet
4.0
/5
Home loans overall
Best for conventional loans

620

3%

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on NerdWallet
Bank of America

Bank of America: NMLS#399802

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on NerdWallet
5.0
/5
Jumbo loans
Best for jumbo loans

720

5%

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on NerdWallet
Flagstar

Flagstar: NMLS#417490

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on NerdWallet
5.0
/5
Home loans overall
Best for renovation and construction loans

N/A

5%

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on NerdWallet
Navy Federal

Navy Federal: NMLS#399807

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on NerdWallet
5.0
/5
VA loans
Best for military members and their families

N/A

0%

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on NerdWallet
PrimeLending

PrimeLending: NMLS#13649

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on NerdWallet
4.0
/5
Home loans overall
Best for borrowers with past credit issues

620

3%

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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

2.5
Home loans overall
NerdWallet rating
Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

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.
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loanDepot
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on NerdWallet
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

3.0
Home loans overall
NerdWallet rating
Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%

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
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on NerdWallet
Guild Mortgage

Guild Mortgage: NMLS#3274

4.0
Home loans overall
NerdWallet rating
Min. credit score

N/A

Min. down payment

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.
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.
Bank of America
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on NerdWallet
Bank of America

Bank of America: NMLS#399802

5.0
Min. credit score

720

Min. down payment

5%

Why We Like ItGood for: low- to moderate-income buyers who qualify for down payment or closing cost assistance programs and homeowners interested in a home equity line of credit.
Pros
  • Offers down payment and closing cost assistance programs.
  • Existing customers who meet certain qualifications can receive a discount on mortgage lender origination fees and HELOC interest rates.
  • Receives high marks for customer satisfaction, according to J.D. Power and Zillow.
Cons
  • Doesn't offer renovation or construction-to-permanent mortgage loans.
  • Must enroll in online banking to access Home Loan Navigator.
  • Fined $12 million for reporting inaccurate mortgage applicant info to the federal government.
Flagstar
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on NerdWallet
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.
Navy Federal
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on NerdWallet
Navy Federal

Navy Federal: NMLS#399807

Min. down payment

0%

National / regional

National

Why We Like ItNavy Federal Credit Union stands out for having exceptionally low VA interest rates and fees.
Pros
  • Best-scoring VA lender for interest rates and fees.
  • Offers VA refinancing.
  • Specializes in working with military borrowers.
Cons
  • Does not offer VA renovation loans.
PrimeLending
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on NerdWallet
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.

Local mortgage lenders in Seattle

While these lenders have not been reviewed by NerdWallet, they do a lot of lending in Seattle and are popular with the city’s mortgage shoppers. Check them out if you want to include a local company or two on your list.

  • Participates in down payment assistance programs.

  • Offers special loans for medical professionals and borrowers with unique income streams.

  • Provides mortgage lending customer service only Monday through Friday.

  • Has over a dozen home loan centers in and around Seattle.

  • Offers membership to anyone who lives or works in Washington state.

  • Does not charge origination fees on conventional mortgage loans.

  • Works with third-party companies to provide rebates on real estate agent commissions.

  • Over a dozen branch locations in and around Seattle.

  • An independent mortgage company headquartered in Bellevue, Washington

  • Has a program that reimburses the down payment amount if the property is sold at loss in the future.

  • Offers a guarantee that pays a seller $2,500 if a borrower makes an offer and the loan then falls through.

  • Has only one branch location in Seattle.

  • Primarily serves high-tech or telecom company employees and their families.

  • Doesn’t offer FHA, VA or USDA loans.

  • Offers a specialized 5/5 adjustable-rate mortgage.

  • Has only one branch location in Seattle.

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 Seattle Mortgage Lenders of 2022

  • Fairway Independent Mortgage: Best for mobile app experience
  • loanDepot: Best for strong customer service
  • Caliber: Best for first-time home buyers
  • Guild Mortgage: Best for down payment assistance
  • Chase: Best for conventional loans
  • Bank of America: Best for jumbo loans
  • Flagstar: Best for renovation and construction loans
  • Navy Federal: Best for military members and their families
  • PrimeLending: Best for borrowers with past credit issues
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