11 Best Tampa Mortgage Lenders of 2021 - NerdWallet Advertiser disclosure
You re our first priority br Every time
We believe everyone should be able to make financial decisions with confidence. And while our site doesn’t feature every company or financial product available on the market, we’re proud that the guidance we offer, the information we provide and the tools we create are objective, independent, straightforward — and free. So how do we make money? Our partners compensate us. This may influence which products we review and write about (and where those products appear on the site), but it in no way affects our recommendations or advice, which are grounded in thousands of hours of research. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products or services. Here is a list of our partners.BEST OF 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.NerdWallet Jan 26, 2021 Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This may influence which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. 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. » MORE: Find out about Florida first-time home buyer programs These mortgage lenders are among the most active institutions in the Tampa Bay area. They have been reviewed and rated by NerdWallet. 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. » MORE: Find out about Florida first-time home buyer programs These mortgage lenders are among the most active institutions in the Tampa Bay area. They have been reviewed and rated by NerdWallet. Best Tampa Mortgage Lenders
LenderNerdWallet rating NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formulas take into account multiple data points for each financial product and service.Min. credit score Minimum credit score on top loans; other loan types or factors may selectively influence minimum credit score standardsMin. down paymentLearn more Guaranteed Rate NMLS#2611Learn more at Guaranteed Rate 5.0/5 Best for online experience620 VA:580USDA:620JUMBO:N/AFHA:600CONVENTIONAL:6203%Guaranteed Rate offers conventional loans with as little as 3% down.Learn more at Guaranteed Rate Rocket Mortgage LLC NMLS#3030Learn more at Rocket Mortgage, LLC 4.0/5 Best for refinancing620 VA:580JUMBO:N/AFHA:580CONVENTIONAL:6203%Rocket Mortgage offers conventional mortgages with as little as 3% down.Learn more at Rocket Mortgage, LLC Bank of America NMLS#399802Read review 4.5/5 Best for low down payments660 CONVENTIONAL:660FHA:600JUMBO:720VA:6205%Bank of America offers down payments as low as 3% through its Affordable Loan Solution mortgage program.Read review loanDepot NMLS#174457Read review 4.0/5 Best for FHA loans620 JUMBO:N/AVA:620FHA:580CONVENTIONAL:6205%LoanDepot offers conventional loans with as little as 5% down.Read review Caliber NMLS#15622Read review 3.5/5 Best for online experience620 VA:580USDA:N/AFHA:580CONVENTIONAL:620JUMBO:6803%Caliber offers conventional loans with as little as 3% down.Read review SunTrust Truist NMLS#2915Read review 4.5/5 Best for jumbo loans620 VA:620USDA:640JUMBO:N/AFHA:620CONVENTIONAL:6203%SunTrust Mortgage offers conventional loans for as little as 3% down.Read review Flagstar NMLS#417490Read review 5.0/5 Best for FHA loans620 USDA:660VA:660JUMBO:N/AFHA:640CONVENTIONAL:6203%Flagstar offers 3% down payments on conventional loans for first-time home buyers.Read review Homebridge NMLS#6521Read review 3.5/5 Best for home renovation loans620 FHA:550USDA:550CONVENTIONAL:620JUMBO:N/AVA:5503%Homebridge offers conventional loans for as little as 3% down.Read review BB&T (Truist): NMLS#399803Read review 4.5/5 Best for jumbo loansN/A VA:N/AUSDA:640JUMBO:N/ACONVENTIONAL:6203%BB&T Mortgage offers conventional loans for as little as 3% down.Read review USAA NMLS#8722Read review 3.5/5 Best for VA loans640 VA:640JUMBO:N/ACONVENTIONAL:6200%USAA offers VA loans with as little as 0% down.Read review Navy Federal NMLS#399807Read review 3.5/5 Best for VA loans N/A0% Navy Federal Credit Union offers down payments as low as 0% on loans for military families.Read reviewLearn more at Guaranteed Rate Guaranteed Rate NMLS#2611
5.0NerdWallet rating NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account loan types and loan products offered, online conveniences, online mortgage rate information, and the rate spread and origination fee lenders reported in the latest available HMDA data.Min. credit score620 VA:580USDA:620JUMBO:N/AFHA:600CONVENTIONAL:620 Min. down payment3% Guaranteed Rate offers conventional loans with as little as 3% down. View details Learn moreat Guaranteed Rate View details Why we like it Good for: borrowers seeking a solid variety of loan types, including jumbo and interest-only options, and a totally online experience. Pros Displays detailed sample rates for many of its loan products. Offers a wide variety of loans, including jumbo and interest-only products. Offers low rates compared with other lenders, according to the latest federal data. Cons Doesn't offer home equity loans.Read Full ReviewLearn more at Rocket Mortgage, LLC Rocket Mortgage LLC NMLS#3030
4.0NerdWallet rating NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account loan types and loan products offered, online conveniences, online mortgage rate information, and the rate spread and origination fee lenders reported in the latest available HMDA data.Min. credit score620 VA:580JUMBO:N/AFHA:580CONVENTIONAL:620 Min. down payment3% Rocket Mortgage offers conventional mortgages with as little as 3% down. View details Learn moreat Rocket Mortgage, LLC View details Why we like it Good for: borrowers who appreciate convenience online and on the go for a fully digital home loan experience with consistently acclaimed customer service. Pros Caters to self-service users who want to apply for a home loan online and talk to a human only as necessary. Estimates the loan amount you’ll qualify for within minutes. Streamlines the online process with document and asset retrieval capabilities, including the ability to edit your preapproval letter. Cons Getting a customized interest rate requires a credit check, which can affect your credit score. Doesn't offer home equity loans or lines of credit. Lender fees are on the high side and the fees aren't offset by particularly low mortgage rates, according to the latest data.Read Full ReviewRead review Bank of America NMLS#399802
4.5NerdWallet rating NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account loan types and loan products offered, online conveniences, online mortgage rate information, and the rate spread and origination fee lenders reported in the latest available HMDA data.Min. credit score660 CONVENTIONAL:660FHA:600JUMBO:720VA:620 Min. down payment5% Bank of America offers down payments as low as 3% through its Affordable Loan Solution mortgage program. National / regionalNational View details Read reviewView details National / regional National Why we like it Good for: first-time home buyers looking for low- or no-down-payment options and homeowners interested in a home equity line of credit. Pros Offers down payment and closing cost assistance programs. May give existing customers 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 loans that roll costs into a mortgage.Read Full ReviewRead review loanDepot NMLS#174457
4.0NerdWallet rating NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account loan types and loan products offered, online conveniences, online mortgage rate information, and the rate spread and origination fee lenders reported in the latest available HMDA data.Min. credit score620 JUMBO:N/AVA:620FHA:580CONVENTIONAL:620 Min. down payment5% LoanDepot offers conventional loans with as little as 5% down. View details Read reviewView details Why we like it Good for: borrowers who want an easy online application and a variety of loan types to explore. Pros Has branches across the country for customers who prefer face-to-face service. Receives high marks for customer satisfaction, according to J.D. Power and Zillow. Mortgage interest rates tend to be on the lower end, according to the latest federal data. Cons Mortgage rates aren't available online; you'll need to contact a loan officer. Doesn't offer home equity loans or lines of credit.Read Full ReviewRead review Caliber NMLS#15622
3.5NerdWallet rating NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account loan types and loan products offered, online conveniences, online mortgage rate information, and the rate spread and origination fee lenders reported in the latest available HMDA data.Min. credit score620 VA:580USDA:N/AFHA:580CONVENTIONAL:620JUMBO:680 Min. down payment3% Caliber offers conventional loans with as little as 3% down. View details Read reviewView details Why we like it Good 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.Read Full ReviewRead review SunTrust Truist NMLS#2915
4.5NerdWallet rating NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account loan types and loan products offered, online conveniences, online mortgage rate information, and the rate spread and origination fee lenders reported in the latest available HMDA data.Min. credit score620 VA:620USDA:640JUMBO:N/AFHA:620CONVENTIONAL:620 Min. down payment3% SunTrust Mortgage offers conventional loans for as little as 3% down. View details Read reviewView details Why we like it Good 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.Read Full ReviewRead review Flagstar NMLS#417490
5.0NerdWallet rating NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account loan types and loan products offered, online conveniences, online mortgage rate information, and the rate spread and origination fee lenders reported in the latest available HMDA data.Min. credit score620 USDA:660VA:660JUMBO:N/AFHA:640CONVENTIONAL:620 Min. down payment3% Flagstar offers 3% down payments on conventional loans for first-time home buyers. View details Read reviewView details Why we like it Good for: borrowers who want a wide range of choices — not only among mortgage products, but also in the channel they prefer, whether a branch, online or on the phone. Pros Offers a wide range of loan types and products, including FHA, VA and USDA. Has a full suite of online conveniences. Offers customized online rate quotes with monthly payment estimates, including mortgage insurance, when applicable. Cons Home equity loans are geographically limited.Read Full ReviewRead review Homebridge NMLS#6521
3.5NerdWallet rating NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account loan types and loan products offered, online conveniences, online mortgage rate information, and the rate spread and origination fee lenders reported in the latest available HMDA data.Min. credit score620 FHA:550USDA:550CONVENTIONAL:620JUMBO:N/AVA:550 Min. down payment3% Homebridge offers conventional loans for as little as 3% down. View details Read reviewView details Why we like it Good 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.Read Full ReviewRead review BB& T Truist NMLS#399803
4.5NerdWallet rating NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account loan types and loan products offered, online conveniences, online mortgage rate information, and the rate spread and origination fee lenders reported in the latest available HMDA data.Min. credit scoreN/A VA:N/AUSDA:640JUMBO:N/ACONVENTIONAL:620 Min. down payment3% BB&T Mortgage offers conventional loans for as little as 3% down. View details Read reviewView details Why we like it Good for: borrowers in the Southeast who want the option of face-to-face service. BB&T is now part of Truist Financial Corp., which offers a full menu of home loans. Pros Offers a variety of home loans, including construction-to-permanent loans, physicians loans and jumbo loans. Has a robust online mortgage application. Cons Branches limited to mostly the Southeast region. Custom rates are only available if you speak with a representative.Read Full ReviewRead review USAA NMLS#8722
3.5NerdWallet rating NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account loan types and loan products offered, online conveniences, online mortgage rate information, and the rate spread and origination fee lenders reported in the latest available HMDA data.Min. credit score640 VA:640JUMBO:N/ACONVENTIONAL:620 Min. down payment0% USAA offers VA loans with as little as 0% down. View details Read reviewView details Why we like it USAA specializes in VA loans and offers a variety of online conveniences, but its website doesn’t offer customized rate quotes. Pros VA loans are the bulk of USAA’s business, so it knows the ins and outs of eligibility. Lots of experience assisting first-time home buyers. You can submit loan documents online. Cons Doesn’t offer FHA or USDA loans, or second mortgages. Limited mortgage rate information is on the USAA website, none of it customized. You'll have to call.Read Full ReviewRead review Navy Federal NMLS#399807
3.5NerdWallet rating NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account loan types and loan products offered, online conveniences, online mortgage rate information, and the rate spread and origination fee lenders reported in the latest available HMDA data.National / regionalNational Min. down payment0% Navy Federal Credit Union offers down payments as low as 0% on loans for military families. View details Read reviewView details Why we like it Good for: military members and their families looking for low-down-payment mortgages. Pros 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. Cons 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.Read Full Review 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. Suncoast Credit Union
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. GTE Financial
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. Movement Mortgage
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. Third Federal Savings & Loan
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 How much house can you afford? Compare Florida mortgage rates Calculate your mortgage payment 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. To recap our selections... NerdWallet' s Best Tampa Mortgage Lenders of 2021
Guaranteed Rate: Best for online experienceRocket Mortgage, LLC: Best for refinancingBank of America: Best for low down paymentsloanDepot: Best for FHA loansCaliber: Best for online experienceSunTrust (Truist): Best for jumbo loansFlagstar: Best for FHA loansHomebridge: Best for home renovation loansBB&T (Truist): Best for jumbo loansUSAA: Best for VA loansNavy Federal: Best for VA loans About the author
NerdWallet
Email