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If you qualify for a VA mortgage, you have the ability to purchase a home very affordably, with no down payment, low rates, and no limits on how much you can borrow. These home loans are available to active military, veterans, and their spouses.
VA mortgages are an all-around great benefit for those who are eligible, but your experience getting one can vary greatly depending on which lender you go with. Individual mortgage lenders will have their own credit requirements, and the best lenders are strong in customer service and have features that make their process more convenient and affordable for borrowers.
The Best VA Mortgage Lenders
Keep reading for more information on our top VA mortgage lender picks.
See our guide to the best mortgage lenders overall »
Compare the Best VA Mortgage Lenders
Veterans United Home Loans
4.75/5
Veterans United Home Loans
4.75/5
Types of Loans Offered
Conforming, jumbo, FHA, USDA, VA, refinance
Veterans United Home Loans, NMLS 1907
Veterans United Home Loans
Veterans United Home Loans, NMLS 1907
Veterans United is currently the largest lender of VA loans, and it earned “best overall” in our guide to the best VA mortgage lenders. It’s a good option for several types of mortgages — though VA loans are its strongest products.
Details
Types of Loans Offered
Conforming, jumbo, FHA, USDA, VA, refinance
Pros & Cons
Check mark iconA check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.
Can apply online or at a branch
Check mark iconA check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.
Isn’t limited to just VA mortgages
Check mark iconA check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.
Free credit counseling
No home equity loan, HELOC, reverse mortgage, or construction loan
Can’t see customized interest rates online
Highlights
Offers mortgages in all 50 US states and Washington, DC
Branches in 18 US states
Refinancing options for VA, conforming, and jumbo mortgages
Minimum credit score listed is for VA mortgages, which usually do not require a down payment
Additional Reading
Read our review
Carrington Mortgages Services
4.5/5
Carrington Mortgages Services
4.5/5
Carrington Mortgages Services
Pros & Cons
Check mark iconA check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.
Only requires a 500 credit score for a VA mortgage
Check mark iconA check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.
Accepts alternative forms of credit, such as proof you pay bills on time
Doesn’t offer mortgages in Massachusetts or North Dakota
You can’t see customized mortgage rates on the website
Highlights
Offers mortgages in all US states except Massachusetts and North Dakota
Accepts alternative forms of credit, such as proof that you pay bills on time, if you have a low/no credit score
You do not need a down payment for a VA mortgage
Additional Reading
Read our review
Fairway Independent Mortgage VA Mortgage
4.5/5
Fairway Independent Mortgage VA Mortgage
4.5/5
Fairway Independent Mortgage VA Mortgage
Pros & Cons
Check mark iconA check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.
Offers VA mortgages in all 50 states
Check mark iconA check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.
Qualify for a VA mortgage with a 600 credit score
Check mark iconA check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.
Accepts non-traditional forms of credit
Check mark iconA check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.
Option to have a hybrid closing
You can’t see mortgage rates on the website
Highlights
Offers mortgages in all 50 US states and Washington, DC
Branches in every US state except Alaska and West Virginia
Apply with non-traditional credit data (such as proof that you pay bills on time) if you have a poor or no credit score
Additional Reading
Read our review
Movement VA Mortgage
4.88/5
Movement VA Mortgage
4.88/5
Movement VA Mortgage
Pros & Cons
Check mark iconA check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.
Offers VA mortgages in all 50 states
Check mark iconA check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.
Get a VA mortgage with a credit score as low as 580
Check mark iconA check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.
May accept non-traditional credit data if you don’t have a credit score
No customized mortgage rates shown on the website
Doesn’t accept non-traditional forms of credit if you have a low credit score
Highlights
Offers mortgage rates in all 50 US states and Washington, DC
You can apply with non-traditional credit data if you have no credit score, but not if you have a poor credit score
Additional Reading
Read our review
Navy Federal Credit Union Mortgage
4.45/5
Navy Federal Credit Union Mortgage
4.45/5
Types of Loans Offered
Conforming, VA, jumbo, Military Choice, Homebuyers Choice, home equity loan, HELOC
Navy Federal Credit Union Mortgage
Navy Federal Credit Union is one of our best VA mortgage lenders. It’s a good option for people affiliated with the military overall, but especially if you’re searching for a lender that’s friendly to people who aren’t in the best financial situation — namely, people with low credit scores and little money for a down payment.
Details
Types of Loans Offered
Conforming, VA, jumbo, Military Choice, Homebuyers Choice, home equity loan, HELOC
Pros & Cons
Check mark iconA check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.
No-down-payment mortgage available
Check mark iconA check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.
Apply with non-traditional credit data along with or instead of a credit score
Check mark iconA check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.
Easy online application
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Strong interest rates
No FHA mortgage, USDA mortgage, construction loan, or reverse mortgage
You must be eligible to join Navy Federal Credit Union to get a mortgage
No personalized mortgage rates available online
Highlights
You may be eligible for a mortgage if you are an active military member, veteran, family member of someone affiliated with the military, Department of Defense civilian, or housemate of an existing Navy Federal member
Branches around the US and on US military bases abroad
Military Choice mortgage is a 30-year mortgage for military members with no minimum down payment; Homebuyer Choice mortgage is a 30-year mortgage for people who don’t qualify for VA loans with no minimum down payment
Apply with non-traditional credit data, such as proof that you pay utility bills
Live customer support 24/7
Minimum credit score listed is for VA loans, which usually do not require a down payment
Additional Reading
Read our review
Rocket Mortgage by Quicken Loans – VA Mortgage
4.5/5
Rocket Mortgage by Quicken Loans – VA Mortgage
4.5/5
On Rocket Mortgage’s website
Rocket Mortgage by Quicken Loans – VA Mortgage
On Rocket Mortgage’s website
Pros & Cons
Check mark iconA check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.
Available in all 50 states
Check mark iconA check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.
Quick, easy online experience
No physical locations
Doesn’t accept non-traditional credit data
Highlights
Offers homes loans in all 50 US states and Washington, DC, but there are no physical branches
You can’t apply with non-traditional credit data, such as utility bills — Rocket Mortgage will do a hard credit pull
Additional Reading
Read our review
USAA Mortgage
3.88/5
USAA Mortgage
3.88/5
Types of Loans Offered
Conforming, VA, VA jumbo, VA refinance
USAA Mortgage
Details
Types of Loans Offered
Conforming, VA, VA jumbo, VA refinance
Pros & Cons
Check mark iconA check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.
Good lender for VA mortgages
Check mark iconA check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.
Available in all 50 US states and Washington, DC
Check mark iconA check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.
High customer satisfaction ratings
No FHA or USDA mortgages, and no HELOCs or home equity loans
Does not accept non-traditional forms of credit in lieu of a credit score
Doesn’t show customized interest rates online
Highlights
Offers mortgages in all 50 US states and Washington, DC
Does not accept alternative credit data, such as utility bills, if you have a low/no credit score
Minimum credit score displayed is for VA mortgages
Additional Reading
Read our review
Chase VA Mortgage
4.13/5
Chase VA Mortgage
4.13/5
Chase VA Mortgage
Pros & Cons
Check mark iconA check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.
Get $2,000 for closing costs with the Chase VA Purchase Closing Cost Benefit
Check mark iconA check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.
Ranked No. 2 in customer satisfaction according to J.D. Power’s 2022 study
Check mark iconA check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.
Chase Homebuyer Grant offers up to $5,000 in assistance
Doesn’t display sample VA rates online
Highlights
Offers home loans in all 50 US states and Washington, DC
Branches in 32 US states
Additional Reading
Read our review
Pentagon Federal Credit Union Mortgage
4.03/5
Pentagon Federal Credit Union Mortgage
4.03/5
Types of Loans Offered
Conforming, jumbo, FHA, VA, HELOC
On Pentagon Federal Credit Union’s website
Pentagon Federal Credit Union Mortgage
On Pentagon Federal Credit Union’s website
Details
Types of Loans Offered
Conforming, jumbo, FHA, VA, HELOC
Pros & Cons
Check mark iconA check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.
Offers several types of mortgages
Check mark iconA check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.
Multiple refinance options
Check mark iconA check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.
Offers a 60-day rate lock
No USDA, new construction, or reverse home loans
Doesn’t accept non-traditional forms of credit
Need to be a member to get a home loan
Highlights
Offers mortgages in all 50 US states, Washington, DC, Puerto Rico, Guam, and Okinawa
To become a member, open a PenFed savings account with a $5 minimum deposit
Does not accept non-traditional credit data, such as utility bills, if you have a low/no credit score
Minimum credit score and down payment listed are for conforming mortgages. VA borrowers can have scores of 620
Additional Reading
Read our review
Best VA Mortgage Lenders Frequently Asked Questions
In terms of total loan volume and number of loans originated, Veterans United is currently the top VA lender in the country, according to the VA.
The best VA lender is the one that accepts your credit score, offers a low rate, and charges relatively low fees. Once you’ve narrowed down your options, consider applying for preapproval with your top few choices to compare lenders and find the best deal.
You’ll need to be a veteran or active-duty military member who meets minimum service requirements, which vary depending on when you served. Some surviving spouses may also be eligible. You’ll also need to meet your lender’s credit requirements.
If you meet all the usual qualifications to get a VA mortgage, there’s still a chance your application could be denied. One reason this would happen is if something changed during the application process, like your debt-to-income ratio.
Interest rates vary by lender, but VA mortgage rates tend to be lower than conventional mortgage rates.
Compare the best VA mortgage lenders
VA Mortgage Lender Reviews
Best VA Lender Overall
Veterans United
Veterans United is the largest VA loan lender in the country, generating more than $26 billion in loan volume in 2022, according to the US Department of Veterans Affairs. We think that this lender’s experience and expertise makes it a great choice for VA borrowers — particularly those who are new to the process.
What to look out for: It’s difficult to find information for non-VA loans on its website, which makes it hard to compare your options
Best VA Lender for Poor Credit
Carrington Mortgage Services
Carrington Mortgage Services is a smart choice for VA loan borrowers with rocky credit histories, since Carrington accepts borrowers with scores as low as 500.
What to look out for: Carrington doesn’t lend in Massachusetts or North Dakota. It also doesn’t show its rates online.
Carrington has an NR, or “no rating” from the BBB because the lender is in the process of responding to previously closed complaints. Additionally, in November 2022, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ordered Carrington to pay $5.25 million in fines for supposedly violating borrowers’ CARES Act rights. The CFPB claims that the lender misled borrowers seeking CARES Act forbearance and denied them key protections provided by the pandemic-era law.
Best VA Lender for a Smooth Closing
Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation
Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation offers a fast and simple application process, and its hybrid closing option lets VA loan borrowers complete most of their closing paperwork ahead of time.
What to look out for: This lender doesn’t post its rates online.
Best Online VA Lender
Movement Mortgage
Movement Mortgage boasts a fast process and low fees, making it a solid overall choice for VA borrowers. Credit scores as low as 580 can qualify for a VA loan with Movement.
What to look out for: It doesn’t show customized mortgage rates on its website.
Best VA Lender for No Down Payment
Navy Federal Credit Union
Navy Federal Credit Union is a great lender for borrowers who aren’t eligible for a VA loan or those who have used up their VA entitlement thanks to its Military Choice and Homebuyers Choice loans, which both allow 0% down payments. Its VA loan options are also strong.
Although Navy Federal’s minimum credit score is technically 660, the lender looks at your financial profile as a whole and has some flexibility
What to look out for: The BBB gives Navy Federal an NR (No Rating) because it’s currently responding to complaints that were previously closed. You can only become a member of Navy Federal Credit Union if you or your family is affiliated with the military, you are a Department of Defense civilian personnel or contractor, or you live with a Navy Federal member.
Best VA Lender for Refinancing
Rocket Mortgage
Rocket Mortgage is a great choice if you’re comfortable applying online and have a good credit score. It ranks high in customer service and offers an easy preapproval process. Rocket Mortgage was the No. 1 origination lender for customer satisfaction in J.D. Power’s 2022 study.
What to look out for: Rocket doesn’t have any physical locations.
Best VA Lender for Customer Service
USAA
USAA is extremely strong when it comes to customer satisfaction. It earned the highest score in J.D. Power’s 2022 customer satisfaction study, though it wasn’t ranked because it doesn’t meet award criteria.
What to look out for: USAA doesn’t let you see personalized interest rates online. It also currently has an NR (“no rating”) from the BBB because it’s responding to complaints that were previously closed.
Best Big Bank VA Lender
Chase
Chase ranks high in customer service and offers a couple of different closing cost benefits that can help VA borrowers save money. Borrowers can get $2,000 for closing costs with the Chase VA Purchase Closing Cost Benefit, and the Chase Homebuyer Grant offers between $2,500 to $5,000 in assistance for borrowers in eligible areas. Chase also earned the No. 2 spot in J.D. Power’s study.
What to look out for: Chase has a great rate customization tool, but VA loan rates aren’t included in it
Best VA Lender for No Lender Fees
Pentagon Federal Credit Union
Pentagon Federal Credit Union is an affordable VA loan lender. It charges no lender fees on its VA loans, helping borrowers keep their closing costs down.
What to look out for: You’ll need to become a PenFed member to qualify for a mortgage
How to Choose a VA Mortgage Lender
Many lenders offer special benefits to veterans and current service members who get a VA loan with them, so it’s a good idea to shop around to find a lender you like. For example, a lender may give you assistance with your closing costs.
Once you’ve found a few different lenders that suit your needs, get preapproved with at least two or three of them so you can compare rates and fees.
Other VA Mortgage Lenders We Considered
Wells Fargo: Wells Fargo has undergone several public controversies in the past few years, including scandals surrounding mortgages.
Guild Mortgage: Guild Mortgage doesn’t show any mortgage rates on its website, let alone customizable ones.
Freedom Mortgage: J.D. Power ranks this lender pretty low in customer satisfaction.
LoanDepot: LoanDepot is a good VA mortgage lender overall, but it didn’t have the standout features of our top picks.
PNC Bank: PNC ranks below our top picks on the J.D. Power customer satisfaction study.
Guaranteed Rate: This lender falls below our top picks in both customer satisfaction and trustworthiness.
Flagstar Bank: Flagstar also ranks lower on the J.D. Power customer satisfaction study.
Veterans First Mortgage: Veterans First requires a 660 credit score. So does Navy Federal, which is on our list, but Navy Federal is a bit offers some flexibility if your score is lower.
New American Funding: This is a good lender overall, but the lenders on our list have more features that set them apart.
North American Savings Bank: This bank requires a 640 credit score. So does Veterans United, which made it onto our list, but Veterans United is more competitive in that is specializes in working with military members.
BNC National Bank: You can get a VA mortgage with a 640 credit score and no down payment, or 620 with a down payment.
Bank of America: Bank of America is one of our favorite overall mortgage lenders, but when it comes to its VA loan offerings, it lacks the standout features our top picks had.
NBKC Bank: NBKC Bank also lacked the impressive features we look for in our top picks.
US Bank: This lender ranked low in J.D. Power’s annual study.
Why You Should Trust Us: Experts’ Advice on Choosing the Best VA Mortgage Lender
Insider
We consulted mortgage and financial experts to inform these picks and provide their insights about mortgage lenders.
Here’s what they had to say about VA mortgages. (Some text may be lightly edited for clarity.)
How can someone decide between a conventional mortgage vs. a government-backed mortgage, like a VA loan?
Molly Grace, Personal Finance Insider
“An FHA mortgage is a really helpful option for borrowers with low scores or kind of rocky credit histories. But if you have great credit, you may get a better rate and pay less for mortgage insurance on a conventional mortgage.
VA mortgages are really great deals. If you qualify for one, you should definitely go for it. You get zero down with no mortgage insurance — plus some of the best rates available.”
Julie Aragon, Aragon Lending Team:
“The most common government loan that’s widely available to almost everyone is the FHA loan. There’s a couple of reasons why somebody would go with FHA instead of conventional one. Their credit is a little on the crummy side, let’s say below 700. You can get conventional with down to a 620 score, but the mortgage insurance gets really expensive. FHA doesn’t discriminate — no matter how perfect or crappy your credit is, the mortgage insurance is the same.”
What factors should someone take into consideration when choosing a mortgage lender?
Anthony Park, author:
“The canned answer is to just go with the lowest rate. However, you also want to take into account who’s going to serve your loan best. Are repayments going to be easy for you? Who is most likely to be able to help you if you need to take out a HELOC or refinance later, versus somebody who’s more of a one-off type?
“They may have the lowest rates to get you involved, but they might have very, very little hand holding after the fact. I wouldn’t recommend paying an exorbitant amount more for potential services in the future, but just don’t always necessarily go with the rock-bottom lowest rate. There’s sometimes a cost with that.”
Molly Grace, Personal Finance Insider:
“Remember that you’re not just choosing a mortgage lender — you’re also building a homebuying team. To snag the home you want in this competitive market, you need a lender that can move quickly and has good communication with you and your real estate agent.
When I was looking for a house, I was able to text my loan officer (whom my real estate agent recommended) and get quick replies when I had questions or needed an updated preapproval letter for an offer. As you compare lenders, pay attention to how responsive they are, and ask your agent if they have any experience with the lenders you’re considering.”
How can someone know whether they’re financially ready to buy a home?
Lauryn Williams, CFP:
“You should have funds left over after everything is said and done as it pertains to purchasing the home. So if you don’t have an emergency fund plus a down payment, you’re probably not ready to purchase a home. Another thing I think about is credit card debt. While you can be approved for a mortgage with credit card debt and student loans and very little cash on hand, you put yourself in a very risky situation.”
Molly Grace, Personal Finance Insider
“You have to be ready to dedicate a chunk of your budget to homeownership — and I don’t mean your mortgage payment. When you own your house, there’s always something that needs taking care of, especially in the first year. We got to our new house on moving day to find that the A/C was out. We paid $700 to have it fixed.”
Methodology: How Did We Choose the Best VA Mortgage Lenders?
To choose the top VA mortgage lenders, we looked at three main factors:
Affordability/credit score. VA loans are known for being an affordable option, with no down payment for qualifying borrowers. They also usually have more lenient credit score requirements than conventional mortgages. We chose lenders that accept low credit scores or are flexible about credit scores if other parts of your financial profile are strong. Many of the companies on our list also accept non-traditional forms of credit in place of a credit score.
Customer satisfaction. If the lender appeared in the J.D. Power 2022 Primary Mortgage Origination Satisfaction Study, we looked at its ranking. If it wasn’t in the study, we read online customer reviews.
Ethics. Most of our top picks received an A+ from the Better Business Bureau, which measures companies’ trustworthiness. The exceptions are Navy Federal Credit Union, which has an NR, and Chase, which has an A.
See our full methodology for reviewing mortgage lenders »
Laura Grace Tarpley, CEPF
Personal Finance Reviews Editor
Laura Grace Tarpley (she/her) is a personal finance reviews senior editor at Insider. She oversees coverage about mortgage rates, refinance rates, lenders, bank accounts, investing, retirement , and borrowing and savings tips for Personal Finance Insider. She was a writer and editor for Insider’s “The Road to Home” series, which won a Silver award from the National Associate of Real Estate Editors. She is also a Certified Educator in Personal Finance (CEPF). She has written about personal finance for seven years. Before joining the Insider team, she was a freelance finance writer for companies like SoFi and The Penny Hoarder, as well as an editor at FluentU. You can reach Laura Grace at ltarpley@insider.com. Learn more about how Personal Finance Insider chooses, rates, and covers financial products and services »
Molly Grace
Mortgage Reporter
Elias Shaya
Jr Compliance Associate
Elias Shaya is a junior compliance associate on the Personal Finance Insider team based in New York City. Personal Finance Insider is Insider’s personal finance section that incorporates affiliate and commerce partnerships into the news, insights, and advice about money that readers already know and love. The compliance team’s mission is to provide readers with stories that are fact-checked and current, so they can make informed financial decisions. The team also works to minimize risk for partners by making sure language is clear, precise, and fully compliant with regulatory and partner marketing guidelines that align with the editorial team. Elias is the point person for the loans sub-vertical and works with the editorial team to ensure that all rates and information for personal and student loans are up to date and accurate. He joined Insider in February 2022 as a fellow on the compliance team. Elias has a Bachelor of Science in International Business from the CUNY College of Staten Island. Prior to joining Insider, he volunteered at the New York Presbyterian Hospital, where he worked with the biomedical engineering department. In his spare time, Elias enjoys exploring new restaurants, traveling to visit his family in Lebanon, and spending time with friends.
As the in-house writer for GallantCEO.com I prefer to remain anonymous as I do not seek anything from my writing only the self gratification of writing for a good cause such as this.
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