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9 best mortgage lenders in Ohio
Our top picks for low rates, refinancing, first-time homebuyers and customer service in the Buckeye State.
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The birthplace of Thomas Edison and seven US presidents, over 11 million people call Ohio home. Around 66% of Ohioans own their property and pay an average of $1,282 per month in ownership costs, including mortgage payments, taxes and utilities — well below the national average.
According to Zillow, the average price of a house in Ohio is $166,338 as of February 2021. Home values in the state have gone up 9.6% over the past year. So if you’re looking to buy a new home or refinance your existing mortgage, our top nine lenders are a great place to start your search.
Best Ohio mortgage lenders in 2021
- Best online experience: Better
- Best marketplace: LendingTree
- Most popular: Rocket Mortgage
- Best rates: Bank of America
- Best for a wide range of credit scores: Mr. Cooper
- Best Regional Lender: Huntington National Bank
- Best for refinancing: AmeriSave
- Best customer service: Synergy One Lending
- Best for first-time homebuyers: CrossCountry Mortgage
How we picked the best lenders
We handpicked these lenders from 226 mortgage companies originating home loans in Ohio. These top nine picks made our list after researching and comparing interest rates, first-time homebuyer programs, credit score eligibility, customer service and digital convenience.
We also read customer reviews from consumer rating sites like Zillow, Trustpilot and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) in making our decisions. To learn about our lender selection process, please see Finder’s rating methodology.
Best online experience
Better
620
Min. credit score
Min. credit score
3%
Min. down payment
Min. down payment
If you're after a faster digital mortgage application process minus a loan officer's commission, Better could fit the bill. The company offers a fully integrated digital application process from end-to-end and never charges an origination fee to its customers.
Better offers a range of purchase and refinance loans and advertises its rates online, so you can quickly compare different rates. And, as a digital lender, Better is available 24/7, so you can start an application whenever you're ready.
- No origination fees. Better doesn't pay its loan officers commissions and doesn't charge origination, application, processing or underwriting fees.
- Support is available. While Better is a digital lender, loan officers are available if you need assistance.
- Informative website. Better's website is helpful, providing current interest rates, calculators and homebuying guides.
- Limited loan selection. Better doesn't offer VA, USDA, construction loans or specialized loan products at this time.
- Loans are sold. Better is a secondary lender, which means your loan will be sold after closing.
| Loan types | Conventional, Jumbo, FHA, Refinance |
|---|---|
| Minimum credit score | Refinance: 680
All other loans: 620 |
| Minimum down payment (Conventional) | 3% |
| States available | Not available in: HI, MA, MN, NV, NH, VT, VA |
Best marketplace
LendingTree
620
Min. credit score
Min. credit score
3%
Min. down payment
Min. down payment
LendingTree is a 100% free marketplace where you can compare home loans. Instead of having to research lenders yourself, LendingTree matches you with lenders from its database of over 1,500 partners nationwide.
To get started, go to the LendingTree website or download the company's mortgage app and answer some questions about yourself and your goals. Within a few minutes, you should start receiving live offers from multiple lenders to compare and choose.
- Competitive offers. LendingTree's partners compete for your business, so you may get a better rate with the service.
- Loan selection. Choose from conventional, FHA, VA and USDA loans, reverse mortgages and HELOCs.
- Get rate updates. LendingTree searches for the lowest rates and notifies you when a better rate is found.
- Unsolicited calls. Some users report receiving multiple spam calls after providing their information to LendingTree.
| Loan types | Conventional, Jumbo, FHA, VA, USDA, Home Equity, HELOC, Reverse, Refinance |
|---|---|
| Minimum credit score | Conventional: 620
FHA: 500 VA: 620 USDA: 640 Jumbo: 800 |
| Minimum down payment (Conventional) | 3% |
| States available | Available in all states |
Most popular
Rocket Mortgage
620
Min. credit score
Min. credit score
3%
Min. down payment
Min. down payment
Owned by Quicken Loans, Rocket Mortgage is a fully digital lender that allows you to get a mortgage without having to use a loan officer. Rocket Mortgage is the most popular lender in the US, with nearly one out of 10 borrowers using it for their home purchase in 2020.
To get started, visit the Rocket Mortgage website and answer some questions to see what loans and rates you could qualify for. If you want to apply for a loan, Rocket Mortgage offers an electronic application that syncs with your bank for a more streamlined process.
- Instant verification. With Rocket Mortgage, you'll know right away how much mortgage you might qualify for.
- Support is available. While Rocket Mortgage is a digital lender, support is a phone call away.
- Servicing after closing. Selling mortgages after closing is a common practice. Unlike some lenders, Rocket Mortgage will continue to service your loan in most cases.
- Loans not listed. You must call Rocket Mortgage or fill out an application form to see your mortgage options.
- Mixed reviews. Rocket Mortgage's parent company, Quicken Loans, has had 792 complaints closed in the last three years, with several complaints related to substandard service and deposits not being refunded.
| Loan types | Conventional, Jumbo, FHA, VA, Refinance |
|---|---|
| Minimum credit score | Conventional: 620
FHA: 580 VA: 620 Jumbo: 700 |
| Minimum down payment (Conventional) | 3% |
| States available | Available in all states |
Best rates
Bank of America
620
Min. credit score
Min. credit score
3%
Min. down payment
Min. down payment
Bank of America (BofA) is one of America's biggest financial institutions, with 66 million customers, 4,300-plus retail outlets and 2,700 lending centers nationwide. BofA is a major player in the mortgage industry and, on average, has the lowest rates of all lenders in Ohio as of February 2021.
The company offers a solid range of loans, including a low-down-payment homebuyer program through Freddie Mac and a HELOC with no application fee or annual fee. BofA provides an online mortgage application process, so you can get started whenever it's convenient for you.
- Digital Mortgage Experience. The BofA website is cleanly designed and offers helpful resources and a digital application process.
- Preferred Rewards program. BofA's Preferred Rewards members may get a $200 discount on mortgage origination fees or a 0.125% home equity loan discount.
- Mobile app. BofA's mobile app lets you view your mortgage balance and make payments.
- Uneven branch availability. While BofA has thousands of retail branches, they're not available in every state.
- Mobile app restrictions. The BofA app doesn't let you change your mortgage PayPlan details.
- Consumer complaints. The bank has a 1.1 out of 5 rating on BBB, with 5,485 complaints registered in the past three years. Unsatisfied customers report payment mix-ups, terrible service and loans being sold without prior notice.
| Loan types | Conventional, Jumbo, FHA, VA, Home Equity/HELOC, Refinance |
|---|---|
| Minimum credit score | Conventional: 620
FHA: 600 |
| Minimum down payment (Conventional) | 3% |
| States available | Available in all states |
Best for a wide range of credit scores
Mr. Cooper
620
Min. credit score
Min. credit score
3%
Min. down payment
Min. down payment
Having a harder time getting prequalified in Ohio? Mr. Cooper may be able to help. The company offers a variety of loans, including conventional, jumbo and government-backed loans, and is known to work with borrowers with a range of credit scores.
Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, Mr. Cooper offers customers a 100% US-based adviser team, a user-friendly app for making digital payments and exclusive perks for current customers. To get started, visit the website and get in touch with a loan officer.
- Close On Time Guarantee. If your qualifying loan doesn't close on time, Mr. Cooper will send you a check equal to your first month's mortgage payment.
- User-friendly app. The Mr. Cooper app lets you make payments, check your FICO score, view your loan documents and more.
- Won't sell your loan. Many lenders sell home loans to the secondary market, but Mr. Cooper will continue to service your loan after closing.
- No online application. Mr. Cooper doesn't offer an online prequalification or application process.
- No USDA loans. If you're looking for a USDA loan, you'll need to find another lender.
| Loan types | Conventional, Jumbo, FHA, VA, Home Equity, Refinance |
|---|---|
| Minimum credit score | Conventional: 620 |
| Minimum down payment (Conventional) | 3% |
| States available | Available in all states |
Best Regional Lender
Huntington National Bank
N/A
Min. credit score
Min. credit score
N/A
Min. down payment
Min. down payment
Founded in 1866, Huntington National Bank is a full-service bank operating primarily in the Midwest. The bank offers an above-average selection of home loans, including conventional, government-backed and specialized mortgages, physician's mortgages, home equity loans and more.
Huntington National Bank contributes to its communities through investment and partnerships with local businesses. If you're looking for a regional bank that's committed to helping local borrowers in various circumstances, Huntington National Bank may be a good choice.
- Intuitive website. Huntington National Bank's website is straightforward to navigate and clearly lists the types of loans available.
- Financial products. In addition to home loans, the bank offers a range of financial products and services under one roof.
- Financially stable. The bank has been in business for over 150 years and currently holds $123 billion in assets.
- No online application. To start an application or get prequalified, you'll need to contact a loan officer at the bank.
- Rates not listed. Huntington National Bank doesn't advertise its current interest rates online.
| Loan types | Conventional, Jumbo, FHA, VA, USDA, Refinance |
|---|---|
| Minimum credit score | Huntington doesn’t state minimum credit requirements, but 620 is the minimum credit score required by most lenders for a conventional loan. |
| States available | Only available in: IL, IN, KY, MI, OH, PA, WV |
Best for refinancing
AmeriSave
620
Min. credit score
Min. credit score
3%
Min. down payment
Min. down payment
Atlanta, Georgia-based Amerisave is one of America's largest privately owned online mortgage lenders and has refinanced over 228,000 homes to date. On average, AmeriSave has the lowest refinance rates of all the lenders in Ohio, with APRs as low as 2.262% as of February 2021.
AmeriSave offers a digital prequalification process that only takes a few minutes and lets you view your available rates without requiring a Social Security number. If you're looking for a low-rate refinance mortgage, AmeriSave could be worth investigating.
- Simple prequalification. AmeriSave provides you with a rate quote without doing a hard credit check in most cases.
- Competitive refinance rates. AmeriSave offers competitive rates on refinance mortgages and will beat any offer or pay you $100.
- Strong customer reviews. The company has a 4.7 out of 5 rating on Zillow, with most customers reporting positive experiences.
- High application fee. AmeriSave charges a $500 loan application fee that's only refunded if the loan closes.
- Refund complaints. There are multiple complaints on BBB from customers wanting the $500 application fee refunded.
- No HELOCs. AmeriSave doesn't offer HELOCs or home equity loans, only cash-out refinances if you want to tap into your home's equity.
| Loan types | Conventional, Jumbo, FHA, VA, USDA, Refinance |
|---|---|
| Minimum credit score | Conventional: 620
FHA: 600 |
| Minimum down payment (Conventional) | 3% |
| States available | Not available in: NY |
Best for customer service
Synergy One Lending
620
Min. credit score
Min. credit score
3%
Min. down payment
Min. down payment
Synergy One Lending (S1) is a digital lender that comes highly rated by past customers. Whether you're looking to purchase or refinance, take advantage of S1's Modern Mortgage Experience, which aims to provide the right mix of modern technology with personal support.
The company offers a solid range of home loans, including conventional and government-backed loans, jumbo loans and reverse mortgages. To get started, visit the website or download the S1 Connect app, where you can apply for and track your loan right from your smartphone.
- S1 Connect app. Lets you apply from anywhere, upload and sign documents and communicate with your loan officer.
- Excellent reviews. Synergy One Lending has a 4.9 out of 5 rating on Zillow, where customers report being thrilled with the “above and beyond” service of the company's loan officers.
- 10-day close offer. Synergy One Lending has a 10-day close offer to help you compete with all-cash offers. Valid for Fannie Mae purchase loans.
- Fees not listed. The Synergy One Lending website doesn't list mortgage costs or fees.
- No HELOCs. If you want a HELOC, you'll need to look for another lender.
| Loan types | Conventional, Jumbo, FHA, VA, USDA, Reverse, Refinance |
|---|---|
| Minimum credit score | 620 |
| Minimum down payment (Conventional) | 3% |
| States available | AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NE, NM, OH, OK, OR, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, WA, WI, WY |
Best for first-time homebuyers:
CrossCountry Mortgage
620
Min. credit score
Min. credit score
3%
Min. down payment
Min. down payment
Founded in Cleveland, Ohio in 2003, CrossCountry Mortgage is a full-service lender offering a wide range of home loans. Mortgage options include conventional and government-backed loans and multiple refinance programs, including FHA, VA and USDA streamline refinance loans.
One standout feature of CrossCountry Mortgage is its willingness to approve borrowers with alternative lending criteria. Even without tax returns, strong credit borrowers may be eligible for a CrossCountry Mortgage loan through its Bank Statement Program.
- Bank Statement Program. If you're self-employed and/or have a strong credit history, tax returns may not be required to apply for a loan.
- Mortgage calculators. Use CrossCountry Mortgage's calculators to run your numbers under a variety of scenarios.
- HELOCs available. CrossCountry Mortgage offers HELOCs to provide cash when you need it.
- Website is unclear. The CrossCountry Mortgage website is confusing to navigate.
- No online prequalification. The company offers free rate quotes, but you must call or fill out a form and wait for a call back.
| Loan types | Conventional, Jumbo, FHA, VA, USDA, HELOC, Refinance |
|---|---|
| Minimum credit score | 620 |
| Minimum down payment (Conventional) | 3% |
| States available | Available in all states |
Which lender is best for me?
With literally hundreds of lenders available in Ohio, you may wonder if you’ve found the right company for your needs. The good news is that it’s possible to narrow down the choices by considering a few factors.
Here’s what to keep in mind.
- Look beyond interest rates. While interest rates are important, also consider a loan’s down payment and PMI requirements, points, term length, closing costs and other fees.
- Ensure the lender is a good fit. Lenders vary a lot. Are you after a traditional lender, a fully digital lender, or something in between? Online reviews are helpful in determining if a lender will be the right fit.
- Ask the lender questions:
- What fees do you charge?
- Can I buy points to lower my rate?
- How long can I lock my interest rate for?
- How long will the process take?
- Who is my contact person if I need help?
- Will you sell my loan after closing?
- Are there prepayment penalties?
- Get several quotes. Always get at least three or four quotes so you can compare offers and negotiate a better rate or lower fees.
Compare mortgage lenders
Compare top brands by home loan type, state availability and credit score. Select See rates to provide the lender with basic property and financial details for personalized rates.Average rates and fees in Ohio
As of February 17, 2021, the benchmark 30-year fixed mortgage rate in the US is 2.96%. According to data from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), most Ohio lenders are offering interest rates at or below 2.875%, with rates in the state ranging from 2.00% to 3.625% as of this writing.
Additionally, you can expect to pay around $3,360 after taxes for closing costs, or approximately 1.68% to 3.36% of your home’s final sale price, according to data from ClosingCorp. Research Ohio mortgage rates and closing costs for more details on what you can expect to pay.
What about brokers?
Aside from LendingTree, our list of the top nine Ohio lenders are companies that underwrite mortgage loans directly to consumers. However, if you don’t want to research and compare mortgage loans yourself, a mortgage broker can do the work for you.
If you use a broker, be prepared to pay around .5% to 2% of your loan’s value in commissions. Be sure to choose a mortgage broker carefully, as some charge excessive fees. But with many lenders offering free prequalification online, you may find that you can find a low rate on your own, minus the broker’s commission.
Bottom line
Whether you’re a new homebuyer or want to refinance your existing mortgage, there are many choices available. If one lender doesn’t have the right loan for your circumstances, another likely will. While our top Ohio lender picks will be just right for many borrowers, compare more lenders if you still need help finding the right fit.
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