Best Mortgage Lenders in Ohio

Angel Oak Mortgage Solutions and Rocket Mortgage® are recognized as the top mortgage lenders in Ohio

Buying a home can be exciting and filled with lots of important decisions. One of the biggest decisions you’ll have to make when you buy a home in Ohio is which mortgage lender to work with. That's why you need to know the best mortgage lenders in Ohio.

We’ll explain the different types of mortgage types and terms, then walk you through how to search for a good lender. Lastly, we’ll show you the top mortgage lenders in the Buckeye State so you can get the mortgage that’s right for you.

Quick Look at the Best Mortgage Lenders in Ohio:

• Best for Bank Statement Loans: Angel Oak Mortgage Solutions
• Best for Online Loans: Rocket Mortgage®
• Best for First Time Home Buyers: Fairway Bank
• Best for Low- and Mid-Income Home Buyers: PNC
• Best for Government Loans: Flagstar
• Best for Face-to-Face Service: Chase Bank
• Best for VA Loans in Ohio: Veterans United

Top Mortgage Companies in Ohio

Now you’re ready to look for your perfect lender! We’ve put together a list of the top mortgage lenders in Ohio and grouped them into 5 categories to help you choose the right one for your new home.

1. Best for Bank of Statement Loans: Angel Oak Mortgage Solutions

Angel Oak Mortgage Solutions is a full-service mortgage lender offering traditional and portfolio Non-QM mortgage loans. Angel Oak is licensed in 45 states and offers competitive mortgage rates and quick closing times. 

Angel Oak Mortgage Solutions offers a wide range of mortgage solutions for various needs. Whether you are looking to purchase a home, cash-out on your current property, or refinance at a different rate, they have options for you.

With loan amounts available up to $3.5 million, they can support you in financing properties of different values. They cater to primary residences, second homes, and investment properties, and accommodate various types of properties such as single-family homes, townhomes, and condos.

As an added convenience, they offer options for self-employed borrowers and real estate investors who may not have tax returns readily available. They also provide opportunities for those with 1099 income and offer government loan products like FHA, USDA, and VA loans.

With competitive rates on conventional purchase and refinance, Angel Oak Mortgage Solutions ensures that you have options to suit your financial goals.

Rocket Mortgage® is a leader in mortgages throughout the country and Ohio.

Rocket Mortgage® it easy to apply fully online with an intuitive application process, quick income verification design and 24/7 customer service representatives. Rocket Mortgage® offers conventional, FHA, VA and USDA loans.

3. Best for First-Time Home Buyers: Fairway Bank

Fairway Bank is a top mortgage lender for many first-time homebuyers in Ohio because the company doesn’t have a credit score requirement.

This makes it easier for you to get approved if you’re in the process of working on your credit. You’ll also be able to get low down payment options and a large selection of mortgages. Fairway Bank offers conventional, FHA, VA and USDA loans.

4. Best for Low- and Mid-Income Buyers: PNC

Do you have a low income but still need a bank that will help you get approved for a home? PNC might be the right choice for you.

PNC offers small down payment options, and down payment loan assistance and takes non-traditional credit (like rent and utility payments) into account when it looks at your credit score.

PNC offers conventional, FHA, VA and USDA loans.

5. Best for Government Loans: Flagstar

Flagstar offers a large selection of government-backed mortgages. The company allows you to see your personalized rates online and make the online application process smooth and simple.

Flagstar provides conventional, FHA, VA and USDA loans.

6. Best for Face-to-Face Service: Chase Bank

Don’t want to spend your time navigating through an online mortgage application?

Try Chase Bank instead. You can apply for a mortgage in person and get advice and answers from loan officers.

Chase Bank also offers discounts to existing customers and provides conventional, FHA, VA and USDA loans.

7. Best for VA Loans: Veterans United

If you’ve logged some time in the military, Veterans United’s loans will likely be the best deal. Unlike other veteran-marketed loan programs, Veterans United only accepts active duty and veteran military members.

In addition to no-down-payment loans, you’ll also eliminate the private mortgage insurance you’ll have to pay with other mortgages.

Veterans United is also more forgiving of lower credit scores. Interest rates are lower than average.

Mortgages Explained

You’ll find various types of mortgages to choose from, each with different terms. The type of mortgage you choose refers to the way the mortgage is funded and the incentives offered to you. The mortgage term refers to the length of time of your home loan.

Let’s take a look at 4 of the top types of mortgages.

Conventional

A conventional mortgage is the most popular type of home loan. These loans are funded privately through banks, credit unions and other financial institutions.

A conventional mortgage tends to have higher interest rates because it’s not backed by the government. Conventional loans offer more flexible eligibility terms, which can make it easier for you to get financing approval.

Some conventional mortgages offer low down payment options, though if you put down less than 20%, you’ll need to pay private mortgage insurance (PMI) each month. This protects your lender in case you default on your loan.

FHA

An FHA mortgage is a type of home loan generally geared toward first-time homebuyers. FHA loans are backed by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) and typically have lower-than-market interest rates.

FHA loans offer low down payment options with as little as 3.5% down. FHA loans also have low credit score requirements — scores can range from 500–580. You can apply for an FHA loan through most major conventional lenders.

Let’s say you put less than 20% down on your home. You’ll be required to purchase an FHA mortgage insurance premium (MIP). You’ll pay 1.75% of the home value at the time of closing and between 0.45% and 1.05% of your home’s value each year.

VA

A VA mortgage is a type of home loan offered to veterans, current military members and their families. VA loans are backed by the Department of Veteran Affairs and typically have lower-than-market interest rates.

VA loans offer no down payment options, have no credit score minimum (though most lenders set one) and are offered by VA-only and conventional lenders.

You won’t need to purchase mortgage insurance with a VA loan, but you will need to pay an origination fee to cover loan processing charges.

USDA

A USDA mortgage is a type of home loan used for homes located in rural areas of the country. Most homes outside of major cities qualify for a USDA home. USDA loans are backed by the Department of Agriculture and offer lower-than-market interest rates. 

USDA loans offer low- to no-down-payment options, have low credit score requirements (minimum of 640) and offer low-interest rates on mortgage insurance.

You’ll need to purchase USDA mortgage insurance if you put less than 20% down on your home. Similar to PMI, USDA mortgage insurance costs 1% of your home’s value at the time of closing and 0.35% of your home’s value each year.

Next, let’s look at a few popular mortgage terms.

30-Year Fixed

A 30-year fixed mortgage term refers to a home loan with a fixed mortgage rate — the same monthly payment — for 30 years. You can make smaller monthly payments with a 30-year fixed mortgage, though you’ll pay more interest than with shorter fixed-term loans.

15-Year Fixed

A 15-year fixed mortgage term is similar to a 30-year fixed mortgage, except the loan term only lasts 15 years. This means your monthly payments would be higher than with a 30-year loan, though you’ll ultimately end up paying less in interest.

5/1 ARM

Adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) refer to any mortgage without a fixed rate for the duration of the loan term. ARMs typically have fixed rates for an introductory period, then the rate changes. A 5/1 ARM locks in your introductory rate for 5 years and then it fluctuates based on the market.

Which Mortgage Lender is Best for You?

Now that you understand the different types of mortgages, you’re ready to take the next steps to decide which lender is right for you. 

Here are some factors you should consider as you search for a mortgage lender:

• Lender type: There are two main kinds of mortgage lenders: traditional brick-and-mortar lenders and online lenders. Both types might have access to the same mortgage offerings but you’ll want to decide which type of experience is most important for you. Would you rather look someone in the eye as you apply for a mortgage? If so, look for a physical mortgage branch. On the other hand, if speed is important, an online lender might be right for you.
• Lender incentives: Not all lenders offer the same types of mortgages or incentives. Some lenders might offer low down payment mortgages that help you save more money at closing. Others might offer discounts for existing bank customers. Figure out which incentives you’re most interested in before you shop.
• Lender qualifications: Each lender has its own criteria for evaluating buyers. Finding a lender with low or no credit score minimums might be important if you’re a first-time buyer or low- to the mid-income buyer.
• Lender processing time: Every lender processes home loans in a different amount of time. If you need to act on a home fast, you’ll want to find a lender that can push your closing through in 30 days or less.

Lender Credit Score Minimums in Ohio

Lenders will look at your credit score when they decide whether to approve you for a loan. Your credit score reflects the way you handle debt. Lenders specifically look at how quickly you pay off debts and how much credit you tend to use.

Not all lenders have the same credit score criteria for loans. Benzinga has compiled some of the top Ohio lenders’ credit score requirements below.

Current Mortgage Rates in Ohio

Your credit score, how much of the home’s value you’re financing, the location of the home, loan type and loan term will determine your mortgage rate. Compare 30-year fixed rates to 15-year fixed mortgages and you’ll see that 15-year mortgages tend to have the lowest mortgage rates, since these loans are paid off sooner than others.

Here are the current average mortgage rates in Ohio for the 3 most popular loan terms. These rates may fluctuate as the market changes.

Average Days to Close on a Loan

When you close on your home loan, you’ll finalize all remaining paperwork, have your down payment and closing costs ready, take a final walkthrough of your home and receive your keys.

The closing process can take between 30–45 days, depending on your lender. Here’s how long it takes to close with Ohio’s top mortgage lenders.

Buy Your Ohio Home with Confidence

Finding the right mortgage lender for your new Ohio home is a step you shouldn’t take lightly. First, it’s important to decide on the mortgage type and term that best suits your needs, then start your lender search.

Still curious about purchase loan options and home loans used to buy a home? You can also refinance an existing home with a conventional or FHA loan.

Don’t forget to shop for lender incentives when you apply for a mortgage — down payment assistance can help keep more money in your pocket when you close. Focus on the benefits that are most important to you and find a lender that aligns with your goals.

Frequently Asked Questions