Motley Fool Money's 2023 Mortgage Lender Awards
How we chose the winners
To determine the Best Mortgage Lenders awards for 2023, Motley Fool Money’s experts evaluated accounts with our ratings model, focusing on industry factors and user benefits, including:
- Competitive rates and fees
- Customer service
- Online experience
- Loan options
Top-rated offerings were selected that we think represent the top pick for the average customer in each category. Our final awards winners were determined by vote to ensure objectivity, with a final Golden Rule check: would we recommend them to a family or friend? Special attention was also paid to:
- The application process
- Geographic availability
- Customer service channel options
- Down payment options
Best Mortgage Lender Overall
Rocket Mortgage®

Although all top mortgage lenders have strong programs these days, Rocket Mortgage stands out among the crowd. Rocket offers programs to help fight against inflation, and it even offers fee-free refinancing for those who qualify.
Best Mortgage Lender for Purchases
Better

Homebuyers will appreciate Better Mortgage’s all-digital platform, simple application, transparency regarding rates, and limited fees. Better is just a great all-around lender.
Best Mortgage Lender for First-Time Home Buyers
Better

Better’s all-in-one model is very appealing to first-time home buyers. Buying a home can be very overwhelming, but having your real estate agent and loan officer under one roof – with a discount for doing so – is very attractive.
Best Mortgage Lender for Refinancing
Rocket Mortgage®

Rocket comes out on top by offering competitive rates, and it shines with its refinancing rate lock program along with fee-free refinancing if rates continue to drop.
Best Mortgage Lender for FHA Loans
PNC Mortgage

With a variety of loan length options available, PNC becomes an attractive option for people looking to pay off loans quickly. PNC also offers support for low-income borrowers and provides some ways to avoid extra payments.
Best Mortgage Lender for VA Loans
Navy Federal Credit Union Mortgage

Navy Federal Credit Union has been a leader in the mortgage lending category by consistently offering lower rates and having lower costs than any other lender. Navy Federal Credit Union is extremely flexible and offers more advantages for the military community than any other lender.
Best Mortgage Lender for Online Mortgages
Rocket Mortgage®

The original online lender has streamlined their process so that just about anyone can feel comfortable using their services. And, if a borrower needs extra help, Rocket offers excellent customer service.
Best Mortgage Lender for People Building Credit
Carrington Mortgage Services

Carrington Mortgage Services offers multiple loan options for people with imperfect credit. Carrington’s flexible program will help open doors for borrowers who might otherwise be left out.
Best Mortgage Lender for USDA Loans
AmeriSave Mortgage Corporation

AmeriSave offers loans with little to no fees — including the absence of an origination fee. As a veteran in the mortgage lending industry, AmeriSave can save borrowers thousands of dollars.
Best Mortgage Lender for HELOCs
PNC Mortgage

PNC offers high limits and the ability to choose between fixed or variable interest rates, which can save borrowers a ton of money. Additionally, making payments from a PNC account might also yield more discounts.
Best Mortgage Lender App
Rocket Mortgage®

The Rocket Mortgage app can do it all – it’s accurate, easy to use, and robust. The technology is great, which is reflected in the overwhelmingly positive user reviews.
Explore other product winners
