Top Mortgage Lenders for First-Time Homebuyers in 2026
Margaret Hills
Published Dec 17, 2025
There’s some good news and some not-so-good news for home buyers: Mortgage rates are expected to go down a bit in the new year, but probably won’t drop much below 6%.
Here are some lenders that may help you buy your first home in 2026:
1. Better – Best for Low Rates
Better is an online-only mortgage lender. Since it doesn’t have physical branches, it can often offer lower rates. You can get preapproved in as little as three minutes and get help any time of day.
However, Better doesn’t offer USDA loans and you can’t visit in person.
- Types of loans: Conventional, FHA, Jumbo, ARM
- Credit score needed: 620
- Minimum down payment: 3.5% (for FHA loans)
2. Chase Bank – Best for In-Person Experience
Chase Bank has over 4,000 branches across the country, making it a good choice if you want face-to-face service.
Chase offers special loans for first-time buyers, like the DreaMaker mortgage, which lets some people put as little as 3% down. Some customers in certain cities can also get up to $10,000 to help with their down payment or closing costs.
- Types of loans: Conventional, FHA, VA, DreaMaker, Jumbo
- Credit score needed: 620
- Minimum down payment: 3% (for DreaMaker loans)
3. Rocket Mortgage – Best Online Experience
Rocket Mortgage is known for great customer service and helpful online tools.
With its ONE+ program, buyers with lower incomes can get a grant to cover 2% of their down payment (up to $7,000), if they can put down at least 1%. All services are online—there are no physical locations.
- Types of loans: Conventional, FHA, VA, Jumbo, low-down-payment mortgages
- Credit score needed: 620 for conventional loans
- Minimum down payment: As low as 1% (for certain programs)
-
Need help with your down payment? Find resources and assistance here!
Weekly newsletter
Receive the latest releases and exclusive articles straight to your inbox every week.
Related Articles
View all posts
Top Mortgage Lenders for First-Time Homebuyers in 2026...
If you’re thinking about buying a home in 2026, you may be wondering what will happen with mortgage rates. There’s some good news and some not-so-good news for home buyers: Mortgage rates are expected ...
Thinking About Refinancing Your Mortgage in Early 2026? Here’s What You Need to Know...
If you’re a homeowner with a mortgage, you might be wondering if 2026 is a good time to refinance your loan, especially if you locked in a high interest rate in recent years. ...
New Conventional Loan Limits for 2026...
If you plan to buy a home in 2026 and use a conventional loan, there is a new limit on how much you can borrow without needing a special type of mortgage. The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) recently announced these limits. ...
10 States Where You Can Save for a Down Payment the Fastest
Saving up for a down payment on a house can be a long process. In some states, it might take just under a decade, while in others, it could take much longer—sometimes decades. Many people find it discourag...
Fed Rate Cut: Homebuyers Save on Mortgage Payments...
The Federal Reserve lowered interest rates in October 2025. This move has affected the housing market, making many people—especially those wanting to buy or refinance a home—curious about how much a monthl...
Thinking About Buying a House in Early 2026? Here’s How to Get Ready...
If you’re planning to buy a house in 2026, it’s a good idea to start getting prepared now. The housing market has been unpredictable in recent years, but things may become less hectic for ...
