If you’re interested in buying a home in Montana, you’ll be in good company. Though there are just 515,000 housing units in the state, the homeownership rate of 68% is above the national average, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2018 American Community Survey.
Montana’s median housing value is $249,200, which is just above the national median of $229,700. Home values range widely by region, however, with the lowest counties reporting a median of $89,800, and the highest median going up to $330,400.
U.S. News’ Best Montana Mortgage Lenders of 2021
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Before You Apply
- Mortgage types: conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, ARM, Carrington Flexible Advantage, first-time buyers, refinancing
- Minimum FICO credit score: 500
- Maximum loan amount: $2.5 million
- Better Business Bureau rating: A+
Best Features
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Applicants with credit scores as low as 500 are accepted for some products.
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Conventional loans are offered with down payments as low as 3%.
Before You Apply
- Mortgage types: fixed rate, ARM, conventional, USDA/Rural Development, FHA, VA, jumbo, refinance, renovation, reverse mortgage
- Minimum FICO credit score: 580
- Maximum loan amount: undisclosed
- Better Business Bureau rating: A+
Best Features
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The selection of mortgages includes VA and USDA loans, which often have no down payment requirements.
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The company has an A+ customer service rating with the Better Business Bureau.
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Renovation loan options include the HomeStyle Renovation Loan, which combines the cost of remodeling and the mortgage into one loan.
Best for consumers with credit scores between poor and good
Before You Apply
- Mortgage types: conventional, fixed rate, ARM, FHA, refinance, VA, FHA Streamline Refinance, Refi Plus, VA Streamline Refinance
- Minimum FICO credit score: 620
- Maximum loan amount: Not disclosed
- Better Business Bureau rating: A+
Best Features
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Borrowers with fair credit may qualify.
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It features a simple online application process.
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VA loan borrowers aren’t charged lender fees.
Before You Apply
- Mortgage types: conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, ARM, refinancing, renovation, jumbo
- Minimum FICO credit score: 620
- Maximum loan amount: $2 million
- Better Business Bureau rating: A+
Best Features
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A broad range of mortgage products are offered.
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Special mortgage programs for first-time buyers and manufactured homebuyers are available.
Before You Apply
- Mortgage types: VA, VA jumbo, refinance
- Minimum FICO credit score: 640
- Maximum loan amount: $1.5 million
- Better Business Bureau rating: A+
Best online bank for customer service
Before You Apply
- Mortgage types: fixed rate, ARM, home equity loans, refinancing, HomeReady for first-time homebuyers
- Minimum FICO credit score: 620
- Maximum loan amount: $4 million
- Better Business Bureau rating: A+
Best Features
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A program is available for first-time homebuyers.
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Existing Ally customers can get a closing cost discount.
Before You Apply
- Mortgage types: fixed rate, Affordable Loan Solution, FHA, VA, ARM, home equity line of credit, fixed-rate refinancing, FHA refinancing, VA refinancing, cash-out refinancing, adjustable-rate refinancing, jumbo
- Minimum FICO credit score: Not disclosed
- Maximum loan amount: $2.5 million
- Better Business Bureau rating: A+
Best Features
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Bank of America has a wide variety of mortgage products.
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The lender offers origination fee discounts for qualifying Bank of America and Merrill Lynch clients.
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Home equity lines of credit have no annual, application or cash advance fees or closing costs.
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Bank of America offers a first-time homebuyer program.
Before You Apply
- Mortgage types: fixed rate, FHA, VA, USDA, ARM, home equity line of credit, refinancing, medical professional mortgage program, jumbo, PNC Community
- Minimum FICO credit score: Not disclosed
- Maximum loan amount: $5 million
- Better Business Bureau rating: A+
Best Features
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Multiple types of mortgages are available.
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Some mortgage options require no or low down payments.
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PNC supplies an online home ownership cost tool.
Before You Apply
- Mortgage types: Traditional, ARM, refinancing, home equity line of credit, Alliant Advantage Mortgage
- Minimum FICO credit score: 620
- Maximum loan amount: $2.5 million
- Better Business Bureau rating: A+
Best Features
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No-down-payment mortgages are available for first-time homebuyers with excellent credit.
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Mortgages are available to borrowers with FICO credit scores as low as 620.
Before You Apply
- Mortgage types: conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, ARM, refinancing, bond, renovation, Freddie Mac HomeOne, Freddie Mac Home Possible, Fannie Mae HomeReady
- Minimum FICO credit score: 620
- Maximum loan amount: $3 million
- Better Business Bureau rating: A
Best Features
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The first-time homebuyer program HomeOne can require a down payment of as little as 3% and borrowers may qualify with a minimum 620 credit score.
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Government-insured loans including Federal Housing Administration, Veterans Affairs, and United States Department of Agriculture programs are available.
What Are the Mortgage Rates in Montana?
Home interest rates range from 2.5% to 3.63% in Montana.
What Are Today’s Mortgage Rates?
Mortgage Calculator
Is your dream home within reach? U.S. News’ mortgage calculator will show you how much house you can afford.
What Are Some Montana Homebuyer Programs?
Montana homebuyers can get help with down payments and closing costs from these Montana Housing programs.
Available to: First-time homebuyers who first qualify for a Federal Housing Administration, Veterans Affairs, United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development or Section 184 Indian Home Loan Guarantee Program first mortgage loan.
Income limits: Vary by county (see income limits).
First-time homebuyers only?: Yes.
Benefits: A lower interest rate.
Down payment and closing cost assistance: Programs are available and may be combined.
Available to: Borrowers who are eligible for a Regular Bond Program loan with a minimum credit score of 620; completion of a buyer education program is also required.
Income limits: Vary by county (see income limits).
First-time homebuyers only?: Yes.
Down payment and closing cost assistance: Available for up to 5% of the sales price, maximum $10,000, as a 15-year amortizing loan with low monthly payments and the same fixed rate as the main loan. Borrowers must contribute at least $1,000 of their own funds.
Available to: Borrowers with a minimum credit score of 620 and maximum debt-to-income of 43%; completion of a buyer education program is also required.
Income limits: $55,000
First-time homebuyers only?: Yes.
Down payment and closing cost assistance: Available for up to 5% of the sales price, maximum $6,500, as a 0% second loan with no monthly payments. Borrowers must contribute at least $1,000 of their own funds.
Available to: Homebuyers who are eligible for Montana Housing financing.
Income limits: Vary by county (see income limits).
First-time homebuyers only?: No.
Benefits: This is a 30-year mortgage loan at 80% loan-to-value that is combined with a second loan at 20% LTV offered by a partnering nonprofit.
Available to: Montana residents serving or who have served in the military through the federal armed services or the Montana National Guard.
Income limits: No income, purchase price or asset limits apply.
First-time homebuyers only?: No.
Benefits: Mortgage interest rate is 1% lower than market rate.
Available to: Homebuyers who meet the same IRS eligibility requirements as the Montana Housing loan programs, but Montana Housing loans are not eligible for MCC.
Income limits: N/A.
First-time homebuyers only?: Yes.
Benefit: A tax credit that reduces the amount of federal income tax paid by a first-time homebuyer. The tax credit is equal to 20% of the mortgage interest (not to exceed $2,000) paid during the tax year.
View More Best Montana Mortgage Lenders
Before You Apply
- Mortgage types: conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, jumbo, All in One Loan, 203K Renovation Loan, Fannie Mae HomeReady, Freddie Mac Home Possible, HomeFundIt, refinance
- Minimum FICO credit score: 620
- Maximum loan amount: $3 million
- Better Business Bureau rating: A+
Best Features
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Exclusive mortgage products include the HomeFundIt for crowdfunding a down payment.
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The lender has a national presence with regional fulfillment and local support.
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CMG Financial offers a mobile app.
Before You Apply
- Mortgage types: conventional, VA, ARM, FHA, USDA, jumbo, refinance, home equity
- Minimum FICO credit score: Not disclosed
- Maximum loan amount: $3 million
- Better Business Bureau rating: A+
Best Features
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Flagstar Bank provides a broad selection of mortgages and home equity loans.
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Some mortgages require no or a low down payment.
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Borrowers can apply for loans online.
Before You Apply
- Mortgage types: refinance, jumbo, hybrid ARM, fixed rate, HARP, VA, FHA, 203k loan
- Minimum FICO credit score: 620
- Maximum loan amount: $3 million
- Better Business Bureau rating: A+
Best Features
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LoanDepot mortgages have a lifetime guarantee, which means if you ever decide to refinance an existing LoanDepot loan, the company will waive the lender fees and reimburse appraisal fees.
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The company offers a variety of mortgage products.
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It’s licensed in all 50 states.
Best for digital customer care
Before You Apply
- Mortgage types: fixed rate, ARM, conventional, cash-out refinance, refinance, jumbo, FHA, VA, USDA, new construction, interest rate reduction refinance loan
- Minimum FICO credit score: 640
- Maximum loan amount: undisclosed
- Better Business Bureau rating: A+
Best Features
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Homebuyers can choose from a variety of mortgage products.
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Home loans are available nationwide.
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Down payment and closing cost assistance is available.
Before You Apply
- Mortgage types: conventional, jumbo, FHA, VA, USDA, HomeReady, High Balance/Super Conforming, Energy Efficient Mortgage, FHA
- Minimum FICO credit score: Not disclosed
- Maximum loan amount: $2 million
- Better Business Bureau rating: A+
Best Features
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Varied loan options are available.
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McGlone Mortgage Group offers mortgage calculators and other tools.
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Co-signers are allowed for most loans.
Best for conventional mortgage
Before You Apply
- Mortgage types: conventional, ARM, refinance, HELOC, jumbo, fixed rate
- Minimum FICO credit score: undisclosed
- Maximum loan amount: undisclosed
- Better Business Bureau rating: A+
Best Features
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Citizens Bank provides a homebuying service with rewards for borrowers in select states.
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Homebuyers can get an interest rate discount for qualifying automatic payments.
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Borrowers can apply online.
Before You Apply
- Mortgage types: conventional, FHA, VA, ARM, refinancing
- Minimum FICO credit score: 620
- Maximum loan amount: $765,600
- Better Business Bureau rating: A+
Best Features
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PennyMac accepts a 50% debt-to-income ratio for conventional loans in some instances.
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Online capabilities include a 24/7 access center and email status updates.
Before You Apply
- Mortgage types: ARM, cash-out refinance, conventional, FHA, HELOCs, jumbo, reverse, USDA and VA
- Minimum FICO credit score: 620
- Maximum loan amount: $3 million
- Better Business Bureau rating: A+
Best Features
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Provides multiple mortgage options, including low and no down-payment loans
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Offers fixed- or adjustable-rate mortgages
Highlights
• Mortgage types offered: Conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, Refinancing (conventional), Refinancing (FHA), Refinancing (VA), Refinancing (USDA)
• Minimum FICO score: 620 (conventional), No minimum (VA), 540 (FHA), No minimum (USDA)
• Max DTI: Not disclosed
• J.D. Power satisfaction rating: Two out of five
Best Features
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Wide selection of mortgage loans.
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Prequalification is available.
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Borrowers with fair credit may qualify.
Advertising Disclosure: Some of the loan offers on this site are from companies
who are advertising clients of U.S. News. Advertising considerations may impact
where offers appear on the site but do not affect any editorial decisions,
such as which loan products we write about and how we evaluate them. This site
does not include all loan companies or all loan offers available in the marketplace.
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