Best mortgage lenders for first-time homebuyers in 2026
Our list of lenders best suited to helping out a novice homeowner-to-be.
Katie Lowery is an editor on the Loans and Home Lending teams, where she shapes content to help people navigate borrowing money, personal finance and overall financial health. She’s passionate about financial literacy and strives to help consumers make informed decisions with their money.
Before joining Bankrate, Katie edited personal finance content at LendingTree and CNN Underscored Money. She has spent more than a decade editing financial and economic content and was the sole editor of several award-winning books. When she’s not exploring the latest lending trends, Katie enjoys knitting, tending to her growing plant collection and traveling with her family. She currently lives outside Austin, Texas.
Borrowing money and managing debt can feel overwhelming, but if you have an understanding of the process and a clear goal in mind, your money can work for you. A great first step is to check your credit score and reports, then focus on improving your credit profile so you’re well positioned to borrow at an affordable rate.
Our list of lenders best suited to helping out a novice homeowner-to-be.
If you’re serious about buying a home, it’s the first thing you should do.
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