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If you’re thinking of buying a home in Arkansas, there are a lot of options. There are nearly 1.4 million housing units in the state, and the homeownership rate of 66% is just above the national average of 64%, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2018 American Community Survey.
Arkansas’s median housing value is $133,100, which is well below the national median of $229,700. Although home values vary by region, they remain relatively low across the state, with the highest reported median price by county being $172,000.
U.S. News’ Best Arkansas 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 Arkansas?
The average 30-year, fixed-rate conforming mortgage rate in Arkansas is 2.63%.
Annual percentage rates available for a home loan in Arkansas range from 2.5% to 2.75%.
What Are Today’s Mortgage Rates?
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Loan Types |
This Week’s Rate |
Last Week’s Rate |
| 30-year fixed-rate mortgage | 2.96% | 2.82% |
| 15-year fixed-rate mortgage | 2.4% | 2.33% |
| 30-year fixed-rate jumbo mortgage | 3.01% | 2.84% |
| 5/1 ARM | 2.94% | 2.95% |
| 5/1 jumbo ARM | 2.91% | 2.91% |
*Rates as of Feb. 17, 2021
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 Arkansas Homebuyer Programs?
Arkansas homebuyers can get help with down payments and closing costs from these Arkansas Development Finance Authority homeownership and down payment assistance programs.
- Available to: First mortgage borrowers.
- Income limits: Vary by county.
- First-time homebuyers only?: No.
- Loan options: 30-year fixed-rate mortgages.
- Down payment and closing cost assistance: May be combined with other ADFA programs if eligible.
- Available to: Borrowers with low to moderate income who are either first-time homebuyers, a veteran or veteran’s spouse, or purchasing a home in a targeted county. Borrowers must also be using one of ADFA’s mortgage programs.
- Income limits: Vary by county (see income limits).
- First-time homebuyers only?: No.
- Benefit: Qualifying tax-paying homebuyers can claim a tax credit of up to 50% of the mortgage interest paid per year, capped at $2,000 annually. The credit may be claimed for the life of the loan as long as the home remains the primary residence.
- Available to: Applicants of an ADFA Move-Up first mortgage who complete a homebuyer education class.
- Income limits: Vary by county.
- First-time homebuyers only?: No.
- Down payment and closing cost assistance: Borrowers get $1,000 to $10,000 for closing cost assistance from a second mortgage with a 10-year term.
- Available to: Qualifying low-income Arkansans who complete a homebuyer education class.
- Income limits: Vary by county (see income limits).
- First-time homebuyers only?: No.
- Down payment and closing cost assistance: Down payment assistance of up to 10% of the purchase price of the home, not to exceed $10,000, as a second mortgage loan forgivable over five years.
View More Best Arkansas 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 offered: conventional, ARM, conforming, FHA, DreaMaker, VA, jumbo, refinancing
- Minimum FICO credit score: 620
- Maximum loan amount: $3 million
- Better Business Bureau rating: A+
Best Features
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Down payments as low as 3% are accepted.
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Fixed- and adjustable-rate mortgages are available.
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.
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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