If you’re looking to settle down in the state of Mount Rushmore, South Dakota is waiting for you. Though there are just 398,000 housing units, the homeownership rate of 68% is above the national average, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2018 American Community Survey.
South Dakota’s median housing value is $171,500, which is well below the national median of $229,700. Although home values vary by region, they still remain relatively low across the state, with the highest counties reporting a median price of $218,400.
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
|

Caliber Home Loans of Coppell, Texas, offers mortgage products nationwide. Options include conventional, adjustable-rate, jumbo, refinancing, Federal Housing Administration, U.S. Department of Agriculture and Department of Veterans Affairs loans. Caliber has been in business since 2008, and is solely focused on home lending products.

Carrington Mortgage Services, founded in 2007, offers an array of mortgage and refinancing options to borrowers seeking conventional or government-backed loans. Its California-based parent company, Carrington Holding Co., was established in 2003 and provides a range of real estate services. Carrington Mortgage Services is based in California and also has offices in Arizona, Connecticut, Florida, Indiana and Maryland.

Pentagon Federal Credit Union, widely known as PenFed, offers borrowers access to many types of mortgages: conventional, adjustable rate, jumbo and Department of Veterans Affairs, plus refinancing loans and home equity lines of credit. The financial institution, which serves 2.5 million members, was established in 1935 and is based in McLean, Virginia.

AmeriSave Mortgage Corp. is an online lender that has been in business since 2002. It was one of the first to offer an offsite digital mortgage experience for customers. The company says it has financed more than 664,000 borrowers since it began operating. With headquarters in Atlanta, AmeriSave services loans in 49 states and Washington, D.C.

Veterans United Home Loans offers mortgages in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., and specializes in Department of Veterans Affairs loans. Since 2016, Veterans United Home Loans has generated the largest number of VA purchase loans per year in the nation. The lender was founded in 2002 and is based in Columbia, Missouri.
The average mortgage rate in South Dakota is currently 6.71% for the 30-year fixed loan term.
Here are the interest rates offered to South Dakota residents looking to buy or refinance a home as of 01/03/2023:
- 30-year fixed purchase: 6.71%
- 15-year fixed purchase: 5.49%
Is your dream home within reach? U.S. News’ mortgage calculator will show you how much house you can afford.
South Dakota homebuyers can get help with down payments and closing costs from these South Dakota Housing Development Authority programs.
Available to: First-time homebuyers of homes with purchase prices below $275,000 or buyers who haven’t owned a home in three years; you can also ask for a veterans waiver to see if you qualify.
Income limits: Vary by county (see income limits).
First-time homebuyers only?: No.
Benefits: Low-interest loans.
Available to: Eligible homebuyers who are purchasing a primary residence in South Dakota.
Income limits: Vary by county.
First-time homebuyers only?: No.
Down payment and closing cost assistance: The Fixed Rate Plus loan allows for down payment funds of 3% of the first mortgage loan as a second mortgage at 0% interest rate, due-on-sale or satisfaction, with no payments and no additional fees.
Available to: Homebuyers with a minimum credit score of 620 who are purchasing a home less than $336,000.
Income limits: $93,360 to $105,420.
First-time homebuyers only?: No.
Benefits: Low-interest loans, reduced paperwork, reduced mortgage insurance.
Down payment and closing cost assistance: Can include down payment and closing cost assistance.
Available to: Homebuyers meeting specific income and asset requirements. Homes are built by prison inmates and are energy efficient and low maintenance. Various financing options are available.
Income limits: Vary by age and family size (see income limits).
First-time homebuyers only?: No.
Down payment and closing cost assistance: Ask your lender about financing options.
U.S. News selects the Best Loan Companies by evaluating affordability, borrower eligibility criteria and customer service. Those with the highest overall scores are considered the best lenders.
To calculate each score, we use data about the lender and its loan offerings, giving greater weight to factors that matter most to borrowers. For mortgage lenders, we take into account each company’s customer service ratings, interest rates, loan product availability, minimum down payment, minimum FICO score and online features.
The weight each scoring factor receives is based on a nationwide survey on what borrowers look for in a lender.
To receive a rating, lenders must offer qualifying loans nationwide and have a good reputation within the industry. Read more about our methodology.
To recap, here are the picks:
Best South Dakota Mortgage Lenders of 2023

Founded in 1990 and headquartered in Mount Laurel, New Jersey, Freedom Mortgage is a full-service mortgage company. It’s the fifth-largest mortgage provider in the country and is licensed to operate in all 50 states. Freedom Mortgage offers a variety of mortgage options, including conventional loans, refinancing and first-time homebuyer friendly programs such as FHA loans.

LoanDepot is a mortgage lender that operates nationally with more than 200 branches and delivers both a digital experience and face-to-face service. The lender offers fixed- and adjustable-rate conventional mortgages, Federal Housing Administration and Department of Veterans Affairs loans, as well as refinance and renovation loans. The company was founded in 2010 and is based in Foothill Ranch, California.

Guaranteed Rate, founded in 2000 and based in Chicago, offers mortgage options including conventional loans, Federal Housing Administration loans, jumbo loans and interest-only loans to customers in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Borrowers can take advantage of specialized loan products and Guaranteed Rate’s online application, documentation and loan payment options.
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.