Comparing home loans across SBI, HDFC, ICICI, Axis, and 3 NBFCs

What to compare

1. Headline interest rate (often advertised; check fine print for the "from" qualifier)
2. Processing fee (0.25-1% of loan amount)
3. Spread / floating-rate methodology
4. Prepayment charges (should be zero on floating-rate loans for individual borrowers)
5. Switching cost if you balance-transfer later
6. Customer-service responsiveness (especially during disbursal coordination)

Tier-1 lenders we work with regularly

• SBI, best for self-employed borrowers, slower disbursal
• HDFC, fastest disbursal, slightly higher rate
• ICICI, strong digital experience, good for salaried
• Axis, competitive on processing fees, good for joint applicants
• Kotak, best for HNI, premium service
• LIC Housing, competitive on long-tenure loans
• Bajaj Housing Finance, good for self-employed with complex income
• Tata Capital, strong for upgrades/balance transfers

When NBFCs make sense

• You're self-employed with seasonal income
• You need a loan-against-property top-up
• Tier-1 banks have rejected for documentation reasons that an NBFC will accept

Practical advice

Don't lock the loan before booking. Get 3-4 written quotes the week before Sale Agreement. Rates move; use the offer competition.