Florida Mortgage Broker

Q: What's the difference between a Florida mortgage broker and a lender?

A lender funds loans with their own money and sells their own products. A mortgage broker like Elevation does not fund loans directly. Instead, we submit your file to the lender whose programs and rates best match your situation. Because we work with many lenders, we offer more options than any single bank.

Q: Does Elevation Mortgage charge a broker fee?

In most cases, our pay comes from the lender on the wholesale side. That means you pay the same or less than you would going to that lender directly. We explain the full fee structure during your consultation so there are no surprises at closing.

Q: Can you help with Florida condo financing?

Yes. Condo financing in Florida is more complex than most buyers expect. After the Surfside building collapse, state law now requires structural inspections and reserve studies for older buildings. Some lenders have added overlays that block financing for certain condo projects. We know which lenders approve which buildings.

Q: What if I'm self-employed or have non-traditional income?

Florida has a large self-employed population. If your tax returns don't reflect your real earning power, we have non-QM options that use 12 or 24 months of bank statements instead. We also offer asset depletion programs for retirees and DSCR loans for real estate investors.

Q: How do Florida insurance costs affect my mortgage?

Lenders include homeowners insurance and flood insurance in your monthly qualifying payment. In Florida, those premiums can be high enough to reduce the loan amount you qualify for. We build real insurance estimates into your pre-approval from the start so you shop for homes within a budget that actually works.

700+ Closings
Multiple Lenders Working for You.

Elevation Mortgage is an independent Florida mortgage broker with access to dozens of wholesale lenders. We don’t sell one bank’s products. We match your loan to the right lender, the right program, and the right terms for your exact situation. With over 700 closings behind us, we’ve handled the deals that make other lenders nervous.

Florida’s market has layers that most national lenders miss. Insurance premiums that change your qualifying payment. Condo buildings that fail reserve requirements. Self-employed buyers in tourism and hospitality whose tax returns tell the wrong story. Because we work across Miami, Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville, and every market in between, we know where the problems show up. And we know how to solve them before they cost you time or money.

Florida mortgage broker Elevation Mortgage serving buyers across Orlando, Miami, Tampa, and all of Florida

See How Our Process Works

700+ Successful Closings

107 Five-Star Reviews

15.88 Average CTC (Days)

4.88★ Average Rating

Why Choose an Independent Florida Mortgage Broker

A direct lender sells their own products. If your file doesn’t fit, you get a denial. Then you start over somewhere else. An independent Florida mortgage broker works differently. We submit your loan to the lender whose guidelines match your profile best. That could be a large national bank, a credit union, or a portfolio lender who accepts non-traditional income. The result is more options and fewer dead ends.

This matters in Florida more than most states. Jumbo loan overlays vary widely between lenders in South Florida. One lender might approve a condo in Fort Lauderdale while another flags the same building. VA loan processing speed differs near bases like MacDill and Eglin. Because we compare across multiple lenders every day, we know who performs and who doesn’t.

What Sets This Florida Mortgage Broker Apart

700+ Florida Closings

From standard purchases to complex, high-value deals across every region of the state. As a result, that track record means fewer surprises for you.

Complex Scenario Expertise

Self-employed income, bank statement programs, jumbo financing, and alternative documentation. So we handle what other lenders turn away.

Deep Local Knowledge

We know the difference between financing a condo in Miami and a vacation rental in Orlando. And each one requires a different approach.

Direct Access to Your Broker

You talk to Ryan from first call to closing day. That means no hand-offs, no call centers, and no guessing who’s handling your file.

Florida Home Loan Programs

We offer every major loan type through our wholesale lender network. Each card below links to a full program page. Here’s how they apply to Florida buyers right now.

Conventional Loans

The most common choice for Florida buyers with solid credit and at least 3% down. The 2026 conforming loan limit is $832,750 for most Florida counties, per FHFA.

Learn about conventional loans

FHA Loans

A strong option for first-time buyers across Orlando, Tampa, and Jacksonville. FHA allows credit scores as low as 580 with 3.5% down. County limits vary, so check yours through HUD.

Learn about FHA loans

VA Loans

Florida has one of the largest veteran populations in the country. Bases like MacDill, NAS Pensacola, Patrick Space Force Base, and Eglin make VA home loans a major part of the market. Zero down.

Learn about VA loans

USDA Loans

Rural and suburban areas across North Florida, the Panhandle, and communities outside major metros often qualify for zero-down USDA financing.

Learn about USDA loans

Jumbo Loans

South Florida, the Keys, and coastal markets frequently push past conforming limits. Monroe County carries a higher threshold, but many buyers in Miami-Dade and Palm Beach still need jumbo options.

Learn about jumbo loans

Non-QM / Complex Income

Bank statement loans, asset depletion, DSCR for investors, and foreign national programs. Florida’s self-employed workforce and international buyer pool make Non-QM loans a daily conversation here.

Learn about NonQM Loans

Reverse Mortgage

Florida’s large retiree population makes reverse mortgages a real planning tool. Access home equity without monthly payments if you’re 62 or older.

Learn about reverse mortgages

Commercial Loans

For investment properties, mixed-use buildings, and business real estate. Commercial loans follow different underwriting standards than residential programs and are reviewed on a deal-by-deal basis.

Learn About Commercial

Florida Housing Market in 2026

Florida is not one housing market. It’s several distinct regions with different price points, buyer profiles, and financing challenges. South Florida remains the most expensive area, with many purchases landing in jumbo territory. Central Florida around Orlando and Tampa draws relocators from the Northeast and Midwest with more moderate pricing. The Panhandle and rural North Florida stay affordable enough for USDA eligibility in many communities.

Insurance costs define Florida more than any other state. Homeowners premiums have climbed sharply since 2022. Flood insurance in coastal and low-lying zones adds a real monthly expense. A good Florida mortgage broker factors these costs into your pre-approval from day one. Otherwise, you could qualify on paper but fall short in reality when real insurance quotes arrive.

Florida Conforming Loan Limits (2026)

Florida FHA Loan Limits (2026)

Florida Programs for First-Time Buyers

The Florida Housing Finance Corporation runs programs that save first-time buyers thousands at closing. The Hometown Heroes Housing Program offers up to 5% of your first mortgage amount for down payment and closing costs. It’s available to community workers like teachers, nurses, first responders, and others. Florida Housing also offers a Mortgage Credit Certificate that gives you a federal tax credit each year for a portion of your mortgage interest.

Who We Work With Across Florida

Florida draws buyers from every background. As a result, we handle a wide mix of borrower profiles each month. Here are the situations we see most often.

First-time buyers across Orlando, Tampa, and Jacksonville often pair FHA or conventional loans with Florida Housing down payment help. Veterans and active military near MacDill, Patrick Space Force Base, NAS Jacksonville, and Eglin use VA loans with zero down. Learn more at the VA home loans page. Relocators from other states need a broker who moves fast and explains Florida’s insurance and tax landscape clearly.

Complex and Non-Traditional Borrowers

Self-employed borrowers in Florida’s tourism, real estate, and hospitality industries often write off enough income to make tax-return qualification difficult. So we connect them with non-QM loan programs that use bank statements or asset depletion instead. Retirees and seasonal residents have income from pensions, Social Security, investments, or rental properties. We know which lenders count each source correctly. Real estate investors buying rentals use DSCR loans that qualify based on the property’s cash flow rather than personal income. And foreign national buyers in South Florida have specific programs available through our lender network.

What Our Clients Say

Real feedback from borrowers who worked directly with Reed and Ryan.

Meet Your Florida Mortgage Broker

I’m Ryan Nash, a Florida mortgage broker at Elevation Mortgage. I have watched too many borrowers get stuck with the wrong loan from the wrong lender. As an independent broker licensed in both Florida and Colorado, I have access to dozens of wholesale lenders. That gives me the room to solve problems a single bank can’t. We have over 700 closings and it has taught us where deals go wrong and how to keep yours on track. When you call, you get me. Not a call center.

Ready to Talk?

You probably have questions specific to your unique situation. That's exactly the kind of conversation we're here for.

No forms, no pressure, just straight answers.

Talk to a Loan Officer

Florida Mortgage Broker FAQ

What’s the difference between a Florida mortgage broker and a lender?

A lender sells only their own products. A Florida mortgage broker like Elevation Mortgage compares rates and programs across dozens of wholesale lenders to find the best fit for your specific credit and income profile. This results in more options and fewer dead ends for the borrower.

Does Elevation Mortgage charge a broker fee?

In most cases, our compensation is paid by the lender on the wholesale side. This typically means you pay the same or less than you would by going to that lender directly. We provide a full fee disclosure during your initial strategy call so there are no surprises at closing.

Can you help with Florida condo financing in 2026?

Yes. Florida condo financing is uniquely complex due to 2026 structural integrity reserve study (SIRS) requirements. Many lenders now flag buildings with insufficient reserves. We maintain a list of lenders that specialize in Florida condo approvals to save you weeks of wasted time.

What if I’m self-employed or have non-traditional income?

Florida has a massive self-employed workforce. If your tax returns don’t reflect your true earning power, we offer 12 and 24-month bank statement programs. We also provide DSCR loans for Florida real estate investors where the property’s rental income qualifies for the mortgage.

How do Florida insurance costs affect my mortgage?

Lenders factor homeowners and flood insurance into your DTI ratio. With Florida’s 2026 insurance premiums, these costs can significantly reduce your buying power. We build real-world insurance estimates into your pre-approval so you don’t fall out of contract when the actual quotes arrive.

Florida Mortgage Broker Disclaimer

The down payment percentages shown in the program comparison table above are minimum advertised figures and constitute trigger terms under the Truth in Lending Act (TILA) / Regulation Z. Accordingly, the following full disclosure applies. Rates and terms are subject to change without notice. Not all applicants will qualify. This is not a commitment to lend. Loan approval is subject to credit approval, income verification, appraisal, and program eligibility at the time of application. Down payment requirements, credit score minimums, and program availability vary by loan type and lender overlay.