Latest posts
Mortgage Rate Lock in Florida: How Long to Lock, What It Costs and What Can Still Change
How a mortgage rate lock works, how to choose a lock length for a Florida purchase, and the questions to ask your loan officer first.
Debt-to-Income Ratio for a Florida Mortgage: How to Calculate It and What Lenders Look For
Learn how lenders calculate debt-to-income ratio (DTI), what counts as debt, typical limits for conventional and FHA loans, and how to lower your DTI before applying in Florida.
Gift Funds for a Florida Mortgage: Who Can Give, the Gift Letter and How to Document It
Who can give gift funds for a Florida mortgage, what the gift letter must say and how the transfer must be documented, per HUD and Fannie Mae.
VA Loans in Florida: Eligibility, the Funding Fee and How Entitlement Works
How VA home loans work in Florida: eligibility, the Certificate of Eligibility, entitlement and the VA funding fee, based on VA.gov rules.
FHA Mortgage Insurance (MIP) vs. Conventional PMI in Florida: What You Pay and When It Ends
How FHA MIP and conventional PMI differ in cost and in how long you pay, with a Florida example and CFPB and HUD rules.
When Does Mortgage Insurance Go Away? PMI vs. FHA MIP in Florida
Conventional PMI can be dropped at 80% and ends automatically at 78%. FHA annual MIP lasts 11 years or the life of the loan. Here’s how Florida buyers can plan for it.
Discount Points vs. Lender Credits: Which Is Right for Your Florida Mortgage?
Learn how discount points and lender credits work, how to calculate your break-even point, and how to compare Loan Estimates fairly.
Florida Mortgage Closing Costs: Doc Stamps, Intangible Tax and Fees Explained
What Florida buyers pay at closing: documentary stamp tax, intangible tax, lender and title fees, prepaids, and how to read your Loan Estimate and Closing Disclosure.
Financing a Florida Home With a Pool
How a pool affects your Florida home loan: FHA pool rules, repair options including 203(k), seller credit limits and the cash reserves to plan for.
Financing a Home That Needs a New AC in Florida
Inspection found an aging AC? Compare seller credits, a 203(k) renovation loan and paying after closing, and see the limits that apply to each option.
