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5 best mortgage lenders in Florida

Thinking about moving to the Sunshine State? Here’s a look at its top lenders.

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Michael Benninger
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Famous for its warm weather, thrilling theme parks and 1,350 miles of coastline, Florida is among the most popular places to live in the US. If you’re interested in buying a home there, one of these Florida mortgage lenders could be your best bet.

What are the best mortgage lenders in Florida?

How we picked the best lenders

We selected these five lenders based on several criteria we analyzed during our research. This includes fees, loan amounts, interest rates and eligibility requirements. We also considered reviews from sites such as Trustpilot and the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Learn more about Finder’s home loan rating methodology.

Best for refinancing

LoanDepot

Finder rating 3 / 5 ★★★★★

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If you think you might refinance your mortgage in the future, LoanDepot is a solid choice. This lender offers lifetime guarantees on refinanced mortgages — meaning that after you refinance with LoanDepot once, the company will waive your lender fees and reimburse appraisal fees on any future refinances.

And while LoanDepot does operate nationally, this lender has a sharper focus on Florida, with more branches in the Sunshine State than anywhere else in America.

Best for veterans

Veterans United

See rates
on Veterans United's secure site
With more than 1.4 million veterans, Florida is home to more former service members than nearly any other state. If you were previously enlisted in the Armed Forces and you're looking to put down roots here, Veterans United has excellent offers for Floridians.

Veterans United provides a wide variety of loan options, and veterans aren't required to leave any down payment. Plus, this lender has far more five-star reviews on Trustpilot than other leading VA loan providers.

Best for first-time buyers

SunTrust

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If you’ve never bought a home before, you’re probably discovering that — although undoubtedly exciting — it’s a relatively complex process. That’s why it can be helpful to have an expert walk you through it.

SunTrust/Truist specializes in first-time mortgages, and this lender is especially well-suited to helping Floridians because it has more than 400 branches in the state, across 188 cities and towns. With such a large footprint, first-time buyers can meet face-to-face with a loan officer from Pensacola to Miami and everywhere in between. Note that SunTrust and BB&T have merged to form Truist.

Best for freelancers

New American Funding

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These days, it seems like everyone is working from home due to the COVID-19 crisis. But even prior to the pandemic, Florida was home to more freelancers and self-employed workers than nearly any other state. It can be a struggle for freelancers to secure mortgages because their income isn’t always steady, but New American Funding makes it a bit easier.

Rather than leaving it up to computers to approve or deny loans, this lender manually reviews all applications, giving freelancers a chance to demonstrate why there’s more to their finances than meets the eye.

Best local lender

Florida Home Funding

Many nationwide lenders have a lot to offer, but sometimes it’s better to work with a local expert that’s intimately familiar with the area. That’s where Florida Home Funding shines.

Since 2001, this lender has specialized in Central Florida mortgages, and it’s among the most reputable mortgage companies in the state. Florida Home Funding has outstanding reviews across several popular review sites, and the president of the company frequently appears on WFTV Channel 9 as Central Florida’s mortgage expert.

How do I choose the best lender for me?

A vast number of mortgage lenders operate in Florida, making it challenging to find the right one. When researching the best lender for your specific needs, here are some quick tips to keep in mind:
  • Read reviews. Unsure about a lender? Check review sites to see if previous customers have had positive experiences.
  • Get a few preapprovals. The more estimates you collect, the more leverage you’ll have with lenders.
  • Don’t be afraid to bargain. Always try to negotiate a lower rate and better terms.
  • Don’t skim the agreement. Go over the fine print with a fine-tooth comb to ensure there aren’t any surprises.

Compare mortgage lenders

Compare top brands by home loan type, state availability and credit score. Select See rates to provide the lender with basic property and financial details for personalized rates.

Data updated regularly
Name Product Loan products offered State availability Min. credit score
SoFi
(NMLS #1121636)
SoFi
Conventional, Home equity, Refinance
Not available in: HI, MO, NM, NY, WV
620
No hidden fees, multiple loan terms, and member discounts available.
See rates
More Info
Rocket Mortgage
(NMLS #3030)
Rocket Mortgage
Conventional, Jumbo, FHA, VA, Refinance
Available in all states
620
Streamline your mortgage from quote to final payment — all from your computer or phone.
See rates
More Info
Better
(NMLS #330511)
Better
Conventional, Jumbo, FHA, Refinance
Not available in: HI, MA, MN, NV, NH, VT, VA
620
Online preapproval in minutes and no origination fees with this direct lender.
See rates
More Info
LendingTree
(NMLS #1136)
LendingTree
Conventional, Jumbo, FHA, VA, USDA, Home Equity, HELOC, Reverse, Refinance
Available in all states
620
Connect with vetted home loan lenders quickly through this online marketplace.
See rates
More Info
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Compare up to 4 providers

Average rates and fees in Florida

According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), the average interest rate for 30-year mortgages in Florida is currently 3.063%. This rate is slightly below the national average of 3.07%, and it’s the lowest rate offered in Florida in more than two years. Due to the pandemic, rates are forecasted to remain low for several months and likely longer.

Data from ClosingCorp shows that closing costs in Florida averaged 2.3% of the sales price in 2019. To learn more, explore mortgage rates in Florida or compare closing costs in Florida so you can know what to expect.

Should I use a broker?

This list exclusively features direct lenders in Florida because mortgage loans can only be approved and financed by lenders like these. If you’re new to home buying and are worried about getting a bad deal, you might be considering working with a mortgage broker.

Mortgage brokers can make your life easier by comparing and contrasting the various loans you qualify for. Be careful, though, as some unscrupulous brokers may charge you excessive fees you could have otherwise avoided.

To find the best broker for you, shop around and compare the rates they charge. Carefully review the fine print before agreeing to anything, and check out online review sites to see what their previous customers have had to say.

Bottom line

Now that you have a better understanding of what the best mortgage lenders in Florida have to offer, compare their rates and choose the one that’s the best fit for you. And if you think you can qualify for a better deal, continue exploring other options.

Home loans ratings

★★★★★ — Excellent

★★★★★ — Good

★★★★★ — Average

★★★★★ — Subpar

★★★★★ — Poor

We analyze top home loan providers and rate them one to five stars based on factors that are most important to you. These factors include: rates and fees, product selection and borrower experience.

Read the full methodology of how we rate home loan providers.

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