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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.
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.
Finder rating 3 / 5 ★★★★★
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.
| Minimum credit score | Conventional: 620 FHA: 580 VA: 620 |
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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.
| Minimum credit score | Conventional: 620 FHA: 620 VA: 620 |
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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.
| Minimum credit score | Conventional: 620 |
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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.
| Minimum credit score | Conventional: 620 |
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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.
| Minimum credit score | 580, but 620 is preferable |
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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.
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.
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.
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.
★★★★★ — 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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