When a Buyer Does Not Fit Traditional Mortgage Guidelines

Mortgage paperwork, calculator and house keys on a desk in a Southwest Florida home office

Too many buyers and Realtors hear one “no” and assume the deal is over. Sometimes that is true. But many times, the real answer is not “no.” It is “not that way.” Quick Answer When a buyer does not fit traditional mortgage guidelines, the next step is to identify why. The issue may be income […]

What Realtors Should Know About Self-Employed Buyer Scenarios

Realtor handing house keys to a self-employed homebuyer outside a Florida home

I made this video for Realtors because self-employed buyers can be great clients, but their mortgage files often need a different kind of review. The goal is not for Realtors to memorize every loan program. The goal is to know that options may exist and that these scenarios should be reviewed early. Realtors should identify […]

FHA Condo Loans in Florida: How to Check If a Condo Project Is FHA-Approved

Florida condominium building surrounded by palm trees in Southwest Florida

Quick Answer Yes — an FHA loan can be used to buy a condo in Florida, but two separate things have to line up. First, the buyer has to qualify for the FHA loan. Second, the condo project has to be eligible: either the project is FHA-approved, or the individual unit qualifies through FHA’s Single-Unit […]

USDA Loans in Florida: A Realtor’s Guide to Zero-Down Mortgages in Eligible Areas

Rural Florida farmhouse with a fenced pasture in Southwest Florida

Quick Answer: A USDA loan is a zero-down-payment mortgage backed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development program. It can work for buyers purchasing a primary residence in a USDA-eligible area when the household income is within the program limit for that county. For realtors in Southwest Florida and across Florida, it is worth […]