We're building a new way to keep you ahead of rate changes. Join our beta group to get early access and provide feedback to help us shape the experience.
We are an independent, advertising-supported comparison service. Our
goal is to help you make smarter financial decisions by providing you
with interactive tools and financial calculators, publishing original
and objective content, by enabling you to conduct research and compare
information for free - so that you can make financial decisions with
confidence.
Bankrate has partnerships with issuers including, but not limited to,
American Express, Bank of America, Capital One, Chase, Citi and
Discover.
How We Make Money
The offers that appear on this site are from companies that compensate us. This compensation may
impact how and where products appear on this site, including, for example, the order in which
they may appear within the listing categories, except where prohibited by law for our mortgage,
home equity and other home lending products. But this compensation does not influence the
information we publish, or the reviews that you see on this site. We do not include the universe
of companies or financial offers that may be available to you.
Andrew Dehan writes about home loans, real estate and personal finance. He's taken the NMLS Loan Originator education classes and passed the MLO SAFE test. Besides Bankrate, his work has been published by Rocket Mortgage, Forbes Advisor and Business Insider. He’s also a poet, musician and nature-lover. He lives in metro Detroit with his wife and children.
Katie Lowery is a Bankrate Senior Editor and content strategist on the Home Lending team, where she shapes content to help people navigate decisions around borrowing money, personal finance and overall financial health.
Thomas is a well-rounded financial professional, with over 20 years of experience in investments, corporate finance, and accounting. His investment experience includes oversight of a $4 billion portfolio for an insurance group.
In a consulting capacity, he has assisted individuals and businesses of all sizes with accounting, financial planning and investing matters; lent his financial expertise to a few well-known websites; and tutored students via virtual forums.
At Bankrate, we take the accuracy of our content seriously.
“Expert verified” means that our Financial Review Board thoroughly evaluated
the article for
accuracy and clarity. The Review Board comprises a panel of financial experts whose objective is to
ensure that our content is always objective and balanced.
Their reviews hold us accountable for publishing high-quality and trustworthy content.
Bankrate is always editorially independent.
While we adhere to strict
,
this post may contain references to products from our partners. Here's an explanation for
.
Our
is to ensure everything we publish is objective, accurate and trustworthy.
The Bankrate promise
Founded in 1976, Bankrate has a long track record of helping people make smart financial choices.
We’ve maintained this reputation for over four decades by demystifying the financial decision-making
process and giving people confidence in which actions to take next.
Bankrate follows a strict editorial policy,
so you can trust that we’re putting your interests first. All of our content is authored by
highly qualified professionals and edited by
subject matter experts,
who ensure everything we publish is objective, accurate and trustworthy.
Our mortgage reporters and editors focus on the points consumers care about most — the latest rates, the
best lenders, navigating
the homebuying process, refinancing your mortgage and more — so you can feel confident when you make
decisions as a homebuyer and
a homeowner.
Editorial integrity
Bankrate follows a strict editorial policy, so you can trust that we’re putting your interests first.
Our award-winning editors and reporters create honest and accurate content to help you make the right
financial decisions.
Key Principles
We value your trust. Our mission is to provide readers with accurate and unbiased information, and we
have
editorial standards in place to ensure that happens. Our editors and reporters thoroughly fact-check
editorial
content to ensure the information you’re reading is accurate. We maintain a firewall between our
advertisers and
our editorial team. Our editorial team does not receive direct compensation from our advertisers.
Editorial Independence
Bankrate’s editorial team writes on behalf of YOU – the reader. Our goal is to give you the best advice
to help you
make smart personal finance decisions. We follow strict guidelines to ensure that our editorial content
is not influenced
by advertisers. Our editorial team receives no direct compensation from advertisers, and our content is
thoroughly fact-checked
to ensure accuracy. So, whether you’re reading an article or a review, you can trust that you’re getting
credible and
dependable information.
How we make money
You have money questions. Bankrate has answers. Our experts have been helping you master
your money for over four decades.
We continually strive to provide consumers with the expert advice and tools needed to
succeed throughout life’s financial journey.
Bankrate follows a strict
editorial
policy,
so you can trust that our content is honest and accurate. Our award-winning editors and
reporters create honest and accurate content to help you make the right financial
decisions. The content created by our editorial
staff is objective, factual, and not influenced by our advertisers.
We’re transparent about how we are able to bring quality content, competitive rates, and
useful tools to you by explaining how we make money.
Bankrate.com is an independent, advertising-supported publisher and comparison
service. We are compensated in exchange for placement of sponsored products and
services, or by you clicking on certain links posted on our site. Therefore,
this compensation may impact how, where and in what order products appear within
listing categories, except where prohibited by law for our mortgage, home equity
and other home lending products. Other factors, such as our own proprietary
website rules and whether a product is offered in your area or at your
self-selected credit score range, can also impact how and where products appear
on this site. While we strive to provide a wide range of offers, Bankrate does not
include information about every financial or credit product or service.
Shopping for a home in Florida often means navigating a market of extremes, from modest homes in rural areas to multimillion-dollar mansions and high-rises in Miami. Overall, it’s a mixed picture for the housing market in the Sunshine State, with shifting conditions depending on where you’re looking, the property you want and other local factors.
Median home prices and the number of homes selling above list price in Florida are up year over year, signalling strong demand, according to Redfin. On the opposite side of the spectrum, the number of homes for sale, overall supply and newly listed homes are down year-over-year.
If you’re planning to buy a home in Florida, comparing mortgage lenders is an important first step. Here are some of the best lenders in the state that have earned high marks from Bankrate and positive feedback from borrowers:
Chase stands out for its low-down-payment loan options and grant programs, making homeownership accessible to many buyers. The lender also boasts of a broad footprint and product portfolio, a transparent online presence and vast digital resources. One drawback is that the bank requires you to speak with a loan officer before getting a mortgage, which slightly lowered its score.
Availability: All U.S. states
Loans offered: Conventional, jumbo, FHA, VA, refinancing and more
Credit requirements: 620 for conventional loans, 680 for jumbo loans, 620 for FHA loans, 620 for VA loans
Down payment minimum: 3% for conventional loans, 3.5% for FHA loans, none for VA loans
Where to find: Branch locations and online
Pros
Available to borrowers in all states, with 5,000 branch locations
New and existing Chase customers might receive rate discount
$5,000 closing guarantee
Cons
Bank might not be a fit for borrowers with unique credit or financial circumstances
Before getting a mortgage, Chase recommends that you speak to a home lending advisor
In the fast-paced Florida housing market, a speedy approval and closing experience is important. LoanDepot automates many of the more time-consuming aspects of the mortgage process, which the lender claims leads to closing times that are 17 days faster than the national average. And while it is primarily an online lender, LoanDepot does have physical branch locations, including nearly 30 in Florida.
Availability: All U.S. states
Loans offered: Fixed- and adjustable-rate (ARM) mortgages, including conventional, jumbo, FHA, VA, USDA and refinancing options
Credit requirements: 620 for conventional loans, 660 for jumbo loans, 520 for FHA loans, 520 for VA loans, 620 for USDA loans
Down payment minimum: 3% for conventional loans, 3.5% for FHA loans, none for VA loans, none for USDA loans
Where to find: Branch locations and online
Pros
Offers Lifetime Guarantee program
Perks like home security and moving discounts and smart home products
Veterans United Home Loans gets high marks for its attractive rates, particularly on VA loans. The company has nationwide reach and offers 24/7 customer service and speedy preapprovals. However, when checking out its website, you may have a tough time finding information about the other products the lender offers, aside from VA loans.
Availability: All U.S. states
Loans offered: Conventional, jumbo, FHA, VA, USDA, refinancing, home equity, HELOC
Credit requirements: 620 for conventional loans, 620 for VA loans
Down payment minimum: 3% for conventional loans, 3.5% for FHA loans, none for VA loans and USDA loans
Bank of America could be a good fit for borrowers with significant deposits at the bank, or Florida home buyers who need assistance with down payments or closing costs. Bank of America’s Preferred Rewards discounts help existing customers save on fees, while its Community Homeownership Commitment program offers up to $7,500 in lender credits toward closing costs and up to $10,000 in down payment grants in select Florida markets.
Availability: All U.S. states
Loans offered: Conventional, jumbo, FHA, VA, refinancing and more
Credit requirements: Generally, 620 for conventional loans
Down payment minimum: 3% for the lender’s Affordable Loan Solution mortgages, 3.5% for FHA loans, none for VA loans
Where to find: Branch locations and online
Pros
Offers grant programs to help low- and moderate-income buyers
Displays mortgage rates and refinance rates online
Awards discounts for Preferred Rewards customers
Cons
Has limited transparency around borrower requirements
Pennymac pairs below-average rates with broad accessibility. This online lender caters to Florida’s diverse pool of buyers by offering a wide range of loan products, including competitive FHA and VA loan options with flexible credit and DTI requirements. Plus, Pennymac provides strong financial incentives, including closing cost credits and credits toward future refinancing.
Availability: All U.S. states
Loans offered: Conventional, jumbo, FHA, VA, USDA, refinancing and more
Credit requirements: 620 for conventional loans, 580 for FHA loans, 620 for VA loans
Down payment minimum: 3% for conventional loans, 3.5% for FHA loans, none for VA loans and USDA loans
Where to find: Online
Pros
Large lender with national presence
$1,000 off closing costs if preapproved (not applicable to jumbo loans or refinancing) and a rate reduction of 1% for 12 months
$2,000 if you purchase your home with Pennymac and refinance within three years
Additional discounts if using a partner agent
Cons
No branch locations
Below-average customer service ranking
How to find the best mortgage lender in Florida
Set your priorities. Before shopping for a mortgage, figure out what matters most to you.Do you want to talk to a loan officer in person? Or is handling everything online more of your style? Do you need a faster closing? Want to apply for and track your mortgage status through an app? Thinking through these questions will help you narrow down your list of potential lenders.
Compare lenders. While you could work with a national lender, there are also several regional banks and credit unions in Florida. Don’t rule out these local options — they might offer you a better mortgage rate or terms. Look up customer reviews, complaint history, and ratings through trusted sources. Pay attention to responsiveness: how quickly lenders return calls and answer questions?
Get prequalified or preapproved. If you’re still figuring out your homebuying budget, start with a prequalification. This gives you a rough idea of how much a lender might lend you based on basic financial info, without impacting your credit score. If you’re ready to shop for homes, skip the prequalification and ask for a preapproval, which involves a credit check.
Ask about first-time buyer and down payment assistance. Many mortgage lenders in Florida work with the state’s housing finance agency to connect eligible borrowers with more affordable mortgages and down payment help. Some programs aren’t limited to first-time buyers. Repeat buyers can apply too. Ask lenders about income limits, property requirements, and whether assistance must be repaid when you sell or refinance.
Understand the lender’s flood requirements. The home you end up buying might be located in a flood zone or other high-risk area. Before committing to a lender, make sure you understand its requirements to ensure you’re able to obtain the financing you need. You may also want to get flood insurance quotes early so you can accurately budget for the total cost of homeownership.
Florida first-time homebuyer programs
Buying your first home can be overwhelming, but there’s help available. You might qualify for assistance from the Florida Housing Finance Corporation, the state’s housing finance authority. The organization works with lenders to offer a range of programs that can help you lock in competitive rates on 30-year loans, pay less for mortgage insurance and access cash to cover down payment and closing costs.
To take advantage of any of Florida Housing’s offerings, you’ll need to meet the IRS definition of a first-time homebuyer, which is that you haven’t owned a primary home for three years before buying a new one. You must also meet income, credit score and purchase price requirements and complete a homebuyer education course.
To identify the best mortgage lenders in Florida, Bankrate analyzed Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) data to determine which lenders issued the most mortgages to Florida borrowers in 2024, the most recent year for which data is available. A lender must have originated at least 1% of the mortgages in Florida for consideration. Lenders must report to HMDA directly, not through a parent company, and be reviewed by Bankrate, to qualify.
We then calculated a Florida-specific Bankrate score for each lender, based on its self-reported data and research by Bankrate staff. We assigned scores based on a lender’s affordability, availability and borrower experience, giving equal weight to each category. Lenders that received a score of 4.6 out of 5 or higher appear on this page.
To receive a top score from Bankrate, lenders must offer a mortgage rate lower than Bankrate’s tracked averages in the 32226 ZIP code (the state’s most populous zip code in its most populous city), and they generally also offer low-down-payment loan options and assistance for first-time homebuyers. In addition, lenders usually offer conventional and government-backed loans and typically provide at least one product for borrowers with credit scores of 620 or lower. Finally, our top-scoring lenders tend to make it easy for borrowers to compare rates and manage much of the loan process online, and they offer multiple options for customer support and generous rate-lock periods. Bankrate’s evaluations are independent and are not influenced by lender partnerships or advertising relationships. Read more about how Bankrate scores are determined here.
Some lenders may appear as honorable mentions, despite not being scored by Bankrate, due to being credit unions with limited availability that lend a large volume of loans in the state.
Did you find this page helpful?
Why we ask for feedback
Your feedback helps us improve our content and services. It takes less than a minute to
complete.
Your responses are anonymous and will only be used for improving our website.
Help us improve our content
Thank you for your
feedback!
Your input helps us improve our
content and services.
Quick citation guide
Select a citation to automatically copy to clipboard.
APA:
Dehan, A. (2026, March 17). Best mortgage lenders in Florida in 2026. Bankrate. Retrieved March 22, 2026, from https://www.bankrate.com/mortgages/best-lenders/florida-mortgage-lenders/
Copied to clipboard!
MLA:
Dehan, Andrew. "Best mortgage lenders in Florida in 2026." Bankrate. 17 March 2026, https://www.bankrate.com/mortgages/best-lenders/florida-mortgage-lenders/.
Copied to clipboard!
Chicago:
Dehan, Andrew. "Best mortgage lenders in Florida in 2026." Bankrate. March 17, 2026. https://www.bankrate.com/mortgages/best-lenders/florida-mortgage-lenders/.
