Buying your first home
First-Time Buyer Roadmap
Understand pre-approval, cash to close, common mistakes, and the steps from planning to keys.
Explore the buyer roadmapFlorida mortgage guidance, made simple
Florida Mortgage Guidance for Buyers, Investors & the Self-Employed
Clear options, local insight, and a practical next step.
I help borrowers across Florida compare home loan options from 230+ lenders, with deep focus in Polk County, Orlando, and the communities around Disney.
Florida Mortgage Advisor
230+ lender access
NMLS #2576892
No pressure guidance
Choose your path
Start with the guidance that fits your situation
You do not need to choose a loan program first. Start with your goal, then we can compare the cleanest options.
Financing a rental
DSCR Investor Loans
Review a rental-property path built mainly around property cash flow instead of personal tax returns.
Explore DSCR loansSelf-employed income
Bank Statement Loans
Compare options that may use deposits when tax returns do not tell the full story of your business income.
Explore bank statement loansReducing upfront costs
Down Payment Assistance
Learn how assistance may pair with a primary mortgage and what determines program availability and fit.
Explore assistance optionsCentral Florida focus
Local guidance for Polk County, Orlando, and the Disney corridor
I serve buyers statewide, but Central Florida is home. I grew up here and stay close to what buyers are seeing across the area.
Including Winter Garden, Windermere, Horizon West, Dr Phillips, Lake Nona, Celebration, Lake Buena Vista, and Four Corners.
Work directly with Scott
More options, explained in plain English
With access to 230+ lenders, I can compare programs and pricing while keeping the process straightforward. You get direct guidance, honest tradeoffs, and clear next steps.
- Homebuyer, investor, and self-employed options
- Proactive communication through closing
- No-pressure recommendations based on your goals
Planning tool
Estimate a starting cash-to-close range
Down payment is only one part of the upfront picture. Use this quick estimate, then we can confirm the numbers for your property, loan program, and timeline.
Read the complete first-time buyer roadmapCash To Close Estimator
Planning estimate only, not a commitment to lend. Seller and lender credits are not included. Actual cash to close depends on the full application, property, lender, title, insurance, taxes, credits, and program guidelines.
Rate protection
$2,000 Best Price Guarantee
Loan Factory’s $2,000 Best Price Guarantee may apply if you close with another lender at a lower combination of interest rate, fees, and monthly mortgage insurance after completing the required comparison and documentation steps.
Available on eligible FHA loans, VA loans, and fixed-rate conforming conventional loans with loan amounts of $200,000 or more. Exclusions, same-day comparison requirements, and documentation deadlines apply. Offer expires December 31, 2026. See the official terms for complete details.
Straight answers
Common Florida mortgage questions
What credit score do I need for an FHA loan in Florida?
FHA is often one of the more flexible mortgage options for Florida buyers. The exact credit requirement depends on the full loan file, but I look at credit, debt-to-income, cash to close, and overall loan structure before recommending the best starting point.
What makes a VA loan one of the strongest mortgage options in Florida?
VA loans can be a strong fit because eligible buyers may have no down payment requirement and no monthly mortgage insurance. I help review eligibility, Certificate of Eligibility status, funding fee impact, and the cleanest path from pre-approval to closing.
How does down payment assistance work in Florida?
Down payment assistance is not a standalone mortgage. It is usually paired with a primary loan and may help reduce upfront cash to close. I review location, credit profile, lender rules, and loan fit to see what options may actually work.
What is debt-to-income ratio and why does it matter for mortgage approval?
Debt-to-income ratio compares your monthly debt obligations to your gross monthly income. It helps determine how comfortably a lender believes you can handle a mortgage. I use it as one part of the larger approval picture, along with credit, assets, and property fit.
What should Florida homebuyers have ready before getting pre-approved?
Most buyers should be ready with photo ID, recent pay stubs, W2s or tax returns if needed, and recent bank statements. I also want to know your timeline, target area, and comfort range so I can give you a clear pre-approval plan.
Your next step
Get a clear mortgage game plan
Tell me what you are trying to accomplish. I’ll help you identify the cleanest starting point and what to do next.