Boca Raton, FL · Palm Beach County

Mortgage Broker in Boca Raton, Florida

If you are buying, refinancing, or investing in Boca Raton, the loan you choose matters more than the sign in the yard. Joann Mathison has closed loans across Palm Beach County for buyers in neighborhoods like Royal Palm Yacht & Country Club, families near top-rated schools, and professionals working at Florida Atlantic University. This page walks through every loan program available in Boca Raton, Florida and how Joann helps you pick the right one.

Why buyers choose Boca Raton

Why Boca Raton

People choose Boca Raton for real reasons — from Mizner Park to the day-to-day quality of life in Palm Beach County & the Treasure Coast. Whether you're a first-time buyer, a move-up family, a retiree relocating, or an investor, Joann prices your Boca Raton scenario across multiple wholesale investors so you see the true 5-year cost — not just today's rate.

Neighborhoods we lend in
Royal Palm Yacht & Country Club, The Sanctuary, Boca Grove, Woodfield
Local landmarks
Mizner Park, Boca Raton Resort, Town Center Mall, FAU
Major employers
Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton Regional Hospital, Office Depot, ADT
Boca Raton Housing Market

Current Boca Raton market

The median sale price in Boca Raton sits near $775K in the current market. New construction, established resale, and condo inventory each price and appraise differently — so the right loan structure in Boca Raton depends as much on the property type and neighborhood as it does on your credit and down payment.

Median price
$775K
Common loan types
Jumbo · Conventional · Condo · Second Home

How Boca Raton loan options compare

Broker vs. Bank

A bank quotes you rates from a single lending desk. Joann is a broker — she shops your Boca Raton loan across multiple wholesale investors and places it with the one that prices most aggressively for your credit, loan-to-value, and program. Same file, one loan officer, better outcomes on most files.

FHA vs. Conventional in Boca Raton

FHA wins on flexibility: 3.5% down at 580+ credit and forgiving debt-to-income underwriting. Conventional wins on long-term cost once you have 5%+ down and 680+ credit — because you can drop PMI at 80% loan-to-value. On a typical Boca Raton home near $775K, Joann runs both quotes side-by-side and shows you the true 5-year cost.

VA vs. Conventional for eligible Boca Raton borrowers

If you qualify for VA, it is almost always the better loan in Boca Raton — $0 down, no monthly mortgage insurance, and pricing that often beats conventional even for buyers who could put 20% down. The exception: some low-value or non-warrantable condo scenarios where conventional pricing plus a higher down payment produces a better long-term number.

Condo & HOA considerations in Boca Raton

Florida condo lending changed after Surfside — reserve studies and structural inspections drive whether a project is warrantable. Joann pre-checks the association before you write an offer in Boca Raton so financing doesn't fall apart in underwriting.

Frequently asked questions — Boca Raton

How much do I need for a down payment in Boca Raton?+

It depends on the loan program. VA is $0 down for eligible borrowers, FHA is 3.5% down, conventional starts at 3% for first-time buyers, and jumbo typically requires 10–20%. On a home priced near $775K in Boca Raton, that ranges from $0 to roughly 20% of the purchase price.

What credit score do I need to buy a home in Boca Raton?+

FHA loans allow scores as low as 580 at 3.5% down. Conventional typically starts at 620. VA loans have no set minimum from the VA but most lenders overlay 580–620. Joann can pre-qualify you at any of these thresholds.

How long does mortgage pre-approval take in Boca Raton?+

A full pre-approval — the kind Boca Raton listing agents actually respect — takes 24 to 72 hours once we have income documentation, credit authorization, and asset statements. Most buyers submit the same day we send the checklist.

What counties in Florida does Joann serve?+

Joann is licensed statewide in Florida and closes loans throughout Broward, Miami-Dade, Palm Beach, and Monroe (the Keys) — including Palm Beach County where Boca Raton sits — plus every other Florida county on request.

Can I qualify for a VA loan in Boca Raton?+

Yes. Eligible veterans and active-duty service members can buy in Boca Raton with $0 down and no monthly mortgage insurance. We handle Certificate of Eligibility retrieval as part of the process.

Are FHA loans available in Boca Raton?+

Yes — FHA loans work throughout Palm Beach County for owner-occupied properties within FHA loan limits. Most single-family homes and warrantable condos in Boca Raton fall inside the limit.

How are condo loans different in Boca Raton?+

Florida condos require project approval (warrantable status), and post-Surfside reserve and structural-inspection reviews now matter more than ever. We pre-check the association before you write an offer so financing doesn't fall apart at underwriting.

How much are property taxes and insurance in Boca Raton?+

Florida has no state income tax but property taxes and homeowners insurance (including windstorm and — in some areas — flood) are meaningful line items. We build realistic tax and insurance escrows into your pre-approval so the payment you see is the payment you get.

How much are mortgage rates today in Boca Raton?+

Boca Raton rates track national pricing but the number you actually lock depends on credit, loan-to-value, property type, occupancy, and lock timing. Call Joann for a live quote — as a broker she shops multiple wholesale investors for every Palm Beach County borrower.

How much house can I afford in Boca Raton?+

A rule of thumb is 3–4× gross annual income, but the honest answer depends on debts, credit, HOA, and target payment. Our affordability calculator uses live rates and Boca Raton tax and insurance estimates.

Do you help first-time buyers in Boca Raton?+

Yes — a large share of Joann's Boca Raton closings are first-time buyers. We walk you through the entire process from pre-approval to keys, in plain English, and check every down-payment-assistance program you may qualify for.

Can I refinance my Boca Raton home?+

Yes. Rate-and-term, cash-out, VA IRRRL, and FHA streamline refinances are all available in Boca Raton. We start every refinance with an honest break-even analysis so you know exactly when you recoup closing costs — if the math doesn't work, we'll tell you.

Do you finance investment properties and short-term rentals in Boca Raton?+

Yes. DSCR loans qualify off the property's rental income (not your W-2), which is a common fit for Boca Raton investors and second-home buyers targeting long-term or short-term rentals where local rules allow.

Ready to buy or refinance in Boca Raton?

Joann answers her own phone. Get a real Boca Raton quote — no credit pull without your consent, no pressure, no sales script.