Miami, FL · Miami-Dade County

Mortgage Broker in Miami, Florida

If you are buying, refinancing, or investing in Miami, the loan you choose matters more than the sign in the yard. Joann Mathison has closed loans across Miami-Dade County for buyers in neighborhoods like Brickell, families near top-rated schools, and professionals working at Baptist Health. This page walks through every loan program available in Miami, Florida and how Joann helps you pick the right one.

Why buyers choose Miami

Why Miami

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

Neighborhoods we lend in
Brickell, Coconut Grove, Coral Way, Edgewater, Wynwood, Little Havana
Local landmarks
Bayfront Park, PortMiami, American Airlines Arena, Vizcaya
Major employers
Baptist Health, Jackson Health, University of Miami, Royal Caribbean
Miami Housing Market

Current Miami market

The median sale price in Miami sits near $625K in the current market. New construction, established resale, and condo inventory each price and appraise differently — so the right loan structure in Miami depends as much on the property type and neighborhood as it does on your credit and down payment.

Median price
$625K
Common loan types
Conventional · Jumbo · Condo · FHA · Foreign National

How Miami loan options compare

Broker vs. Bank

A bank quotes you rates from a single lending desk. Joann is a broker — she shops your Miami 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 Miami

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 Miami home near $625K, Joann runs both quotes side-by-side and shows you the true 5-year cost.

VA vs. Conventional for eligible Miami borrowers

If you qualify for VA, it is almost always the better loan in Miami — $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 Miami

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 Miami so financing doesn't fall apart in underwriting.

Frequently asked questions — Miami

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

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 $625K in Miami, that ranges from $0 to roughly 20% of the purchase price.

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

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 Miami?+

A full pre-approval — the kind Miami 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 Miami-Dade County where Miami sits — plus every other Florida county on request.

Can I qualify for a VA loan in Miami?+

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

Are FHA loans available in Miami?+

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

How are condo loans different in Miami?+

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 Miami?+

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 Miami?+

Miami 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 Miami-Dade County borrower.

How much house can I afford in Miami?+

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 Miami tax and insurance estimates.

Do you help first-time buyers in Miami?+

Yes — a large share of Joann's Miami 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 Miami home?+

Yes. Rate-and-term, cash-out, VA IRRRL, and FHA streamline refinances are all available in Miami. 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 Miami?+

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

Ready to buy or refinance in Miami?

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