Florida mortgage blog
Clear mortgage guidance for Florida buyers.
Practical answers from Jason Kindler and First Coast Mortgage Funding.
Florida Closing Costs Explained: Doc Stamps, Intangible Tax, and Who Pays What
What Florida closing costs include, how documentary stamp tax and intangible tax work, who usually pays what, and how to budget before you sign.
Read the article →Mortgage educationFlorida Amendment 3 Passed: What It Means for Your Property Taxes and Mortgage Payment
Florida voters approved Amendment 3 on Nov. 3, 2026. It raises the homestead exemption that applies to non-school property taxes to up to $150,000 of assessed value for 2027 and up to $250,000 for 2028.
Read the article →Mortgage educationEscrow Shortage in Florida: Why Your Mortgage Payment Went Up and What to Do
An escrow shortage means the money your mortgage servicer collected for your property taxes and homeowners insurance won't cover next year's bills plus the cushion it's allowed to hold.
Read the article →Mortgage educationAssumable Mortgages in Florida: How Taking Over a VA or FHA Loan Works
An assumable mortgage lets a buyer take over the seller's existing home loan, including its interest rate, remaining balance and remaining term, instead of getting a brand new loan.
Read the article →Mortgage educationMortgage Recast vs. Refinance: How to Lower Your Payment and Keep Your Rate
A mortgage recast is when you pay a large lump sum toward your loan balance and your servicer re-figures your monthly principal and interest on the new, lower balance. Your interest rate and your payoff date stay the same.
Read the article →Mortgage educationPCS to Jacksonville: How to Buy a Home With a VA Loan Near NAS Jax and Mayport
If you have PCS orders to NAS Jacksonville, Naval Station Mayport, or Blount Island, you can use a VA home loan to buy a home you plan to live in. The VA doesn't require a down payment as long as the sales price isn't higher than the appraised value, and there's no monthly mortgage insurance.
Read the article →Mortgage educationFlorida Hometown Heroes in Jacksonville: Who Qualifies and How It Works in 2026
The Florida Hometown Heroes program helps eligible first-time buyers in Jacksonville with down payment and closing costs. It provides up to 5% of the first mortgage amount (minimum $10,000, maximum $35,000) as a 0% interest, deferred second mortgage.
Read the article →