The Black Rock Blog
Real programs, real numbers, and the things most lenders won’t tell you — written by a broker who closes what he writes about.
The building — not you — decides your condo loan. The tests Fannie and Freddie run on every Florida project, the post-Surfside inspection wrinkle, and how to finance a building that fails: real down payments, real rate premiums, no surprises at closing.
The 10% down floor, the occupancy test that separates second homes from investment property, why the beach condo you love might be a condotel your bank can’t finance — and the Florida tax catch: no homestead exemption on a second home.
Where Florida retirement still pencils out on a fixed income: Ocala, The Villages’ edges, Sebring, and the Nature Coast — plus the retiree tax stack and how buyers 62+ purchase with no monthly mortgage payment.
The Fed doesn’t set your mortgage rate — the bond market does. What actually moves rates week to week, where they sit in July 2026, and the levers Florida borrowers control.
The four major Florida loan programs compared honestly: down payments, credit floors, mortgage insurance, 2026 limits — and the crossover rules that decide which one actually saves you money.
The actual math lenders use in Florida: the two debt ratios, income needed for a $200K-$500K home at 2026 rates, and the Florida traps (taxes, insurance) that change the answer.
Hometown Heroes, FL Assist, USDA, FHA and VA — every real Florida first-time buyer program in 2026, what it takes to qualify, and how to stack them to bring almost nothing to closing.
Florida property tax exemptions explained: the homestead exemption, Save Our Homes cap, senior and veteran exemptions, portability, and how to apply by March 1.
Everything you need to buy a house in Florida in 2026: credit scores, income documents, down payment by loan type, and Florida-specific costs — full checklist.
How rent-to-own homes work in Florida, the real risks in lease-option contracts, and why many renters actually qualify for a mortgage today with $0-$10K down.
Every Florida first-time home buyer grant and assistance program for 2026 — Hometown Heroes, FL Assist, HLP, MCC tax credit — and how to combine them.
The 12 cheapest places to buy a house in Florida in 2026 — and the $0-down and low-down financing that works in each one, from a Florida mortgage broker.
You pulled your credit on your banking app, saw a number in the 720s, then a lender quoted you off something 40 points lower. Same you, same credit — different score. Here’s why that gap finally matters in 2026, and how the right score can change your rate, your costs, and whether you get approved…
Here’s the math, the strategy, and the honest answer most people don’t want to hear — but need to. By Keith Meredith 2026 11 min read I get this question more than almost any other right now: “Keith, should I just wait until rates come down?” It’s a fair question. Rates have been elevated for…
Manufactured homes are more financeable than most people think. Here are the programs, the myths, and how to actually qualify. 📖 12 min read Manufactured homes are one of the most misunderstood segments of the housing market. I’ve talked to dozens of buyers over the years who assumed a manufactured home meant cash-only or a…
A Fannie Mae provision lets you put as little as 5% down on a second primary residence — for your parents. Here’s how it works, what to watch for, and the questions most people don’t think to ask. 📖 8 min read I’ll be honest — I’ve been doing mortgages for over 16 years and…
New FHA Mortgage Insurance Premium Rates The FHA mortgage program has been extremely successful. The program is more than solvent and that has allowed HUD to lower the monthly mortgage insurance premiums at a time when home affordability is stressed with higher mortgage interest rates. The previous rate was .85% a year on the total…
Program Status: Discontinued Florida’s MCC program is no longer offered. The good news: better help exists today. Hometown Heroes offers up to $35,000 toward your purchase, and Florida’s down payment assistance programs remain active. This page stays up for reference — get pre-approved and we’ll match you to what’s available now. Attention Real Estate Agents!…
The USDA has increased the income limits for their $0 down home loan program! For almost all of the counties in Florida the new USDA income limits for a household of 4 or less is $82,700. For a 5-8 person household the new income limit is $109,150. 1- 4 person household 5 – 8 person…
Can I finance a log cabin? The answer is yes! Some lenders won’t let you but it’s not a problem for us. Conventional financing is going to be your best bet for a loan program. For a primary residence you can buy with as little as 5% down. If you’re first time home buyer you…
Last updated June 11, 2026 · Written by Keith Meredith, Florida mortgage broker · NMLS #303217 Quick answer: Florida USDA turn times typically run 1–15 business days after underwriting, through a single statewide queue. To hear the exact submission dates the USDA is processing right now, call the Florida Rural Development hotline at 352-338-3421 —…