Most Orlando buyers get one quote from one bank and assume that's the market. As an independent mortgage broker, I shop your loan across more than 20 wholesale lenders and show you the options side by side: rate, fees, payment, and cash to close. I'm Brandt Myers, based just west of downtown in Winter Garden, and I help Orlando buyers, homeowners, and investors find the right loan with honest guidance and no pressure.
You work directly with me from application to closing. No call center, no hand-offs, and a straight answer when you text.
Apply NowOrlando has cooled from the frenzy of a few years ago. Prices have eased slightly, homes sit longer, and buyers have more room to negotiate on price and seller credits. Rates are the bigger variable right now, which makes comparing lenders worth more than ever.
Sources: Stellar MLS sales data (August 2026) and Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey. Market conditions change weekly.
Estimated principal and interest on a 30-year fixed loan at common Orlando price points, using a 6.5%–7.0% rate range that reflects today's market.
| Purchase Price | Loan Type / Down | Loan Amount | Est. P&I (6.5%–7.0%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $350,000 | FHA · 3.5% ($12,250) | $343,661* | $2,172–$2,286 |
| $410,000 | Conventional · 5% ($20,500) | $389,500 | $2,462–$2,591 |
| $500,000 | Conventional · 10% ($50,000) | $450,000 | $2,844–$2,994 |
| $650,000 | Conventional · 20% ($130,000) | $520,000 | $3,287–$3,460 |
| $900,000 | Conventional · 20% ($180,000) | $720,000 | $4,551–$4,790 |
*FHA loan amount includes the 1.75% upfront mortgage insurance premium. Principal and interest only; property taxes, homeowners insurance, HOA dues, and mortgage insurance are additional. Loans above $832,750 require jumbo financing. Your actual rate depends on credit, loan type, and down payment. Get your personalized quote →
A bank can only sell you its own loans. A broker works for you and gets paid to find the best fit across many lenders.
I submit your file once and compare pricing and guidelines across my wholesale lender network. You don't have to fill out five applications or field calls from five loan officers.
Wholesale lenders price loans for brokers, not for walk-in retail customers. That often means a lower rate or lower fees than the same borrower would get going direct.
Self-employed, recent job change, lower credit score, or an investment property? Guidelines vary a lot by lender. If one says no, I have others to try.
Buying new construction in Lake Nona, Hamlin, or Horizon West? I'll compare the builder's lender incentive against wholesale pricing so you know which deal is actually better before you sign.
Insurance premiums, condo eligibility after the post-Surfside laws, flood zones, and HOA dues all hit your payment and your approval here. I build them into your numbers up front.
You get my cell, not a ticket number. Pre-approvals typically go out the same day your documents come in, which matters when you're writing an offer.
All three can close an Orlando mortgage. Here's how they differ in ways that affect your rate and your experience.
| Mortgage Broker | Retail Bank | Online Lender | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loan options | Many lenders' programs | That bank's programs only | That lender's programs only |
| Pricing | Wholesale rates, compared | Retail rates | Varies, often low teaser quotes |
| Who you talk to | The same person start to finish | Loan officer, then processing team | Call center or rotating reps |
| If you're declined | Tries another lender | Start over elsewhere | Start over elsewhere |
| Local knowledge | Central Florida focused | Varies by branch | Usually none |
There are a lot of mortgage brokers in Orlando. Whoever you work with, including me, these are the questions worth asking before you commit.
Orlando's price points and property types change a lot from one side of town to the other, and so does the best loan strategy.
Condo-heavy, so building eligibility matters. After Florida's post-Surfside rules, not every building qualifies for conventional or FHA financing. I verify the building before you write an offer.
Older homes near Lake Ivanhoe and Edgewater Drive. Conventional, FHA, and VA all work depending on condition. Roof age and 4-point inspections can affect insurance and approval.
Heavy builder activity. I'll compare builder incentives against wholesale lenders, and factor in CDD and HOA fees, which can add meaningfully to your payment. Lake Nona page →
Many homes land above the conforming limit, so jumbo loan options and reserve requirements come into play. Strong demand near Restaurant Row. Dr. Phillips page →
Popular with move-up buyers who want to be close in. Prices vary widely, so down payment strategy and PMI tradeoffs are worth running before you shop.
More attainable price points close to I-4 and the tourist corridor. A good fit for FHA buyers, down payment assistance, and DSCR investors buying long-term rentals.
Whether you're buying your first home, moving up, refinancing, or adding a rental, here's what I offer in Orlando and throughout Orange County.
As little as 3% down for qualified first-time buyers, with PMI that can be removed once you reach 20% equity.
3.5% down with more flexible credit guidelines. A common choice for first-time Orlando buyers.
$0 down and no monthly mortgage insurance for eligible veterans and active-duty service members.
Financing above the $832,750 conforming limit for Dr. Phillips, Bay Hill, Lake Nona, and other higher-priced areas.
Grant and forgivable second-mortgage options that can cover some or all of your down payment. Eligibility and terms vary by program.
Lower your rate, drop PMI, or take cash out. I'll show you the break-even so you know if it's actually worth it.
Qualify on the property's rental income, not your tax returns. Built for Orlando long-term and short-term rental investors.
Tap your home equity without giving up a low first-mortgage rate. Funds for renovations, debt payoff, or your next purchase.
Short-term purchase and rehab financing for Orlando investors working on value-add properties.
Most Orlando purchases close in about 21–30 days once you're under contract.
Apply online in about 10 minutes or start with a quick call. I review your income, assets, and credit and send a pre-approval letter, usually the same day your documents are in.
I shop your scenario across my lender network and lay out rate, fees, monthly payment, and cash to close side by side, including taxes and insurance, so the numbers are real.
Once you're under contract, I manage underwriting, appraisal, and title, and keep you and your agent updated every step until you have the keys.
Send it over. I'll compare it against my wholesale lenders and tell you honestly whether I can beat it. If your current offer is the better deal, I'll tell you that too.
A mortgage broker is a licensed loan originator who shops your loan across multiple wholesale lenders instead of offering one bank's products. I collect your application and documents once, compare pricing and guidelines across my lender network, and manage the loan through closing.
It depends on your situation, but a broker usually gives you more options. A bank can only offer its own loan programs and retail pricing. A broker can compare many lenders' wholesale pricing and switch lenders if one's guidelines don't fit, which helps most for self-employed borrowers, investors, and buyers with credit or income wrinkles.
Brokers are paid either by the lender or by the borrower on a given loan, never both. The compensation is disclosed on your Loan Estimate, so you can compare the total cost of my offer directly against any bank or online lender quote.
Mortgage rates are set by national bond markets, so Orlando rates track national averages. Freddie Mac's survey put the 30-year fixed average at 6.95% for the week of September 17, 2026. Your rate depends on credit score, loan type, down payment, and points. See my Florida mortgage rates page for current benchmarks, or apply for a personalized quote.
Usually the same day I receive your documents: recent pay stubs, W-2s or tax returns, and bank statements. A fully underwritten pre-approval can take a little longer but makes your offer much stronger.
Conventional loans generally need 620 or higher, with the best pricing at 740+. FHA allows scores down to 580 with 3.5% down. VA loans are flexible, though most lenders look for 620. Jumbo loans typically require 700–720 or higher.
Conventional loans can go as low as 3% for qualified first-time buyers, FHA is 3.5%, and VA can be $0 down for eligible veterans. Down payment assistance programs may cover some or all of the down payment for eligible buyers.
Yes. Florida's post-Surfside condo laws added structural inspection and reserve requirements, and some buildings no longer qualify for conventional or FHA financing. I check the building's eligibility before you make an offer so you don't lose time or deposit money.
Sometimes the builder's incentive is genuinely the best deal, and sometimes it's offset by a higher rate or price. I'll compare the builder's offer against wholesale lenders so you can decide with real numbers in front of you.
Yes. DSCR loans qualify based on the property's rental income rather than your personal income, which makes them popular for Orlando long-term rentals and short-term rentals near the attractions corridor. Most programs require 20–25% down.
Insurance is part of your monthly payment and your debt-to-income ratio, so a high premium can reduce how much you qualify for. Premiums in the Orlando area vary a lot by roof age, construction, and location. I use real quotes in your numbers from the start.
No. I'm based in Winter Garden and work throughout Central Florida, and I'm licensed statewide in Florida and in Pennsylvania. Orlando, Orange County, and the west Orange communities are where I do most of my local work.
Looking just outside city limits? I have dedicated pages for these nearby communities.
Whether you're pre-approving for your first home or checking whether a refinance makes sense, I'll lay out your options clearly and let you decide. Honest guidance, no pressure.