Question 1

Are the Florida rates shown here real-time?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Every rate on this page is pulled from today's wholesale pricing, the same pricing we'd quote a borrower right now. We refresh it with every update, and the timestamp at the top of the page shows when it was last published. National rate sites publish a survey average; we publish the actual wholesale price our lender partners are offering today.

Question 2

How do wholesale rates compare to retail rates in Florida?

Accepted Answer

Wholesale-channel rates typically run 0.25–0.5% below retail on conforming loans, and the gap can be wider on FHA, VA, and jumbo. Big-bank retail prices include the bank's overhead, branch network, and marketing budget; wholesale prices are what the same lenders quote brokers like us so we can compete on rate. Borrowers in Florida get the wholesale rate when they work with HomePilot.

Question 3

What's the difference between rate and APR?

Accepted Answer

The interest rate is what you pay on the loan principal each month. APR (Annual Percentage Rate) folds in upfront fees — origination, discount points, certain government fees — and spreads them across the life of the loan, so two loans with the same rate can have different APRs. Always compare APR when shopping loan estimates head-to-head. The cards on this page show both.

Question 4

What's HomePilot's rate guarantee?

Accepted Answer

If you have a Loan Estimate from another lender for the same scenario, we'll beat their rate or credit you the difference. If their offer is genuinely better, we'll say so and let you go close with them. Either way you find out which deal is actually best in about 10 minutes — no hard credit pull, no SSN required.

Question 5

Will checking Florida rates affect my credit?

Accepted Answer

No. Browsing rates on this page does nothing to your credit. Getting a quote requires only a soft pull (or no pull, if you already know your credit band). A hard pull happens only at full application, after you've decided to move forward.

Question 6

How often do mortgage rates change in Florida?

Accepted Answer

Mortgage rates can move multiple times a day in response to the bond market — 10-year Treasury moves are the strongest predictor. Most lenders publish fresh pricing each morning, and re-price intra-day on volatile sessions. Ours refreshes as new pricing comes in from our 40+ wholesale partners. Florida rates move in lockstep with national rates; there's no separate Florida-only rate move.

Question 7

Why are FHA limits so high in Monroe County, Florida?

Accepted Answer

Monroe County (the Florida Keys) has the highest FHA loan limit in Florida — $990,150 in 2026. It's a federally designated high-cost area because median home prices are well over $1M. Most of the rest of Florida uses lower county-specific FHA limits in the $541K-$700K range, with elevated limits in Collier County (Naples) and parts of Miami-Dade.

Question 8

Can I get a conforming mortgage on a Florida condo?

Accepted Answer

Often yes, but condo financing tightened significantly after the 2021 Surfside collapse. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac now require condos to comply with the Structural Integrity Reserve Study (SIRS) requirement, and buildings that fail review are flagged as 'non-warrantable.' For non-warrantable condos, we use non-QM or portfolio lenders — pricing is higher but financing is available. Always verify your target building's condo questionnaire status before going under contract.

Question 9

How does Florida's homestead exemption affect my mortgage?

Accepted Answer

Florida's homestead exemption reduces your property's assessed value by $50,000 for tax purposes (the first $25K is automatic; the second $25K applies to non-school taxes). Save Our Homes additionally caps annual assessment increases at 3% (or CPI, whichever is lower) for primary residences. Combined, these can save thousands per year — but they only apply to primary residences, not investment properties or second homes. Your closing attorney will help you file. The exemption doesn't reduce the loan amount you qualify for, but it lowers your tax escrow.

Question 10

Is Florida homeowner's insurance really that expensive?

Accepted Answer

Yes — Florida has the highest average homeowners' insurance premiums in the country. Average annual premium is around $4,000-$6,000 statewide, with coastal areas running $8,000-$15,000+. Multiple major carriers have paused or exited the FL market post-2020. Citizens Property Insurance (state-run) now backs a meaningful share of policies. Always quote insurance EARLY when shopping a home — getting bound coverage in some markets takes 2-4 weeks, and the premium can change your DTI / qualifying payment significantly.

Question 11

Is there a state income tax in Florida?

Accepted Answer

No. Florida has no state income tax — one of the main reasons high-earner migrants from New York, New Jersey, Illinois, and California move here. For mortgage qualifying purposes, the absence of state income tax means more of your gross income translates to take-home and to qualifying for a higher loan amount than the same gross income in a high-tax state. The trade-off is property tax (moderate but not low) and insurance (high), so we model your full PITI carefully.

Question 12

What's the Hometown Heroes program in Florida?

Accepted Answer

A Florida-specific DPA program for full-time public-service workers — teachers, first responders, military, healthcare workers, child welfare, and several other eligible occupations. Provides up to 5% of the loan amount (up to $35,000) in down-payment assistance plus closing costs. The program is income- and price-limited and renews annually based on state legislative appropriation. Funding sometimes runs out mid-year — apply early in the cycle if you qualify.

Today's mortgage rates in Florida

Florida mortgage rates

30-year fixed

15-year fixed

30-year FHA

30-year VA

30-year jumbo

FHA 5/1 ARM

Florida mortgage options

30-year fixed

15-year fixed

FHA loan

Jumbo loan

VA loan

Refinance & cash-out

We'll beat your Loan Estimate.
Or we'll pay you $500.

Run the numbers on your Florida payment

Already have a Loan Estimate from a Florida lender?

Down payment assistance programs in Florida

Florida Housing HFA Preferred / HFA Advantage

Florida Assist (FL Assist) DPA

Hometown Heroes Housing Program

Frequently asked questions

What Florida clients say

Mortgage rates in other states we serve

Ready to lock in your Florida rate?

Today's mortgage rates in Florida

Florida mortgage rates

30-year fixed

15-year fixed

30-year FHA

30-year VA

30-year jumbo

FHA 5/1 ARM

Florida mortgage options

30-year fixed

15-year fixed

FHA loan

Jumbo loan

VA loan

Refinance & cash-out

We'll beat your Loan Estimate. Or we'll pay you $500.

Run the numbers on your Florida payment

Already have a Loan Estimate from a Florida lender?

Down payment assistance programs in Florida

Florida Housing HFA Preferred / HFA Advantage

Florida Assist (FL Assist) DPA

Hometown Heroes Housing Program

Frequently asked questions

What Florida clients say

Mortgage rates in other states we serve

Ready to lock in your Florida rate?

We'll beat your Loan Estimate.
Or we'll pay you $500.