Mortgage Guidance for Your Move to Florida
Personalized strategies for buying before you sell, using home equity, navigating employment changes, and financing your Florida home.
Meet Paula Bonnafant
I understand that moving to Florida involves more than choosing a home—it means coordinating finances, employment, timing, and an entirely new way of life.After relocating to Southwest Florida in 2011, I built my career helping homebuyers navigate both the mortgage and real estate sides of the process. Today, as a licensed mortgage broker, Branch Manager, and Florida real estate professional, I help buyers develop financing strategies that support their larger relocation plans.My approach is personal and educational. Whether you are buying before selling your current home, using home equity, preparing for retirement, changing jobs, or working with nontraditional income, I will help you understand the available options and determine your next step.When I’m not working with homebuyers, I’m usually exploring Florida’s parks, wildlife, waterfronts, and communities—the places that make living here feel like more than simply changing addresses.
Finance Your Home Purchase With Confidence
Buying a home is a major financial decision—especially when you are relocating, changing jobs, selling another property, or purchasing from out of state.I help buyers understand their financing options, prepare for preapproval, and build a mortgage strategy around their complete financial picture.
How I Can Help
First-time and repeat home purchases
Florida relocation and out-of-state buyers
Buying before selling your current home
Primary residences, second homes and investment properties
Self-employed and nontraditional-income borrowers
Down payment and closing-cost strategies
The Purchase Process
Start with a conversation. We’ll discuss your goals, timeline, income, available funds and current housing situation
Review your financing options. I’ll help you compare loan programs, estimated payments and potential strategies.
Prepare for preapproval. Once your information and documentation are reviewed, you’ll know what purchase range may fit your financial situation.
Move from contract to closing. I’ll help coordinate the financing process and keep you informed as your loan progresses.
Planning a Move to Florida?
Your mortgage strategy may be affected by employment changes, the sale of your current home, Florida property taxes, insurance costs, HOA fees and your relocation timeline. Reviewing these details early can help you plan with greater confidence.
Ready to explore your options?
Apply for preapproval or schedule a complimentary mortgage strategy conversation.
Mortgage Programs for Different Paths to Homeownership
Every homebuyer’s financial situation is different. As a mortgage broker, I can compare a variety of loan programs and help you identify options that may fit your income, property, credit profile and long-term goals.
Traditional Home Loans
Conventional Loans
Flexible financing for primary residences, second homes and investment properties.
FHA Loans
Government-insured financing with flexible down payment and credit guidelines.
VA Loans
Benefits for eligible veterans, active-duty service members and qualifying surviving spouses, including options with no down payment.
USDA Loans
Potential zero-down-payment financing for eligible buyers and properties in qualifying areas.
Specialized Financing
Jumbo Loans
Financing for homes that exceed conforming loan limits.
Down Payment Assistance
Programs that may help eligible buyers with down payment or closing costs.
Construction and Renovation Loans
Financing options for building, renovating or purchasing a home that needs improvements.
Bridge Financing
Short-term options that may help qualified buyers purchase before selling another property.
Self-Employed and Alternative-Income Options
Traditional tax-return financing is not the only possibility. Depending on the situation, available programs may include:• Bank-statement loans
• 1099 or profit-and-loss financing
• Asset-depletion programs
• Debt-service coverage ratio loans for investors
• No Ratio Programs
• Other Non-QM mortgage options
Home Equity and Investment Programs
• Home equity loans and HELOCs
• Cash-out refinancing
• Financing for rental and investment properties
• Fix-and-flip and short-term investor loans
• Reverse mortgage options for eligible homeownersLoan availability, qualification requirements, rates and terms vary by borrower, property and lender. A personalized review is the best way to determine which options may be available for your situation.
Not sure which program fits? Let’s review your goals and explore your options.
Refinance & Home Equity Strategies
Your mortgage should continue to support your financial goals as your life and housing needs change. Refinancing or accessing home equity may help you adjust your payment, consolidate debt, fund improvements or prepare for your next home purchase.I can help you compare the available options, estimated costs and potential long-term impact before you make a decision.
Refinance Options
Rate-and-Term Refinance
Replace your existing mortgage to potentially change your interest rate, monthly payment or loan term.
Cash-Out Refinance
Replace your current mortgage with a larger loan and receive a portion of your available equity in cash.
Mortgage Insurance Review
Explore whether refinancing could help remove or reduce mortgage insurance, depending on your equity and loan type.
Debt-Consolidation Strategy
Use available home equity to potentially combine higher-interest debts into one mortgage payment. It is important to compare the total borrowing cost before proceeding.
Home Equity Options
Home Equity Line of Credit — HELOC
A revolving credit line that allows qualified homeowners to borrow against available equity as needed.
Home Equity Loan
A separate installment loan that may provide a lump sum while leaving the existing first mortgage in place.
Reverse Mortgage
An option for eligible homeowners age 62 or older who want to access a portion of their home equity without a required monthly principal-and-interest mortgage payment.
Using Equity to Make Your Next Move
If you plan to relocate, your existing home equity may potentially help you:• Make a down payment on another home
• Purchase before selling your current property
• Cover moving or renovation expenses
• Strengthen an offer with additional available funds
• Preserve a favorable interest rate on your existing first mortgageThe right strategy depends on your current mortgage rate, available equity, credit, income, monthly-payment goals and future plans.
Is Refinancing the Right Move?
A lower payment does not automatically mean greater long-term savings. We will consider closing costs, the new loan term, the time needed to recover the costs and how long you expect to keep the property.
Let’s compare your current mortgage with the available refinance and home equity options.
Florida Relocation Mortgage Q&A
Moving to Florida can create mortgage questions that do not arise during a typical home purchase. Here are clear answers to some of the questions relocation buyers frequently ask.
Can I buy a Florida home before selling my current home?
Possibly. Depending on your income, available assets, current housing payment and home equity, options may include qualifying with both mortgages, using a bridge loan or accessing equity from your current property.
Can I use equity from my current home to buy in Florida?
Potentially. A HELOC, home equity loan or cash-out refinance may allow you to access available equity for a down payment, closing costs or other purchase expenses. The costs and effect on your current mortgage should be carefully compared.
Can I qualify while changing jobs or relocating?
In some situations, yes. The answer depends on the type of employment, how you are paid, when the new position begins and the loan program. An accepted employment offer may be used under certain guidelines, but the details should be reviewed before you make an offer on a home.
Can I purchase before my retirement income begins?
Possibly. Certain retirement income, assets or documented future income may be considered, depending on when the income begins and the applicable loan guidelines. Planning before retirement can help identify the most appropriate timeline.
How do Florida insurance, taxes and HOA fees affect qualification?
Mortgage qualification is based on the complete estimated housing payment—not only principal and interest. Property taxes, homeowners and flood insurance, mortgage insurance and HOA or condominium fees can materially affect purchasing power.
Can self-employed buyers qualify without using tax returns?
Sometimes. Alternative-documentation programs may allow eligible borrowers to qualify using bank statements, 1099 income, a profit-and-loss statement or assets. These programs typically have different down payment, reserve, rate and credit requirements than traditional financing.
Have a Different Question?
Mortgage guidelines are detailed, and the right answer depends on your complete financial situation, property and relocation plans. Submit your question or schedule a conversation to discuss your options.Information provided is for educational purposes only and is not a commitment to lend. Program availability and qualification requirements vary.