Self-Employed & Business Owner Lending
Bank statement programs using 12 or 24 months of deposits — no tax returns required. P&L statement programs also available for maximum flexibility.
Mortgage Broker & Direct Lender
Jim Blackburn — built for the loans others decline
A Scotsman Guide Top Producer with deep specialization in the complex lending scenarios most mortgage professionals never develop. As both a direct lender and a licensed broker with access to 300+ wholesale partners, Jim gives clients more options, better-fit programs, and faster closings.
912 SW 20th St, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315
$500M+
Personally closed loan volume
7 yrs
Scotsman Guide Top Producer
20+ yrs
Banking & finance
300+
Wholesale lending partners
The Story
Jim Blackburn is the founder and Originating Branch Manager of Stairway Mortgage. He operates as both a direct lender and a licensed mortgage broker, a dual model that gives his clients more options, better-fit programs, and faster closings.
Jim built Stairway Mortgage on a simple but powerful belief: your home is more than shelter — it is a wealth engine waiting to be activated through faithful stewardship. With over two decades of mortgage expertise, he is the author of eight faith-based real estate playbooks spanning every stage of the journey, from Smart Stewards (ages 16–25) to Legacy Angels (ultra-high-net-worth estate planning).
He created the Certified Stairway Advisor (CSA) designation to train loan officers in his methodology — one that prioritizes long-term wealth-building over commission-chasing and views every transaction through the lens of generational impact. His mission is clear: help families leverage wisely, grow wealthy, and create legacies that outlive their bank accounts.
NMLS #1072866 · verify at nmlsconsumeraccess.org
Areas of Focus
What Jim specializes in
Real Estate Investor Financing
DSCR loans that qualify on rental income, not personal income — no W-2s, no tax returns.
- Fix-and-flip bridge loans
- Short-term rental / Airbnb financing
- Multi-family (2–4 and 5+ units)
- Portfolio loans for 10+ financed properties
High-Net-Worth & Asset-Based Lending
Asset depletion and asset-based programs for retirees, trust beneficiaries, recently-sold business owners, and executives between roles.
Non-QM Mortgage Solutions
Alternative-documentation programs for borrowers traditional lenders decline.
- Recent credit events with shorter waiting periods
- Interest-only payment options
- Foreign national programs
- Jumbo / super-jumbo with alternative documentation
- Mixed-use property financing
Conventional, FHA, VA & Government Loans
Full spectrum of residential mortgage products with rate shopping across 300+ lenders.
Local Knowledge
Fort Lauderdale’s mortgage specialist
From the waterfront estates of Las Olas Isles and Harbor Beach to the emerging investor market in Flagler Village, Jim understands the lending challenges specific to Broward County — non-warrantable condos, flood-zone requirements, foreign national buyers, and property types national lenders routinely decline.
- Condo financing: Navigation of non-warrantable buildings, post-Surfside structural requirements, and condo-questionnaire challenges that block most lenders.
- Waterfront & luxury: Jumbo and super-jumbo programs for properties requiring alternative documentation and specialized appraisal processes.
- International buyers: Foreign national programs, ITIN lending, and cross-border income documentation for Fort Lauderdale’s international buyer population.
- Investor market knowledge: DSCR underwriting calibrated to Fort Lauderdale rental yields, short-term rental financing, and multi-family investment strategies.
The Process
What to expect
01
Discovery Call
A deep review of your financial picture — income, assets, debts, credit profile, property goals, and timeline. Not a surface-level pre-qualification, but a real analysis to identify the best path forward.
02
Scenario Pricing
Your file is submitted to multiple wholesale lenders simultaneously. Rates, terms, and program features are compared across 300+ partners and presented as options — not a single take-it-or-leave-it offer.
03
Lock & Submit
Once you choose the best option, your rate is locked and the file goes to underwriting. Conditions are managed proactively — you know what’s needed before the underwriter asks.
04
Clear to Close
The team coordinates with the title company, appraiser, insurance agent, and real estate attorneys so nothing falls through the cracks. One point of contact who knows your file inside and out.
05
Beyond the Close
Your relationship doesn’t end at the closing table — annual mortgage reviews, refinance monitoring, and guidance for your next step on the Stairway Journey.
Background & Credentials
CFP coursework
A wealth-management perspective most originators lack.
20+ years banking & finance
Underwriting, risk assessment, and financial planning.
Scotsman Guide Top Producer
7 consecutive years among the nation’s top originators.
Author & educator
Creator of the Stairway wealth-building framework.
Commercial lending
Blackburn Business Capital.
The Philosophy
Jim’s Approach: The Stairway Philosophy
Jim doesn’t view mortgage lending as a transaction. He views it as the foundational step in a client’s wealth-building journey. That’s why he created the Stairway Journey — an 8-stage framework guiding clients from financial foundations through generational wealth transfer.
“Every client is somewhere on the stairway. My job isn’t just to close today’s loan — it’s to help you see the next three steps and position you to take them.”
- Education first: Every option and tradeoff explained before you sign.
- Relationship over transaction: Most business comes from repeat clients and referrals.
- Strategic lending: Positioning you for your next investment and next step up.
Get Started
How to work with Jim
- Buying a home: Pre-qualification, rate shopping across 300+ lenders, best options presented.
- Refinancing: Current loan analysis, savings modeling, and recommendation.
- Investing: Financing structured for cash flow and portfolio growth.
- Turned down elsewhere: Non-QM specialization + 300 lenders = almost always a path forward.
Real Comments, Real People
From past clients
We had a difficult jumbo loan scenario most lenders couldn’t close. Jim’s team not only closed our refinance — now we can pursue our dream home in the Florida Keys. We’ll use them again.
Chad Brocato
I’m an RE investor with tons of properties, living in China with unique income — he made it work. He even called me at 1 AM to close a deal. Now on our third deal together.
Dennis Nikolaev
We closed within 19 days — just in time for Thanksgiving. We’d started with a different office whose rate and down payment were ridiculous. We’ve been referring the team ever since.
Elizabeth Torres
Run, don’t walk. They helped us get financing when it seemed impossible — buying 2,000 miles away, in a competitive market, while self-employed. They made sure financing wasn’t a barrier.
David Livermore
I recently refinanced my existing mortgage with Jim and his team, and I was so pleased with how easy and quick the whole process was. Jim and his team were very responsive to my questions, and I feel confident that I got the best rate and shaved 9 years off my mortgage. He is very knowledgeable and helped me determine the best option for myself and my family.
Alexis Kulick
Jim Blackburn is a lending saint. He knows the market well and cares about his clients tremendously. Our situation is a bit complex. Rather than turn us away for some added work, they dug in to get it done right. They like the complexity, whereas other lenders don’t want to roll up their sleeves. Highly recommend Jim Blackburn for new loans and refinances!
Julian Einfrank
Jim and his team are great to work with! We have used Jim twice with our home mortgage. Both times, the process was smooth and uneventful. He contacted us when he felt it was the right time to refinance! The refinancing process took about two weeks to close. I love the online process of submitting all the information — it made it super easy.
Christina Curva Carrasco
Common Questions
Frequently asked questions
01 What is Jim Blackburn’s NMLS number?
NMLS #1072866. You can verify at nmlsconsumeraccess.org.
02 Is Jim a mortgage broker or a direct lender?
Both. Jim operates as a direct lender and a licensed broker with access to 300+ wholesale partners.
03 What types of loans does Jim specialize in?
Bank statement loans, DSCR investor loans, asset-based lending, non-QM, jumbo, and foreign national programs, plus conventional, FHA, and VA.
04 How do I get pre-approved?
Call (954) 993-1625 or apply online. The consultation is free, with no obligation.
05 Are there broker fees?
Compensation varies by program and is disclosed transparently upfront. In many cases, broker compensation is paid by the wholesale lender.
06 Does Jim work with real estate investors?
Yes — investor lending is a core focus: DSCR loans that qualify on rental income (no tax returns or W-2s), fix-and-flip bridge loans, short-term rental financing, multi-family programs, and portfolio loans for 10+ financed properties.
07 Can you help if I’ve been turned down by another lender?
This is one of the most common reasons borrowers reach out. With 300+ wholesale lenders and deep non-QM expertise, there is frequently a path forward when banks and single-channel lenders cannot help — recent credit events, self-employment income, non-warrantable condos, and foreign national status are all handled routinely.
Ready to talk through your options?
A real conversation about what's possible — no pressure, no jargon.