Direct lender capabilities
In-house underwriting and funding means faster approvals, fewer conditions, and more control over your timeline. When speed matters, we fund directly.
Fort Lauderdale Mortgage Lender
Fort Lauderdale FL Mortgage Lender — Direct Funding, Local Expertise
Stairway Mortgage is a Fort Lauderdale direct mortgage lender and broker with access to 300+ wholesale lenders. In-house underwriting when speed matters, wholesale rate shopping when savings matter — the best of both worlds.
Trusted by 300+ wholesale lending partners
Why Stairway Mortgage
Why Choose Stairway Mortgage as Your Fort Lauderdale Mortgage Lender
Led by a Scotsman Guide Top Producer
NMLS #1072866
Jim Blackburn has closed over $500M+ in loans across seven consecutive years as a Scotsman Guide Top Producer. Jim lives in Fort Lauderdale and serves clients nationwide — combining deep local market knowledge with nationwide lender access.
Meet the team →300+ wholesale lender network
Access to specialized programs and competitive pricing from over 300 wholesale partners. When savings matter, we shop the entire market for you.
Complex loan expertise
Bank statement loans, DSCR investor loans, asset-based lending, non-QM programs, jumbo, and FHA/VA/USDA conventional loans — all under one roof.
The Dual Model
How Our Dual Lending Model Works
Every loan runs through both channels so you always get the best possible outcome — speed or savings.
01
Check our direct channel first
We check our direct lending channel first for speed, pricing, and fit — can we fund this in-house faster and cheaper?
02
Shop 300+ wholesale partners
We simultaneously shop our 300+ wholesale partners to compare rates, terms, and program features against our direct channel.
03
Present the best option
We present you with the best option — period — regardless of which channel it comes from. Your interests come first.
Market Knowledge
Why Fort Lauderdale Borrowers Need a Specialized Mortgage Lender
40%+
Price growth since 2020
Fort Lauderdale's rapid appreciation drives jumbo lending necessity — many properties now exceed conforming limits.
Post-Surfside
Condo requirements
New structural requirements create non-warrantable financing challenges that require specialized lender relationships.
$3K-$12K
Annual flood insurance
High flood insurance costs impact debt-to-income ratios — an experienced lender knows which programs account for this.
Global
International buyer demand
Fort Lauderdale's international buyer population requires foreign national and ITIN programs most lenders don't offer.
Local Coverage
Fort Lauderdale Neighborhoods Our Mortgage Lending Team Serves
| Neighborhood | Common Loan Type | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Las Olas Isles & Blvd | Jumbo / Super-Jumbo | $2M–$8M+ |
| Harbor Beach | Super-Jumbo / Alt-Doc | $3M–$15M+ |
| Rio Vista | Conventional / FHA 203k | $800K–$3M |
| Victoria Park | FHA / Conv / Physician | $400K–$1.2M |
| Flagler Village | Non-Warrantable Condo | $300K–$800K |
| Coral Ridge | Conventional / Jumbo | $600K–$2.5M |
| Progresso Village & Sailboat Bend | DSCR / Fix-and-Flip | $250K–$600K |
| Ft Lauderdale Beach / Galt Ocean Mile | Non-Warrantable / Foreign National | $400K–$5M+ |
| Wilton Manors & Oakland Park | VA / DSCR / First-Time | $350K–$900K |
| Plantation, Weston & Davie | Conv / Bank Statement | $400K–$1.5M |
Expertise
Local Expertise Matters
Condo financing
Warrantable and non-warrantable condo programs. Navigation of post-Surfside structural requirements and condo questionnaire challenges.
Foreign national lending
Programs with 25-30% down, no U.S. credit requirement. Closings in personal name or through an LLC.
Flood zone navigation
Understanding how flood insurance costs impact qualifying ratios and which lenders handle flood-zone properties best.
Investment property financing
DSCR underwriting calibrated to Fort Lauderdale rental yields, short-term rental financing, and multi-family investment strategies.
Who We Serve
Borrowers We Work With Every Day
Self-employed business owners
Bank statement or P&L qualifying for entrepreneurs who don't fit traditional income documentation.
Real estate investors
Scaling portfolios with DSCR, asset-based, and fix-and-flip programs across South Florida.
High-income professionals
Physicians, attorneys, and executives with physician loans, jumbo options, and asset-based qualifying.
First-time homebuyers
FHA, VA, and down payment assistance programs with hands-on guidance through every step.
Foreign nationals & expats
Purchasing South Florida real estate with specialized programs requiring no U.S. credit history.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
01 What makes Stairway Mortgage different from other Fort Lauderdale mortgage lenders?
Unlike a typical Fort Lauderdale mortgage lender that offers only their own products, Stairway Mortgage operates as both a direct lender and licensed broker with 300+ wholesale partners. You get in-house speed when it matters and wholesale rate shopping when savings matter.
02 What types of mortgage loans are available in Fort Lauderdale?
Conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, jumbo, bank statement, DSCR investor, asset-based, foreign national, and non-QM programs — all available through our direct and wholesale channels.
03 How do I choose the right mortgage lender in Fort Lauderdale?
Look for lending model access (direct + broker is ideal), local expertise in South Florida's specific challenges (condos, flood zones, international buyers), verifiable production volume, and a track record with complex scenarios.
04 How fast can a Fort Lauderdale mortgage lender close my loan?
Through our direct lending channel, we can close in as few as 14–21 days for straightforward purchase transactions. Complex scenarios typically close in 30–45 days.
Get Started Today
Ready to Work with a Fort Lauderdale Mortgage Lender Who Puts You First?
Direct funding when speed matters. 300+ lenders when savings matter. No pressure, no jargon.
