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North Star Mortgage Network Blog – Florida Mortgage Tips & News
Welcome to the North Star Mortgage Network Blog, where Florida homeowners, buyers, and investors come for honest mortgage advice.
Each article is written to help you make smarter financial decisions. Whether you’re exploring loan options, comparing rates, or watching the real estate market, you’ll find simple explanations and practical tips you can use.
At North Star Mortgage Network, we believe in keeping things clear and personal — no jargon, no confusion, just the truth about what’s happening in Florida’s housing and mortgage world.
What You’ll Find on the North Star Mortgage Network Blog
The North Star Mortgage Network Blog covers everything you need to understand the mortgage process in Florida.
You’ll find:
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Rate updates and Federal Reserve insights.
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Guides for FHA, VA, USDA, Conventional, and Non-QM loans.
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Local market trends from Jacksonville, St. Johns, and across Florida.
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Credit and refinance tips to help you save money.
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Step-by-step explanations for first-time buyers.
We write every post with one goal — to help you feel informed and confident about your mortgage decisions.
For additional lending and housing resources, visit HUD.gov.
Expert Insights You Can Trust
Our blog is led by Nathan Young, founder and president of North Star Mortgage Network. With over 25 years of experience in Florida lending, Nathan brings real-world knowledge and straight talk to every topic.
We break down complex mortgage topics into easy-to-read articles so you can understand how rates, loan programs, and market changes affect you.
From Jacksonville to Miami, we’ve helped thousands of Floridians buy, refinance, and invest with confidence.
Popular Topics
Here are a few of the topics we cover on the North Star Mortgage Network Blog:
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FHA and VA loan guidelines made simple.
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Down payment assistance programs available in Florida.
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Rate trends and Fed updates that affect your payment.
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Home equity strategies and refinance opportunities.
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Tips for real estate investors using DSCR and Non-QM loans.
New posts are added weekly, so check back often for updates.
Why Readers Choose the North Star Mortgage Network Blog
Unlike national mortgage blogs, our content is built specifically for Florida homeowners.
We know the local programs, market conditions, and challenges that borrowers face here. Our advice is based on hands-on experience — not national averages.
When you read our blog, you get information that applies directly to your local market and your financial goals.
Subscribe and Stay Updated
Don’t miss the latest insights from the North Star Mortgage Network Blog.
Sign up for our free newsletter to receive new posts, rate updates, and home loan advice straight to your inbox.
Average 30-year mortgage rates may fall to 5.1% by the end of 2025, down from 6.3%. Zillow predicts home prices to increase by 1.5%, bringing the average U.S. home price to about $366,701.
Measure: Amendment No. 5 Effective Date: January 1, 2025 Support: 66% approval from voters Details: Establishes an inflation adjustment for the homestead exemption, allowing it to increase with inflation. Impact: Expands the property tax break for primary homeowners to help counter rising costs.
Have your personal financial documentation and get in touch with your lender. Your preapproval letter should either spell out the expiration date or list how many days the letter is valid. Reach out to the mortgage loan officer listed on your letter. You’ll have to provide current versions of your preapproval documentation.
Mortgage underwriting assesses credit, finances, and property value to determine mortgage application approval. Steps – Preapproval: Estimates borrowing capacity – Verification: Confirms income, assets, and credit – Appraisal: Matches property value to loan – Title search: Verifies legal ownership transfer
Mortgage preapprovals generally last 30 to 90 days: Most lenders set this timeframe to ensure borrower finances are up-to-date.You can reapply if preapproval expires: Reapplying may adjust your preapproval amount if financial circumstances change.
‘We have to be better at explaining to the client the time is now,’ said CEO Tristan Kirk (pictured), CEO and managing partner of Citadel Mortgages in Canada and Simply Approved Mortgages in the US, is acutely aware of the changes shaping the mortgage industry in North America. And, when asked about the recent growth…
Focus turns to how new Trump administration will tackle housing crisis The dust has settled on a momentous 2024 US presidential election campaign that dominated headlines for months and put two sharply contrasting plans for America’s future in the spotlight – and as a second Donald Trump presidency looms into view, attention in the mortgage…
This guideline highlight is for those of you that serve the military communities. Many active-duty military serve their 4 years or however long they have been active and then decide to go back to civilian life. This process can be a bit tricky when you have a family, and the timing needs to be right,…
Federal Reserve cut interest rates by 0.25% on November 7, targeting a range of 4.5% to 4.75%.Future rate cuts projected through 2026, with another 0.25% cut expected in December 2024.The Federal Reserve's next policy meeting is scheduled for December 12-13, 2024.
Florida’s housing market shows rapid price growth, particularly in cities like Miami, raising bubble concerns. Inventory has risen by 59% in 2024, creating a more balanced yet cautious market outlook.
