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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:

  • Rate updates and Federal Reserve insights.

  • Guides for FHA, VA, USDA, Conventional, and Non-QM loans.

  • Local market trends from Jacksonville, St. Johns, and across Florida.

  • Credit and refinance tips to help you save money.

  • 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:

  • FHA and VA loan guidelines made simple.

  • Down payment assistance programs available in Florida.

  • Rate trends and Fed updates that affect your payment.

  • Home equity strategies and refinance opportunities.

  • 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.

Short-term vacation rental bill barely passes Florida House

March 20, 2024

With two days remaining in the 2024 Florida legislative session, the state House passed a short-term vacation rental measure. The bill includes new regulations for platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo. Changes include a "grandfather" clause for local ordinances and funding for more oversight officers. Critics argue the bill does not go far enough in addressing…

Florida’s Hard Money Loans: Essential for Investors

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Hard money loans are pivotal in Florida's dynamic Real Estate landscape, known for short terms and high interest rates. They're ideal for swift transactions like auction purchases, fix-and-flip projects, or when traditional financing isn't viable.

Unlocking Florida’s Real Estate Potential

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Investment Opportunities: Florida's Real Estate market offers diverse investment options with potential for growth.Dream Home Destination: Find your dream home in Florida's dynamic housing market.

USING 1099 INCOME TO QUALIFY FOR A MORTGAGE

March 14, 2024
USING 1099 AS INCOME

When using 1099 income to qualify for a mortgage… 1099 income refers to income earned by an individual or business entity that is paid in the form of a 1099-MISC or 1099-NEC tax form. These forms are typically used for reporting various types of income other than salaries, wages, and tips. Examples of income reported…

Which trends will impact real estate funds this year?

March 13, 2024

We discuss five trends impacting real estate funds and investments in 2024, including sustainability compliance, new technologies, and an upcoming election. AI technology is emerging in commercial real estate, offering efficiency and risk mitigation. Real estate fund managers must address decarbonization demands and comply with new regulations on climate-related disclosures. The SEC is focusing on…

HOURLY WORKER INCOME SOLUTION

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HOURLY WORKER INCOME SOLUTION

When Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac added the guideline about variable income they took the normal over time, bonus and commission pay types and added variable hourly pay and how long you must receive before the income is considered stable. Variable hourly pay is any pay that is either not salary or a fixed amount…

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (Conventional Loans) No credit scores

March 12, 2024
No Credit Score

No Credit Score? We now have the ability to close Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac  (Conventional Loans) with out all borrowers having a credit score. This is part of our objective to move to no overlays at all. We have very few but this was one of them. But this comes with some rules to…

Biden bets on Fed rate cuts, eyes mortgage relief ahead of Trump rematch

March 11, 2024
mortgage relief ahead

President breaks tradition, forecasts Fed action amid voter concerns over living expenses. President Joe Biden hinted that the Federal Reserve might soon lower interest rates as his administration ramps up efforts to tackle housing affordability ahead of the upcoming election battle against Donald Trump. “I can’t guarantee it. But I bet — you betcha —…

MANUAL UNDERWRITING RATIOS

March 11, 2024
MANUAL UNDERWRITING RATIOS

“Manual underwriting” refers to the process of assessing a borrower’s creditworthiness and making lending decisions based on a thorough review of their financial history, income, assets, and other relevant factors, without relying solely on automated algorithms or credit scoring models. Debt ratios, also known as debt-to-income ratios (DTI), are financial metrics used by lenders to…

How Quickly Do Homes Sell in Florida?

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Winter sales take 50-57 days, while spring and summer sales are faster at 41-44 days in Florida. In Early-Q1, it takes 46 days to sell a house, compared to 31 days Late-Q4.