SEARCH BLOGS
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.
Florida dominates the nation's top housing developments, with Babcock Ranch, Ave Maria, Lakewood Ranch, and Wellen Park seeing increased sales. Tampa General Hospital plans to expand into Babcock Ranch. Florida accounts for 40% of sales in top US master-planned communities. Warby Parker has also opened its first physical stores in Southwest Florida. Continue to full…
Getting pre-approved for a mortgage is crucial when buying a home. It can help you stand out in a competitive market, determine your budget, and show sellers that you're serious. With low housing inventory, pre-approval increases your chances of securing your dream home. It's a quick process that provides clarity and confidence in your homebuying…
GIFT DONOR CHANGES to Fannie and Freddie What happens when you have a realtor that is a family member on a transaction and they want to give a gift to their relative. This came up recently and is a great tidbit of information when someone is working with a relative. The difference is between Fannie…
The USDA offers home loans through the Rural Development Guaranteed Housing Loan Program, commonly known as USDA loans. Here are some key points about doing a USDA Purchase: USDA loans are designed to help families with low to moderate incomes buy homes in rural areas. Eligibility is determined by the property’s location and the applicant’s…
Both Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac made CONVENTIONAL RENTAL INCOME CHANGES to their rental income guidelines EFFECTIVE for APPLICATIONS taken after January 1, 2024. Make sure you know the rules of rental income allowed based on primary housing payment and length of rental management experience. Here are a couple items that are unique to Fannie…
In 2024, more home options expected despite stable mortgage rates, yet high prices remain a challenge. High prices drive prolonged renting; limited inventory growth anticipated, boosting demand for family-centric rentals.
November's pending home sales remained flat from the previous month, indicating that elevated mortgage rates are still impacting the U.S. housing market. Despite falling mortgage rates, there was no significant increase in buyers entering the market. Economists expect improvements as rates continue to decline. The National Association of Realtors' Pending Home Sales Index (PHSI) stayed…
Freddie Mac's Primary Mortgage Market Survey shows that the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.61 percent, down from last week's 6.67 percent. The 15-year fixed-rate mortgage also decreased to 5.93 percent. The economy remains strong with solid growth and a rebound in the housing market. Continue to full article
Mortgage rates are ringing in the new year much lower than their near-8% peak this past fall. The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage has decreased for the past nine weeks, though breaking for a slight uptick this week to reach 6.62%, Freddie Mac reports. “The overall trajectory of mortgage interest rates in 2024 is expected to decrease,”…
The interest rate on 30-year fixed-rate mortgages in the US has been steadily declining for the past nine weeks, reaching its lowest point since May. The Federal Reserve's decision to keep interest rates steady and the expectation of further rate cuts in the coming year have contributed to this trend. The decline in mortgage rates…
