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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.

A Home Loan for Florida’s Military Service Members

January 6, 2022

Are you a United States military veteran or an active service member interested in purchasing your own home in Florida? The Department of Veterans Affairs, (or VA), assists people that have served our country by providing VA loans to buy a property. If you are a current or veteran service member looking to buy a…

How Does VA IRRL Refinancing Work?

December 20, 2021

If you are a current military member or a veteran interested in refinancing your mortgage and have previously purchased a home with a VA loan, there are options available to help you obtain a more favorable rate. An interest rate reduction refinance loan, (or IRRL), is one option that could help you lower your monthly…

Jumbo and Conventional Loans Easier to Obtain in November

December 13, 2021

By Jan Swanson: Access to jumbo mortgage credit continued to increase in November, but the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) says it is still down significantly from pre-pandemic levels. Overall access fell during the month according to MBA’s Mortgage Credit Availability Index (MCAI) which dipped by 0.6 percent. The decrease, however, was due solely to a constriction on…

Closing Costs and Buying a Home

December 7, 2021

Are you interested in buying a home, but on a limited budget and wondering how you will be able to afford the several costs that are associated with your purchase? Some potential homebuyers find that they have enough money saved for a down payment, but don’t have quite enough to afford the closing costs. If…

Baseline Conforming Loan Limit Will Increase to $647,200

November 30, 2021

Washington, D.C. – The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) today announced the conforming loan limits (CLLs) for mortgages to be acquired by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the Enterprises) in 2022. In most of the U.S., the 2022 CLL for one-unit properties will be $647,200, an increase of $98,950 from $548,250 in 2021. National Baseline…

New Loan Amounts

November 30, 2021

FHFA made it official- new conforming loan limit for 1-unit properties is $647,200. The new ceiling for High Cost is $970,800 (areas like Alaska, Hawaii, Guam & US Virgin Islands) FHA will calculate the low-cost mortgage limit at 65%t-  $420,680  while High-cost area mortgage limits are set at 150%- $631,020. *usually announced in December & in effect for case numbers assigned…

Getting Preapproved for Your New Home Loan

November 18, 2021

Have you decided that you are ready to become a homeowner, and curious about what steps to take first in order to make that happen? Shopping for your new home is an exciting milestone, but can be challenging if you aren’t exactly sure what kind of home you will be able to afford. Getting loan…

Fannie Mae’s chief economist, and other real estate pros, tell us the 3 things you need to know about the housing market now

November 17, 2021

Nov. 16, 2021 at 2:41 p.m. ET By Alisa Wolfson What to know if you’re thinking about buying a home soon. On the one hand, mortgage rates are near historic lows and many experts predict they will rise in the coming year. But on the other, housing prices are on the rise, and in plenty of areas…

Financing a Higher-Priced Home with a Jumbo Loan

November 9, 2021

Are you interested in purchasing a home that has a higher than average price tag? Housing prices have increased throughout certain areas of the United States, and if you have your eye on a more expensive home, you may need to apply for a jumbo loan, which is a mortgage designed to finance homes that…

Assistance Buying Your First Home

October 25, 2021

Buying your first home is an exciting life event, however, the process can be stressful due to the many financial requirements that come along with it. Selecting a suitable financing option for your situation takes a lot of time and research. Luckily, there are a variety of programs that are available to first time homebuyers,…