Fort Lauderdale FL Mortgage Lender — Direct Funding, Local Expertise
Most borrowers face a choice: work with a single direct lender who controls the process, or hire a broker who shops around but adds a middleman. Stairway Mortgage eliminates that tradeoff. As a Fort Lauderdale-based direct mortgage lender and licensed mortgage broker with access to over 300 wholesale lending partners, we offer what no traditional lender or standalone broker can — in-house lending speed combined with the widest selection of loan programs in South Florida.
Whether you’re buying your first home in Victoria Park, refinancing a waterfront condo on Las Olas, or building a rental portfolio across Broward County, Stairway Mortgage delivers the right loan at the right rate — every time.
Why Choose Stairway Mortgage as
Your Fort Lauderdale Mortgage Lender
Led by Jim Blackburn (NMLS #1072866), Originating Branch Manager and Scotsman Guide Top Producer with over $350 million in closed loans, Stairway Mortgage is a division of NEXA Mortgage LLC — one of the largest mortgage brokerages in the country. But what makes us different is our dual model:
Direct Lender Capabilities
We underwrite and fund loans in-house, which means faster approvals, fewer surprises at the closing table, and direct communication with the team handling your file. Our Fort Lauderdale mortgage lender team delivers when speed matters — like competing for a hot listing in Flagler Village or closing on an investment property before another buyer.
300+ Wholesale Lender Network
Simultaneously, we maintain broker relationships with over 300 wholesale lenders nationwide. This gives our borrowers access to specialized programs, competitive pricing, and flexible guidelines that a single bank or credit union simply cannot match. If one lender says no, we have 299 more options.
Complex Loan Expertise
How Our Dual Lending Model Works for You
01
We check our direct lending
02
We simultaneously shop
03
We present you with the best option
The result?
You get the personalized service of a local lender with the pricing power of the nation's largest wholesale network. No compromises.
Why Fort Lauderdale Borrowers Need a
Specialized Mortgage Lender
the forces that make this market unique — and why a one-size-fits-all lending approach fails here.
40%+ Price Growth Since 2020
Pushing conventional loan limits and making jumbo lending a necessity in neighborhoods like Harbor Beach, Rio Vista, and Las Olas Isles.
Post-Surfside Condo Requirements
Condo associations along the Intracoastal and beach corridors face structural requirements that make financing non-warrantable — and many national lenders simply won't touch them.
$3K–$12K Annual Flood Insurance
Directly impacts debt-to-income ratios and loan qualification. Most Fort Lauderdale properties require flood insurance — we factor these costs into every scenario from day one.
International Buyer Demand
Fort Lauderdale's international buyer population creates demand for foreign national programs, ITIN lending, and cross-border income documentation that most lenders outside South Florida have never encountered.
This is why choosing a local Fort Lauderdale mortgage lender matters. We’ve closed loans in buildings other lenders have blacklisted. We know which flood zone designations trigger which insurance requirements. We understand that a self-employed borrower running a marine services company on the New River has a fundamentally different financial profile than a W-2 employee — and we know exactly which of our 300+ lending partners will approve that file.
Fort Lauderdale’s international buyer population also creates demand for foreign national programs, ITIN lending, and cross-border income documentation that most lenders outside South Florida have never encountered. Our team handles these scenarios routinely.
Fort Lauderdale Neighborhoods Our Mortgage Lending Team Serves
for every neighborhood’s unique property types and price points:
Las Olas Isles & Las Olas Blvd
Harbor Beach
Rio Vista
Victoria Park
Flagler Village
Coral Ridge
Progresso Village & Sailboat Bend
Ft Lauderdale Beach / Galt Ocean Mile
Wilton Manors & Oakland Park
Plantation, Weston & Davie
Fort Lauderdale Mortgage Lending Local Expertise Matters
Condo Financing
Warrantable and non-warrantable condo lending along the Intracoastal and beach corridors — we help borrowers make their deals work even when other lenders decline.
Foreign National Lending
Fort Lauderdale attracts international buyers. We offer specialized programs for non-resident and international borrowers.
Flood Zone Navigation
Most Fort Lauderdale properties require flood insurance. We help borrowers factor these costs into their qualification and find programs that account for elevated insurance expenses.
Investment Property Financing
From short-term vacation rentals near the beach to multi-family properties in Progresso Village and beyond, we finance every investment strategy.
Who We Serve
- Self-employed business owners who need bank statement or profit-and-loss qualifying
- Real estate investors scaling portfolios with DSCR and asset-based loans
- High-income professionals (physicians, attorneys, executives) with complex compensation
- First-time homebuyers looking for FHA, VA, or down payment assistance programs
- Foreign nationals and expats purchasing or investing in South Florida real estate
Frequently Asked Questions
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. This dual model means we can fund your loan in-house when speed matters, or shop across hundreds of lenders to find the best rate and program for your specific scenario. Led by Scotsman Guide Top Producer Jim Blackburn with $350M+ in closed loans, we specialize in complex lending that other lenders decline.
Fort Lauderdale borrowers have access to conventional (Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac), FHA, VA, USDA, jumbo, bank statement loans for self-employed borrowers, DSCR investor loans, asset-based programs, foreign national loans, and non-QM programs for unique income situations. The right choice depends on your property type, income documentation, credit profile, and investment goals.
Look for three things: lending model (do they have access to multiple lenders or just their own products?), local expertise (do they understand Fort Lauderdale's condo market, flood zones, and foreign buyer programs?), and track record (what's their closed volume and how many years have they been producing?). A lender who checks all three boxes will consistently outperform one who only checks one or two.
Through our direct lending channel, we can close in as few as 14–21 days for straightforward purchase transactions. Bank statement and DSCR loans typically close in 21–30 days. Complex scenarios involving non-warrantable condos or foreign national documentation may require 30–45 days. When you need a mortgage lender in Fort Lauderdale who can move fast, our in-house underwriting makes the difference.
Ready to Work With a Fort Lauderdale Mortgage Lender
Who Puts You First?
100% Client Satisfaction
Real Comments, Real People
Hear From Some Past Clients of Our Founder
Easy and quick refinance with great rates and expert advice.
I recently refinanced my existing mortgage with Jim and his team, and I was so pleased with how easy and quick the whole process was. Jim and his team were very responsive to my questions, and I feel confident that I got the best rate and shaved 9 years off my mortgage. He is very knowledgeable and helped me determine the best option for myself and my family. Definitely recommend him.
Complex loan scenario handled with expertise and care.
The process went smoothly. Jim Blackburn is a lending saint. He knows the market well and cares about his clients tremendously. The team made it really easy to do business, uploading documents and getting forms signed. Our situation is a bit complex. Rather than turn us away for some added work, they dug in to get it done right. They like the complexity, whereas other lenders don’t want to roll up their sleeves. Highly recommend Jim Blackburn for new loans and refinances!
Closed in time for Thanksgiving! Jim and his team were amazing, and we got a much better deal than previous lender.
We closed our loan within 19 days. Just in time for Thanksgiving!! Jim and his team are amazing! We initially had gone with a different loan office and the interest rate and down payment was ridiculous. The owner of the company where my husband works referred us to Jim and we are very grateful for that. We had such an amazing experience with Jim and his team! Since our transaction, we’ve been referring Jim to anyone we know that are thinking of purchasing a house.
Secured financing despite market challenges and self-employment.
Run, don't walk to work with Jim and his team. Jim helped us get financing when it seemed like an impossible feat. It was hard enough to be managing a home purchase 2000 miles away, but add to that an extremely competitive market and being self-employed, and it seemed impossible until Jim's team got involved. Jim was not only responsive; he consistently went above and beyond by making clear recommendations, working his magic, and ensuring that financing wasn’t a barrier for buying our dream house in one of the most competitive markets in the country.
Smooth, fast, and hassle-free mortgage and refinance process.
Jim and his team are great to work with! We have used Jim twice with our home mortgage. Both times, the process was smooth and uneventful (which is what I wanted). He has kept in touch with us and contacted us when he felt it was the right time for us to refinance! I was amazed at our refinancing process – it took them about a little over two weeks to process all our information and close! I love the new online process of submitting all the information they require – it made it super easy for me to organize and gather all the documents.
