Fort Lauderdale FL Mortgage Company — 20+ Years, $350M+ Closed
In a market crowded with mortgage companies making identical claims, the difference comes down to track record, capabilities, and who’s actually handling your loan.
Stairway Mortgage is a Fort Lauderdale mortgage company and division of NEXA Mortgage LLC (NMLS #1660690) that operates as both as a direct mortgage lender and licensed mortgage broker with access to 300+ wholesale lending partners. Founded and led by James Blackburn (NMLS #1072866) — a Scotsman Guide Top Producer who has personally closed over $350 million in loans.
About Stairway Mortgage
Our Mission
Our Structure
Our leader
- Scotsman Guide Top Producer — 7 consecutive years
- $350+ million in closed loan volume
- 20+ years in banking and finance
- CFP Board education completed (exam pending)
- Specialization: non-QM, bank statement, DSCR, asset-based, and complex lending
- NMLS #1072866
| Capability | ✦ Stairway Mortgage | Typical Mortgage Co. |
|---|---|---|
| Direct Lending | ✓ In-house underwriting & funding | ✓ or ✕ (varies) |
| Broker Access | ✓ 300+ wholesale lenders | ✕ Usually one or the other |
| Non-QM Expertise | ✓ Core specialization | ✕ Limited or outsourced |
| DSCR Investor Loans | ✓ Multiple DSCR lenders | ✕ Few options |
| Bank Statement Programs | ✓ 12- and 24-month | ✕ Rarely offered |
| Production Volume | ✓ $350M+ by lead originator | Varies widely |
| Scotsman Guide Ranked | ✓ 7 consecutive years | Uncommon |
| Local Knowledge | ✓ Fort Lauderdale based | May be remote |
Our Loan Programs
The Stairway Journey
Building Wealth Through Real Estate
04
Portfolio Starters
05
Cash Flow Creators
06
Wealth Multipliers
07
Freedom Achievers
How to Choose a Mortgage Company in Fort Lauderdale
01
How Many Lenders Do They Access?
02
Who Is Actually Handling Your File?
03
What's Their Track Record With Complex Loans?
04
Are They Transparent About Compensation?
05
Do They Offer Ongoing Value After Closing?
The Stairway Journey
Building Wealth Through Real Estate
Financial Literacy Education
First-Time Buyer Support
Local Professional Partnerships
Wealth-Building Mission
Frequently Asked Questions About Mortgage Companies in Fort Lauderdale
Stairway Mortgage is a Fort Lauderdale mortgage company that operates as both a direct lender and licensed mortgage broker. This dual model, combined with access to 300+ wholesale lending partners through NEXA Mortgage LLC, gives our clients more options than any single-channel lender can provide.
Stairway Mortgage is a locally owned and operated division of NEXA Mortgage LLC, which is licensed in 48 states. Our Fort Lauderdale branch is led by Jim Blackburn, who lives and works in the community. We combine local expertise with national lending infrastructure.
We offer the full spectrum: conventional (Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac), FHA, VA, USDA, jumbo, bank statement loans, DSCR investor loans, asset-based programs, foreign national loans, fix-and-flip financing, commercial lending through Blackburn Business Capital, and non-QM programs for unique borrower scenarios.
In most cases, our fees are comparable or lower. Because we access wholesale pricing across 300+ lenders, we frequently secure rates and terms that retail bank branches cannot match. All fees are disclosed in your Loan Estimate within three business days of application. There are never hidden costs.
Ready to Work With the Top Fort Lauderdale Mortgage Company?
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.
