Mortgage Broker for the St. Augustine Area
247 Home Loans helps buyers and homeowners across St. Johns County, from historic St. Augustine and St. Augustine Beach to Nocatee, St. Johns and World Golf Village. As an independent broker, we compare purchase and refinance options from more than 20 wholesale lenders, whether you're buying a century-old house downtown, a beach condo or new construction in a master-planned community.
Where we help in St. Johns County
- St. Augustine: the historic downtown, Lincolnville, Davis Shores on Anastasia Island and neighborhoods west of US-1
- St. Augustine Beach: beach cottages, condos and townhomes near A1A
- Nocatee: the master-planned community straddling Ponte Vedra and St. Johns County
- St. Johns: fast-growing communities along County Road 210 and SR 16, including the RiverTown and Julington Creek areas
- World Golf Village: golf-course homes, villas and condos off I-95
Historic homes in St. Augustine
St. Augustine's historic districts have homes that are a century old or more. Older homes can mean extra steps: insurers often ask for 4-point and wind mitigation inspections, and roof, wiring or plumbing updates can affect insurance and the appraisal. Exterior changes in historic districts may need city review, and renovation loans can sometimes fund repairs along with the purchase. We'll flag these early so they don't hold up your closing.
New construction, HOA and CDD fees in Nocatee and St. Johns
Many newer communities in Nocatee and St. Johns have community development district (CDD) assessments as well as HOA fees. Lenders count those fees in your monthly housing cost, so they affect how much home you qualify for. We build them in from the start and can plan around builder timelines for new construction.
Beach condos, flood and windstorm insurance
On Anastasia Island and in St. Augustine Beach, condos and coastal homes often sit in FEMA flood zones, and low-lying parts of downtown can too. If a home is in a special flood hazard area and you have a federally backed loan, flood insurance is required, and windstorm coverage is part of coastal homeowners or condo insurance. For condos, Florida's milestone inspection and reserve rules affect which buildings lenders will finance, and non-warrantable units can often still be financed with non-QM or portfolio loans.
VA loans for military families
St. Johns County is a common choice for Navy families stationed at NAS Jacksonville and Naval Station Mayport, as well as for military retirees. VA loans are available to eligible veterans, active-duty service members and some surviving spouses. VA IRRRL refinances are available for homeowners who already have a VA loan.
Second homes
Many buyers are looking for a second home or a future retirement home near the beach or the golf courses. Conventional and jumbo second-home loans are options for a property you'll use yourself part of the year.
DSCR loans for St. Augustine investors
A DSCR (debt-service coverage ratio) loan lets you qualify on the property's rental income instead of your personal income, which suits many real estate investors, including self-employed investors. DSCR loans are for investment properties only, not a home you'll live in, and the loan can often be held in an LLC, subject to lender guidelines. St. Augustine's year-round visitor traffic and the growth around St. Johns draw both long-term and seasonal renters. Remember that HOA, CDD and insurance costs count as property expenses. Short-term rental rules vary by city, county, zoning and HOA or condo association, so confirm what's allowed for a specific property before counting on rental income.
Working with a Tampa Bay-based broker
247 Home Loans is a Florida-wide mortgage broker with its home base in Tampa Bay. You don't need to come to Tampa: applications, documents and disclosures are handled online and by phone, and closings are coordinated with a local title company. Depending on the lender and title company, you may be able to sign with a mobile notary or through remote online notarization.
Looking closer to Jacksonville? See our Jacksonville Beaches page for Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, Jacksonville Beach and Ponte Vedra Beach. See also our Northeast Florida overview. For Jacksonville proper, see our Jacksonville page.
Loan programs we offer
- Conventional and jumbo purchase and refinance
- FHA, VA and USDA (in eligible areas)
- Bank-statement and other non-QM loans
- DSCR loans for investors
- Construction loans
Your loan officers
- Chad Morris, Owner & Loan Officer, NMLS #352539
- Dave Rodgers, Loan Officer, NMLS #363840
Frequently asked questions
Can I finance a historic home in St. Augustine?
Yes. Older homes may need 4-point and wind mitigation inspections for insurance, and needed repairs can affect the appraisal. Renovation loans can sometimes fund repairs along with the purchase. We'll flag these early.
Do CDD fees in Nocatee or St. Johns affect what I can borrow?
They can. Lenders count CDD assessments and HOA fees as part of your monthly housing cost, so we include them when we estimate your price range.
Is flood insurance required in St. Augustine Beach?
It depends on the flood zone. If the property is in a FEMA special flood hazard area and you have a federally backed loan, flood insurance is required. We'll check the zone and help you get quotes early.
Can I use a VA loan in St. Johns County?
Yes, if you're eligible. VA loans are available to eligible veterans, active-duty service members and some surviving spouses, including families stationed at NAS Jacksonville and Mayport.
Can I buy a St. Augustine rental with a DSCR loan?
Yes. DSCR loans qualify on the property's rental income instead of your personal income, are for investment properties only, and can often be held in an LLC. Rental rules vary by city, county and association, so confirm what's allowed first.
Do I have to come to Tampa to close?
No. We handle the loan by phone and online, and closings are coordinated with a local title company, often with a mobile notary or remote online notarization when the lender and title company allow it.
Other areas we serve
Florida-wide broker; home base Tampa Bay.
Talk with Chad about your St. Augustine Area purchase
Call or text Chad at 813-495-9542, or apply online. Florida-wide broker; home base Tampa Bay. No obligation, and no credit check just to talk.