Jordan Vreeland
Licensed Mortgage Broker · NMLS #795404
FHA, VA, USDA, Conventional, Jumbo. Tampa buyers have more loan options than most markets. The right one depends on your situation. Here's how they work and which programs pair with down payment assistance.
Tampa Home Loans
Tampa's median home price is around $400,000, and the inventory moves fast. In South Tampa, Seminole Heights, New Tampa, and Wesley Chapel, well-priced homes routinely attract multiple offers. The loan you use affects your competitiveness, your monthly payment, and your upfront costs more than most buyers realize before they're under contract.
Jordan Vreeland and the 14 Days To Close team have processed every loan type available in this market. The goal on the first call is always the same: match the buyer to the loan product that fits their credit, income, down payment, and target property. Then run DU Approval so the offer they make is as strong as possible.
We've closed loans in as few as 5 days. The industry average is 30 to 45 days. That gap matters when you're competing for a home in a market where sellers compare timelines alongside offer prices.
Loan Programs
Each loan type has specific qualifications, down payment requirements, and use cases. Here's what Tampa buyers actually need to know about each one.
FHA loans are backed by the Federal Housing Administration and are the most common loan type for first-time buyers in Tampa. The minimum down payment is 3.5% with a credit score of 580 or higher. Buyers with scores between 500 and 579 can still qualify with a 10% down payment, though those cases are reviewed more carefully.
FHA loans come with both an upfront mortgage insurance premium and an ongoing monthly MIP. This is a real cost, and it factors into your monthly payment. That said, FHA's flexible qualification standards make it the right call for buyers who aren't yet at the credit or savings level that conventional lending requires.
FHA pairs well with Tampa's Dare to Own the Dream and East Tampa CRA programs. See our Tampa FHA loans page for county-specific loan limits and current program details.
VA loans are the strongest home loan benefit available to eligible veterans, active-duty military, and surviving spouses. There's no down payment required, no private mortgage insurance, and the rates are typically competitive with or better than conventional financing.
MacDill Air Force Base in South Tampa creates consistent VA loan demand in the area. Jordan's team processes VA loans regularly and knows the entitlement, Certificate of Eligibility, and funding fee structure well. If you're eligible for a VA loan in Tampa, it's almost always the right product to lead with.
The VA funding fee can be rolled into the loan. Service-connected disabled veterans may be exempt entirely. These details matter and we walk through them on the first call.
USDA loans are backed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and are available in eligible rural and suburban areas. Parts of outer Hillsborough County, along with communities like Wimauma, Ruskin, and some portions of the Wesley Chapel and Zephyrhills corridors, still qualify for USDA financing.
The program requires zero down payment and typically comes with below-market interest rates. Income limits apply. Eligibility is determined by property address, so if you're targeting homes in outer Hillsborough County or the surrounding area, it's worth checking before assuming it's not available.
Start your application and we'll match you to the right product on the first call. No commitment required.
Conventional loans follow Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac guidelines. Down payments start at 3% through programs like HomeReady and Home Possible. The typical buyer going conventional has a credit score above 700 and at least 5 to 10% saved, though qualified buyers can put down as little as 3%.
Unlike FHA, conventional PMI cancels automatically once you reach 20% equity. There's no upfront premium, which makes the total cost of ownership lower over time for buyers who qualify. Conventional financing also tends to be cleaner from a seller's perspective, since it doesn't carry the FHA appraisal requirements.
Jumbo loans cover purchase prices above the conforming loan limit, which is $806,500 for most of Florida in 2025. South Tampa, Palma Ceia, Davis Islands, Hyde Park, and waterfront properties in St. Petersburg regularly require jumbo financing.
Qualification standards are stricter than conforming loans. Lenders typically want a credit score of 720 or higher, significant cash reserves, and detailed income documentation. Down payments typically start at 10 to 20%. Rates are set by lender appetite rather than GSE guidelines, so shopping this product matters.
Tampa Market
Tampa's neighborhoods each have distinct price points, property types, and buyer profiles. Here's a quick read on the most active areas.
Down Payment Help
Three programs are active right now for Tampa buyers. Most buyers qualify for at least one and don't know it until we ask.
Why 14 Days To Close
Most Tampa buyers start their home search before they've chosen a lender, and most lenders are fine with that because they get paid either way. Jordan Vreeland built 14 Days To Close around the opposite premise: get the financing right first, so you're ready when the right home comes up.
That means running DU Approval before you're under contract. It means being available on Saturday night when your real estate agent calls with a question. It means having a team that's processed $93 million in loans in 2025 and knows how to move fast when the deal requires it.
The industry average closing time is 30 to 45 days. Jordan's team has closed in as few as 5. That range is possible because the process starts with strong preparation, not reactive scrambling after the contract is signed.
Know your numbers. Know your loan type. Make offers that hold up when sellers look closely.
14 Days To Close is based at 450 Knights Run Ave Unit 5 in Tampa and serves all of Florida plus clients nationwide (New York excluded). Whether you're buying in South Tampa, moving to Wesley Chapel, or relocating to Tampa from out of state, the process is the same.
Give us a call or start your application online. The first conversation costs nothing, and it'll tell you exactly which loan type fits your situation and whether you qualify for down payment assistance.
Individual results may vary. Closing timelines depend on factors including appraisal, title, inspection, and borrower circumstances. 14 Days To Close does not guarantee a specific closing date.
Start your pre-approval today. We'll match you to the right loan product, check your DPA eligibility, and tell you exactly what you qualify for.