Omar Abdel-Rahman is a mortgage broker with Lakebridge Lending in Cooper City, Florida (NMLS #1665510). He spent 13 years in banking working on HELOCs, personal, auto and small business loans, then 10 years as a licensed real estate agent representing buyers and sellers. He is also a real estate investor who has flipped homes and runs short-term rentals. For the past 7 years he has helped South Florida buyers, homeowners and investors finance property.
Florida closing costs for buyers usually run 2% to 5% of the purchase price. Some of those costs are the same in every state, such as lender and appraisal fees. Others are unique to Florida, including two state taxes on your mortgage. Here is what to expect, with a worked example and ways to lower…
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Getting a Florida condo mortgage now depends as much on the building as on you. Since the state’s condo safety laws took effect, lenders look closely at inspection reports, reserves and repairs before they approve a loan. Here is what the rules require, how lenders use them, and what to ask before you make an…
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South Florida loan limits decide which mortgage you can use and how much you can borrow before you need a jumbo loan. For 2026, the limits went up again. Below are the exact numbers for Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties, where they come from, and what they mean for your down payment. What Are…
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The Florida Hometown Heroes program offers teachers, nurses and first responders up to $35,000 toward a down payment. See who qualifies and how to apply.
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The Fed rate hike of September 2026 lifted rates to 3.75%-4.00%. Here is what it means for Florida mortgages, HELOCs and adjustable-rate loans.
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Non-QM loans help self-employed buyers, investors and retirees who do not fit the standard mortgage box. Here is how they compare to QM loans in Florida.
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Rising home values have put significant equity within reach for millions of homeowners — yet many feel stuck. Refinancing to access that equity often means surrendering a low mortgage rate locked in years ago. That’s where the 5-Day HELOC from Lakebridge Lending comes in. It lets you keep your existing mortgage exactly as it is…
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The Hidden Cost of Going With the First Lender You Find When you shop multiple lenders before refinancing, you give yourself the best possible chance of saving thousands of dollars. Yet most homeowners spend more time comparing prices on a new appliance than they do comparing mortgage lenders. That is a costly mistake. When you…
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Is Now the Best Time to Refinance Home in Cooper City? One of the most common questions homeowners in Cooper City ask is: when is the right time to refinance my home? The answer depends on market conditions, your financial situation, and your goals. How long you plan to stay in the home matters too.…
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