When Banks Say No,We Say Yes! ®
Florida's top-rated Direct Mortgage Lender with 48+ core loan programs together with 112 lending solutions! We offer same day pre-approvals by utilizing in-house loan officers and processing team ready to close your loan on time — every time!

Google Reviews
What Our Clients Are Saying Now of Google
"As the buyer's agent, I had the pleasure of working with Jose while he handled the financing for my clients. His communication was outstanding from start to finish, and he consistently kept both my clients and me informed throughout the process. Jose's professionalism, responsiveness, and dedication helped create a stress-free experience for my clients. I would highly recommend him to anyone looking for a lender who genuinely cares about their clients and gets the job done."
Tiffany Steck
a month ago · via Google
"Working with Carlos Matos is always a pleasure. He guided me through the entire process with patience, professionalism, and genuine care. Carlos took the time to thoroughly explain all my options, answered every question, and secured me an incredible rate that saved me thousands. If you're in Central Florida and need a mortgage or refinance, look no further than 1st Florida Lending. Hands down the best experience I've ever had with a lender!"
Anna Prince
7 months ago · via Google
"Carlos was incredible to work with. This was one of the most difficult deals I've had as a new home sale agent, and after multiple lenders were unable to get the buyer qualified, Carlos stepped in and made it happen. His communication, persistence, and problem-solving were outstanding throughout the entire process. I highly recommend him to anyone looking for a lender who truly knows how to get deals done."
Paul Kurpiewski
4 months ago · via Google
"I can't say enough good things about my experience with 1st Florida Lending! From start to finish, the process was smooth, professional, and stress-free. A huge thank you to Carlos Matos and Jose for going above and beyond. Thanks to their help, I was able to close on my mortgage with confidence and peace of mind. If you're looking for a team that truly cares and delivers outstanding service, I highly recommend 1st Florida Lending!"
Alvaro Terron
7 months ago · via Google
"I just closed on my third home and my go-to people are Carlos, Jose and Mari at 1st Florida Lending. I've continued to use their services again and again. I cannot express the excellence in their work and making sure you have the best chance at getting the right loan. Very honest and they will do everything in their power to do what's in your best interest. I highly recommend their services."
Lilly Gonzalez
4 months ago · via Google
"Huge shoutout to Jose, the lender I worked with on my latest closing! Communication is everything in a real estate transaction, and Jose was phenomenal from start to finish. He stayed on top of every step of the process, kept everyone informed, and made sure our buyer got to the closing table smoothly. I definitely recommend Jose to anyone looking to purchase a home!"
Marlene Peralta
a month ago · via Google
"We cannot say enough good things about our experience with 1st Florida Lending and Jose Peñaherrera. His knowledge of mortgage lending was impressive, and he always took the time to explain our options. What stood out most was his dedication, responsiveness, and professionalism. Thanks to his hard work and expertise, we successfully closed on our dream home without any issues. Five stars all the way!"
Amber Wiemer
a month ago · via Google
"Being self employed doesn't make it easy to secure a mortgage. Carlos made it happen. He was very professional and personable. I would highly recommend. Thank you Carlos!"
Kevin Benner
3 months ago · via Google
"Carlos and his team were fantastic to work with. Great communication, and the whole time I felt assured that they would get the job done. Just closed a deal with them and I will definitely be working with them again. I highly recommend them!"
Gabriel Galvez
3 months ago · via Google
"I highly recommend 1st Florida Lending. From the very first moment, they helped me get approved and closed in less than two weeks. Mari provided excellent service, always attentive to every detail and keeping me updated on my loan application every day. Carlos also provided excellent service, explaining the steps involved and always offering the best options. I will definitely contact them again in the future."
Carolina Parada
7 months ago · via Google
WHAT MAKES US STAND OUT
Direct Lending Advantage, Simplified
As direct lenders, we can review, approve, and fund loans in our own name without unnecessary middlemen or unexpected handoffs. That means you work with one dedicated team from application through closing — a more transparent and streamlined lending experience.
Fast Closings
Most loans can close in 21 days depending on how fast you submit documents when requested
Direct Lender
A direct mortgage lender has its benefits, like funding loans in our name to no broker markup.
Only Licensed Loan Officers
From start to finish, only our in-house licensed Loan Officers process and orignate your loan
First-Time Homebuyers
Our step-by-step Learning Center walks first-time buyers through educate, prepare, compare, match, and apply - Learn more
Low Rates
We offer competitive rates and will manually underwriting to make your loan work!
A+ BBB Rated
Accredited A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and 4.8★ Google with 100's of reviews.

Discover Our 48 plus Loan Programs with 112 Lending Solutions for Every Scenario
Finding the right mortgage starts with understanding your options. At 1st Florida Lending, we offer more than 48 + core loan program with 112 lending solutions designed to meet the needs of first-time homebuyers, repeat buyers, homeowners looking to refinance, self-employed borrowers, real estate investors, veterans, healthcare professionals, first responders, and many more
- Since 2007, our success was built on public education, trust & reliability
- Our experienced, multilingual, licensed loan officers match loans to your needs
- We tightly control our professional processing team to expedite closings
- A+ BBB · 4.8★ Google · Licensed across Florida and California
Ready to Get Pre-Approved?
Simply click the “Get Pre-Approved Now” button and complete our brief questionnaire (this is not a loan application) and takes less than a minute to complete. After you submit your request, a licensed loan officer will contact you to review your options, match you with a preferred loan program, provide you a proposed rate and if agreeable, review your financials and credit (only with your permission) and if all checks out, issue you with a written Loan Pre-Approval Letter. If your are refinancing or under contract, we will proceed with your loan commitment process. A Loan Pre-Approval Letter helps realtors, sellers and sellers agents understand your purchasing power and strengthens your position when buying a home

