We Fund Projects with SB 4-D / SIRS Reserve Shortfalls, Coastal Condotel Operations, HOA Litigation, and High Investor Ratios.
Florida’s condominium market has entered a strict regulatory climate. Between mandatory Structural Integrity Reserve Studies (SIRS), Milestone Inspection requirements, property insurance spikes, and beachfront short-term rental caps, conventional retail banks are declining condo transactions late in the escrow process.
- Primary Residences: Credit scores starting at 660
- Second Homes & Vacation Rentals: Credit scores starting at 680
- Investor DSCR Financing: Qualify on unit cash flow alone—no personal tax returns required
- Expanded Underwriting Caps: Up to 50% commercial space and 49% single-entity concentration
- Multiple Deficits Permitted: We can approve projects featuring up to 2 non-warrantable characteristics
Why Florida Condos Get Blacklisted by Conventional Lenders?
The legislative requirements following SB 4-D and SB 154 altered Florida condo lending. A single line item on an HOA questionnaire often derails an otherwise strong transaction.
- SIRS & Milestone Reserve Deficits: Buildings without fully funded structural reserves or properties with pending Milestone Inspection deadlines fail agency guidelines. Our underwriting team utilizes flexible reserve reviews.
- Pending HOA Litigation: Whether it involves a construction defect dispute with a developer or an insurance claim over storm repairs, conventional loans stall immediately. We evaluate open association litigation on a case-by-case basis.
- Condo-Hotels & Coastal Vacation Rentals: Projects from the Gulf Coast to South Florida featuring on-site registration desks, mandatory rental pools, or daily/weekly rentals are barred from agency financing. We provide dedicated condotel loan programs.
- Single-Entity Concentration (Up to 49%): Conventional guidelines disqualify properties where one investor, corporation, or the original developer holds 25% or more of the units. We accommodate single-entity concentration up to 49%.
- Commercial Space Exceeding 35% (Up to 50%): Florida’s mixed-use urban buildings often house ground-floor restaurants, retail, and commercial offices. While conventional lenders cap this at 35%, our programs allow up to 50% commercial square footage.
- HOA Dues Delinquency (Up to 25%): When escalating association budgets cause unit owners to fall behind, conventional rules cap delinquencies at 15%. Our guidelines accept up to 25% delinquent units.
Conventional vs. Our Florida Portfolio Guidelines
When standard Fannie Mae® and Freddie Mac® guidelines trigger an automatic loan denial, our Florida Non-QM and portfolio loan programs provide common-sense qualifying solutions.
| Condo Project Metric |
Conventional Guidelines
Fannie Mae / Freddie Mac / FHA
|
Florida Specialists
Our Non-QM & Portfolio Programs
|
|---|---|---|
| Commercial / Mixed-Use Space Ground-floor retail, restaurants, offices |
Strictly Capped at ≤ 35%
Exceeding 35% square footage causes immediate agency loan denial.
|
Permitted Up to 50%
Accommodates heavy mixed-use buildings, coastal resorts, and urban retail footings.
|
| Single-Entity Ownership Max units held by one investor or developer |
Max < 25% Concentration
Single entity or developer cannot hold 25% or more of project units.
|
Permitted Up to 49%
Protects buyers in boutique buildings or developments during phased sell-outs.
|
| Condotel / Short-Term Rentals Airbnb, VRBO, front desk, rental pools |
Strictly Prohibited
No nightly/weekly rentals, on-site check-in desks, or hotel service amenities.
|
Full Condotel & STR Financing
Dedicated second home and DSCR options for beachfront condotels and vacation units.
|
| HOA Dues Delinquency Unpaid association dues > 60 days |
Capped at ≤ 15%
If more than 15% of units are behind on dues, the entire community is ineligible.
|
Permitted Up to 25%
Absorbs temporary HOA delinquency spikes caused by insurance increases.
|
| Pending HOA Litigation Disputes with developers, contractors, insurers |
Generally Ineligible
Automatic decline on open construction, developer, or major monetary lawsuits.
|
Case-by-Case Underwriting
Attorney review allowed (excluding active structural/safety defects).
|
| Reserves & SIRS Studies FL SB 4-D / SB 154 structural compliance |
Rigid 10% Line Item
Requires 10%+ replacement reserve funding and zero deferred maintenance flags.
|
Flexible Reserve Reviews
Tailored reserve alternatives and review for buildings completing milestone reports.
|
| Multiple Non-Warrantable Factors Simultaneous underwriting exceptions |
Zero Tolerance (0)
A single non-warrantable factor triggers an immediate agency denial.
|
Up to 2 Red Flags Allowed
Financing available for buildings with combined triggers (e.g. condotel + 40% commercial).
|
| Minimum Credit Score Borrower mid-score eligibility threshold |
620 – 640+ (Warrantable Only)
Standard scores apply, but only if the building passes all agency questionnaires.
|
660 Primary / 680 2nd & Inv
660 for primary residence; 680 for second homes and DSCR investment properties.
|
Financing Programs Structured for Florida Condo Realities
- Full Documentation Portfolio: Competitive rates for primary residences and luxury vacation homes using W-2s, 1040s, and standard income verification.
- Self-Employed Bank Statement Programs: 12- or 24-month personal or business bank statements for self-employed professionals, entrepreneurs, and business owners without tax return friction.
- Investor DSCR Condo Loans: Qualify strictly on the property’s gross rental income (using market leases or short-term vacation rental projections) covering the monthly mortgage, taxes, insurance, and HOA dues.
- Cash-Out Refinancing for Special Assessments: Helping unit owners tap accrued equity to fund large structural assessments, concrete restoration, and roof replacements before association lien deadlines hit.
- Flexible Terms: 30-year fixed, 5/1, 7/1, and 10/1 adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs), and interest-only payment structures.
Request a Florida Condo Scenario Review
Request a Florida Condo Scenario Review
Bypass conventional lender delays. Submit your building details below for a dedicated portfolio analysis within 24 business hours.