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The Mortgage ExpertFounder-led Florida mortgage guidance

Before you choose a lender, ask Shahram at The Mortgage Expert.

No BS. Real numbers. Orlando Magazine’s 2026 #1 Mortgage Lender – Individual.

Send me your quote or scenario. I’ll compare the numbers, explain the trade-offs, and tell you if the deal actually makes sense before you commit.

5.0 Google · 290+ reviews5.0 Google rating290+ reviews25+ yearsNMLS 186790

Shahram Sondi · Certified Mortgage Advisor™ · Florida broker-owner

Shahram Sondi, founder of The Mortgage Expert, pointing

Real numbers. Fast answers. No lender games.

You deal directly with Shahram from first quote to closing.

Clients mention fast replies, better rates, smooth closings, and feeling like someone was actually on their side.

5.0 Google rating290+ reviews25+ years

Real numbers, no games

Transparent mortgage pricing, without the lender games.

Rates updated 07/08/2026

Don't just get quoted. Get your mortgage structured.

Most lenders make you call before showing real numbers. I'll show you actual options and compare the full picture — rate, APR, points, lender credit, fees, cash-to-close, payment, down payment, PMI, loan type, and how long you may keep the mortgage — so you can see what the deal actually means before you commit.

The best mortgage is not always the lowest rate. It's the right combination of rate, cost, cash, timing, and long-term strategy.

RateAPRPointsFeesLender creditCash-to-closeMonthly payment
ConventionalLower-rate option
Note rate6.124%
APR6.319%
Est. P&I$2,430/mo
Points / credit1.457 pts
$500,000 purchase$400,000 loan amount20% down780+ FICO30-yr fixedFlorida
Assumptions & disclosures
  • Purchase price$500,000
  • Down payment20% ($100,000)
  • Loan amount$400,000
  • LTV80%
  • Credit score780+ FICO
  • OccupancyPrimary residence
  • Property typeSingle-family
  • Loan program30-year fixed conventional
  • Lock period30-day lock
  • Option shownLower-rate option
  • Note rate6.124%
  • APR6.319%
  • Estimated P&I$2,430/mo
  • Discount points / cost1.457 discount points ($5,828)

Mortgage insurance may apply depending on loan-to-value, credit profile, property type, occupancy, and mortgage insurance provider. The displayed P&I estimate does not include taxes, insurance, HOA dues, or mortgage insurance unless specifically stated.

Snapshot effective 07/08/2026. Lower-rate option shown for each program.

FHALower-rate option
Note rate5.500%
APR6.605%
Est. P&I$2,230/mo
Points / credit1.870 pts
$400,000 purchase$386,000 base loan amount3.5% down680+ FICO30-yr fixedFlorida
Assumptions & disclosures
  • Purchase price$400,000
  • Down payment3.5% ($14,000)
  • Base loan amount$386,000
  • LTV96.5%
  • Credit score680+ FICO
  • OccupancyPrimary residence
  • Property typeSingle-family
  • Loan program30-year fixed FHA
  • Lock period30-day lock
  • Option shownLower-rate option
  • Note rate5.500%
  • APR6.605%
  • Estimated P&I$2,230/mo
  • Discount points / cost1.870 discount points ($7,219)
  • Mortgage insuranceUpfront MIP is financed into the loan and monthly MIP applies (not itemized here). P&I reflects the financed-UFMIP balance; taxes, insurance, and MIP are not included.

Snapshot effective 07/08/2026. Lower-rate option shown for each program.

VALower-rate option
Note rate5.750%
APR6.082%
Est. P&I$2,981/mo
Points / credit0.965 pts
$500,000 purchase$500,000 base loan amount0% down680+ FICO30-yr fixedFlorida
Assumptions & disclosures
  • Purchase price$500,000
  • Down payment0% (VA — no down payment required)
  • Base loan amount$500,000
  • LTV100%
  • Credit score680+ FICO
  • OccupancyPrimary residence
  • Property typeSingle-family
  • Loan program30-year fixed VA
  • Lock period30-day lock
  • Option shownLower-rate option
  • Note rate5.750%
  • APR6.082%
  • Estimated P&I$2,981/mo
  • Discount points / cost0.965 discount points ($4,827)
  • VA funding feeThe VA funding fee is financed into the loan (P&I reflects the financed funding fee). No monthly mortgage insurance. Taxes and insurance are not included.

Snapshot effective 07/08/2026. Lower-rate option shown for each program.

How to read these rates

How to read this: these are planning estimates from the latest imported wholesale rate sheet for the sample scenarios shown — not a Loan Estimate, approval, commitment to lend, or rate lock.

APR reflects certain financed costs in addition to the note rate, so it usually reads higher; the note rate sets your monthly principal & interest. Compare both.

Estimated payment is principal and interest only. Taxes, homeowners insurance, HOA dues, and any applicable PMI, FHA MIP, VA funding fee, or other escrowed items are not included; your actual monthly payment may be higher.

Not all borrowers will qualify. Pricing, points, and lender credits can change without notice and are subject to credit approval, underwriting, property eligibility, and program guidelines.

Sample rates are for informational purposes only and are subject to change without notice. This is not a Loan Estimate, approval, commitment to lend, or rate lock. Final terms depend on verified credit, income, assets, property type, occupancy, loan program, lock period, lender conditions, third-party fees, and market pricing at the time of lock. Taxes, insurance, HOA dues, mortgage insurance, prepaid items, and other settlement charges may affect the final payment and cash to close.

He always answered

Mortgage stress doesn't keep bank hours.

Buying a home comes with questions at weird times. A bank may make you wait until Monday. I don't think mortgage anxiety should sit overnight.

Fast answers. Clear updates. One accountable expert keeping the process moving.

Get a Straight Answer

Proof, not promises

The stories clients remember.

Rates matter. But clients remember who answered, who explained, who fought for the deal, and who made the process feel less stressful.

★★★★★

The Sunday morning callback

A client reached out at 8 AM on a Sunday. Ten minutes later, the mortgage process was moving.

I contacted Shahram on a Sunday morning at 8AM, and 10 minutes later he contacted me and we got the ball rolling.

Erik C. · Google Review
★★★★★

The rate-lock call

Timing a lock is guesswork for most buyers. Here, the call came before the market moved.

Not only did he offer the best rate compared to other lenders we spoke with, but he also closely monitored the market and personally reached out to tell us when to lock our rate. By the very next day, rates had increased, and his advice ended up saving us money on our monthly payment.

Rachel G. · Google Review
★★★★★

The deal we told someone not to take with us

The honest answer isn't always the one that wins the deal.

I was made to feel very confident in my decision when Shahram, against his own best interests, said he would undoubtedly go that direction in my specific circumstances.

Charlie F. · Google Review
★★★★★

The file another lender almost lost

Financing fell through two weeks from closing. Then the file changed hands.

Our initial financing fell apart & we were referred to Shahram by our realtor, as our home was closing in 2 weeks. Shahram was innovative, honest, & very professional throughout the whole process.

April A. · Google Review
★★★★★

The borrower who didn't need to borrow more

Sometimes the right advice is to borrow less, not more.

From day one, I knew he cared more about us being financially secure than a commission.

Chelsea W. · Google Review
★★★★★

The hurricane closing

A storm hit Central Florida days before closing. The process kept moving anyway.

Most impressive is the way he handled the lender, insurance, and real estate agents immediately following Central Florida being hit by a hurricane. He was proactive and navigated several obstacles to get us to closing on time, which was only days after the storm.

Steven S. · Google Review
Shahram Sondi, founder of The Mortgage ExpertShahram SondiFounder · Certified Mortgage Advisor™

Why a broker-owner

Built because borrowers deserve better than mortgage games.

The Mortgage Expert was built by Shahram Sondi, a Florida broker-owner with 25+ years of mortgage, real estate, and insurance experience. Orlando-based, serving homebuyers and homeowners across Florida.

I built this company for borrowers who want straight answers, real numbers, and someone accountable from the first quote to the closing table. No teaser-rate games. No being passed from department to department. No pretending one loan option fits every buyer.

If I have the better deal, I'll tell you. If your bank, credit union, or another lender is the better fit, I'll tell you that too.

290+ Google reviews5.0 average25+ yearsCertified Mortgage Advisor™NMLS 186790

Orlando Magazine 2026 #1 Mortgage Lender – Individual

Ask Shahram directly

— Shahram

One conversation first

Before you commit to a mortgage, get a second set of expert eyes.

Send me your quote, scenario, or question. I'll review the numbers, explain the trade-offs, and help you see whether the deal actually makes sense before you move forward.

A Mortgage Expert replies — not a call center.

Prefer to talk? Call (407) 906-6414