Lewis HiceWhen you’re out there trying to secure a home loan, the challenge of comparing lenders to find the best rates can be overwhelming. With so many options, it’s hard to know who actually has your best interests at heart.
During this process, Jacksonville homeowners would seek guidance from mortgage brokers in the city just to make sense of it all.
So, to save people from the hassle of looking through endless options, I asked my Tribune team to help me do some digging and find the best in the area.
These are the people we guarantee can take all the stressful parts of getting a loan and get you your dream home in no time.
How much does mortgage brokerage cost in Jacksonville?
In Jacksonville, mortgage brokers are compensated either by the lender or a direct fee from the client. The charge is typically 1% to 3% of the total loan amount.
1. First Down Mortgage
Address: 820 A1A N Suite W-4, Ponte Vedra Beach
Phone: +19043330390
Business hours: Open 24/7
What really drew us to First Down Mortgage is how personal the service feels. Once you sign up, you’ll be working with the same team until you find the best lender for your needs.
This is especially helpful for first-time buyers who have no idea where to start or what to ask. The brokers walk you through options and make sure you’re not signing anything you don’t understand.
The choices can be a lot to digest, though. First Down Mortgage offers many loan types (FHA, VA, etc.), and it can be intimidating and confusing, especially if you’re not familiar with the differences between each option.
As things move forward, you’ll appreciate how the ongoing support will make the whole process faster. A lot of homeowners said that First Down Mortgage can complete a closing as early as three weeks.
Smoothest mortgage process of my life
“The experience from start to finish was the smoothest mortgage process of my life. Stan was extremely knowledgeable, prompt, and felt he really had my family’s best interest at heart. Whitney stepped in towards the end and continued the great experience all the way through. I have already recommended a couple of people their way due to Stan and Whitney’s hard work.”
- Excalibur 250R, Google Review
Grateful to work with the team for our first home purchase
“My wife and I were so grateful to work with Alex and First Down Mortgage for our first home purchase! Firstly, Alex was a great help in providing transparency for the whole process and actively informing/reaching out to us to ensure we had our base covered. He was very knowledgeable and was able to answer all of our questions regarding the home-buying process. First Down Mortgage was very professional as a team while being expedient and trustworthy as well. Thank you, guys, for all the help!”
- Chase Taleghani, Google Review
2. Lee Simanoff
Address: 224 3rd St N, Jacksonville Beach
Phone: +19044468533
Business hours: Open 24/7
Lee Simanoff has over 20 years of experience in the mortgage industry. He’s known to be very diligent in finding competitive rates and ensuring that the fees are as expected, or even lower.
He even has access to hundreds of financing options and multiple lenders to find the best fit for every client.
With his vast lender network and simple process, we were impressed to learn that his average closing time is just within a month, including the application.
His process seems fairly efficient: you can sign up online, get pre-approved, and move forward to finding a suitable lender. Many first-time clients find it convenient since it saves them the hassle of extensive paperwork.
However, in his case, interested buyers can be put on a waiting list and might have to wait for a long time to become his client.
Highly recommended for anyone shopping for a mortgage
“Lee is a superstar. I’ve worked with Lee Simanoff for a previous home loan, so when it was time to purchase a new home, I did not hesitate to contact him. Lee is very professional and knowledgeable. He made himself available for any questions or concerns I had. I would highly recommend him to anyone shopping for a mortgage.”
- Marie Bahno, Google Review
We had an excellent experience throughout our mortgage process
“We had an excellent experience working with Lee throughout our mortgage process. From start to finish, Lee was knowledgeable, responsive, and genuinely invested in helping us find the best solution for our needs. He took the time to explain every step clearly, answered all of our questions promptly, and made what could have been a stressful experience feel smooth and manageable. What really stood out was his attention to detail and his commitment to ensuring everything stayed on track and on time. Lee was always proactive, making sure we had everything we needed well ahead of deadlines. His professionalism and friendly approach gave us a lot of confidence, and we always felt like we were in good hands. We’re grateful for his guidance and support, and we wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Lee to anyone looking for a trusted mortgage professional. Thanks again, Lee!”
- Adam C., Google Review
3. Bayway Mortgage Group
Address: 8833 Perimeter Park Blvd., Suite 402
Phone: +18553990644
Business hours: Monday to Friday, 9 AM–5 PM
Bayway solely focuses on mortgage-related transactions, working with clients for both purchases and refinances. People we spoke to said that they felt just as supported in their second or third home as they did on their very first.
One thing we appreciate is how flexible they are with timing. The team will take calls or meetings in the evenings and on weekends, which helps if you’re juggling work or shift schedules.
Once you get a session with them, the process is very hands-on, with brokers walking customers through documents and numbers instead of just sending over links to sign.
Not to mention, the team is also highly praised for delivering positive outcomes. They offer the best possible rates and terms, working in favor of those on a tight budget.
We also heard that the firm can manage to close loans within a reasonable timeframe — usually 30 days. But apparently, their best record was only nine days!
It’s not all perfect, though. A small number of patrons felt like the internal coordination isn’t that structured. Members seemed out of sync or gave mixed messages during the process.
We couldn’t be happier with the experience
“My husband and I were first-time homebuyers, and we cannot recommend Brian enough. Brian was extremely knowledgeable, patient, and always quick to answer every question we had — no matter how small. He explained each step clearly, helped us understand our loan options, and made sure we were getting the best possible rate. What we appreciated most was how communicative and organized he was. He kept everything on track, stayed ahead of deadlines, and made what could have been a stressful process feel easy and smooth. We always felt supported and informed from start to finish. If you’re looking for someone who is professional, honest, and genuinely cares about helping you get into your home, we highly recommend Brian. We couldn’t be happier with the experience!”
- Bella Lawrence, Google Review
I’m really glad I had Bayway Mortgage on my side
“I’m really glad I had Edward from Bayway Mortgage on my side. Getting a mortgage can be stressful, but Edward made it feel easy. He answered all my questions (no matter how small), explained things in plain English, and stayed patient through the whole process. What I appreciated most is that he genuinely cared about getting me the best deal — and he kept me updated at every step so there were no surprises. If you’re looking for someone honest and easy to work with, I highly recommend Edward. He made a big difference for my family. Thanks again, Edward — you made this part of buying a home so much smoother!”
- Moe, Google Review
4. Mortgages by Linda
Address: 8833 Perimeter Park Blvd STE 403
Phone: +19045913662
Business hours:
- Monday to Friday, 9 AM–5 PM
- Saturday, 10 AM–4 PM
Mortgages by Linda promotes a straightforward service to a broad sector of borrower needs. That’ll show up in their timelines too, with a streamlined process that achieves some of the quickest turn times in the industry (11 to 17 days).
Thanks to the dedicated one-on-one assistance and consistent updates, the entire journey is less overwhelming. Clients mention that they’re proactively guided through every step, which explains why the deals are fast and seamless.
We also appreciate the availability even on weekends and after hours. You’ll get more breathing room when scheduling calls and reviewing documents.
The only gripe is that the firm can be difficult to reach for the initial call. But the good thing is, the service is reliable once you’ve connected with them.
Linda is knowledgeable and genuinely cares about her clients’ success
“I’ve worked with Linda on several occasions, and she has been nothing short of exceptional. Linda is professional, knowledgeable, and genuinely cares about her clients’ success. She makes the lending process smooth and stress-free, always going the extra mile to ensure the best outcome. I highly recommend her to anyone looking for a trusted mortgage expert.”
- Jovany Trujillo, Google Review
Highly recommend her
“My Mother and I had an exceptional experience working with Linda Garcia during our home-buying process. From the very beginning, Linda was attentive, knowledgeable, and committed to finding the best loan rate possible. Linda’s dedication made the entire process much easier and less stressful. We are grateful for her support and expertise, which ultimately led to the purchase of my Mother’s new home!”
- Ana Evans, Google Review
5. Gary Burmeister
Address: San Jose Blvd #400
Phone: +19047596837
Business hours: Open 24/7
Gary is a seasoned broker who offers services for residential purchases and refinances. He has access to multiple lending sources, which means competitive rates and flexible loan structures.
He’s worked in the industry since 1999, so it’s safe to say that he’s pretty knowledgeable about how the market works and how to keep the deals on track.
Patrons consistently describe him as a reliable professional, especially in closing loans within a month or even less.
But what impressed us the most was the use of a 13-step system. Each stage has clear checkpoints and updates, so files keep moving instead of stalling in someone’s inbox. The whole team follows this framework, keeping everyone on the same page.
With that structure in place, delays are reduced, and the journey to ownership is more organized and less stressful.
However, some clients also noted some delays in communication. These cases may be due to the relatively small team and having limited availability at busy times.
He was patient, informative, and incredibly thorough
“Gary made the entire mortgage process smoother than I ever expected. From the moment we started, he was patient, informative, and incredibly thorough. He took the time to break everything down in a way that actually made sense, and he was always quick to respond whenever I had questions, no matter how small. What really stood out was how proactive Gary was. He stayed ahead of every deadline, kept me updated at all times, and made sure all the paperwork and numbers were lined up perfectly. His transparency and honesty gave me complete confidence that I was getting the best possible loan and rate for my situation. Gary’s professionalism, knowledge, and calm approach turned what could’ve been a stressful process into a genuinely easy experience. I’m grateful for everything he did, and I highly recommend him to anyone looking for a reliable, trustworthy mortgage broker.”
- Alex Dominguez, Google Review
I’ve never worked with a team so attentive and proactive
“Gary and his team came highly recommended by our agent, and they absolutely lived up to the praise. If you’re active duty or a veteran looking to buy, I strongly encourage you to reach out—they truly specialize in VA transactions. Their consistent communication and follow-through were major reasons our closing went so smoothly. I’ve never worked with a team so attentive and proactive; they were on top of every step, day and night.”
- Greg Peele, Google Review
