Few purchases give you a sense of pride and accomplishment like buying a new home. From white picket fences and lush green grass to cookouts with neighbors and holidays with the family, owning a home is magical. Like most great things, though, enduring the home-buying process takes a lot of work. There are many steps to take and difficult decisions to make along the way. One of the most crucial decisions is what type of home loan and mortgage broker to choose. Whether it's your first time buying a home or you're a seasoned owner with multiple properties, you will need a trusted mortgage broker in Hillsborough, FL, with your best interests at heart.
If you're like most people, you need a mortgage professional whose top priority is their customers - an expert who can provide accurate advice and guidance so you can make educated decisions. That's where Mission One Mortgage comes into the picture.
Whether you want the best interest rates or don't know where to start in the home-buying process, Mission One Mortgage can set you up in the right direction. From getting you pre-qualified to buy a home to securing a veteran's loan, Mission One Mortgage is the trusted solution you need. As Hillsborough natives, we're proud to serve the Lowcountry and all of South Carolina with trusted mortgage brokerage services.
Unlike some mortgage companies in Hillsborough, FL, we bring years of high-level experience and insight to the table. Having worked with hundreds of clients during our time in business, we know you're probably going through a range of emotions right now. Buying a new home can be a scary process, especially for first-time buyers. That's why we make every effort to make ourselves accessible and available for clients. Our primary goal is to help you make the right mortgage for your family and your budget.
We know that many home loan officers have horrible reputations. Some brokers only see their clients as transactions, and a means to make quick money. They come off as impatient and pushy, failing to understand that this is a very big decision for you. At Mission One Mortgage, we take the opposite approach. We encourage our clients to take as much time as needed to ask us questions and review mortgage documents. We could say that our mission is to exceed your expectations, but we'd rather just show you. From assistance finding FHA, VA, or other loans to refinancing your current mortgage, Mission One is the team you can trust.
Here are just a few reasons why home buyers choose Mission One Mortgage:
Most people simply don't have access to the hundreds of thousands of dollars needed to purchase a home with cash. Instead, they take out a mortgage loan to buy a home. Unfortunately, many homebuyers are anxious to get the ball rolling and, due to their excitement, fail to shop around for the best mortgage rates. To some degree, avoiding this step makes sense, as it requires a lot of legwork and research to get the job done. For those not wanting to spend hours researching a reasonable mortgage, there's an alternative to consider - working with a mortgage broker.
To understand the benefits of working with a mortgage broker, you must first understand their role in the home-buying process.
Your mortgage broker is a third party that works to connect you with mortgage lenders. Essentially, a mortgage broker works as an intermediary between a person who wants to buy a home and the entities offering loans to buy a home. The mortgage broker works with both the borrower and lender to get the borrower approved. They also verify and collect paperwork from the borrower that the lender needs to finish a home purchase. Typically, mortgage brokers have relationships with several home loan lenders. Mission One Mortgage, for example, has access to 50 different lenders, which gives us a wide range of home loans in Hillsborough, FL, from which to choose.
In addition to finding a home loan lender, your mortgage broker will help you settle on the best loan options and interest rates for your budget. Ideally, your mortgage broker will take a great deal of stress and legwork off your plate while also potentially saving you money.
If you're ready to buy a home, getting pre-qualified is a great choice that will streamline the entire process. Your mortgage broker makes getting pre-approved easy by obtaining all the documents needed to get you pre-qualified. In taking a look at your application, they will determine if you're ready for the pre-approval process. If your application needs additional items, the mortgage company will help point you in the right direction to ensure your application is as strong as it can be. Your mortgage broker will also walk you through the different types of loans, from Conventional and FHA to VA and USDA.
In order to be pre-approved for a home in South Carolina, you must have the following:
Most people choose to use a mortgage broker because they have access to different lenders and interest rates. But a great mortgage broker brings more to the table than a choice of lenders.
Save You from Unneeded Stress:One of the biggest advantages of hiring a mortgage broker is that they can find and vet loans while managing the mortgage process on your behalf. The best mortgage companies, like Mission One Mortgage, hire brokers who are experts at keeping underwriting on track, coordinating with relevant parties, and handling all paperwork involved. At the end of the day, mortgage brokers save you stress and time and often expedite the closing process.
More Access: We touched on this earlier, but it bears repeating: A mortgage broker provides access to a range of loans, rates, and lenders. In fact, many mortgage brokers can get rates lower than what the average person could get from a lender.
Save You Money: There's a chance that your mortgage broker can get your mortgage fees reduced or waived by the lender, which could save you a good deal of money.
Help with Unfavorable Financial Situations: Expert mortgage brokers can often assist in challenging financial situations, like when a buyer has inconsistent income or less-than-perfect credit. Experienced brokers, like those at Mission One Mortgage, are often aware of lenders willing to will work with nontraditional borrowers.
Provide Key Insights: Mortgage brokers share important insights, such as your chances for a home loan approval and exactly how much house you can afford. They can also save you from making costly mistakes based on their years of expertise in the mortgage industry.
While settling on the best type of home loan isn't as exciting as searching for the home of your dreams, it's equally important. Yes, your Mission One Mortgage loan officer in Hillsborough, FL, will be happy to help explain the differences between home loans. But understanding the basics ahead of time will save you stress and time in the long run.
Conventional loans can be used to purchase a new home or refinance your current one. Conventional loans include fixed-rate mortgages and adjustable-rate mortgages. Generally, borrowers must put down a 3% down payment for owner-occupants, 10% for a vacation property, and 20% for an investment home. If you are able to pay 20% of the total cost of the home, you can avoid private mortgage insurance, which is otherwise required. Conventional mortgages are often preferred by buyers with good credit or people needing a non-owner-occupied mortgage.
FHA mortgages are issued by the U.S. government and backed by the Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD). This loan is often preferred by first-time homebuyers because it only requires a 3.5% down payment and offers more flexibility with credit requirements and underwriting standards. FHA loans have several requirements you must meet to qualify. Contact Mission One Mortgage today to learn more about FHA loans and whether or not they're best for your financial situation.
Also backed by the government, these loans are insured by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and don't require money down. These loans have lower insurance requirements when compared to FHA loans, offer 100% financing if you qualify, and allow for closing costs to be covered by the seller. In order to qualify for a USDA loan, you must live in a rural area, and your household income must meet certain standards. These loans are often preferred by low-income citizens who live in rural parts of South Carolina.
Also known as VA or Veteran's Affairs loans, these mortgages are reserved for the brave men and women who served in the military. VA loans help provide our military members, veterans, and their families with favorable loan terms and an easy home ownership experience. Often, those who qualify are not required to make a down payment on their home. Additionally, these loans often include less expensive closing costs.
If you are a veteran or the family member of a veteran, contact Mission One Mortgage today to speak with our Vetted VA Professional, Debbie Haberny. Debbie helps our military members, veterans, and their family members obtain home loans utilizing veteran benefits and would be happy to help as you search for a home.
Do you have questions about the complexities of mortgages and home loans? As your advocate, Mission One Mortgage is here to answer any questions you have about mortgages and the home-buying process. We encourage you to call our office to speak directly with one of our mortgage experts or continue reading below for answers to some frequently asked questions.
Q. I was talking to my spouse about mortgage brokers, and they mentioned the phrase home loan originator. What's the difference between a broker and a loan originator?
A. The mortgage industry is full of confusing jobs and titles, making it easy to confuse roles and responsibilities. Such is the case with mortgage brokers and home loan originators. Though their roles share similarities, a home loan originator in Hillsborough, FL, works for a bank or credit union, while a mortgage broker works for a brokerage company. Home loan originators and mortgage brokers are both licensed by the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System (NMLS).
Q. I've heard from everyone that you must have mortgage insurance to buy a home. What is mortgage insurance?
A. Essentially, mortgage insurance helps protect lenders if a borrower forecloses on the home they bought. One advantage of mortgage insurance is that when borrowers pay it, lenders can often grant loans to buyers when they might not have otherwise. Though not always required to buy a home, mortgage insurance is often needed for down payments of less than 20%.
Q. I have just been pre-approved to buy a beautiful home in South Carolina. Is there anything I shouldn't do now that I'm pre-qualified?
A. Mortgage companies like Mission One Mortgage, make getting pre-qualified for a home easy. However, as your loan process continues, your lender is required to run a new credit report before closing on a home. For that reason, it's to avoid any activity that might affect your credit score, such as:
Q. My brother-in-law recently refinanced his home in South Carolina. What is refinancing, and should I consider refinancing my home too?
A. Refinancing your home basically means you're swapping your current mortgage for a new one, most often with a lower interest rate. If you would like to reduce the term of your loan, lower your monthly mortgage payments, or consolidate debt, refinancing may be a smart option. Many homeowners also choose to refinance if they want to switch from adjustable-rate mortgages to fixed-rate mortgages or to get cash back for home renovations. To learn whether refinancing is a viable option for your situation, contact Mission One Mortgage ASAP, as loan rates change frequently.
Here at Mission One Mortgage, we believe that the best communities begin with the dream of home ownership. Our mission is to make those dreams come true, with personalized service, expert guidance, and good old-fashioned hard work. As one of the most trusted mortgage companies in Hillsborough, FL, we have years of experience working with a diverse range of clients, from first-time buyers and investors to self-employed borrowers and non-native English speakers.
Though every mortgage situation is different, one thing never changes: our commitment to clients. Contact our office today to get started on an exceptional home-buying experience.
'We can’t afford to let more Floridians be forced out of their homes because we failed to act.'Hillsborough County Property Appraiser Bob Henriquez has a novel idea to ease Floridians’ wallets when it comes to affordable homeownership.Homeowners across the state are facing a crisis regarding the price of property insurance. Lawmakers have struggled in recent months and years to fully address the problem in a state with high risk due to frequent hurricanes.To address those hurdles, Henriquez i...
'We can’t afford to let more Floridians be forced out of their homes because we failed to act.'
Hillsborough County Property Appraiser Bob Henriquez has a novel idea to ease Floridians’ wallets when it comes to affordable homeownership.
Homeowners across the state are facing a crisis regarding the price of property insurance. Lawmakers have struggled in recent months and years to fully address the problem in a state with high risk due to frequent hurricanes.
To address those hurdles, Henriquez is pairing his knowledge on property taxes with his experience in the Legislature — Henriquez served in the House from 1998 until 2006, then became Property Appraiser in 2013.
“If you own a home in Florida, chances are your property insurance bill has gone up — way up. For some families, it’s doubled. For others, insurers have vanished entirely, leaving them with no choice but to join Citizens Property Insurance, the state’s insurer of last resort,” Henriquez told Florida Politics.
His plan would leverage property tax cuts to offset property insurance increases for qualifying homeowners.
While state lawmakers would have to iron out details, Henriquez created a pitch-worthy outline. His plan would offer reduced property taxes on owner-occupied homes that experienced a 15% or more increase to their insurance premium year-over-year. It would cap eligibility at $150,000 of household income, with enhanced credits for households earning less than $80,000.
Under Henriquez’s proposal, homeowners applying would have to offer proof of residency, income and tax increase.
Lawmakers could, if interested, take that framework and make changes as needed, but the goal remains the same, Henriquez said.
“Florida now leads the nation in homeowners’ insurance costs, with the average premium exceeding $6,000 a year. This is a slow-moving financial disaster for middle-class families, retirees on fixed incomes, and even working professionals who’ve done everything right — paid their mortgage, maintained their home, and kept up with their taxes,” he said.
Henriquez is calling the plan the Home Insurance Relief Property Tax Credit. He modeled it after existing property tax relief programs to provide enough relief to potentially keep homeowners struggling with increased costs in their homes.
It’s not a bailout for insurance companies, Henriquez said, adding that it is instead “a safety net for taxpayers who are being hit from all sides,” including ever-rising property insurance premiums, rising property values, and a lack of sufficient alternatives.
Henriquez praised — to some degree — the state’s efforts to stabilize the insurance market. More insurers have been added, which could drive premiums down as the market reacts to the influx in new insurance options. But he pointed out that relief is not here yet, and how much relief is realized remains an open question.
“A well-designed tax credit would focus on owner-occupied homes, set reasonable income and property value limits, and require proof of insurance premium increases. It would be simple to apply for and could be funded through existing state revenues or surplus funds from Citizens Property Insurance,” Henriquez said.
What’s perhaps better, Henriquez says there should be something in his plan for all political persuasions. For conservatives, he said it offers tax relief, something chief budget negotiators in the House and Senate have been grappling with for weeks as the deadline to pass a balanced budget looms. And for progressives and liberals, it’s a way to protect working families and vulnerable residents from being priced out of their neighborhoods.
Broadly, Henriquez said, it’s an acknowledgement to struggling Floridians that the crushing cost of insurance is very much a part of the state’s ongoing affordability crisis.
“We can’t afford to let more Floridians be forced out of their homes because we failed to act. A targeted property tax credit won’t solve everything, but it’s a meaningful, measurable step toward stability,” he said.
Henriquez’s idea isn’t entirely new. South Carolina has a program that offers a state income tax credit to those facing particularly high insurance costs. Called the Excess Insurance Premium Tax Credit, the program provides a tax credit of up to $1,250 to property owners who pay more than 5% of their incomes on insurance coverage.
For example, a person earning $50,000 a year who pays $3,000 for insurance would qualify for a $500 tax credit, the difference between the $3,000 they pay on insurance and the $2,500 that represents 5% of their income.
Florida does not have a state income tax, making a similar property tax credit a feasible alternative.
More and more people are finding themselves living paycheck to paycheck in the greater Tampa Bay region. In some places, rent has doubled. The cost of everyday goods — like gas and groceries — keeps creeping up. All the while, wages lag behind and the affordable housing crisis looms. Amid cost-of-living increases, WUSF is focused on documenting how people are making ends meet.In a 5-2 vote on Wednesday, county co...
More and more people are finding themselves living paycheck to paycheck in the greater Tampa Bay region. In some places, rent has doubled. The cost of everyday goods — like gas and groceries — keeps creeping up. All the while, wages lag behind and the affordable housing crisis looms. Amid cost-of-living increases, WUSF is focused on documenting how people are making ends meet.
Money that was previously set aside to fund affordable housing projects could now be spent on public safety initiatives in Hillsborough County.
In a 5-2 vote on Wednesday, Hillsborough commissioners repealed an ordinance that previously directed the county to put $10 million annually toward a local affordable housing fund, also known as HOPE funds. County commissioners Gwen Myers and Harry Cohen voted against the measure.
The housing trust fund was named after the Hillsborough Organization for Progress and Equality (HOPE), a community organization that advocated for its creation in 2019. The group does not receive or manage any of the money allocated to housing.
Commissioner Chris Boles brought the original motion that any new HOPE funds be spent on public safety measures rather than affordable housing, according to the agenda item request.
Housing advocates and religious leaders with HOPE are speaking out against the move.
“Affordable housing is public safety because that brings about stability and security within a community,” co-president of HOPE Sheila Simmons Tribble said.
HOPE funds play a critical role in providing affordable housing for low- to moderate-income residents struggling with rising costs in Hillsborough County, she said.
That’s despite the fact that the county has diverted money from the local housing fund in recent years to other community needs, like hurricane recovery efforts.
The money has helped bring roughly 1,100 affordable rental units to Hillsborough County, according to leaders at HOPE. One recent example is Mount Zion, a 75-unit affordable senior apartment being built in partnership with a Riverview church.
“We do know that we are in [an affordable housing] crisis here in Hillsborough County,” Tribble said. “Over the past six years, we at least … had a tool … to address this crisis, and that was the HOPE fund.”
Now, she said, that tool might cease to exist.
Hillsborough County receives other state and federal funds through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development that are required to be spent on affordable housing projects.
The future of the county’s local housing funds will be decided in the coming weeks. A public hearing and a second vote on the issue must take place before any changes to HOPE funds can be made.
Gabriella Paul covers the stories of people living paycheck to paycheck in the greater Tampa Bay region for WUSF. She's also a Report for America corps member. Here’s how you can share your story with her.
A pastor from Wimauma was deported to Guatemala on Wednesday after spending more than two months in immigration custody, according to his family.Maurilio Ambrocio was arrested on April 17 during a routine check-in at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement office in Tampa, a visit he had made for more than 10 years without trouble.Ambrocio said he was deported from New Orlean...
A pastor from Wimauma was deported to Guatemala on Wednesday after spending more than two months in immigration custody, according to his family.
Maurilio Ambrocio was arrested on April 17 during a routine check-in at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement office in Tampa, a visit he had made for more than 10 years without trouble.
Ambrocio said he was deported from New Orleans along with about 100 other Guatemalan immigrants on a charter flight. In his home country, local authorities allowed him to contact his family and provided information to help find work and reintegrate into the community.
Ashley Ambrocio, 19, his oldest daughter, said the family and friends who knew about her father’s work in the community felt deep sorrow over the news of his deportation. She plans to go to Guatemala City next week to visit him.
“My mother, my brothers, and I are very saddened by all this, but also relieved that my father is no longer in prison and is a free man,” she said during a phone interview. “We were very worried about his health and the fact that he was locked up for so long.”
Ambrocio, 42, led Iglesia de Santidad Vida Nueva, a small rural church where about 50 Hispanic worshippers and their families gathered each weekend. Most of the members were from Mexico and Central America.
Ambrocio was removed from the United States in 2006 and later returned without permission. He was convicted of driving without a license in 2012 and received a final removal order in 2013, though his family said he was later allowed to stay under supervision.
Immigration authorities didn’t respond to a request for comment on Ambrocio’s deportation. But in a previous statement about his case, Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said “President Trump and Secretary Noem’s message to illegal aliens is clear: If you’re in the country illegally, leave now or face the consequences.”
In a WhatsApp interview, Ambrocio thanked the members of his church, friends and close relatives for their support during the time he was detained. Ambrocio said he and his family had held out hope until the end for a way to stay together.
“I am very sad because my family and I until the last moment hoped for a humanitarian solution to be able to return to my family,” he said. “But thank God I am free now.”
Ambrocio said he wants to focus on what he can do in Guatemala.
“It’s a country I left for the first time when I was a 15-year-old boy, living only with my grandparents,” Ambrocio said.
During his detention, Ambrocio lost 24 pounds and became sick with a sore throat more than once.
“The conditions were very difficult, and the treatment was very bad. I don’t think we deserved that because we are not bad people or criminals,” Ambrocio said. “But that time is over. Now we have to recover and think about what to do next.”
Ambrocio said he hopes he can return to his home in Wimauma soon and be with his family by going through the legal process.
“It won’t be easy but they need me,” Ambrocio said. “I need them too.”
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BRANDON, Fla. - A Hillsborough County mom who had a high-risk pregnancy named her daughter after an HCA Florida Brandon nurse who she grew a tight bond with.The backstory:The close relationship between Patricia Bery and Laurie Van Damme, an HCA Florida Brandon perinatal nurse navigator, started with a simple hug."I remember when the staff came in," Bery said. "Everyone was kind of staring at me, ...
BRANDON, Fla. - A Hillsborough County mom who had a high-risk pregnancy named her daughter after an HCA Florida Brandon nurse who she grew a tight bond with.
The backstory:
The close relationship between Patricia Bery and Laurie Van Damme, an HCA Florida Brandon perinatal nurse navigator, started with a simple hug.
"I remember when the staff came in," Bery said. "Everyone was kind of staring at me, telling me this information, and I'm crying hysterically."
Bery said that's what happened when she learned she had a high-risk pregnancy last year. Her daughter Noriah's kidneys were not growing at the same rate.
"Laurie comes to me, approaches me, and gives me a hug. Took me in the room, allowed me to calm myself down, she gave me some grace, compassion," she said.
From there, Bery said their bond became nothing short of unbreakable.
"[Van Damme] assured me that moving forward all of the ultrasound appointments, she would be there," she said.
Over time, the two grew close over their shared faith.
"She had a friend whose child also had one kidney and was perfectly healthy as well," she added. "Laurie is also a mother, and she was able to help me understand my daughter's situation."
In May of last year, Van Damme received a panicked call from Bery. Bery was rear-ended and her car was totaled.
"Immediately, my belly hit the steering wheel. Couldn't feel my baby," she explained. "We went to the emergency room, and they discharged me but never attended to my baby."
Van Damme told Bery to leave that hospital and come to HCA Florida Brandon to get checked out. Bery did and learned she was having contractions and high blood pressure.
She was induced into labor and gave birth to Noriah who is now happy and healthy.
Dig deeper:
Not long after, Bery was pregnant again and thinking of baby names with her partner, James Tolbert.
"I wanted to name my child with an N, something similar to Noriah and James goes, 'Are you going to call Ms. Laurie again' I was like, 'Oh you're being funny. Yeah, but I'll call Laurie. Matter of fact, I'll call the baby Nhori.'"
So, she did.
Bery gave birth on Wednesday, and Van Damme surprised her, being there for her C-section procedure. Van Damme said this is why she got into this field in the first place.
"She had previously said that naming this baby was the easiest decision ever, because she wanted this little girl to have a piece of someone with such compassion and such goodness and kindness in her, and I felt that in that moment when she was holding this little baby," she said.
The Source: The information in this story was gathered by FOX 13's Jennifer Kveglis.
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