Pinellas County · Tampa Bay
Clearwater Mortgage Broker
A condo on Sand Key, a 1950s ranch in Skycrest, a pool home in Countryside or a rental near the beach: in Clearwater the age, elevation and insurability of the home matter as much as your credit. On Mortgage finds the lender that fits both you and the property.
Clearwater’s Mortgage Broker Offering the Lowest Rates
We specialize in Clearwater residential mortgages.
When you apply at one bank you get one answer. When you apply through On Mortgage, your file goes to many wholesale lenders at once, and you see their offers next to each other: the rate, the points or credit, and the fees. Lenders compete for the same borrower every day, and the gap between them is real money over the life of a loan.
In Clearwater, choosing the right lender is also about the house. Pinellas County is the most densely populated county in Florida, and much of the mainland was built out decades ago, so a large share of homes are older ranch houses, villas and condos. Some lenders and insurers handle older roofs, older electrical systems and low-lying lots routinely. Others turn them down. We send your file to the ones that say yes.
Check the market for yourself on the Clearwater mortgage rates page or run your own numbers in the Pinellas County rate finder. No credit pull, no sign-up.
Pinellas County mortgage pricing, updated through the day
No points, no credit
0.125 points
0.162 points
$672 lender credit
$713 lender credit
Par rate per program for a single-family primary residence in Pinellas County, 20% down, 780+ credit, 30-day lock, escrows included. Rates change through the day and are not a commitment to lend. Price your own Clearwater scenario, no credit pull.
Clearwater’s Premier Mortgage Broker: On Mortgage
Clearwater is a city we are proud to serve, known for its Gulf Coast beaches and its close-knit community. A first-time buyer after a comfortable home and an investor targeting Clearwater’s active real estate market need very different loans, and we build each one around what that client wants to accomplish.
Clearwater buyers tend to fall into a few groups, and each needs something different from a lender:
Retirees and 55+ buyers
Many buyers here are retiring to the Gulf Coast or downsizing. Lenders can qualify you on Social Security, pensions and retirement distributions, and asset depletion programs can use investment balances as income. We also check whether a 55+ community or condo meets the lender’s guidelines.
Working families
Healthcare, tourism, technology and the wider Tampa Bay job market keep families buying in Countryside, Morningside and east Clearwater. FHA, conventional with 3% to 5% down and VA loans are the most common fits.
Second-home and rental buyers
Condos near the beach attract buyers who use them part of the year and rent them the rest. How the home is used decides whether it is financed as a second home or an investment property, and we will help you get that right.
Discover Clearwater’s Housing Market
As of mid-2026, the median sale price in Clearwater is around $355,000, and homes typically sell in about 63 days. Here is how financing tends to change across the city:
Clearwater Beach, Island Estates & Sand Key
Condos and waterfront homes on the barrier islands. Flood insurance is required in most of it, condo buildings get a full review, and higher-priced homes may need a jumbo loan.
Harbor Oaks & downtown
Historic homes on the bluff above Clearwater Harbor, plus downtown condos near the waterfront park and the redevelopment along the bayfront. Older homes need early insurance quotes.
Skycrest, Morningside & Del Oro Groves
Mid-century ranch homes on established streets, popular with first-time buyers. FHA and conventional fit well; roof age and four-point inspections are the usual hurdles.
Countryside
Newer suburban homes and planned communities in the north of the city, close to the Courtney Campbell and Tampa commutes. Conventional loans and move-up purchases dominate.
Villas, 55+ and manufactured homes
Pinellas has many villa communities and parks. Villas with an HOA need an association review; manufactured homes need a lender that finances them and land that is owned, not leased.
Nearby Pinellas cities
We also finance homes in Dunedin, Safety Harbor, Largo, Palm Harbor and across the county, plus St. Petersburg and Tampa.
Buying in Clearwater after Helene and Milton
In late September 2024, Hurricane Helene’s storm surge flooded Clearwater Beach, Sand Key and other low-lying parts of Pinellas County, and Hurricane Milton followed about two weeks later with wind and rain. Most of the city has recovered, but the storms left their mark on the market in ways a buyer should understand before making an offer.
As-is sales. Some flood-damaged homes are still being sold as-is. Most mortgages require a home to be safe and livable at closing, so a home that needs major repairs may need a renovation loan, repairs completed before closing, or a cash purchase.
The 50% rule. When the cost of repairing or improving a flood-zone home exceeds 50% of the building’s market value, federal floodplain rules require the home to meet current flood elevation standards. That can mean raising the home or rebuilding it. Ask about the city’s substantial damage determination on any home that flooded.
Elevation is value. Newer and elevated homes insure for less, and buyers are paying attention. An elevation certificate is one of the most useful documents you can ask a seller for in Clearwater.
Homeowners insurance and property taxes in Clearwater
Pinellas County’s average homeowners premium runs above the Florida average, and the county’s combined property tax rate is one of the higher ones in the state. On the barrier islands and other flood zones, add a flood policy on top. A newer roof, impact protection and a wind mitigation inspection are the best ways to bring the premium down. Here is what that looks like for a homesteaded home at Clearwater’s median price.
Sources: Florida county homeowners insurance premiums (worthinsurance.com) and county total millage (movewithmomentum.com), updated October 2026. Your own premium depends on the home’s age, roof, construction and wind mitigation features, and flood coverage is a separate policy. Property tax and homeowners insurance are estimates (1.2% and 0.85% of the home’s value per year). Your actual taxes and insurance premium depend on the property, exemptions and the policy you choose, and will be confirmed on your Loan Estimate. Run your own numbers.
Clearwater: A Hub for Real Estate Investors
With a thriving tourism industry, beaches that regularly rank among the best in the country and a year-round coastal lifestyle, Clearwater offers real opportunities for real estate investors. Spring training, winter visitors and summer families all bring demand for furnished rentals, while the wider Tampa Bay job market supports long-term tenants. Vacation rentals, duplexes and small apartment buildings are a large part of what our brokers finance here, and we structure each loan so the property pays its way.
Before you buy a rental, confirm the rules. Short-term rental rules in Clearwater depend on the zoning district, and the neighboring beach towns and many condo associations set their own minimum stays. A property that can only be rented monthly or longer can still be a good investment, but the income numbers need to reflect that.
For financing, conventional investment loans work well for buyers who document income on tax returns. A DSCR loan looks at the property’s rent rather than your tax returns, and the title can be held by your LLC. Our DSCR loans guide explains the ratio, and you can test a purchase with the affordability calculator.
What’s Next for Clearwater Real Estate?
Clearwater’s housing market has settled into more balanced conditions, with a median sale price near $355,000 as of mid-2026 and homes taking roughly 63 days to sell. That is a healthier pace for buyers than the frenzy of a few years ago. There is time to inspect, time to get insurance quotes and room to negotiate seller credits.
The long-term pull of the area is steady: the beaches, the Tampa Bay economy, a large retiree population and limited land for new building in Pinellas County. Expect the gap to keep widening between newer, elevated and well-insured homes and older homes that need work, and expect buyers who understand that gap to find the best value. On Mortgage keeps your financing in step with the market, and our refinance team will be here if rates move in your favor later.
Why Choose On Mortgage as Your Clearwater Mortgage Broker?
Because Clearwater homes vary so much in age, elevation and type, the broker you choose should have a lender for each of them. OnMortgage brokers the full range of Clearwater financing:
| Loan | Best for in Clearwater |
|---|---|
| Conventional | Primary homes, second homes and rentals, with as little as 3% down for first-time buyers |
| FHA | First-time buyers and buyers with lower scores; 3.5% down at a 580 score |
| VA | Veterans and service members, no down payment, no monthly mortgage insurance |
| Jumbo | Waterfront and beach homes above the Pinellas County conforming limit |
| Bank statement | Business owners and independent contractors |
| DSCR | Investors qualifying on rent instead of personal income |
| Refinance | A lower rate, removing mortgage insurance, or cash for storm upgrades |
We understand the Clearwater market, from flood zones on the islands to older homes on the mainland, and we push for the best terms on a first home or a growing portfolio alike. For other cities, see our areas we serve page.
Our Reviews
What Florida borrowers say after closing with On Mortgage. Five stars on Google (130 reviews) and Zillow (92 reviews).
“We cannot say enough amazing things about Caroline! As a first-time homebuyer, this was such a huge and exciting milestone for us, and we’re so grateful that we had her by our side throughout the entire process. Caroline was incredibly knowledgeable, patient, responsive, and supportive from beginning to end.”
“I had an amazing experience working with Ms. Caroline Da Silva throughout my entire home-buying process. From day one, she was professional, knowledgeable, responsive, and always there whenever I had questions. She kept me updated every step of the way and made everything easy to understand.”
“Caroline was great. Always responsive and available whenever I needed assistance or had questions. 10/10 would recommend to any veteran or anyone for that matter.”
Clearwater mortgage broker: your questions
Can I get a mortgage on a home damaged by Hurricane Helene?
Sometimes. Most loans require the home to be livable at closing, so a home with major flood damage may need repairs completed first, a renovation loan, or a cash buyer. If the home is in a flood zone and repairs exceed half its structure value, it may also have to be elevated. We review the condition and history with you before you commit.
Is flood insurance required in Clearwater?
It is required on mortgaged homes in FEMA special flood hazard areas, which include much of Clearwater Beach, Sand Key, Island Estates and low areas along the bay. On higher ground it is optional. Because standard homeowners policies exclude flood, many owners buy it anyway. Your premium depends heavily on the home’s elevation.
Can I finance a condo on Clearwater Beach or Sand Key?
Yes. Lenders review the condo association’s budget, reserves, insurance, rental mix and any special assessments, and Florida’s newer condo safety laws added inspection and reserve requirements. Warrantable buildings qualify for conventional pricing. For buildings that do not, we work with portfolio lenders that finance them, usually with a larger down payment.
How much are property taxes in Clearwater?
Pinellas County’s combined millage is shown on this page along with a worked example. A homesteaded primary residence receives an exemption that lowers the taxable value, and annual increases on homestead property are capped. Investment property and second homes do not get the homestead exemption, so their tax bill is higher on the same value.
Can retirees get a mortgage in Clearwater?
Yes. Age is never a reason to deny a mortgage. Lenders can qualify you on Social Security, pension income and regular withdrawals from retirement accounts, and asset depletion programs can count investments as income. Some retirees choose a mortgage to keep their savings invested instead of paying cash.
Why choose a Clearwater mortgage broker over a bank?
A bank offers only its own programs and pricing, and many banks avoid older homes, condos with issues or self-employed income. A broker compares many lenders and knows which ones handle the kinds of homes common in Clearwater. You get competitive pricing and a better chance of closing on time, with one consultant managing the whole process.
More for Clearwater borrowers
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Contact OnMortgage: Clearwater’s Leading Mortgage Broker
Buying on the beach, on the mainland or in a 55+ community? Our brokers will compare lenders for your Clearwater home and guide you to the closing table. Get a free, no-obligation quote today.