Sarasota Mortgage Lender | FHA, VA, Jumbo & DSCR | The Galli Team
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Sarasota & Bradenton · 29+ Years · 4.9★ on Google

Sarasota Mortgage Lenderfor Coastal Buyers Who Win.

Local Suncoast lenders, 15 minutes up the road in downtown Bradenton. Fast pre-approvals that win offers on Siesta Key, Lakewood Ranch and Palmer Ranch, with every major loan type under one roof: conventional, FHA, VA, jumbo, bank statement, DSCR and condo financing.

Local Suncoast team Same-day pre-qual 25+ lending partners Response in 2 hours
Chris Galli, Region Manager, Novus Home Mortgage, The Galli Team
"I've helped Sarasota families and investors close on homes for 29 years. When you work with a local lender, your file moves fast, and so does your offer."
Chris Galli · Region Manager · Novus Home Mortgage · NMLS# 13152
29+
Years lending
4.9★
Google rating
Top 1%
Nationally

Who is a good mortgage lender in Sarasota, FL? The Galli Team at Novus Home Mortgage, led by Region Manager Chris Galli (NMLS #13152), is a local mortgage team serving Sarasota from its office at 1317 3rd Ave W in downtown Bradenton, about 15 minutes north. The team offers conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, jumbo (to $5 million), bank statement, P&L, DSCR, non-QM and condo financing, works with 25+ lending partners, and is licensed in all 50 states. Sarasota buyers most often come to them for fast pre-approvals, self-employed and non-QM loans, condo approvals on the keys and downtown, and jumbo financing on Siesta Key, Longboat Key and Lakewood Ranch.

Why Sarasota

Florida's Most Desirable Coast.

Sarasota is one of Florida's most desirable coastal markets, known for its beaches, arts scene, luxury homes, and strong demand for primary homes, second homes and rentals. Whether you're buying a waterfront home on Siesta Key, new construction in Lakewood Ranch, or a snowbird condo downtown, we've been structuring loans for buyers like you for 29 years.

We lend throughout Sarasota and nearby communities including Lakewood Ranch, Siesta Key, Lido Key, Longboat Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Venice and North Port. Pairing local market knowledge with 25+ lending partners means your file goes where it fits.

Our office is in downtown Bradenton, and we also serve Lakewood Ranch, Venice and Wellen Park, so you can compare across the Gulf Coast without changing lenders.

Sarasota Florida waterfront homes near Siesta Key
Sarasota, Florida
Buying in Sarasota in 2026

Numbers every Sarasota buyer should know.

ItemWhat it isWhy it matters
Conforming loan limit$832,750 for a one-unit home in Sarasota and Manatee counties (2026)Loan amounts above it are jumbo and follow different rules
Property taxesReset to your purchase price after you buyThe seller's tax bill isn't yours; budget on your price
Homestead exemptionUp to $50,000 off assessed value on your primary homeFile after closing; it also caps future assessment increases at 3%
Mortgage taxesFlorida doc stamps ($0.35 per $100) and intangible tax (0.2%) on the loanPart of your closing costs, unique to Florida
Homeowners & flood insuranceVaries by age, roof, construction and flood zoneGet a quote before you offer, especially near the water
Condo rulesMilestone inspections, reserve studies and full project reviewsThe building must qualify, not just you; condo guide
Down payment helpFlorida Hometown Heroes and county programsCan cover part of your down payment; Florida assistance

Figures are general information for 2026 and can change. Taxes and insurance vary by property; we build your actual numbers into your pre-approval.

Siesta Key beachfront homes in Sarasota, Florida
Siesta Key · Sarasota
Get Pre-Approved Before You Shop

Sarasota's Market
Rewards Preparation.

Getting pre-approved before you start your Sarasota search gives you a clear budget and a stronger offer. Your pre-approval with us includes Florida-specific costs like insurance, taxes on your purchase price, and HOA or CDD fees, so the number holds up at underwriting.

We respond within 2 hours and can often pre-qualify you the same day. That's the local advantage: fast answers, no call centers, direct access to your loan team.

Get My Sarasota Pre-Approval →
Choosing a lender

Local team vs. big bank vs. online lender.

The Galli TeamTypical big bankTypical online lender
Loan optionsConventional, FHA, VA, jumbo and non-QM through 25+ lending partnersMostly its own productsOften conventional and government only
Self-employedBank statement, P&L, 1099 and asset programsUsually two years of tax returnsVaries; limited non-QM
Condos on the keysWe review the building before you offerOften reviewed late in the processVaries
Who you talk toThe same local team from start to closeBranch plus processing centerCall center
Agents can reach usDirect line, (941) 529-1040VariesRarely

General comparison, not a review of any specific company. Every lender's programs and service vary.

Sarasota Questions

Sarasota
Mortgage FAQs.

Straight answers from a local Suncoast lender, not vague corporate speak.

Get My Pre-Approval →
No. FHA requires 3.5% down, conventional loans start at 3%, and VA and USDA loans can be $0 down for eligible buyers. Many Sarasota buyers also use Florida Hometown Heroes or county down payment assistance to lower what they bring to closing.
Lower than many buyers expect. FHA loans start at 580, and some non-QM programs go lower. Loans have closed for Sarasota buyers with scores in the high 500s, because the full financial picture matters more than a single number.
The 2026 conforming loan limit for a one-unit home in Sarasota and Manatee counties is $832,750. Loan amounts above that are jumbo loans. We offer jumbo financing up to $5,000,000 with as little as 10% down for qualified buyers.
Yes, but the building has to qualify as well as you. Florida's milestone inspection and reserve study laws mean lenders review the condo association's budget, reserves and inspections. We review the building before you write an offer, and we have options for warrantable and non-warrantable condos, including FHA and VA where the project is approved.
Buyers typically pay 2% to 5% of the purchase price. Florida-specific costs include documentary stamp tax on the note ($0.35 per $100 borrowed) and intangible tax (0.2% of the loan amount), plus title insurance, prepaid homeowners insurance and an escrow deposit for property taxes. Seller credits and rate buydowns can offset some of these costs.
If the Sarasota home is your primary residence, you can file for a homestead exemption of up to $50,000 off its assessed value, and the Save Our Homes cap limits annual increases in assessed value to 3%. File with the Sarasota County Property Appraiser after you close. We estimate taxes using the post-homestead amount when you qualify.
Insurance is part of your monthly payment, so it affects how much you qualify for. Roof age, wind mitigation features and flood zone all change the premium. We help you get insurance quotes early, ideally before your inspection period ends, so there are no surprises at closing.
Yes. Buyers purchase second homes in Sarasota with conventional, jumbo or DSCR financing, whether it's a vacation home on Siesta Key or a seasonal condo downtown.
Yes. Sarasota investors use DSCR loans for long-term rentals and short-term vacation rentals. Qualification is based on the property's rental income rather than your personal tax returns. Check local short-term rental rules for the property before you buy.
No. Programs exist that use one year of tax returns, 12 to 24 months of bank statements, 1099s, a CPA-prepared P&L, or no personal income documentation at all (DSCR loans for investment properties).
Often, yes. Many denials come from one lender's overlays or a single loan program, not a dead end. Send us the denial letter and we will review your file within one business day and tell you plainly what it would take to get approved, whether that is now or after a few targeted changes.
Yes. With a signed offer letter and a start date within 60 days of closing, that income can usually be used to qualify. You do not have to wait until you are working in Florida.
Most Sarasota buyers are pre-approved within 24 hours, often the same day. A fast, fully reviewed pre-approval strengthens offers in competitive areas like Siesta Key and Lakewood Ranch.
Yes. Florida Hometown Heroes can provide up to 5% of the first mortgage amount ($10,000 minimum, $35,000 maximum) as a 0% deferred second mortgage for eligible buyers. Sarasota County and other programs may also help, depending on income and the home's price.
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Same-Day Pre-Approval · Local Team · 29+ Years

Your Sarasota Home
Starts Here.

Tell us your situation and we'll have a clear path forward within 2 hours. Local expertise, fast approvals, every loan type.

Local Suncoast team No hard credit pull Response within 2 hours No obligation