TAMPA MORTGAGE LENDER · The Galli Team
Market Neighborhoods Programs Process Get Pre-Approved
Tampa Mortgage Lender · Florida

Tampa is booming.
Buy in before
everyone else does.

5.2 million people, 29 corporate relocations last year, and a tech boom rewriting the city. Tampa isn't a "comeback story" — it's becoming Florida's next great metro. We help buyers, investors, and relocating professionals win in this market.

2 hrs
Pre-Approval
25+
Lender Network
29 yrs
Experience
4.9★
145 Reviews

Get Pre-Approved Today

2-hour pre-approval. No SSN required to start. Free, no obligation.

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29+Years Mortgage Experience
$1B+Loans Originated
2 hrsPre-Approval Turnaround
4.9 ★
★★★★★
145 Reviews
50States Licensed
Tampa is Florida's Hottest Metro

The numbers behind America's fastest-growing city.

Tampa-St. Pete-Clearwater is the 18th-largest MSA in the country and one of the fastest-growing. Population growth, corporate relocations, and a serious tech boom are reshaping the market right now.

5.2M
Tampa MSA
Population
29
Corporate HQ
Relocations (2025)
14K
New Tech Jobs
Florida 2026
#5
Best City for HQ
Site Selection 2026
— 01 —

Corporate America is moving here

Tampa tied for 5th in the 2026 Site Selection Magazine ranking of the best cities for corporate headquarters. 29 corporate relocations and expansions in 2025 alone — tech, finance, defense, and design-build firms fleeing California, New York, and New Jersey for Florida's no-income-tax climate.

Source: Site Selection Magazine, 2026
— 02 —

The tech boom is real, not hype

13% of Tampa-area businesses now use AI — third among 19 peer regions nationally. USF's new Bellini College of Artificial Intelligence opened in 2026, fueling a 14,000-job tech talent pipeline. Average wages climbed 5% to $66,671 — outpacing the national average.

Source: Tampa Bay Economic Development Council
— 03 —

Population growth that won't stop

The Tampa-St. Pete-Clearwater MSA now tops 5.2 million residents with projections of 100,000+ new residents through 2030. Single-family inventory remains tight relative to demand — buyers who lock in 2026 prices will look back in 5 years and call it the deal of the decade.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau & Florida Realtors
Current Market Snapshot

Tampa real estate by the numbers.

The numbers buyers care about. Updated monthly with the latest Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater MSA data.

Tampa MSA · Q1 2026

Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater
Median Home Price (Tampa)
$445,000
↑ 17.11% YoY
Median MSA Sale Price
$399,900
— Stable
Townhome / Condo Median
$255,000
↓ 12% YoY (Buyer Opportunity)
Active Listings
18,448
↑ 83% YoY (More Choice)
Months of Supply
4.24
— Balanced Market
Average Days on Market
44–98 days
↑ More Time to Decide
Average 30-Year Fixed Rate
~6.3%
— 2026 Forecast
Sources: Florida Realtors, Realtor.com, U.S. Census Bureau · Data current Q1 2026
Where to Buy in Tampa

Six neighborhoods worth your money.

Tampa is a city of neighborhoods. The right one depends on your budget, your commute, and your stage of life. Here's where we see the best value right now.

S
Premium

South Tampa

$700K – $3M+

Historic architecture, bayfront views, walkable streets. Hyde Park Village, SoHo, Bayshore Boulevard. Best schools in Tampa. Where Tampa's professionals and executives live.

Walkable Top Schools Luxury
W
Family

Westchase

$500K – $900K

Master-planned community in northwest Tampa. Highly rated schools, golf courses, pools, parks. The go-to choice for families relocating with kids. Easy commute to Tampa International Airport.

Master-Planned A-Rated Schools Suburban
C
Urban

Channel District & Water Street

$400K – $2M (Condos)

Tampa's revitalized downtown waterfront. New high-rise condos, walkable to Amalie Arena, restaurants, and offices. Where young tech professionals and corporate transplants are landing.

Downtown Condos Waterfront
H
Historic

Hyde Park & SoHo

$650K – $1.5M

Brick streets, century-old bungalows, and one of Florida's most walkable urban villages. Premium dining, boutique shops, Bayshore jogging path. For buyers who want urban energy with charm.

Historic Walkable Bungalows
R
Value

Riverview & Brandon

$350K – $550K

Southeast of Tampa, newer construction, more space for the money. Where first-time buyers and growing families are finding 4-bed/3-bath homes that don't exist in Tampa proper. Strong rental potential.

First-Time Buyers New Build Value
N
Tech Corridor

New Tampa & Wesley Chapel

$425K – $750K

North of Tampa near USF and the I-75 corridor. Gated communities, country clubs, and quick access to the new tech employers around the University of South Florida. A favorite for tech workers and remote professionals.

Gated Near USF Tech Workers
Relocating to Tampa

Moving from a high-tax state?
You're not alone.

Tampa has become the #1 landing spot for professionals fleeing California, New York, New Jersey, and Massachusetts. The math is simple: no state income tax + lower cost of living + better weather. The hard part is buying a home from out of state — that's where we come in.

California New York New Jersey Massachusetts Illinois
Start Your Tampa Loan →
Tax Savings vs. Tampa
$200K household income
California→ Tampa
+$26,600/yr
New York→ Tampa
+$21,800/yr
New Jersey→ Tampa
+$21,500/yr
Massachusetts→ Tampa
+$18,000/yr
Illinois→ Tampa
+$9,900/yr
Estimated state income tax savings only. Actual savings vary by individual situation.
Tampa Loan Programs

The right loan for your Tampa story.

Tampa buyers come from everywhere — and one loan type doesn't fit everyone. Here are the six programs we use most for Tampa buyers.

C

Conventional Loans

3–20% down · 30-Year Fixed

The workhorse for Tampa's professional and move-up buyer segment. Most relocations from high-income coastal states use conventional financing with 10–20% down.

Best For South Tampa, Westchase, Hyde Park buyers with strong credit (700+) and 10%+ down.
B

Bank Statement Loans

No Tax Returns · Self-Employed

For Tampa's growing self-employed segment — business owners, consultants, tech founders, real estate investors. We qualify off 12-24 months of bank statements instead of tax returns.

Best For Business owners, 1099 contractors, founders with strong cash flow but heavy tax write-offs.
D

DSCR Investor Loans

No Personal Income Required

Tampa is one of the strongest rental markets in Florida. DSCR loans qualify off the property's projected rental income — perfect for building a Tampa rental portfolio without W2 income docs.

Best For Investors building rental portfolios. Tampa Bay's 4th-hottest rental market in Florida.
J

Jumbo Loans

Up to $3M+ Loan Amounts

For South Tampa, Hyde Park, and Davis Islands buyers. Jumbo loan limits in Hillsborough County start at $806,500 — and our jumbo program goes up to $3M+ for waterfront properties.

Best For Luxury Tampa buyers — South Tampa, Davis Islands, waterfront properties.
F

FHA Loans

3.5% Down · Flexible Credit

For first-time Tampa buyers and credit-recovery scenarios. The Hillsborough County FHA loan limit is $806,500 — high enough to buy in most Tampa neighborhoods with just 3.5% down.

Best For First-time buyers in Riverview, Brandon, Wesley Chapel, New Tampa.
V

VA Loans

0% Down · Veterans

Tampa is home to MacDill Air Force Base and one of Florida's largest active-duty and veteran populations. VA loans offer zero down, no PMI, and competitive rates — Tampa's most powerful first-home option for veterans.

Best For Active-duty military at MacDill, veterans, and surviving spouses.
Chris Galli, Tampa Mortgage Expert
Meet Your Lender

29 years in Florida lending. Tampa is in our blood.

Chris Galli has originated over $1 billion in mortgages across Florida — a significant chunk of it right here in the Tampa metro. From luxury Davis Islands waterfront properties to first-time buyers in Wesley Chapel, Chris's team has seen every Tampa neighborhood, every Tampa scenario, every Tampa challenge.

What that means for you: when your file hits a snag (Florida insurance quirks, condo association issues, out-of-state relocations, self-employed income complications) — we've already solved it 100 times. We don't learn on your file.

29+
Years Experience
$1B+
Loans Originated
NMLS
#13152
4.9★
145 Reviews
The Tampa Process

From application to keys in 21 days.

Most Tampa lenders take 35-45 days to close. We average 21-24 days. Here's how.

1
Pre-Approval

2-hour pre-approval letter. No SSN required to start. Verified income, credit, and assets.

2
Find Your Home

Your realtor sends offers with our verified pre-approval. Listing agents trust the letter.

3
Underwriting

Florida appraisal, title work, insurance quotes (we handle the insurance shop). 14-day target.

4
Clear to Close

Sign at the closing table. Keys in hand. Average 21-24 days from contract to keys.

Tampa Client Stories

Real Tampa buyers. Real outcomes.

From cross-country relocations to Tampa-born first-time buyers — here's what our clients say.

"

We relocated from San Francisco for a corporate move and Chris made the entire mortgage process feel easy from 2,800 miles away. Closed on our South Tampa home in 23 days. Highly recommend to anyone moving in from out of state.

JM
James M. South Tampa
"

I'm self-employed and got turned down by three big-bank lenders. Chris found a bank statement program that fit my situation and we closed on a Hyde Park bungalow in 26 days. I'm telling every business owner I know.

PR
Priya R. Hyde Park
"

First-time buyer in Wesley Chapel. The down payment assistance options Chris's team showed me put me into a home a year sooner than I thought possible. The whole team made it feel personal, not transactional.

MT
Marcus T. Wesley Chapel
Tampa Mortgage FAQ

What Tampa buyers actually ask us.

The real questions from real Tampa buyers. Tap to expand. If something isn't here, text Chris directly at 941.529.1040.

How much do I need to put down on a Tampa home?
Less than you think. FHA loans require 3.5% down (with credit scores as low as 580). Conventional loans require 3-5% down for first-time buyers, 10-20% for move-up buyers. VA loans for veterans are zero down. With Tampa median prices around $445K, that's a down payment range from $0 (VA) to about $15,600 (FHA) to $89,000 (20% conventional).
Is Florida insurance really that expensive in Tampa?
Insurance costs in Florida have risen significantly — Tampa homeowners typically pay $3,500-$8,500/year depending on flood zone, age of roof, and proximity to water. We work with multiple insurance partners and shop your policy as part of your loan process — saving clients an average of $1,200/year compared to the first quote. Critical: get insurance quotes BEFORE you make an offer, not after. We help with this.
I'm relocating to Tampa from out of state. Can you still help?
Yes — out-of-state relocations are a huge part of our business. About 40% of our Tampa buyers are moving in from California, New York, New Jersey, Texas, and Illinois. We handle the entire process remotely: digital application, e-signatures, remote notary for closing if needed. Pre-approval can happen before you even visit Tampa. The state-of-the-art tech in our process makes a 2,000-mile relocation feel local.
What's the deal with condos in Tampa? I've heard they're hard to finance.
Post-Surfside legislation made Florida condo financing more complex. Lenders now require detailed reserve studies, structural integrity reports, and association financials. Many older Tampa condos are "non-warrantable" and can't get conventional financing. We have specific non-warrantable condo programs that can fund where most lenders can't — Water Street, Channel District, and downtown Tampa condos are our specialty.
How fast can you close a Tampa loan?
Standard target: 21 days from contract to closing. We've closed in as fast as 14 days when needed. Tampa average across all our loan types last year: 24 days. Compare that to typical big-bank lenders averaging 35-45 days. Speed matters in multiple-offer situations — our 21-day close timeline often makes our buyers' offers more competitive than higher offers with 45-day closes.
Do you work with self-employed Tampa buyers?
Yes — and this is one of our specialties. Tampa's tech and entrepreneurial growth means a high concentration of 1099 contractors, business owners, and founders. We offer bank statement loans (qualify off 12-24 months of deposits), P&L loans (CPA-prepared profit and loss only, no bank statements), and asset-based loans (qualify off retirement or investment account balances). If a traditional lender has turned you down, talk to us before assuming you can't qualify.
What about Tampa flood zones? Will it kill my loan?
Tampa has significant flood-zone exposure (especially South Tampa, Davis Islands, and waterfront properties). Flood zones don't kill loans — they require flood insurance, typically $500-$3,500/year depending on zone and elevation. We run flood zone checks BEFORE you make an offer so there are no surprises. Sometimes the difference between a Zone X (low risk) and a Zone AE (high risk) lot is a single street — and we know the Tampa map cold.
Are there first-time buyer programs in Tampa?
Yes. Florida Housing's Hometown Heroes program offers up to $35,000 in down payment assistance for qualified buyers (teachers, healthcare workers, first responders, military, and other essential roles). Florida Assist Second Mortgage offers up to $10,000. Hillsborough County also has local DPA programs. We screen every first-time buyer for eligibility — most don't realize they qualify until we tell them.
Tampa is Calling

Buy your Tampa home with the lender Tampa trusts.

2-hour pre-approval. 25+ lender network. 29 years of Florida expertise. Whether you're moving in from California or buying your first Wesley Chapel home — we make Tampa happen.

Get Pre-Approved → 📞 Call Chris (941) 529-1040
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