Frequently Asked Questions

Fill out the contact form or call/text me at (407) 398-5788. We'll set up a free strategy session where we go over your income, debts, credit, and savings and build a clear game plan.

Yes. The strategy session is free with no obligation. It's a chance for you to get clarity on your numbers and next steps.

We'll discuss what documents you might need. Generally, having a rough idea of your income, monthly debts, and savings is a good start. We can go from there.

FHA loans are government-backed and often allow lower down payments (e.g., 3.5%) and can be more forgiving on credit. Conventional loans aren't government-backed and may require higher credit scores but can offer competitive rates and flexibility.

Yes. If you're an eligible veteran or active-duty service member, we can explore VA loans, which can offer zero down and competitive terms.

There are state and local programs that may help with down payment and closing costs. Eligibility varies. We can go over options in your strategy session.

It depends on the program. FHA can work with lower scores in many cases; conventional typically wants higher scores. I'll help you understand your options based on your situation.

Credit challenges don't always mean you can't buy. Some programs are more flexible. We'll look at your full picture and see what's possible, and what might need to improve first.

Pre-approval can often be done within a few days. From contract to closing, expect roughly 30–45 days depending on the loan type and your situation.

Once you're pre-approved, you can start house hunting with confidence. When you find a home and go under contract, we'll move into processing and closing.

Your payment is made up of four main parts. Principal (paying down the loan), interest (what the lender charges), property taxes, and homeowner's insurance. If you put less than 20% down, mortgage insurance gets added too. You'll hear people call this PITI. Principal, Interest, Taxes, Insurance.

Escrow is a holding account your lender uses to pay your property taxes and insurance. A portion of each monthly payment goes into escrow, and the lender pays those bills when they're due. It keeps you from having to come up with a big lump sum. Most loans require it.

Usually because of an escrow adjustment. Your property taxes or insurance went up, so your lender needs to collect more each month to cover the new amounts. They'll send you a notice explaining the change. If it seems off, call me and I'll help you review it.

PMI is private mortgage insurance on Conventional loans. It goes away once you reach 20% equity. MIP is mortgage insurance premium on FHA loans. On most FHA loans, MIP stays for the life of the loan. Both protect the lender, not you. The cost and rules are different for each.

PITI stands for Principal, Interest, Taxes, and Insurance. It's the full picture of your monthly housing cost. When I give you a payment estimate, I always include all four so there are no surprises.

I'm licensed in Florida and work with clients statewide. Most of my clients are in Orange, Lake, Osceola, Seminole, and Polk counties, but I help buyers all across the state.

I specialize in first-time homebuyers, but I also help with refinances and repeat buyers. Whatever your situation, we can go over your options.

Yes. I put together a free guide that walks you through the pre-approval process step by step. What documents to gather, how your credit and income are reviewed, and what to expect. You can download it here.

Call or text (407) 398-5788, email Michael.g@equitysmartloans.com, or use the contact form. I typically respond within 2 hours during business hours.