Should you use a mortgage broker or go directly to a lender? Pros and cons for Florida borrowers.
Written by Renzo Johnson, Licensed MLO · NMLS #PENDING · Last updated: February 2026
- Broker: shops multiple lenders for you — finds the best rate/program match
- Direct lender: originates and funds loans in-house — may have exclusive products
- Broker advantage: access to 20-50+ lenders, one application, comparison shopping done for you
- Direct lender advantage: may have portfolio products, potentially faster processing
- Cost: brokers are compensated by the lender (no extra cost to borrower in most cases)
- Florida Mortgage Solvers is a mortgage broker — we shop dozens of lenders for you
- Best approach: get quotes from 1-2 brokers AND 1-2 direct lenders, compare Loan Estimates