Understanding warrantable and non-warrantable condo designations — how it affects your Florida condo mortgage.
Written by Renzo Johnson, Licensed MLO · NMLS #PENDING · Last updated: February 2026
- Warrantable: meets Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac guidelines — eligible for conventional, FHA, VA
- Non-warrantable: fails one or more guideline — requires non-QM or portfolio lending
- Common reasons for non-warrantable: too many investors (50%+), single entity owns 20%+, pending litigation, insufficient reserves, hotel-condo structure
- Post-Surfside impact: many FL condos lost warrantable status due to reserve/insurance issues
- Non-warrantable financing: higher rates (1-2% above conventional), larger down payment (20-25%)
- FHA condo approval: separate from warrantable — requires HRAP or DELRAP certification
- Check status: ask your lender to run the condo project questionnaire early in the process