Table of Contents

• What a Portfolio Loan Is and Who It Fits
• Which South Florida Lenders Offer Portfolio Loans
  • The Four Lender Categories That Actually Offer Portfolio Loans
  • County-Level Coverage Matters
  • How We Selected and Verified Lenders
• Bank Statement Loans for Self-Employed Borrowers
• Portfolio Loan Requirements Lenders Check
• Portfolio Loan Rates and Fees Compared
  • How Portfolio Pricing Is Built
  • Typical Cost Components
  • Questions to Ask Before You Compare Quotes
• Portfolio Loans vs. DSCR, Conventional, Jumbo and Hard-Money Loans
• Applying for a Portfolio Loan in Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach
• Frequently Asked Questions

How to Find Portfolio Loan Lenders in South Florida

Last Updated: October 28, 2026

What a Portfolio Loan Is and Who It Fits

Jr Mortgage works with investors and homeowners across Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach counties. A portfolio loan is a mortgage that a lender keeps on its own books rather than selling to Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. Our investor-focused guide to portfolio loans explains in more detail who these loans fit.

That flexibility is the main reason to look for lenders that offer portfolio loans in South Florida. Standard conventional guidelines can be rigid. A portfolio lender can look at the whole picture, including the rental income from several properties, a self-employed borrower's bank deposits, or a property that does not fit a standard appraisal box.

Portfolio loans tend to fit a few groups well. Real estate investors buying multiple rentals often use them. So do self-employed borrowers whose tax returns understate their true cash flow, and buyers of unusual or mixed-use properties. Borrowers with a strong down payment but a complicated income profile are another common match.

The tradeoff is cost and structure. Rates are often higher than conventional loans, and terms vary widely from lender to lender. That is why comparing lenders matters more here than it does with a standard mortgage.

Which South Florida Lenders Offer Portfolio Loans

Not every lender in the region offers portfolio products, so finding portfolio loan lenders in South in Florida takes some checking, and many advertise loan types without publishing their terms. The fastest way to narrow the field is to sort lenders into the categories that actually hold loans on their own balance sheet, then verify each one against the county where your property sits.

The Four Lender Categories That Actually Offer Portfolio Loans

Community banks and credit unions. These institutions are the most common true portfolio lenders. Because they are not required to sell loans to Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, they can hold non-conforming loans on their books. Many community banks in Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties offer portfolio products to investors with a local deposit relationship. Ask specifically whether the loan will be retained in portfolio or sold servicing-released.

Private money and hard-money lenders. These firms fund short-term, asset-based loans and often keep them in portfolio until the property is stabilized or sold. They are the right fit for fix-and-flip and bridge scenarios, not for long-term holds.

DSCR and investor-focused non-bank lenders. A growing number of non-bank lenders offer DSCR and portfolio-style investor loans that are held by the originator or a fund rather than sold to the agencies. These are typically the most transparent about terms because they compete nationally on published rate sheets.

Mortgage brokers with portfolio-lender relationships. A broker does not hold the loan, but a well-connected broker can route your file to a community bank or private lender that does. Ask the broker to name the specific portfolio lenders it places loans with and whether those lenders have closed in your county.

County-Level Coverage Matters

A lender that is strong in Miami-Dade may have far less experience with condominium rules in Palm Beach. Before you apply, ask each lender three questions:

1. Has it closed a portfolio loan in the specific county where your property sits in the last 12 months?
2. Does it have an appraiser panel familiar with the property type, condo, mixed-use, or multi-family?
3. Can it point to a recent closing with a similar loan size and property profile?

Ask for the name of the loan officer who will actually underwrite your file, not just the sales contact. Portfolio underwriting is often done in-house, and the underwriter's experience with your property type is the single best predictor of a smooth closing.

How We Selected and Verified Lenders

When we compare lenders, we use a consistent checklist rather than marketing claims. We look at whether each lender publicly states that it offers portfolio products, whether it operates in Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties, and whether it describes its underwriting criteria in enough detail to compare. We also note how clearly each lender discloses rates and fees.

We avoid ranking lenders on criteria we cannot verify. Where a lender does not publish a number, we say so instead of estimating one. Confirm all terms directly with any lender before you commit.

A lender that advertises "portfolio loans" may still sell the loan servicing or require agency-style documentation. Get written confirmation that the loan will be held in portfolio for the term you need before you pay for an appraisal.

Visit our site to review current loan programs and request a conversation about your property.

Bank Statement Loans for Self-Employed Borrowers

Self-employed borrowers often run into trouble with conventional underwriting because write-offs reduce taxable income on paper. A bank statement loan, a common portfolio product, qualifies the borrower using deposits into business or personal bank accounts over a set period instead of tax returns. See how self-employed buyers are evaluated for FHA loans for a related comparison.

This approach can help owners whose real cash flow is stronger than their reported income. It also requires organized records. Lenders typically review several months of statements, so keep them complete and consistent (Create a loan application packet). Mixed personal and business transactions can slow the review, so separating accounts before you apply makes the process easier.

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Portfolio Loan Requirements Lenders Check

Portfolio lenders set their own requirements, so there is no single standard. Most review a combination of factors: credit history, liquid reserves, the down payment, the property's expected rental income and the borrower's overall experience with real estate.

Expect to provide recent bank statements, a current rent roll or lease agreements for investment properties, and documentation of your reserves. Credit standards are often flexible but not absent. A lender may accept a lower score in exchange for a larger down payment or stronger reserves.

Ask each lender for its written guidelines before you apply. Requirements can change, and what one lender accepts another may decline.

Portfolio Loan Rates and Fees Compared

Portfolio loans generally carry higher interest rates than conventional mortgages, reflecting the lender's risk and the custom underwriting involved. The spread is not fixed, but the mechanics behind it are predictable enough to plan around.

How Portfolio Pricing Is Built

A portfolio lender prices to its own cost of funds plus a risk premium. The risk premium moves with four borrower and property factors:

• Credit profile. A higher score and clean history lower the premium. A lower score is often offset by a larger down payment or more reserves.
• Loan-to-value (LTV). Lower LTV means less lender risk. A larger down payment is the most reliable way to bring a portfolio rate closer to conventional pricing.
• Property type and condition. Condos, mixed-use buildings and properties needing repairs carry a higher premium than a standard single-family rental.
• Reserves and experience. More liquid reserves and a documented track record with rental properties reduce the premium.

Typical Cost Components

Because rates and fees change with market conditions and each borrower's profile, we do not publish specific figures here. Ask every lender for a written breakdown of the following line items so you can compare on equal terms:

• Interest rate and points. Ask whether points are optional or required and how long the rate lock lasts.
• Origination fee. Often expressed as a percentage of the loan amount; compare the dollar figure, not just the percentage.
• Appraisal and title costs. These vary by county and property type, and a condo appraisal can cost more than a single-family appraisal.
• Prepayment penalty. Some portfolio lenders charge a penalty if you pay off the loan early. Ask for the exact terms and whether the penalty steps down over time.
• Reserve requirements. A lender may require several months of principal, interest, taxes and insurance held in reserve, which affects your cash to close.

Compare the total cost over the expected life of the loan, not just the monthly payment. A lower rate with a prepayment penalty can cost more than a slightly higher rate with no penalty if you plan to sell or refinance within a few years.

Questions to Ask Before You Compare Quotes

Ask each lender for the same five data points so the quotes are comparable: the note rate, the points, the origination fee in dollars, the prepayment penalty terms, and the total reserves required. A lender that will not put these in writing is not a lender you can compare.

The article lists the main cost components to request in writing from each lender so quotes can be compared on equal terms.

Portfolio Loans vs. DSCR, Conventional, Jumbo and Hard-Money Loans

Several loan types serve investors and complex borrowers, and they are easy to confuse. A portfolio loan is held by the lender and underwritten flexibly. A DSCR loan qualifies the property based on its rental income relative to its debt payments, often without checking personal income. A conventional loan follows agency guidelines and offers the lowest rates for borrowers who fit the standard profile. A jumbo loan exceeds conforming loan limits and is typically underwritten conventionally with stricter reserve requirements. A hard-money loan is short-term, asset-based financing that usually carries the highest cost.

Choosing among them depends on your income documentation, how long you plan to hold the property, and how quickly you need to close. Many investors use a DSCR or portfolio loan for rentals and a conventional loan for a primary residence.

Applying for a Portfolio Loan in Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach

The application process is similar across the three counties, though local property types and condominium rules can affect timing. Begin by gathering your financial documents, including bank statements, tax returns if relevant, a summary of assets and debts, and details on any rental properties.

Next, request written terms from two or three lenders so you can compare rates, fees and requirements side by side. Ask how long underwriting typically takes and what conditions could delay closing. Then submit a complete application, since missing documents are the most common cause of delays.

Work with a lender that knows your county. Our guide on how to choose a mortgage lender for your first home walks through the questions to ask before you commit. Local experience helps with appraisals, condo association questions and timing. Apply for a loan now to start the conversation.

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