Florida VA loan specialist serving Veterans statewide
Whether you’re PCSing to Jacksonville, retiring near Tampa or building on a lot in the Panhandle, your VA benefit can get you into a Florida home with $0 down. Shirley Mueller’s team handles the Florida details, from wind and flood insurance to condo approval, and applying is only a soft credit pull.
Bought with a VA loan before, in Florida or another state? You likely still have entitlement to use. Get your COE reviewed, free.
Apply — soft pull only Book a 15-Minute Call
✓ Soft credit pull only. Applying won’t affect your credit score.
Shirley Mueller · Sr. VP of Veteran Lending
In Florida, homeowners insurance is often the biggest surprise in a monthly payment. Your lender requires wind coverage, plus flood insurance if the home is in a FEMA flood zone. We put insurance figures into your estimate early. On older homes, a wind mitigation or four-point inspection can help you get coverage and sometimes lower the premium.
A Veteran with a permanent and total service-connected disability can have their Florida homestead fully exempt from property tax. A rating of 10% or more takes $5,000 off the home’s assessed value. You apply with your county property appraiser, and the homestead deadline is March 1 of the year after you buy.
Yes, if the condo project is VA-approved, and we check that before you write an offer. Florida’s condo safety law also requires inspections and reserve funding for many older buildings, which can raise HOA dues. Ask for the association’s budget and recent inspection reports before you commit.
VA condo approval in Florida →What you can buy with a VA loan
Pick your goal. Each guide is written for Florida veterans, with current VA rules.
No surprises at closing
Veterans tell us their biggest worry is a surprise at closing. Here’s how we prevent one.
Florida VA loans
VA rules are the same in every state, but Florida homes come with their own costs and paperwork. These three come up on almost every Florida file.
Wind and flood coverage can cost more than the property taxes. Real quotes early keep your pre-approval accurate.
On a VA loan, the appraisal becomes the Notice of Value. If it comes in low, my team calls you and your agent with the options: Tidewater, a reconsideration of value, or renegotiating with the seller.
On a VA one-time-close construction loan, the lender must approve your builder before closing. My team starts that review before you sign a build contract, or right away if you already have one.
VA construction loan
Shirley and her team were an absolute pleasure to work with. They helped my wife and I obtain a VA Construction Loan which gave us the ability to build our dream home.
Agent referral · VA purchase
Shirley was excellent to work with on our client’s VA home loan. VA loans can be tricky and it is so important to work with a loan officer that knows them well. Shirley did an excellent job!
VA purchase
Ms. Shirley and her team are the BEST. Clear communication, specialized VA knowledge, responsiveness, and reduced stress. Thank you all for your help .
VA one-time-close construction loan
Some agents on my team were more responsive than others. But the VA One Time Close Construction Loan is a big and complicated one. A lot of waiting involved and some miscommunication, but that happens with project like this. I believe Shirley’s team handled my loan better than any other lender I could have used. In the end, I know I was in good hands.
Problem solved fast
Ms Shirley and her team were among the top teir customer service representatives I have ever had the pleasure of working with. I'll admit, I was apprehensive at first, given the number of people that had their hands in everything. Tends to lead to confusion and things getting messed up, which takes time to fix. I brought an issue to Ms Shirley and without hesitation, calls the team members involved and conferences the issue. Absolutely stunned when that happened. This goes to show you the dedication of this team and I would absolutely recommend them to anyone! Thank you and I can't say it enough. Still hope for humanity yet.
First home · VA purchase
Absolutely top notch!!! This being our first home, I had no idea what to expect, and to be honest the thought of getting through this was quite stressful! This entire process from start to finish has been nothing short of amazing and stress-free. Everyone has been extremely friendly and helpful! All of my questions and concerns were addressed quickly and promptly! You have all made this veterans dream of home ownership come true, what a pleasure this journey has been! Thank you all!!
About Shirley Mueller
Shirley started her career right after college helping military families with VA home loans, and she has specialized in them for over 20 years, ranking #7 nationally for VA volume (Scotsman Guide, 2018). Both of her grandfathers served in World War II, so this work is personal. Her team helps Florida buyers in every situation: service members with PCS orders, Veterans retiring here, disabled Veterans using Florida’s property tax benefits, and surviving spouses.
The questions Florida veterans ask most, answered for Florida.
Buying near a base? Local guides for Jacksonville, Tampa and Orlando.
Closing costs vary, just like they do on conventional loans. They depend on underwriting and appraisal fees, the closing agent’s fees, and state and recording fees. Like most mortgages, VA loans also set up an escrow account for property taxes and insurance. In Florida, insurance is often a large part of that number, so my team itemizes it in your estimate. More on VA closing costs.
The funding fee is required by law and charged by the Department of Veterans Affairs, not the lender. In most cases it is added to the loan amount rather than paid out of pocket. The amount depends on whether this is your first VA loan and how much you put down, and it is waived if you receive VA disability compensation. See your funding fee.
VA doesn’t set one. My team has no minimum score on VA purchase and refinance loans; we follow VA’s credit guidelines, which look most closely at the last 12 months of payment history. VA construction loans start at 620, and VA renovation loans at 600. More on credit.
Free calculators set up for Florida.
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