How to Finance a Vacation Home in Florida

Financing a vacation home in Florida is a question of matching the property to the right loan. This guide walks through the options, the down payments, and the order to do things in.

Second home

Occupancy

10%

Min Down

Limited

Rentals

Coastal / resort

Florida

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NMLS# 1859012 · Equal Housing Lender

Vacation Home · Financing Guide

How to Finance a Vacation Home in Florida

The path to financing a vacation home starts with a pre-approval that accounts for the property's quirks, then matching it to the loan that fits — and shopping that loan across lenders. The biggest mistake buyers make is choosing the property before confirming it is financeable on the terms they expect. We reverse that order.

A vacation home financed as a second home gets far better terms than an investment property — lower down payment and a better rate — as long as you genuinely use it and do not run it as a full-time rental.

Second-home guidelines generally require the property to be in a resort or vacation area, a reasonable distance from your primary home, and available for your personal use. Down payments start around 10%. Occasional rental is often fine, but if the property is rented out most of the year, lenders treat it as an investment with 20%-25% down.

Florida's coastal and resort markets are classic second-home territory. We confirm your usage plan fits second-home rules so you get the better pricing honestly, and pivot to a DSCR loan if it is really an investment.

Vacation Home at a Glance

✓Second-home terms: around 10% down, better rates.

✓Must be for personal use in a vacation area.

✓Heavy year-round rental reclassifies it as investment.

✓Florida coastal and resort areas qualify well.

Read the full vacation home financing guide, or compare other angles: Requirements · FHA · Conventional · DSCR.

Vacation Home Snapshot

OccupancySecond home

Min Down10%

RentalsLimited

FloridaCoastal / resort

How It Works

Apply Online

5 min · soft credit pull only

Match Loan

We shop lenders for the property

Processing

Our team handles paperwork

Typically 14–21 days

FAQ

How to Finance a Vacation Home Questions

What is the best way to finance a vacation home?

Start with a pre-approval built around the vacation home's specifics, then shop the matching loan across lenders rather than taking the first quote. We handle both so the financing fits the property and your budget.

What down payment do I need for a Florida vacation home?

Financed as a second home, vacation properties start around 10% down with rates close to a primary residence. If you plan to rent it out most of the year, it becomes an investment property needing 20% to 25% down. Usage decides.

Can I rent out my vacation home?

Occasional rental is usually fine under second-home rules. But if it is rented the majority of the year, lenders classify it as an investment property with higher down payment and rate. We structure the loan to match how you will actually use it.

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Vacation Home Guide Vacation Home · Requirements Vacation Home · FHA Vacation Home · Conventional Vacation Home · DSCR All Property Types Apply for Pre-Approval

How to Finance a Vacation Home?

A licensed Florida mortgage broker who matches the loan to the property — 5-minute pre-approval, honest numbers.

(561) 300-0380

Figures are illustrative only and vary by property, credit score, loan amount, income, and market conditions. Subject to credit approval. Not a commitment to lend. NMLS# 1859012. Equal Housing Lender.