No junk fees. Wholesale rates. And a team with an active presence in Northeast Florida — Kirk Chivas maintains an apartment in Jacksonville, visits regularly, and has firsthand knowledge of this market through years of living and working in Florida.
Jacksonville is one of the most dynamic real estate markets in the Southeast — named the only Florida city on the National Association of Realtors' Top 10 Housing Hot Spots for 2026. Whether you are a healthcare professional relocating for Mayo Clinic or UF Health, a military family at NAS Jacksonville or Naval Station Mayport, a Florida Blue employee, or a buyer choosing the First Coast for its beaches, space, and quality of life — we are here and we know this market.
Get Pre-Approved — It's FreeFirst Commerce Financial co-founder Kirk Chivas has been actively connected to the Florida market since 2016 — living in Lakewood Ranch full time from 2017 to 2023 and maintaining strong ties to the state ever since. His daughter is currently enrolled in PA school at Nova Southeastern University in Jacksonville, and Kirk keeps an apartment in the city. He visits regularly and is actively building First Commerce Financial's presence in the Northeast Florida market with a new Google Business Profile here.
Kirk Chivas moved his whole family to Florida in 2017 and spent six years as a full-time Florida resident, mortgage professional, and member of the Sarasota community. When his daughter chose Nova Southeastern University's PA program in Jacksonville for graduate school, it brought Kirk into the Northeast Florida market naturally — through regular visits, an active apartment, and the same genuine interest in the community that has defined how First Commerce Financial enters every market it serves.
Jacksonville is not a market Kirk learned about from a licensing exam. It is one he has been visiting, studying, and building relationships in as an extension of years of Florida mortgage experience. First Commerce Financial brings that foundation to every client we serve on the First Coast.
Ken Turkington co-founded First Commerce Financial and has been serving the Florida mortgage market since 2016. Together, Kirk and Ken bring decades of mortgage expertise and genuine Florida roots to the Jacksonville market.
Who Buys in Jacksonville & the First Coast
Jacksonville attracts a distinctive mix of buyers that shapes its real estate market unlike most Florida cities. Three buyer profiles dominate this market — and each has specific mortgage needs we are well positioned to serve.
The Healthcare & Medical Community
Jacksonville is home to one of the most impressive medical corridors in the Southeast. Mayo Clinic Florida — ranked #1 hospital in Florida and the Jacksonville metro by U.S. News & World Report — is a major employer with a large and growing campus on San Pablo Road. UF Health Jacksonville, Wolfson Children's Hospital, Baptist Health, and Nemours Children's Health round out a healthcare ecosystem that employs thousands of physicians, nurses, residents, fellows, and allied health professionals across the city.
Kirk's daughter is in PA school at Nova Southeastern University in Jacksonville — a program that feeds directly into this healthcare workforce. We understand the career trajectory and financial profile of healthcare professionals because it is part of our own family's story in this market.
Mayo Clinic Florida
#1 hospital in FL. San Pablo Road campus with $432M expansion underway. Major employer of physicians, researchers, and allied health staff.
UF Health Jacksonville
Major academic medical center and teaching hospital. Large resident and fellow population with specific physician mortgage needs.
Baptist Health System
One of the largest healthcare systems in Northeast Florida with multiple hospital campuses across the metro.
Florida Blue (BCBS of FL)
Florida Blue's headquarters is in Jacksonville — one of the city's largest employers with thousands of professional staff.
Wolfson Children's Hospital
Leading pediatric hospital and major employer of pediatric specialists throughout Northeast Florida.
Nemours Children's Health
Major pediatric health system with a large Jacksonville presence — significant employer of pediatric physicians and staff.
Physician & Healthcare Professional Mortgages
Healthcare professionals — physicians, dentists, residents, fellows, and advanced practice providers like NPs and PAs — often have unique financial profiles: high student loan balances, recent employment starts, and high income potential that standard mortgage qualification models do not always capture well.
We work with lenders that offer physician loan programs specifically designed for healthcare professionals — higher loan amounts with low or no down payment, student debt treated more favorably in debt-to-income calculations, and flexible qualification for those in residency or fellowship. If you are a healthcare professional relocating to Jacksonville for Mayo Clinic, UF Health, Baptist Health, or any of the region's medical institutions, talk to us before you assume you know what you qualify for.
The Military Community
Jacksonville is one of the most significant military cities in the Southeast. Naval Station Mayport — the third largest naval fleet concentration in the United States — is located seven miles east of downtown at the mouth of the St. Johns River, home to frigates, cruisers, destroyers, and helicopter squadrons. NAS Jacksonville, a major naval air station, adds thousands more active duty personnel, dependents, and veterans to the local market.
Military families relocating to Jacksonville face unique challenges: PCS move timelines, BAH considerations, and the decision between renting and buying on a military schedule. VA loans are one of the most powerful mortgage tools available — zero down payment, no PMI, competitive rates — and we have extensive experience using them throughout Florida.
VA Loans for Jacksonville's Military Community
VA loans are the single best mortgage product available to eligible veterans and active-duty military — zero down payment, no private mortgage insurance, and competitive rates. In a Jacksonville market where median home prices range from $310K in Clay County to $577K in St. Johns County, eliminating the down payment requirement is a significant financial advantage.
We close VA loans regularly throughout Florida and we understand the specific requirements — Certificate of Eligibility, VA appraisals, occupancy rules for PCS moves, and the entitlement restoration process for veterans who have used their benefit before. If you are stationed at NAS Jacksonville or Naval Station Mayport, or if you are a veteran relocating to the First Coast, we will make the VA loan process straightforward.
Northeast Florida / First Coast — The Broader Market
When buyers think about Jacksonville, they are really thinking about the entire First Coast — a diverse region spanning multiple counties with very different price points, lifestyles, and buyer profiles.
St. Johns County — Nocatee & Ponte Vedra
The highest-priced county in the metro with a median around $577K. Nocatee is one of the top-selling master-planned communities in the nation. The St. Johns County School District is the primary demand driver — consistently ranked among Florida's best. Ponte Vedra Beach average sale prices over $1 million.
Duval County — Jacksonville Proper
The core market with a median around $303K–$365K. Diverse neighborhoods from historic Riverside and San Marco to the Jacksonville Beaches. Good value relative to St. Johns County. The city was NAR's only Florida selection for Top 10 Hot Spots 2026.
Clay County — Orange Park & Fleming Island
The most affordable county in the metro with a median around $310K. Popular with military families at NAS Jacksonville. Established neighborhoods and newer subdivisions with good value. Fleming Island is particularly popular for families.
Nassau County — Fernandina Beach & Yulee
Median around $380K. A split market: historic Fernandina Beach and Amelia Island command coastal premiums; inland Yulee offers more affordable suburban options. Strong appeal for buyers seeking a coastal lifestyle with more space.
Why Jacksonville Buyers Choose First Commerce Financial
Active Florida Presence — Not a Remote License
Kirk has an apartment in Jacksonville and visits regularly. His daughter is in graduate school here. We are building our First Coast presence the same way we built our Sarasota presence — through genuine community investment, not just geographic licensing. We have a new Google Business Profile in Jacksonville and we are actively serving this market.
Wholesale Rates — Not Retail Markup
As an independent mortgage broker, we shop dozens of wholesale lenders to find the lowest rate for your specific situation. In a market with price points ranging from $310K in Orange Park to over $1 million in Ponte Vedra Beach, the right rate makes a meaningful difference.
Zero Junk Fees
No processing fees, no administrative fees, no surprises at closing. What we quote is what you pay. Complete transparency from day one — that is how we have operated since 2007.
VA, Physician, Conventional, FHA, Jumbo — All in One Place
Jacksonville's buyer mix is diverse. We have the loan programs to serve military families using VA benefits, healthcare professionals with student loans, families buying in Nocatee, and first-time buyers in Orange Park — all under one roof.
Mortgage Programs for Jacksonville & Northeast Florida Buyers
VA Loans
Zero down payment for eligible veterans and active-duty military. No PMI. Competitive rates. We close VA loans throughout Florida and understand the specific requirements for PCS moves and entitlement use.
Physician / Healthcare Professional Loans
Specialized programs for doctors, dentists, residents, fellows, NPs, and PAs. Higher loan amounts, low/no down payment, student debt treated favorably. Ideal for Mayo Clinic, UF Health, and Baptist Health relocations.
Conventional Loans
The most common choice for Jacksonville buyers across all price points. Competitive rates for qualified buyers in Duval, St. Johns, Clay, and Nassau Counties.
Jumbo Loans
For Ponte Vedra Beach, Nocatee luxury homes, and waterfront properties that exceed conventional loan limits. We compete strongly on jumbo rates.
FHA Loans
3.5% down payment options for buyers entering the market in Clay County, the Northside, Westside, or other more affordable areas of the metro.
Refinance
Rate-and-term or cash-out refinances for existing Northeast Florida homeowners. We shop wholesale lenders to find your best option.
What Jacksonville & First Coast Buyers Should Know
Florida insurance costs are significant. Homeowners insurance in Northeast Florida — particularly for older homes — can be a substantial carrying cost. Getting insurance quotes early in the process, before you are under contract, helps you understand your true monthly payment. We factor insurance into every pre-approval.
St. Johns County schools drive demand. The St. Johns County School District is the primary reason buyers stretch their budget for Nocatee and Ponte Vedra. If school quality is your priority, the price premium for St. Johns County is well supported by continued demand. If schools are not your primary driver, Clay and Duval Counties offer significant value.
It is a buyer's market right now. Jacksonville entered 2026 with elevated inventory relative to recent years, giving buyers more negotiating power than they have had since before the pandemic. Well-priced homes in desirable neighborhoods still sell quickly, but buyers have more leverage on dated listings and overpriced properties than they have had in years.
Military BAH and VA entitlement require planning. If you are PCSing to NAS Jacksonville or Naval Station Mayport, timing your purchase around your BAH rate and VA entitlement status takes some advance planning. The sooner you connect with us before your move date, the better position you will be in.
We serve all of Northeast Florida. Jacksonville, Ponte Vedra, St. Augustine, Fleming Island, Orange Park, Fernandina Beach, Amelia Island, Yulee, and all of Duval, St. Johns, Clay, and Nassau Counties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is First Commerce Financial in the Jacksonville market?
Kirk Chivas's daughter is enrolled in PA school at Nova Southeastern University in Jacksonville. Kirk maintains an apartment in the city and visits regularly. We have built a genuine presence in Northeast Florida through years of Florida mortgage experience in the Sarasota market, and we are now extending that presence to the First Coast with a local Google Business Profile and active client service here. Jacksonville is NAR's only Florida selection for Top 10 Housing Hot Spots 2026 — it is a market we are excited to serve.
Can you help healthcare professionals relocating to Mayo Clinic or UF Health?
Absolutely. We work with lenders offering physician loan programs specifically designed for doctors, dentists, residents, fellows, and advanced practice providers. These programs accommodate high student loan balances, recent employment starts, and the income trajectory of healthcare professionals in ways that standard mortgage qualification does not. Kirk's daughter is in PA school at Nova Southeastern in Jacksonville — this buyer profile is personal to us, not just a marketing angle.
What VA loan services do you offer for military families?
We close VA loans throughout Florida and understand the full scope of VA loan requirements — Certificate of Eligibility, VA appraisals, occupancy rules for PCS moves, and entitlement restoration. VA loans offer zero down payment and no PMI, making them the most powerful mortgage tool available to eligible veterans and active-duty military. If you are at NAS Jacksonville or Naval Station Mayport, talk to us early in your PCS planning process — ideally 60–90 days before your move date.
Is it a good time to buy in Jacksonville?
Jacksonville entered 2026 as a buyer-friendly market — elevated inventory, longer days on market, and seller concessions that were not available during the 2020–2022 boom. At the same time, the city was named NAR's only Florida selection for Top 10 Housing Hot Spots 2026, and well-priced homes in desirable neighborhoods are still moving in 2–3 weeks. If you are financially prepared and planning to stay for at least 5 years, the current market offers better negotiating conditions than buyers have seen in years.
What areas in Northeast Florida do you serve?
All of them. Jacksonville, Ponte Vedra Beach, Nocatee, St. Augustine, Fleming Island, Orange Park, Fernandina Beach, Amelia Island, Yulee, Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, Jacksonville Beach, and all of Duval, St. Johns, Clay, and Nassau Counties. If you are buying or refinancing anywhere in Florida, we can help.
Ready to Buy in Jacksonville or the First Coast?
Talk directly with Kirk — someone with an active presence in Jacksonville and years of Florida mortgage experience behind him. Whether you are a healthcare professional, a military family, or a buyer choosing the First Coast for its lifestyle — straight answers about what you qualify for and what your mortgage will actually cost. No pressure, no obligation.
Start Your Free Pre-ApprovalOr call us directly at (248) 459-5511
First Commerce Financial | Licensed Florida Mortgage Broker | NMLS #137512 | Serving Jacksonville, Ponte Vedra, St. Augustine, Fleming Island, Orange Park, Fernandina Beach, and all of Northeast Florida
