No junk fees. Wholesale rates. And a team that has been writing loans throughout St. Petersburg and Pinellas County for more than a decade — long before we built our presence just south of here in Sarasota and Lakewood Ranch. St. Pete, the beaches, and the rest of Pinellas County are not a new market for us. They are part of a Gulf Coast Florida footprint we have served since 2016.
St. Petersburg has transformed dramatically over the past decade — a thriving downtown arts and culture scene, significant new condo and townhome development, and some of the most desirable Gulf beaches in the country just minutes away. Whatever corner of Pinellas County you are buying or refinancing in, we know this market and we will give you a straight answer about your mortgage options.
Get Pre-Approved — It's Free📷 Everything Is Done Virtually — No Office Visit Required
Text or call Kirk or Ken directly, upload your documents securely, and close from your kitchen table. We have been doing this virtually since before virtual was normal — and our buyers in Michigan, Florida, Arizona, and Texas close loans every day without ever setting foot in an office. Direct access to the people responsible for your loan, from wherever you are in Pinellas County.
First Commerce Financial has written mortgages throughout St. Petersburg and Pinellas County for more than a decade — well before Kirk Chivas moved his family to Lakewood Ranch in 2017 and established a full-time presence just south of here. St. Pete, the beaches, and the rest of Pinellas County have always been part of our Gulf Coast Florida footprint, not a market we are new to.
Ken Turkington and Kirk Chivas built their Florida operation starting in 2016, and the St. Pete corridor was part of that foundation from day one. We understand how this market connects to the broader Gulf Coast — the commuting patterns between St. Petersburg, Tampa, and Sarasota, and the unique condo financing considerations that come with being the most densely built-out county in Florida.
That decade of experience means we are not learning this market — we already know it.
St. Petersburg & Pinellas County — A Market of Its Own
St. Petersburg has undergone one of the most significant downtown transformations in Florida over the past decade — new condo towers, a revitalized waterfront, and a distinct arts and culture identity anchored by the Dali Museum and a growing restaurant and brewery scene. Beyond downtown, Pinellas County is geographically the most built-out and densely populated county in the state, which keeps inventory tight and competition strong for well-priced listings across every price point.
The barrier island beaches — St. Pete Beach, Treasure Island, Madeira Beach, and Indian Rocks Beach — add a distinct vacation and second-home dimension to the market that does not exist in inland Florida communities. We help buyers understand the real trade-offs between downtown urban living, beach property ownership, and the more affordable inland Pinellas neighborhoods.
St. Petersburg & Pinellas County Market Breakdown
Downtown St. Petersburg
Significant condo and townhome development has reshaped downtown St. Pete over the past decade. The waterfront, the Dali Museum, and a thriving restaurant and arts scene have driven strong demand and rising price points for both primary residences and investment condos.
St. Pete Beach & Treasure Island
Barrier island living with direct Gulf access commands a significant premium. These markets attract both primary residence buyers and second-home or vacation rental investors. Flood zone status and insurance costs are an essential part of the conversation for any purchase on the islands.
Madeira Beach & Indian Rocks Beach
Smaller, quieter beach communities north of St. Pete Beach with a similar coastal premium but a more low-key, less commercialized feel. Popular with buyers who want beach access without the density of the more well-known beach towns.
Inland Pinellas County
Communities away from the immediate waterfront — including parts of Largo, Pinellas Park, and Seminole — offer meaningfully more affordable entry points while still keeping beach access within a short drive. A strong option for buyers prioritized on value over waterfront proximity.
Condo Financing in St. Petersburg — Know the Rules Before You Buy
St. Petersburg and the Pinellas beach communities have a high concentration of condominium properties, and condo financing comes with its own set of rules that buyers are often unaware of until late in the process. Lenders require condo project approval — reviewing the building's reserve funding, insurance coverage, owner-occupancy ratio, and any pending litigation — before they will approve your loan.
Following the increased scrutiny on Florida condo associations in recent years, many buildings have faced significant special assessments for structural and reserve requirements. We verify a condo's financing eligibility and financial health before you go under contract — not after, when you have already invested time and money into the deal.
Why St. Petersburg Buyers Choose First Commerce Financial
A Decade of Pinellas County Experience
We have been writing loans throughout St. Petersburg and Pinellas County for more than ten years. This is not a market we recently expanded into — it has been part of our Gulf Coast Florida footprint since we established our presence in 2016. That history means we understand the condo financing nuances and barrier island insurance considerations that a broker new to the area simply would not know.
Wholesale Rates — Not Retail Markup
As an independent mortgage broker, we shop dozens of wholesale lenders to find the lowest rate available for your situation. In a market with price points ranging from affordable inland Pinellas neighborhoods to premium St. Pete Beach waterfront, having an independent advocate who is not tied to one lender matters significantly.
Zero Junk Fees
No processing fees, no administrative fees, no surprise charges at closing. What we quote is what you pay. In a market with condo association reviews, flood insurance considerations, and Florida-specific closing costs, we make sure you understand every dollar before you commit.
Mortgage Programs for St. Petersburg & Pinellas County Buyers
Conventional Loans
The most common choice for St. Petersburg buyers across all price points, from downtown condos to inland Pinellas single-family homes.
Condo Financing
St. Pete and the beach communities have a high concentration of condos. We verify project approval and association financial health before you go under contract.
Jumbo Loans
St. Pete Beach, Treasure Island, and downtown St. Petersburg luxury condos regularly exceed conventional loan limits. We compete strongly on jumbo rates in this market.
FHA Loans
A strong option for buyers entering the market in inland Pinellas communities like Largo, Pinellas Park, and Seminole.
VA Loans
Zero down payment loans for eligible veterans and active-duty military. Pinellas County has a meaningful veteran population given the broader Tampa Bay military presence.
Second Home & Investment Property
St. Pete Beach, Treasure Island, and Madeira Beach are popular vacation rental and second-home markets. We help structure financing correctly for either classification.
What St. Petersburg & Pinellas County Buyers Should Know
Flood insurance and elevation matter on the barrier islands. St. Pete Beach, Treasure Island, Madeira Beach, and Indian Rocks Beach are all flood-zone communities. Flood insurance costs and elevation certificates are essential parts of the budgeting conversation, and we build realistic estimates into every pre-approval for island properties.
Condo association health is now a critical underwriting factor. Following increased scrutiny on Florida condo buildings, lenders are far more thorough in reviewing condo association reserves, insurance, and pending special assessments. We verify this before you go under contract on any condo in St. Petersburg or the beach communities.
Inland Pinellas offers meaningfully better value. If waterfront proximity is not your top priority, communities like Largo, Pinellas Park, and Seminole offer significantly more affordable entry points while keeping the beaches within a short drive.
We serve all of Pinellas County. Our Florida lending covers St. Petersburg, St. Pete Beach, Treasure Island, Madeira Beach, Indian Rocks Beach, Largo, Pinellas Park, Seminole, and all of Pinellas County — in addition to our established presence in Tampa, Sarasota, Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch, and the rest of the Gulf Coast corridor.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long has First Commerce Financial worked in St. Petersburg?
More than a decade. We have been writing loans throughout St. Petersburg and Pinellas County for over ten years — well before Kirk Chivas established a full-time presence in Lakewood Ranch in 2017. St. Pete has always been part of our broader Gulf Coast Florida footprint, which we built starting in 2016.
What do I need to know about financing a condo in St. Petersburg?
Condo financing requires lender review of the building's project approval status — including reserve funding, insurance coverage, owner-occupancy ratio, and any pending litigation or special assessments. Following increased scrutiny on Florida condo associations in recent years, this review has become more thorough. We verify a condo's financing eligibility and financial health before you go under contract, which can save you significant time and disappointment later in the process.
Can I buy a vacation rental property in St. Pete Beach or Treasure Island?
Yes. St. Pete Beach, Treasure Island, and Madeira Beach are popular short-term and vacation rental markets. Whether your property qualifies as a second home or an investment property depends on your personal use of the property and whether it is under a full-time rental management agreement — we will help you understand which classification applies and structure your financing correctly from the start.
How does flood insurance affect buying on the barrier islands?
St. Pete Beach, Treasure Island, Madeira Beach, and Indian Rocks Beach are all flood-zone communities, and flood insurance is typically required as part of your mortgage. Costs vary based on elevation certificates and the property's specific flood zone designation. We build realistic flood insurance estimates into every pre-approval for island properties so you understand your true monthly carrying cost before making an offer.
What areas in Pinellas County do you serve?
We serve all of Pinellas County — St. Petersburg, St. Pete Beach, Treasure Island, Madeira Beach, Indian Rocks Beach, Largo, Pinellas Park, Seminole, and every community in between. We also serve Tampa and the Sarasota-Bradenton-Lakewood Ranch corridor, giving us coverage across the entire Tampa Bay and Gulf Coast region.
Also looking in Tampa or Clearwater?
We have written loans throughout the broader Tampa Bay area for more than a decade — Tampa, Clearwater, and the surrounding suburbs are all part of the same Gulf Coast footprint we have served since 2016.
Tampa Bay Mortgage Broker →Looking for a Florida mortgage broker who serves the whole state?
First Commerce Financial is licensed throughout Florida. Wholesale rates, zero junk fees, same-day pre-approvals. Direct access to the owners — always.
Florida Mortgage Broker — See All Markets We Serve →Ready to Buy or Refinance in St. Petersburg or Pinellas County?
Talk directly with Kirk or Ken — we have been writing loans throughout St. Petersburg and Pinellas County for more than a decade. Straight answers about what you qualify for and what your mortgage will truly cost. No pressure, no obligation.
Start Your Free Pre-ApprovalOr call or text us directly at (248) 459-5511
First Commerce Financial | Licensed Florida Mortgage Broker | NMLS #137512 | Serving St. Petersburg, St. Pete Beach, Treasure Island, Madeira Beach, and all of Pinellas County | Ken Turkington NMLS #137873 | Kirk Chivas NMLS #160828
