No junk fees. Wholesale rates. And a team that has been writing loans throughout Tampa and the surrounding Bay area for more than a decade — long before we built our presence just south of here in Sarasota and Lakewood Ranch. Tampa and Clearwater are not a new market for us. They are an extension of a Gulf Coast Florida footprint we have served since 2016.
The Tampa Bay area is one of the largest and most diverse real estate markets in Florida — from downtown Tampa high-rises to Clearwater's award-winning beaches to the fast-growing Pasco County suburbs. Whatever corner of the Bay 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 the Tampa Bay area.
First Commerce Financial has written mortgages throughout the Tampa Bay area 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. Tampa and Clearwater 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 Tampa Bay corridor was part of that foundation from day one. We understand how this market connects to the broader Gulf Coast — the commuting patterns between Tampa and Sarasota, and the price differences across Hillsborough and Pasco Counties that affect what loan program makes the most sense for a given buyer.
That decade of experience means we are not learning this market — we already know it.
Tampa & Clearwater — A Connected Gulf Coast Market
Tampa anchors the Bay with downtown high-rises, historic neighborhoods like Hyde Park and Seminole Heights, and rapidly growing suburbs to the north and east in Hillsborough and Pasco Counties. Clearwater sits just to the west with some of the most consistently top-ranked beaches in the country and a strong family-oriented housing market.
Buyers move between Tampa proper, its suburbs, and Clearwater constantly depending on commute patterns, budget, and lifestyle priorities. We help you understand the real trade-offs — not just the marketing pitch for one particular area.
Tampa Bay Area Market Breakdown
Tampa & Hillsborough County
Downtown Tampa, Hyde Park, Seminole Heights, and South Tampa command premium pricing closest to the urban core. Suburban Hillsborough County — Brandon, Riverview, Wesley Chapel — offers more affordable new construction with strong commuter access. Tampa's job market, anchored by finance, healthcare, and a growing tech sector, continues to drive in-migration.
Clearwater & North Pinellas
Clearwater Beach consistently ranks among the top beaches in the country, driving strong demand for both primary residences and vacation properties. Safety Harbor and Dunedin offer a quieter, small-town feel within easy reach of the beach and downtown Tampa. Family-friendly neighborhoods with strong school options are common throughout the area.
Pasco County Growth Corridor
Pasco County — Wesley Chapel, Land O' Lakes, and Trinity — has become one of the fastest-growing new construction corridors in the Tampa Bay region. More affordable land and newer master-planned communities are pulling buyers north of Tampa who want new construction at a lower price point than Hillsborough offers.
South Tampa & MacDill Corridor
South Tampa's proximity to MacDill Air Force Base gives this corridor a significant military community alongside its premium residential neighborhoods. Bayshore Boulevard and Davis Islands command some of the highest price points in the metro, while nearby neighborhoods offer more accessible entry points.
Florida Insurance Costs in the Tampa Bay Area
Homeowners insurance is a significant carrying cost throughout the Tampa Bay region, particularly for coastal and older properties. Flood zone determination matters enormously here given the region's geography — properties near the water in Tampa and Clearwater often require flood insurance in addition to standard homeowners coverage.
We factor realistic insurance estimates into every pre-approval for Tampa Bay buyers so you understand your true monthly carrying cost before you make an offer — not after you are already under contract and discovering the real number from an insurance quote.
Why Tampa Bay Buyers Choose First Commerce Financial
A Decade of Tampa Bay Experience
We have been writing loans throughout the Tampa Bay area 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 nuances between Hillsborough and Pasco Counties 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 Pasco County new construction to premium South Tampa and Clearwater Beach properties, 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 flood insurance considerations and Florida-specific closing costs, we make sure you understand every dollar before you commit.
Mortgage Programs for Tampa Bay Buyers
Conventional Loans
The most common choice for Tampa Bay buyers across all price points in Hillsborough and Pasco Counties.
Jumbo Loans
South Tampa, Hyde Park, and Clearwater Beach properties 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 Brandon, Riverview, and other more affordable Hillsborough and Pasco County communities.
VA Loans
Zero down payment loans for eligible veterans and active-duty military. MacDill Air Force Base in South Tampa gives the region a significant military community we serve regularly.
New Construction & Extended Rate Locks
Wesley Chapel, Land O' Lakes, and the broader Pasco County growth corridor have active builder markets. We work with lenders offering extended rate lock programs for new construction timelines.
Refinance
Rate-and-term or cash-out refinances for existing Tampa and Clearwater homeowners. We shop wholesale lenders to find your best option.
What Tampa Bay Buyers Should Know
MacDill AFB drives significant VA loan activity. South Tampa's MacDill Air Force Base gives the Tampa Bay area a substantial military community. If you are stationed at MacDill or relocating to the area as a veteran, a VA loan is almost always your best option — zero down, no PMI, competitive rates.
Flood zone determination matters more here than in most Florida markets. Tampa Bay's geography — surrounded by water on multiple sides — means flood zone status varies significantly even within the same neighborhood. We verify flood zone status and build realistic insurance estimates into every pre-approval.
Pasco County offers the most new construction value. If new construction at a more affordable price point is your priority, Wesley Chapel and Land O' Lakes in Pasco County consistently offer better value than comparable new construction closer to downtown Tampa.
We serve the full Tampa Bay corridor. Our Florida lending covers Tampa, Clearwater, Brandon, Riverview, Wesley Chapel, Land O' Lakes, Safety Harbor, Dunedin, and all of Hillsborough and Pasco Counties — in addition to our established presence in Sarasota, Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch, and the Gulf Coast corridor just south of here.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long has First Commerce Financial worked in the Tampa Bay area?
More than a decade. We have been writing loans throughout Tampa and Clearwater for over ten years — well before Kirk Chivas established a full-time presence in Lakewood Ranch in 2017. Tampa Bay has always been part of our broader Gulf Coast Florida footprint, which we built starting in 2016.
Should I buy in Tampa or Clearwater?
It depends entirely on your priorities. Tampa offers the strongest job market and the most urban core options, with suburban Hillsborough and Pasco County communities providing more affordable new construction. Clearwater offers some of the best beaches in the country with a more family-oriented feel. We help buyers weigh the real trade-offs between commute, budget, and lifestyle rather than pushing one area over another.
Do you offer VA loans near MacDill Air Force Base?
Yes. MacDill AFB in South Tampa gives the region a significant military community, and we close VA loans regularly throughout the Tampa Bay area. We understand the full VA loan process — Certificate of Eligibility, VA appraisals, and PCS move timelines — and will make it straightforward whether you are stationed at MacDill or relocating to the area as a veteran.
How does flood insurance affect my mortgage in the Tampa Bay area?
Flood zone status varies significantly across Tampa Bay given the region's geography, and properties in designated flood zones require flood insurance in addition to standard homeowners coverage. We verify flood zone status early in the process and build realistic insurance estimates into every pre-approval so you understand your true monthly carrying cost before making an offer.
What areas in the Tampa Bay area do you serve?
We serve Tampa, Clearwater, Brandon, Riverview, Wesley Chapel, Land O' Lakes, Safety Harbor, Dunedin, and all of Hillsborough and Pasco Counties. We also serve the Sarasota-Bradenton-Lakewood Ranch corridor just south of Tampa Bay, where Kirk's family has lived since 2017.
Also looking just south of Tampa Bay?
We have a deep, established presence in Sarasota, Bradenton, and Lakewood Ranch — where Kirk's family lives and his wife's practice is headquartered. The Gulf Coast corridor from Tampa Bay down through Sarasota is one connected market we know well in both directions.
Lakewood Ranch & Sarasota 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 the Tampa Bay Area?
Talk directly with Kirk or Ken — we have been writing loans throughout Tampa and Clearwater 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 Tampa, Clearwater, Brandon, Wesley Chapel, and all of Hillsborough and Pasco Counties | Ken Turkington NMLS #137873 | Kirk Chivas NMLS #160828
