Mortgage Loans in Kendall, FL: FHA, Conventional, Investor and HomeTown Heroes
You can get a mortgage in Kendall through William A. Ledesma at Bold Mortgage, a division of PRMG. He works with Kendall buyers by phone, video and e-sign, together with local agents. Your main options are FHA, conventional, jumbo, investor and DSCR loans, plus Florida HomeTown Heroes help for first-time buyers who qualify.
Buying a home in Kendall: what to know
Kendall is not a city. It is a large unincorporated area of southwest Miami-Dade County, so Miami-Dade County handles zoning, permits and most local services, and mailing addresses usually say "Miami, FL." People use the name "Kendall" for a wide area. Some nearby places, like Kendall West, Kendale Lakes, The Hammocks and The Crossings, are counted as separate areas by the Census, and nearby Pinecrest and Palmetto Bay are their own cities. Ask your agent exactly where a home sits, because it affects taxes, rules and who issues permits.
Kendall Drive (SW 88th Street) runs through the middle of it all. On the east end is Dadeland, with Dadeland Mall, office towers and the Dadeland North and Dadeland South Metrorail stations, so you can ride the train to Downtown Miami. Major employers include Baptist Hospital of Miami on North Kendall Drive, Miami-Dade College's Kendall Campus, the Dadeland office market and lots of retail along US-1 and Kendall Drive. Kendall Indian Hammocks Park and Kendall-Tamiami Executive Airport are on the west side.
Most homes were built from the 1960s through the 1990s. You will see ranch-style single family homes, many with pools, plus lots of townhome and garden-style condo communities, often set around lakes and canals like the Snapper Creek Canal. Many communities have HOAs, and some are gated. Buyers are mostly families who want space and schools, people who work at the hospitals and in Dadeland, and move-up buyers from other parts of Miami.
FHA loans in Kendall
FHA loans let you buy with 3.5% down with a credit score of 580 or higher. With a score from 500 to 579, FHA requires 10% down, and many lenders set higher minimums. The home must be your primary residence.
The 2026 FHA limit for a one-unit home in Miami-Dade County is $667,000. Limits are higher for 2 to 4 unit properties. You pay an upfront mortgage insurance premium of 1.75% plus a monthly premium. With less than 10% down, the monthly premium stays for the life of the loan unless you refinance.
Kendall's many condo and townhome communities matter here. If the community is a condo, it must be FHA-approved or qualify for single-unit approval, and many older ones are not on the list. Homes from the 1970s and 1980s must meet FHA property standards, so the roof, electrical panel and any added rooms get a close look.
Conventional loans in Kendall
Conventional loans start at 3% down for qualifying first-time buyers and 5% down for others. With less than 20% down you pay private mortgage insurance, and you can ask to remove it once you reach 20% equity. The 2026 conforming limit in Miami-Dade County is $832,750. Above that you need a jumbo loan, which is common for larger pool homes near Pinecrest and in gated lake communities.
For condos, the building must meet Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac rules. A building with a big pending special assessment, a lawsuit, or low reserves may not qualify. Ask for the condo questionnaire early.
Investor and DSCR loans in Kendall
A DSCR loan qualifies you on the property's rent instead of your personal income. Expect about 20 to 25% down. It works well for LLCs and self-employed investors. You can also use a conventional investment property loan or a bank statement loan.
Rental demand comes from hospital staff, Miami-Dade College students and staff, Metrorail commuters who work Downtown or in Dadeland, and families who want to rent in a school zone before they buy. Many HOAs limit rentals, so read the rules first. Check Miami-Dade County zoning and licensing rules before you buy for short-term rental.
Florida HomeTown Heroes and down payment help in Miami-Dade County
Florida HomeTown Heroes is a Florida Housing Finance Corporation program for first-time buyers. In general, that means you have not owned a primary residence in the past 3 years, and you work full time for a Florida-based employer.
The program gives you 5% of the first mortgage, with a minimum of $10,000 and a maximum of $35,000. It is a 0% interest second mortgage with no monthly payment. You repay it when you sell, refinance, transfer the deed, pay off the first mortgage, or stop living in the home. You need a 640 minimum credit score and a homebuyer education course, and Miami-Dade County income limits apply. Funding is released in rounds and can run out, so William checks availability the day you are under contract. A fully signed contract is needed to reserve funds. Learn more at Florida Housing.
Every Florida county also receives SHIP (State Housing Initiatives Partnership) funds for local down payment help. Since Kendall is unincorporated, the Miami-Dade County housing office is the place to ask about local programs.
Insurance, flood and condo rules that affect your loan in Kendall
Kendall is flat, with many lakes and canals, and some streets flood in heavy rain. Parts of the area are in FEMA flood zones. If the home is in a high-risk zone and you have a federally backed loan, flood insurance is required. Even outside a high-risk zone, a flood policy can be worth the cost.
Homes from before the 2000s usually need a 4-point inspection, and a wind mitigation inspection can lower your premium if the home has a newer roof, shutters or impact windows. If private carriers will not write a policy, Citizens Property Insurance is the state backstop.
Many Kendall condo buildings are older. Florida's post-Surfside laws require milestone inspections for buildings of three stories or more and structural integrity reserve studies. When a building has not done the work or funded its reserves, conventional and FHA loans may not be possible.
Your action plan
- Book a clarity call with William. No hard credit pull to start.
- Get pre-approved so your offer is ready.
- Pick the program: FHA, conventional, jumbo or DSCR.
- Check HomeTown Heroes and Miami-Dade County help.
- Shop with a local agent, and check the county permit history on any added rooms.
- Lock your rate and close.
Kendall mortgage FAQs
Where can I get the best conventional loan rates in Kendall?
Rates depend on your credit, down payment, property type and loan amount. Compare Loan Estimates from more than one lender on the same day. Bold Mortgage offers many loan programs, and William gives you a side-by-side comparison so you can see the real cost of each option.
How do I qualify for an FHA loan in Kendall?
You need a 580 or higher score for 3.5% down, steady income you can document, and a home you will live in. The loan must fit the 2026 Miami-Dade FHA limit of $667,000 for one unit. For a condo or some townhomes, the community must be FHA-approved or qualify for single-unit approval.
Where can I apply for investor or DSCR mortgage programs in Kendall?
You can apply with William at Bold Mortgage online and finish by phone and e-sign. He will run the rent numbers with you and compare DSCR, conventional investment and bank statement options. Approval depends on credit, assets, the property and its rent.
Can I use Florida HomeTown Heroes in Kendall?
Yes, if you are a first-time buyer working full time for a Florida-based employer and you meet the Miami-Dade income limit and the 640 score minimum. Funds are limited, so William checks availability once you have a signed contract.
Is Kendall its own city, and does that change my loan?
No, Kendall is an unincorporated area, so Miami-Dade County, not a city, handles permits and zoning. Your loan works the same way, but you should look up the county permit record for the home. Rooms or garages that were enclosed without permits can cause problems with the appraisal and insurance.
About William A. Ledesma
William A. Ledesma is a Florida licensed mortgage loan officer and Florida HomeTown Heroes specialist with Bold Mortgage, a division of PRMG. He helps buyers, homeowners and investors in Kendall and across Florida, in English and Spanish. Every client gets a clear action plan from pre-approval to closing.
- Call or text: (786) 387-3676
- Email: will@williamledesma.com
- Office: 4960 SW 72nd Ave, Suite 400, Miami, FL 33155
- Client reviews: Read reviews from William's clients
More Florida mortgage guides: Key West, Homestead, Coral Gables, Miami. Lea esta guía en español.
William A. Ledesma, NMLS #1232716. Bold Mortgage is a division of Paramount Residential Mortgage Group, Inc. (PRMG), NMLS #75243, Florida Mortgage Lender Servicer License MLD1608. Equal Housing Opportunity. This page is general information, not a commitment to lend. All loans are subject to credit approval, underwriting guidelines and property eligibility. Loan limits, program terms and down payment assistance funding can change without notice.
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