My realtor provided me with three names of folks he has worked with which is helpful.I spoke with the first one (who is a mortgage broker so not tied to one particular bank) and he said I would need to put 25% down on a vacation/2nd home, or at least 20%.

Myself have gotten my real estate license at 18 and my Brokers at 20 and making commissions all these years ..

New Construction builds from builders like DR are typically the only ones who beat Mortgage Broker pricing on VA loans.

I’ve been a real estate broker since 2009, working with virtually every type of buyer and seller.

In Tampa area I am well connected as a PM and broker and have a lot of off market in addition to MLS. 

@Mary Lopez - second on using a mortgage broker. 

We used an REO broker to find bulk packages of foreclosed distressed houses for sale from banks.

I began inviting them to online zoom meetings I would hold with brokers, agents and investors... friends I had made along the way, where we would just talk strategy, loan types, current market trends etc.

Sent you DM to a great agent/Broker that can shop for you. 

I've been brokering for many lenders since 2019.