Cash vs. Financing in the Florida Keys: How Buyers Are Really Purchasing Homes in 2026.If you’ve spent any time around Florida Keys real estate, you’ve probably heard the phrase &ldquo
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Hello, my name is Matt Lake and I live in Canton, GA, which is about 45 minutes north of Atlanta. I started in the mortgage business in 2000 and have closed thousands of loans over the last 2 decades. My experience and expertise allow me to simplify a complex process, explain guidelines thoroughly and structure to close all types of mortgages. One of my goals with every client is to guide them through the process as easily and stress-free as possible. I know the importance of finding a dream home and I believe that a home is one of the foundation blocks for a family. Buying or refinancing a home is an important step for a person or family and I love that I can be a small part to make that a reality.
My family, which includes my wife of 20 years and two teenage boys, loves to camp and explore the country in our RV. I am a Head Coach for the local Georgia Cycling Mountain Bike Team and have coached numerous other youth sports over the years. I am a coffee fanatic and enjoy volunteering in my local community as a motivational speaker. I have had the privilege of being featured at student retreats, fundraisers, FCA gatherings, school functions, and numerous other events.
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As a 32-year mortgage professional, I am passionate about helping individuals and families achieve their dreams of homeownership. With a deep understanding of the mortgage industry and a dedication to exceptional customer service, I have built a successful career helping clients navigate the complex and ever-changing landscape of home financing.
My expertise includes a wide range of mortgage products, including conventional, FHA, VA, and jumbo loans. I have a proven track record of guiding clients through every step of the mortgage process, from pre-approval to closing, with a focus on transparency and clear communication.
In addition to my extensive industry knowledge, I pride myself on my ability to build strong relationships with clients and industry partners alike. Whether you are a first-time homebuyer or a seasoned investor, I am committed to providing the personalized attention and guidance you need to make informed decisions and achieve your goals.
If you're looking for a mortgage professional who is passionate, knowledgeable, and committed to your success, I invite you to connect with me. Let's work together to make homeownership dreams a reality.
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With over 38 years of residential mortgage lending experience, I have performed at peak levels including winning Chairman’s Club status and leadership roles serving the lending needs of builders, homebuyers and real estate professionals. In this capacity, I have been responsible for managing and directing the work for a team of Mortgage Loan Consultants. My extensive background in the mortgage industry has allowed me the opportunity to help clients find financing that complements their wealth-building strategies and I have guided them through the process every step of the way. That experience has proven to be invaluable in assisting each and every client. More than just concentrating on what the client wants, I intuitively work with them to discover why homeownership is important and how it fits in with their family's life goals. I understand the client needs and how to customize the loan to meet the clients' financial goals. I am experienced with the new construction market and have financed every dream from starter condo to mansion. I am a Buyer’s Mortgage Banker and pride myself in working with all types of homebuyers who require different levels of support and coaching to achieve homeownership. I am a problem solver and keep a “can do” attitude in this highly regulated industry. My team prides itself in transparency, accessibility and delivering at an extremely high level of service to our partners.
About
I am proud to have helped thousands of families, friends, veterans, and community leaders buy and refinance thier homes since 1994. As a branch manager for Success Lending I am always looking to grow my team of loan officers and Realtor partners. My office is located in Carlsbad, CA but I am grateful to work in AZ, CA, CO, FL, ID, MD, TN, VA, and WA. In a crowded field of mortgage professionals I separate myself with my expertise in self employed borrowers and my knowledge of VA insured loans. Like many of you I am active in my community.
* Past President and National Convention leader for the Asian Real Estate Association of America
* Finance Chair and past board member for the Carlsbad Educational Foundation
* Past Board member for the Moonlight Cultural Foundation
* Past President for the Kiwanis Club of Carlsbad
* Past board member for the CSUSM athletic foundation
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Hello, I'm Robert Jay, and I have been in the mortgage industry for 19 years (Started my career back in July of 2004). I am one of the few licensed senior mortgage advisor’s in the country that has actually been an underwriter.
My nickname is “Mr. Invincible” because I know the best program, how we need to structure things, and what we'll need from you to make it a smooth process.
I specialize in VA, FHA, USDA, and Conventional mortgage products like most lenders do, but I stepped it up a notch by simultaneously specializing in “Hard Money” loans for investors, and self-employed clients (No tax returns, and no income docs, and closings in as little as 13 days).
Aside from those options, I also specialize in Commercial loans, and my interest rates are very competitive (5’s and 6’s).
I truly enjoy connecting with my clients, and helping them learn all about the home process, and which options are available. Purchasing a home is one of the most important financial decisions in a persons lifetime, and I treat each client like they are family. I can also do cash out refi's as well.
When I have time outside of the office, I enjoy anything outdoors, especially going to the beach, or to the mountains, surfing, sailing, sky diving, bowling, and poker tournaments. I recently finished in 27th place in the Best Bet $100,000 guaranteed poker tournament out of 950.
The old adage is “You don’t know what you don’t know” and if you choose to work with me, you’ll learn a lot, I guarantee it!
Thank you very much for reading about me, and I look forward to being a valuable resource for you.
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Hi, I am a licensed Senior Mortgage Loan Officer from Minnesota, who fell in love with the Florida Keys as a little girl. I now get to call the Florida Keys home!! I have been in the mortgage/lending business for 25 years and I have the wealth of knowledge created from all these years. I love working with customers to obtain their dream home. I specialize in VA loans, Jumbo, Self Employed and first time home buyers. Please call me anytime and I would be happy to get you pre-approved to buy a house. Thank you, Kristen EklundAbout
I’ve been in the mortgage industry for over 25 years, but my path here was anything but traditional. I started my career as a professional wrestler in Dallas before moving into radio as a nationally syndicated talk show host covering sports and pop culture. It was during my time hosting a mortgage radio segment that I was offered an opportunity to enter the mortgage business—and I took the leap.
Today, I serve as both a Loan Officer and Loan Counselor, with a passion for helping people navigate one of the biggest financial decisions of their lives. Whether you’re buying your first home, refinancing to lower your monthly payment, or looking to tap into your home equity, my goal is simple: make the mortgage process as smooth, honest, and rewarding as possible.
I’m proud to be part of Success Lending, in partnership with eXp Realty, which allows me to serve clients across more than 30 states.
A Little About Me
I’m based in Lewisville, Texas, and when I’m not helping clients, you’ll probably find me doing something that keeps life interesting. I take my custom Star Wars-themed Dodge Chargers to local car shows and use them to support charitable causes. I also volunteer as a mobile DJ, a graphic artist, follow just about every sport imaginable, and consider myself a BBQ enthusiast who is still very much in training!
And yes, I’m a serious Star Wars collector.
Most importantly, I’m a family man. My wife and I have three amazing kids. One is a Doctor, another is a Percussion Director, and the third is a volleyball coach! We also share our home with four lovable rescue pups: Kona, Kahlua, Athena, and Zeus
At the end of the day, I love what I do because I get to help people accomplish something meaningful. If you’re looking to purchase a home, refinance, or explore your financing options, I’d be honored to be your mortgage resource and help you every step of the way.
I am currently licensed in the following states: AL, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, FL, GA, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, MD, MI, MN, NH, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SD, TN, TX, VA, and WA
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I have had the pleasure of being a mortgage loan originator for over 10 years. I enjoy interacting with my clients and helping them learn all about the home loan process. While it can be a lot of information to absorb, I do my very best to break it down into bite-sized pieces. This way you can feel comfortable as you are able to make informed decisions along the way. I work with all types of buyers, but I pride myself on working with first-time home buyers as I really enjoy helping them understand everything. There are a lot of moving pieces, but with the right team, it can make it a much more pleasurable experience. I look forward to working with you.
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As a dedicated Mortgage Loan Officer, my professional goal is to provide specialized services and top level customer service to each and every one of my clients. Whether you’re looking to buy your first home or invest in a property, I work closely with clients to help them understand their options and guide them toward finding a loan that meets their needs.
About
With having over 30 years of mortgage lending experience, I have seen many different sides to this business always staying focused on my client’s needs and looking out for their best interest. I use a combination of professional advice and personal service to guide them through the loan process. I offer a full-service system from start to finish and always available to answer questions. I can hold their hand taking the application over the phone or they can use the online automated system, either way the goal is to make the process go as smooth as possible for everyone. I also work alongside with other professionals (Financial Planners/CPA’s/Attorneys) to structure the optimal mortgage to achieve a clients’ financial goals. A mortgage can be a cornerstone to a strong financial portfolio. Buying or refinancing a home is generally one of the largest financial investments a client may ever make.
I understand how important communication is with the client and all parties to a transaction, keeping everyone informed is a key to a smooth transaction and building trust for repeat and referral business. If you or someone you know would like to have a great lending experience give me a call or email. I look forward to the opportunity.
TRIPP
T- Trust
R- Responsible
I- Integrity
P- Personal
P- Professional
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Hey, my name is Chris Garcia and I have been in the mortgage industry for three years. Through my time, I'd have to say that my favorite part of the job is getting to assist homebuyers as well as getting to know them over the course of their journey. I make a point to get to know my clients, I mean it's hard not to when you work so closely together. I understand just how important a home is and know that for many home is a safe-haven, a shelter, and a place to build our lives. If I can assist people in obtaining that and following their dreams, it is my honor to do so. Also, I do specialize in VA loans as assisting veterans is important to me since I, myself, am a Vet. I am proud of my service and love being able to assist my fellow service men and women.
A little more info on me when I'm not in the office, I love to spend my weekends with my wife, going to reptile shows, completing honey-do projects, or going on a nice hike. I'm active and I like keeping busy. I also SCUBA dive and really enjoy opportunities to travel both domestically and internationally. It is amazing to explore and see things that I wouldn't see in my hometown. However, I do love home. Home is with my wife and my two dogs, Wilber and Finley. They are our furry goofballs and we love them very much.
I look forward to the opportunity of working with you! Contact me today to get started!
About
Rick Nelsen is an accomplished mortgage loan officer with Success Lending, boasting 25 years of extensive experience across multiple states, including North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, and California. Originally from Chicago, Rick now calls Wake Forest, NC home, where he lives with his wife.
Rick’s deep expertise spans a wide range of mortgage products, ensuring that he can meet the diverse needs of his clients. Known for his unwavering availability and commitment, Rick is dedicated to supporting both realtors and clients throughout the loan process. A passionate sports fan, Rick balances his professional life with a strong family focus, reflecting his dedication both on and off the field.
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As your mortgage loan officer, I am looking forward to helping you through your home loan journey. Whether you’re ready to buy, sell, refinance, or are just thinking about making a change, I’m here for you. I’ve been a mortgage professional for several years which has helped me see and understand the many facets of mortgage lending. Each home journey is unique, and I’ll help you find a great rate for your financial situation.
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As a realtor and a grandmother, Robin is part of a growing family team. Since 2005, Robin has been associated with the Real Estate industry in many facets and now she has added mortgage loan officer to her resume.
It's been a thrill for her getting into mortgages and she really enjoys helping buyers get into their new home. In helping her clients, Robin's number one goal is create lasting relationships with them and leave each experience with new friends.
Having been a realtor for 17 years and licensed in both Florida and North Carolina and now a loan officer, Robin is able to assist buyers with her professional experience in both fields. This gives Robin great insight into both parts of homebuying and therefore helps her service her clients in both areas of their home buying experience even better.
To provide a little more insight to her personal life, Robin calls North Carolina home. More specifically, she lives in the Charlotte and Lake Norman area with her high school sweetheart/husband (Go Panthers!). With a large family consisting of 4 grown children and 13 grandchildren. Time spent with all of them is precious. Robin and her husband spend many weekends enjoying the local walking trails and parks along with spending time with our kids and grandkids. Robin's love for her family and getting to watch her kids grow up and have their own families has been such a blessing. However, if she is not with her family, Robin and her husband enjoy traveling. Traveling is always such an amazing opportunity and allows them to explore new places together.
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About eXp Realty in Florida Keys
Trust eXp Realty and our team of real estate agents to help you find homes for sale or to sell your current home. We recognize the level of service that the mobile consumer demands. You have information. You have dreams. We possess experience, integrity, and innovation. Together we create leverage to make your dreams a reality.Latest Blog Posts
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Information is deemed to be reliable, but is not guaranteed. © 2026 MLS and FBS. Prepared by Florida Keys MLS, Inc. on September 17, 2026 12:24 PM UTC The information on this sheet has been made available by the MLS and may not be the listing of the provider. The data relating to real estate for sale on this web site comes in part from the Florida Keys MLS, Inc. Information provided is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. All properties are subject to prior sale, change or withdrawal. The information
