Your Local Mortgage Lender

Located in Palm Harbor, Florida

Personalized Mortgage Experience

Will Merritt offers personalized service and loan options you'll love. We shop multiple lenders to find the best rate and product for you, getting you into your dream home faster.

With wholesale interest rates and cutting-edge technology, we make the mortgage process seamless. Trust the experts who focus solely on mortgages. Support your local community and experience elite client service.

Let us help you achieve your homeownership dreams!

The Home Loan Process

Mortgage Pre-Approval

Get pre-approved from one of our Loan Officers to see how much you can afford.

House Shopping

Work with a trusted Real Estate Agent to find a home you would like to move into.

Loan Application

Complete your home loan application to get the lending process started.

Don't take my word for it

Mortgage Programs

Experience the best mortgage experience located in Palm Harbor, Florida.

Home Loan Options

Our experienced mortgage advisors will walk you through the best mortgage loan program that will fit your specific scenario.

Conventional Home Loans.

FHA Home Loans.

USDA Home Loans.

VA Home Loans.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often can I refinance my mortgage?

There is no limit to the number of times you can refinance. However, you must qualify every time you apply and there will be costs associated with closing the loan each time.

Can I buy a home if I do not have money for a down payment?

Yes! There are a number of bond programs that offer low or no down payment financing options.

How do I know which mortgage is right for me?

The key to choosing the right mortgage is to understand the range of options and features available to you, as well as your budget, circumstances, and goals. Our licensed mortgage professionals are here to help you navigate that process. The more you know, the more comfortable and confident you will be choosing the best option for you and your family.

How long will the loan process take?

The Truth in Lending Act (TILA) does not permit a lender to close a loan until at least seven (7) business days have passed from the date your application was received. A typical home loan takes 30 days, as a number of third-party services such as appraisals, title work, and credit are required in conjunction with the mortgage process. Once you familiarize your Loan Officer with the details of your specific loan scenario, they will be able to provide you with a more specific timeline.

Will I qualify for a home loan?

The only way to find out is to speak with a qualified mortgage professional. Our Loan Officers have helped numerous clients who didn’t know if they could qualify to become home owners. We take the time to understand your financial situation and long-term financial goals, and then match you with the loan program that best fits your needs. Your approval for a loan may also largely depend on the price of the home you are financing. Getting pre-qualified prior to beginning your home search can give you an idea of what you may be able to afford.

Why do people refinance their mortgages?

Homeowners typically refinance to save money, either by obtaining a lower interest rate or by reducing the term of their loan. Refinancing is also a way to convert an adjustable loan to a fixed loan or to consolidate debts.

How much money will I have to pay upfront to buy a home?

This question does not have a simple, one-size-fits-all answer. The exact amount will depend on the price of the home you buy as well the type of mortgage financing you choose. Depending on your loan program, your down payment could be as much as 20% of the home’s price or as little as 3%, while some loans require no down payment at all.

Can I get a mortgage after bankruptcy?

You may still qualify for a home loan even if you have experienced a bankruptcy. The best way to find out if you qualify is to talk with a Loan Officer to discuss your options. Be sure to bring all paperwork regarding your bankruptcy so your Loan Officer can find the program that best fits your situation.

Should I lock my interest rate now, or wait until we are closer to our closing?

Interest rates fluctuate all day, every day. If an interest rate is good, it may be in your best interest to lock now. If you wait, you run the risk of an increase in rates later. If you are concerned that rates may go down after you lock, contact your Loan Officer to discuss your options. Some programs allow you to lock for an extended period and choose to lower your rate should a better one become available.

Most Recent Blog Updates

Veterans Living With Chronic Pain Anxiety and Sleep Issues May Be Missing Benefits They Have Earned

Veterans Living With Chronic Pain Anxiety and Sleep Issues May Be Missing Benefits They Have Earned

September 04, 2026•2 min read

A Message Will Merritt Believes Every Service Member and Their Family Needs to Hear

Life after the military changes what feels normal. The transition out of service does not always come with a clear map for what happens next and many veterans carry symptoms that they have simply absorbed into daily life without ever stopping to ask whether those symptoms deserve real attention and real support.

Chronic pain. Anxiety. Hypervigilance. Sleep disorders. The quiet shifts in personality, patience, and emotional availability that family members notice even when the veteran has stopped noticing them in themselves.

The Pattern That Keeps Veterans From Getting What They Have Earned

Here is what tends to happen. The symptoms show up. Life keeps moving. The veteran pushes through because pushing through is what service taught them to do. Over time the symptoms stop feeling like symptoms and start feeling like just the way things are. Chronic back pain becomes background noise. Difficulty sleeping becomes a personality trait. Hypervigilance in public spaces becomes just how they move through the world.

None of that means the symptoms are not real. None of it means they do not deserve to be addressed. And none of it means the veteran is not eligible for support, compensation, or care that they have legitimately earned through their service.

Family members often see what the veteran has stopped seeing. The subtle changes in relationships. The moments that ripple into work performance. The social withdrawal that has become the new normal. These things deserve real attention rather than quiet acceptance.

The Heart of What Will Merritt Wants Veterans to Know

Just because something has become part of your daily routine does not mean it should be ignored. Understanding how service has shaped you and your family is one of the most powerful steps toward finding real support, real healing, and real answers.

The VA disability system exists specifically for this purpose. Conditions connected to military service that affect daily functioning are meant to be recognized, rated, and compensated. Veterans who have normalized their symptoms often have no idea that a rating is available to them or that pursuing one could change their financial picture in meaningful ways including exemption from the VA funding fee, potential property tax exemptions depending on the state, and monthly disability compensation that is not federally taxable.

You Have Already Given So Much

You deserve to feel support in every chapter of life that comes after service. That support exists. It may require someone helping you identify what you have learned to overlook in yourself.

Text, call, or DM Will Merritt anytime. Follow along for more encouragement that helps veterans and military families thrive in the next season of life.


Sources

VA.gov
MilitaryOneSource.mil
NAMI.org
WoundedWarriorProject.org
ConsumerFinancialProtectionBureau.gov

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Mortgage Calculator

See your total mortgage payments using the tool below.

16.67
%
%
years
$/year
%
$/year
$1,685.20
Your estimated monthly payment with PMI.
PMI:
$208.33
Monthly Tax Paid:
$200.00
Monthly Home Insurance:
$83.33
PMI End Date:
Dec 2027
Total PMI Payments:
27
Monthly Payment after PMI:
$1,476.87
🏠Mortgage Details
Loan Amount:
$250,000.00
Down Payment:
$50,000.00 (16.67%)
Total Interest Paid:
$179,673.77
Total PMI to :
$5,416.67
Total Tax Paid:
$72,000.00
Total Home Insurance:
$30,000.00
Total of 360 Payments:
$537,298.77
Loan pay-off date:
Sep 2055
⚖️Monthly Vs Bi-Weekly Payment
$1,476.87
Monthly Payment
Sep 2055
Pay-off Date
$179,673.77
Total Interest Paid
$738.44
Bi-weekly Payment
Aug 2051
Pay-off Date
$151,482.12
Total Interest Paid
Total Interest Savings: $28,191.64
Yearly Amortization Schedule
Year Interest Principal Balance
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Contact Us

(727) 421-7517

30522 US 19 N. Ste. 107

Palm Harbor, Florida 34684

Copyright 2026. All rights reserved. Will Merritt NMLS #241583 | Top Flite Financial, Inc. dba Top Flite Home Loans NMLS ID# 4181 | Equal Housing Opportunity | Equal Housing Lender