Fine Home Loan · Home loans in Alabama and Florida
Your next home starts with a clear plan.
Explore your loan options, estimated monthly payment, and cash needed to close, with Brian Lehmann guiding you through the process.
Talk through your plans before you apply. That conversation doesn't involve a credit check.
- Secure application · About 15–20 minutes
- Create your account and complete your application. You can return later to finish.
- Credit authorization is part of the process.
Just exploring? Estimate your payment
In their words
What borrowers say about working with Brian
★★★★★
Brian was very patient with me. Worked hard and was very professional. Thank you Brian. Would definitely recommend him.
★★★★★
Highly recommend that you go with Brian. Offers many solutions and he's great at matching your situation to the best mortgage for you. First Time Buyer with little money to put down. Brian closed our loan early.
★★★★★
Brian was very responsive to all our needs and followed through on everything he needed to do. He was knowledgeable in all facets of the loan process. A very professional individual!
★★★★★
Absolutely do not make a move without Brian. His knowledge of the market and willingness to jump all obstacles surpassed all my previous experiences. The value of his expertise resulted more bang for my dollar.
Before you buy
What Brian helps you check before you buy
Brian has been a mortgage loan officer since 2010. He is also a licensed insurance agent and a licensed home inspector in Alabama and Florida, and he uses that experience to help you see what a home will really cost before you commit.
Your full monthly payment
Principal, interest, taxes, homeowners and wind insurance, mortgage insurance, and HOA dues, estimated together, so the number you plan around is close to the number you'll pay.
Insurance and property questions
Roof age, wind mitigation features, and flood zone can change insurance costs and loan eligibility. Brian helps you know what to ask before you make an offer.
Your cash to close
Down payment, closing costs, prepaid taxes and insurance, and any seller credits, laid out for each loan option you compare.
These conversations are about financing and ownership costs. They don’t replace a professional home inspection or an insurance quote, and you’re free to choose any inspector and insurance agent.
Verify: Brian Lehmann, NMLS #369470 Weber Mortgage, NMLS #219938 Home inspector: Alabama HI-4747, Florida HI18775About Brian →Gulf Coast buying answers →
Illustrative example
The same home price can mean a different monthly cost.
Two homes listed at the same price, financed the same way, can carry very different monthly costs once taxes, insurance, and HOA dues are added. These are sample figures, not quotes.
- Property taxes
- $108
- Homeowners and wind insurance
- $200
- Flood insurance
- $0 (assumed none)
- HOA dues
- $0
- Monthly taxes, insurance, and HOA
- $308
- Property taxes
- $133
- Homeowners and wind insurance
- $500
- Flood insurance
- $150
- HOA dues
- $150
- Monthly taxes, insurance, and HOA
- $933
Same price, same loan: Home B costs about $625 more each month, excluding principal and interest.
Before you commit, Brian helps you look into what drives these numbers: the roof’s age and wind mitigation features, the flood zone, the tax bill, and the HOA’s dues and rules. Then he builds them into your estimated payment.
Found a home you like? Let’s look beyond the listing price.
Discuss This Home With BrianAssumptions: annual property taxes of $1,300 (Home A) and $1,600 (Home B); homeowners and wind insurance of $2,400 and $6,000 a year; flood insurance of $1,800 a year for Home B; HOA dues of $150 a month for Home B. Home A’s $0 flood insurance is an assumption for this example: zone X doesn’t trigger the federal flood insurance requirement, but a lender can still require it, and many owners in zone X choose to carry it. The insurance figures are illustrative. They reflect several differences between the two homes, including location, age, roof, and flood zone, and don’t show how much of the difference comes from the FORTIFIED roof alone. Figures are rounded monthly amounts for illustration only. Actual taxes, insurance premiums, and dues vary by property, coverage, and insurer.
Loan choices
What would you like to do?
Each page explains who the loan fits, what it costs, and what to have ready. Not sure? Find my starting point with four quick questions.
Buy a home
Conventional loans for first-time and repeat buyers, from 3% down for those who qualify.
See how it works →VA loanUse my VA benefit
For veterans, service members, and eligible surviving spouses.
See how it works →USDA loanBuy in a rural or suburban area
$0-down financing for moderate-income buyers in eligible areas.
See how it works →RefinanceLower my payment or take cash out
Compare a rate-and-term or cash-out refinance with your current loan. Start an application and choose refinance.
Start a refinance application →Investor and DSCRBuy a rental
Long-term and vacation rentals, qualified on the property's rent.
See how it works →HELOCUse my home's equity
A line of credit that leaves your current mortgage in place.
See how it works →Compare all five loan types side by side
| Loan | Down payment | Mortgage insurance | Typical credit | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard (conventional) | From 3% | PMI under 20% down; can be canceled later (rules apply) | 620+ | Steady income and fair-to-strong credit |
| VA | None required | None (one-time funding fee) | No VA minimum | Veterans, active duty, and eligible surviving spouses |
| USDA | None required | 0.35% per year plus 1% upfront | No USDA minimum | Moderate-income buyers in eligible areas |
| Investor / DSCR | 15% to 25% | None | Usually 660+ | Rental and vacation property investors |
| HELOC | Uses your equity | None | Usually 680+ | Homeowners who want to keep their first mortgage |
Payment calculator
What will my monthly payment be?
Shows principal, interest, taxes, insurance, and mortgage insurance or program fees when they apply. Results are estimates.
- Principal and interest
- Property taxes
- Homeowners insurance
- Mortgage insurance
- HOA dues
- Total loan amount
- Down payment
Brian will review your information and explain what else is needed.
Questions first? Call (251) 616-0005
Estimates only. Your actual rate, APR, and payment depend on credit, loan amount, property, and market conditions.
Have a Loan Estimate already? See what each of its three pages shows and how to compare offers. How to read a Loan Estimate →
What happens next
Four steps from first question to closing day
Discuss your goals
A no-pressure conversation by phone, text, or in person about the home you want, your budget, and your timeline. There's no credit check.
Review your options
Brian compares loan programs side by side, with estimated payments, insurance, cash to close, and the trade-offs of each.
Apply and provide documents
Complete the secure application and upload pay stubs, W-2s, and bank statements. You receive a Loan Estimate within three business days of applying.
Prepare for closing
Brian keeps you updated through appraisal and underwriting. Your Closing Disclosure arrives at least three business days before closing so you can compare it with your Loan Estimate.
Want help getting started? Call Brian to talk through what you’ll need. Call Brian About My Application
Buyer answers
Common mortgage questions
How much do I need for a down payment?
It depends on the loan. VA and USDA loans do not require a down payment for eligible borrowers, conventional loans start at 3% for qualifying first-time buyers, and investment properties usually need 15% to 25%. On a conventional loan, putting down less than 20% usually adds private mortgage insurance, which can be canceled later when you meet the requirements.
What credit score do I need to buy a house?
Most conventional loans look for a score of 620 or higher. VA and USDA loans have no government-set minimum, though lenders usually look for about 580 to 640. A higher score generally means a lower rate and lower mortgage insurance cost.
How much are closing costs?
Closing costs often run about 2% to 5% of the loan amount. They include lender charges, third-party services such as the appraisal and title work, government recording fees and taxes, and prepaid homeowners insurance and property taxes for your escrow account. Florida adds documentary stamp and intangible taxes on new mortgages. Your Loan Estimate lists every charge.
How do I get preapproved?
Complete the secure application, authorize a credit check, and upload your income and asset documents. After review, you receive a preapproval letter showing how much you can borrow, subject to conditions such as an appraisal and final underwriting.
What documents do I need for a mortgage?
Most borrowers need 30 days of pay stubs, two years of W-2s, two months of bank statements, and a photo ID. Self-employed borrowers add two years of tax returns. VA buyers add a DD-214 or statement of service.
What is the difference between prequalified and preapproved?
Prequalification is a quick estimate based on what you tell us. Preapproval means your credit, income, and assets have been reviewed, so sellers and real estate agents treat your offer more seriously.
How do taxes, insurance, and HOA dues change my monthly payment?
They are added on top of principal and interest, and on the Gulf Coast they can vary a lot between homes at the same price. In the illustrative example on this page, two homes at the same price add about $308 and $933 a month, a difference of about $625, because of different property taxes, wind and flood insurance, and HOA dues. Price those costs for the specific property before you make an offer.
Can I save my mortgage application and finish later?
Yes. The secure application lets you save your progress and come back later. Write down the email and password you use to create your account; you will need both to return to your application.
How much house can I afford?
A common starting point is keeping your total monthly housing payment, including taxes and insurance, near 28% of your gross monthly income and all monthly debts under about 43% to 45%. Some programs allow more. Try the payment calculator on this page, then ask Brian for your exact numbers.
Do you lend outside Baldwin County?
Yes. Brian Lehmann is based on the Alabama Gulf Coast and is licensed to originate mortgages anywhere in Alabama and Florida, from Mobile and Baldwin counties to Birmingham, Pensacola, and beyond. Most of the process happens by phone, text, and the secure online application.
Is Fine Home Loan the original Money for My Home?
Yes. Money for My Home began as Brian Lehmann's mortgage website at moneyformyhome.com. That web address is now owned by someone else and is not connected to Brian. Fine Home Loan is where Brian's Money for My Home continues today, with Weber Mortgage, NMLS #219938.
Talk with Brian
Leave your first conversation knowing what to do next.
Talk with Brian about your buying timeline, payment goals, and the information needed to explore your options. This first conversation doesn't involve a credit check.
You’ll work directly with Brian to compare options, understand costs, and prepare your next steps.
Or call (251) 616-0005 · Text Brian to Arrange a Call · Mon to Fri, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Central
Found us through Money for My Home? You’re in the right place. Same loan officer, same personal service.