Punta Gorda · Port Charlotte · Sarasota · North Port · Cape Coral

Your offer, in the strongest position.

If you're looking, I'm working. Same-day pre-approvals, direct communication for you and your Realtor, and a loan built to put you in the best financial position now and over the life of the home.

7-day loan commitment available with appraisal 4.96 / 145 verified reviews
10+ years closing Florida loans NMLS #1682867 CrossCountry Mortgage
Michael Zachman, Southwest Florida mortgage advisor
★★★★★
“Hands-down the best. Caring, communicative, and have great options.”
Carla N. · Realtor, Punta Gorda
4.96 / 145 verified · Experience.com
Scotsman Guide
Top Originator · 2026
0.00
145 verified reviews
0+
Years in Florida mortgage
Same-day
Pre-approvals on complete files
Backed by
CrossCountry Mortgage

America's #1 retail mortgage lender three years running. Funding 1 in every 35 U.S. home purchases.

#0
Retail mortgage lender in America
Scotsman Guide · 3 years running
$0B
Funded in 2025
131,000+ families served
0+
Loan products under one roof
Direct seller/servicer · Fannie, Freddie, Ginnie
What that backing means for your file

Speed. Certainty. Coverage. Accountability.

CCM's scale is the engine. How I run your file is the steering. Four things change on every deal I touch.

Speed

No broker middle layer. Underwriting, processing, and closing all live inside CCM, so we resolve a condition in hours, not days. Same-day pre-approvals on complete files.

Certainty

I personally structure and underwrite the file upfront. If something will fail — reserves, DTI, condo warrantability, post-Ian insurance — you hear it from me on day one, not three days before closing.

Coverage

120+ products under one roof: conventional, FHA, VA, jumbo to $5M+, bank statement, P&L-only, asset-based, HELOC, condo portfolio, non-warrantable. If a structure exists in the market, I likely have it.

Accountability

One name on the file from pre-approval to clear-to-close. Mine. No bait-and-switch handoff to a call-center processor in another time zone. One accountable point of contact.

Why work with me

Built to win the house. And own it well.

Today's market doesn't reward the highest bidder. It rewards the cleanest offer. My job is to put you in the strongest position the moment you decide on a house, and the best financial position long after you close on it.

/ 01

Approvals that move.

Same-day pre-approvals on complete files. Daily pricing review so the number on your letter is the number you can actually defend at the offer table. Not a placeholder we'll quietly walk back.

/ 02

A pace that matches the deal.

Most files close in 21 to 30 days. Clean, calm, no fire drills. When the contract calls for faster, I've taken a clean file from application to keys in as few as 8 days. We set an honest schedule day one, and we hold it. 7-day loan commitment available with appraisal.

/ 03

A direct line for you and your Realtor.

No call queues. No 12-person handoff. You and your agent talk to me, every step. Same number from the first call to the closing table. Real updates, the week the question lands.

/ 04

Structure that wins. And lasts.

The cleanest offer at the table is rarely the highest bid. It's the one structured to clear underwriting, hold the appraisal, and leave you in the strongest financial position over the life of the loan. Not just at the closing table. I do what I say I'm going to do. I close early or on time. My preapproval is my word, and my reputation speaks for itself.

Reviews

4.96 stars. 145 reviews.
Here's a few of them.

4.96
★★★★★
From 145 verified reviews
★★★★★
"Mike and his team get our client referrals and just closed an amazing deal for me personally. Being in real estate, I have worked with several lenders, but he and his team are hands-down the best. Caring, communicative, and have great options."
Carla N. Realtor · Punta Gorda
Experience.com
★★★★★
"Mike did a fantastic job helping us buy our new home. He was incredibly knowledgeable and responsive. I highly recommend him and his team."
Jennifer G. Rotonda West · Homebuyer
Experience.com
★★★★★
"Mike made navigating the mortgage process easy. He was very timely in responding to messages and emails. He took his time explaining what was going on from the initial application through closing."
Thomas J. Port Charlotte · Homebuyer
Experience.com
★★★★★
"Michael and his team were phenomenal. They were very kind and patient with us. They kept us informed through every step of the loan process and gently nudged us when we needed it."
Vicki D. Homebuyer · Southwest Florida
Experience.com
★★★★★
"Thank you so much for taking great care of us. You and your team are world class, and I appreciate the relationship both professionally and personally."
Peter L. Repeat client · Professional
Experience.com
★★★★★
"I had an excellent experience working with Michael throughout my loan process. From start to finish, he was professional, knowledgeable, and always available."
Edilberto Y. Homebuyer · Loan process
Experience.com
No credit pull · No contact info up front

See your range right now. In 20 seconds.

Three questions. No SSN, no phone, no email. You'll see a real price range and a realistic monthly payment instantly. Want me to tighten the number? That comes after.

Nothing leaves this page until you decide. No spam, no SSN, no credit pull.

Aerial view of Punta Gorda and Charlotte Harbor at golden hour
I know this market block by block

From Charlotte Harbor canals to Siesta Key. I price loans the way each market actually sells.

A Punta Gorda Isles sailboat-water canal home prices differently from a Port Charlotte inland ranch, from a Sarasota walkable downtown condo, from a North Port new-build, from a Burnt Store Marina waterfront condo. I'll tell you what a payment actually looks like in your ZIP, with real insurance, real flood, real HOA. Not a national average.

See neighborhood guides
Michael Zachman, Branch Leader and Loan Officer at CrossCountry Mortgage
One direct line

No call center. No handoff chain. Just me.

Your first call and your closing day are with the same person. I lead every file personally, from the first numbers run to clear-to-close, and the line you used to ask the first question is the same line that answers the last one.

  • I personally structure and underwrite the file upfront to ensure a smooth, successful closing
  • Monday status updates on every active file. No chasing
  • You and your Realtor talk to me directly, every step of the way
  • 10+ years closing across SWFL and the Palm Beach Coast
561-657-7750 Michael.Zachman@ccm.com
Michael Zachman · NMLS #1682867
For Realtors

I'll make you look good at the closing table.

Co-branded marketing, same-day pre-approvals on complete files, and weekly status updates without you chasing me. I work for your buyer like they're my own.

  • Same-day pre-approval letters on complete files
  • Co-branded property flyers within 24 hours
  • Monday status updates on every active file. No chasing
  • One direct line, same one your buyer uses
  • Every file structured and underwritten upfront so the contract date holds
Punta Gorda harbor boardwalk at golden hour
Calculator

What would the payment actually look like?

Realistic Southwest Florida defaults pre-loaded. Drag the sliders to see how the numbers move.

Estimated monthly
$1,921
per month, principal + interest
Add ~$550/mo for FL property tax, hurricane & flood insurance, and HOA estimate. Not a commitment to lend.
Get a real number from Michael
Recent closings

Recently funded across Southwest Florida.

First-time buyer

$315,000

Port Charlotte · Conventional 30-yr
Funded Apr 202622-day close
Jumbo purchase

$1,450,000

Boca Grande · Second home
Funded Mar 202628-day close
Self-employed purchase

$525,000

Punta Gorda Isles · Bank statement
Funded Mar 202626-day close
FHA purchase

$295,000

North Port · 3.5% down
Funded Feb 202619-day close
Second home

$680,000

Siesta Key · Conventional 30-yr
Funded Feb 202631-day close
HELOC

$165,000

Venice · Renovation
Funded Feb 202614-day close
Frequently asked

The questions Southwest Florida buyers ask me first.

How much home can I afford in Punta Gorda or Port Charlotte?
It comes down to your income, monthly debts, down payment, and credit score. But in Charlotte and Sarasota counties specifically, your property taxes, hurricane insurance, flood insurance, and HOA/CDD fees matter more than people expect. A safe rule: housing costs under 28% of gross monthly income, total debt under 36%. I'll run real numbers for your ZIP code in 60 seconds. Median values are around $322K in Punta Gorda, $314K in Port Charlotte, $423K in North Port, and $490K in Sarasota. Boca Grande and Siesta Key easily run $2 to $10M+.
How fast can I get pre-approved?
Same day on complete files. "Complete" means: two years W-2s or tax returns, two months of bank statements, a credit pull authorization, and IDs. If you have all of that ready by 10am, you'll have a pre-approval letter in your inbox before close of business.
What credit score do I need for a Florida mortgage?
620 is the floor for most conventional loans. FHA and VA can go as low as 500 with the right structure. But here's what matters more in Florida than people realize: your DTI is pressured by hurricane insurance, flood insurance, and condo HOA fees in a way most states don't see. Score matters. The full file matters more.
How does hurricane insurance affect my approval?
Massively. And more so on the Gulf Coast than the east coast. After Hurricane Ian, Charlotte and Sarasota county premiums climbed faster than almost anywhere in the state. Insurance gets added to your monthly housing expense, which is what lenders qualify you on. I always pull a real insurance quote before we issue the pre-approval, including wind and flood where applicable, so the number you see is the number you'll close at. No surprises 10 days from closing.
Can I finance a condo in Punta Gorda, Sarasota, or Boca Grande?
Yes. But condo financing requires the building itself to be "warrantable" by Fannie Mae / Freddie Mac. After Ian, many Charlotte and Lee County buildings became non-warrantable due to deferred maintenance, special assessments, or insurance gaps. I have lender programs that handle non-warrantable condos, 55+ communities, and high-investor-concentration buildings like Burnt Store Marina, Punta Gorda Isles condos, and many beachfront stacks. Tell me the address and I'll pull the building approval status before we go further.
How long does closing usually take?
21 to 30 days is realistic on a clean file. I've closed in as few as 8 days when the appraisal and conditions lined up. A 7-day loan commitment is available once the appraisal is back. I won't promise a date I can't hit, but I'll give you an honest schedule on day one and update it weekly.
What does it cost to refinance?
Typically 2-6% of the loan amount: appraisal, title insurance, doc stamps (Florida specific), intangible tax, lender fees. On a $350K refi in Charlotte County you're looking at roughly $7-10K all-in. Rule of thumb: if your monthly savings would recoup your closing costs in 24 months or less, it usually makes sense.
Two ways to start

Pick the one that fits where you are.

If you're exploring

See what I'd qualify for.

Four questions, 60 seconds. No credit pull. You'll get a real number and a call from me. Not a robot.

Get my range
If you're ready to talk

Book a 15-minute call.

Direct to me. We'll talk numbers, timeline, and what the next 30 days look like.

A few openings left this week. I usually answer within an hour.
Call 561-657-7750
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