INDEPENDENT MORTGAGE BROKERAGE · LICENSED IN SIX STATES
A Clearer Way to Find the
Right Mortgage
Tell our team what you are trying to accomplish. We compare options across a network of lenders, explain the tradeoffs in plain English, and help you choose a path that fits.
What brings you here?
Step 1 of 2
What brings you here?
Start with your goal. We’ll point you toward the right guidance.
Self-employed or have another income situation? Start with your goal; those details come later.
Buying · Step 2 of 2
How will you use the property?
Living in one unit of a 2–4 unit property, or planning a personal-use second home? Start with “A home I’ll live in.” These choices open guidance; the team reviews property use and program requirements, including mixed-use plans.
Refinancing · Step 2 of 2
What kind of property are you refinancing?
Live in one unit of a 2–4 unit property, or use the property as a personal second home? Start with the home path and discuss how you use it with the team. These choices open guidance; the team reviews property use and program requirements.
Read Client Reviews · Licensed in FL, MN, TX, AL, KY & TN · Multiple lender options.
WHY CREATIVE 1ST
One Conversation.
More Ways Forward.
The job is not to push a product. It is to understand the whole picture, compare realistic options, and make the decision easier.
We Start With Your Situation
Your goals, timeline, income, property, available cash, and long-term plan shape the search.
We Compare Across Lenders
Different lenders solve different problems well. Our team looks for the strongest available fit across the network.
We Explain the Tradeoffs
Rate matters, but so do cash to close, mortgage insurance, flexibility, and long-term cost.
We Stay With the File
You have a responsive team helping manage questions, details, and next steps through closing.
CLIENT EXPERIENCES
What Clients Say About
Creative 1st Mortgage
See real reviews from our clients on our reviews page.
OPTIONS BY SITUATION
Find the Program That Fits the Plan.
From first homes and cross-country moves to rental properties and self-employed income, the right starting point depends on what you are trying to accomplish.
First-Time and Low Down Payment
FHA, conventional, VA, USDA, and assistance options.
Next Home and Relocation
Conventional, jumbo, and out-of-state planning.
Investor and Rental Property
DSCR, conventional investment, renovation, and portfolio options.
Self-Employed and Non-QM
Bank-statement and alternative-documentation solutions.
SIMPLE PROCESS
Know What Happens Next.
1. Tell Us the Goal
Start online or talk with the team. We learn the situation before recommending a route.
2. Compare the Options
We review available lenders and show the meaningful differences in plain language.
3. Move Forward Clearly
Choose the option you understand and let the team guide the file toward closing.
WHERE WE HELP
Local Guidance
With Room to Grow.
Creative 1st Mortgage is based in St. Petersburg and currently helps borrowers across Florida, Minnesota, Texas, Alabama, Kentucky, and Tennessee.
PRIMARY HEADQUARTERS
St. Petersburg, FL
Our flagship office delivers personalized lending strategies, deep community roots, and direct access to dedicated loan specialists in the Tampa Bay region.
FL
MN
TX
AL
KY
TN
THE CREATIVE 1ST TEAM
Your Mortgage Should Not Depend on
One Person.
You get a coordinated team that understands the plan, stays responsive, and helps keep the details moving from the first question through closing.
MORTGAGE RESOURCES
Learn Enough to Ask
Better Questions.
Get clear, practical explanations for common mortgage decisions without the pressure to apply before you understand the options.
Mortgage Learning Center
Plain-English guidance for buyers, homeowners, and investors.
Buyer Guidance
Understand upfront costs, qualification, and the path to closing.
Investor Guidance
Explore DSCR, rental-property, and renovation considerations.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What Borrowers
Want to Know.
Clear, transparent answers to help you navigate financing options with confidence and clarity.
Why use a mortgage broker instead of a bank?
A mortgage broker acts as an independent intermediary working on your behalf across an expansive wholesale lending network. Rather than being restricted to a single bank's specific portfolio and rigid guidelines, a broker evaluates multiple institutional lenders to identify loan options tailored to your distinct financial background.
Do I need perfect credit to talk with your team?
No. Our loan originators regularly assist borrowers across a wide range of credit profiles. We take a holistic view of your overall financial picture, helping you evaluate potential pathways and program parameters based on your current qualifications.
Can you help self-employed borrowers and investors?
Yes. In addition to traditional full-documentation residential loan programs, we work with specialized documentation options structured for business owners, independent contractors, and real estate investors managing residential portfolios.
Where is Creative 1st Mortgage licensed?
Creative 1st Mortgage is licensed in Florida, Minnesota, Texas, Alabama, Kentucky, and Tennessee. Our team follows applicable state and federal lending requirements while providing clear, transparent mortgage guidance.
Bring Us the Situation.
We’ll Help You See the Options.
Start online or call 727-914-9397 to talk with the Creative 1st team.
Information is for educational purposes and is not a commitment to lend. All loans are subject to credit approval, underwriting, and applicable program requirements.
Contact Us
Copyright 2026. All rights reserved. Equal Housing Opportunity
Creative 1st Mortgage is an independent mortgage broker.
Your broker or loan originator may have additional Terms of Use relating to your use of this website.
For more information, please contact your broker or loan originator at the email or phone number at the top right of the page.
Creative 1st Mortgage, LLC | NMLS# 2614631 | Licensed in AL, FL, KY, MN, TN, TX | 727-914-9397 | [email protected] | 447 3rd Ave N #210 Saint Petersburg, FL 33701 | Equal Housing Opportunity | TEXAS RESIDENTS: CONSUMERS WISHING TO FILE A COMPLAINT AGAINST A MORTGAGE COMPANY OR RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE LOAN ORIGINATOR LICENSED IN TEXAS SHOULD SEND A COMPLETED COMPLAINT FORM TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SAVINGS AND MORTGAGE LENDING (SML): 2601 N. LAMAR BLVD., SUITE 201, AUSTIN, TEXAS 78705; TEL: 1-877-276-5550. INFORMATION AND FORMS ARE AVAILABLE ON SML'S WEBSITE: SML.TEXAS.GOV.