Mortgage Rates in Florida

Your home may be the largest purchase you make in your life, and getting the best mortgage rates available can save you tens of thousands of dollars. Borrowers can get mortgages from banks, credit unions, and online lenders.

If you're house hunting in the Sunshine State, start your search for a mortgage lender. Keep in mind that the rate you'll ultimately get will depend on factors such as your creditworthiness and income.

5 affordable places to live in Florida

If you’re thinking about moving to Florida, check out these five budget-friendly places to buy a home.

1. Homosassa Springs

With median home values at $83,300 -- less than half the national median of $217,500 -- this town with a population of 13,478 has a majority of homeowners; less than 20% of residents rent, according to Niche. Homosassa Springs also has plenty of parks and above-average schools. Property taxes in Citrus Country, where Homosassa Springs is located, are among the lowest in Florida at 0.72% of a property's fair market value, according to Tax-Rates.org.

2. North Fort Myers

Located on the southwest coast of Florida, North Fort Myers is a suburb of Fort Myers that ranks No. 41 in Niche's list of the best places to retire in Florida. With a population of 42,770, North Fort Myers has several parks and has amenities such as restaurants and coffee shops. As in Homosassa Springs, there are more homeowners than renters: 84% of residents own their homes, which have a median value of $97,900. That said, property taxes in Lee County (where North Fort Myers is located) are among the state's highest at 1.04%.

3. Avon Park

Offering residents parks (such as Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park) and various local shops, the town of Avon Park has a population of 10,461. Many families and retirees reside here, and there's a fairly even mix of homeowners and renters. The median home value is $70,300, and -- good news for homeowners -- property taxes are near Florida's lowest at 0.77%.

4. West Pensacola

With a population of 21,056, West Pensacola is a suburb of Pensacola in Escambia County. There are many parks (such as Aero Vista and Juanita Williams Park) and restaurants in the area, which may explain why many families live here. Plus, it's known as an area with pristine beaches, perfect for sand and water lovers. The median home price is $65,900, though slightly more residents rent rather than own. Homeowners pay just 0.76% of their home's value in property taxes.

5. Brent

Also within the limits of Escambia County, the town of Brent is ranked No. 15 on Niche's list of suburbs with the lowest cost of living in Florida. A little under half of Brent's 22,337 residents own their homes, which have a median price of $82,100. There are plenty of coffee shops, parks, restaurants (like the Bayou Marcus Birding Trail), and more. Property taxes are the same as West Pensacola's at 0.76% of the home's fair market value.

No matter where you decide to settle in Florida, purchasing a home well within your budget means borrowing less and keeping your monthly mortgage payments down. Shopping around for the best mortgage rates is equally important, as it could save you money for decades to come.