Mortgage Broker in Savannah, GA
Savannah's coastal market mixes historic-district premiums with suburban and island options across Chatham County. Second-home buyers, relocators, and locals all share the same financing questions: what you can afford, which program fits, and how flood zones or HOAs might affect the file. I help you sort that out early so the porch view is not the first time you see the real number.
What this means for buyers here: at an estimated ~$350,000 median, FHA and conventional low-down options are often in play, and VA can be a strong fit for eligible buyers. Treat the median as a planning estimate and confirm current market data when you are ready to write offers.
Rather talk now? Call (480) 636-6573 or text Keith. Reviewed by Keith Lopez, NMLS #2814077 · Updated August 2026
Quick answer
Who can help me get a mortgage in Savannah, GA?
Keith Lopez (NMLS #2814077) is a mortgage broker serving Savannah buyers through NEXA Mortgage, with access to 300+ lenders. In Chatham County, the 2026 conforming loan limit is $832,750 and the FHA limit is $541,287. Many buyers can put as little as 3% down on a conventional loan, 3.5% on FHA, or 0% with VA or USDA where eligible.
Savannah housing market, at a glance.
Last updated: August 2026
- Median Sale Price
- ~$350,000
Typical range: more attainable options outside the Historic District; premium pricing downtown and near the water.
Source: Redfin
Market figures are estimates from public data as of the date shown and change over time.
Loan Programs That Work in Savannah
Here is how the main programs look against local prices, then we match the right one to your file on a Mortgage Strategy Session.
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FHA
At the estimated ~$350,000 median, 3.5% down is about $12,250, under the 2026 FHA limit for Chatham County.
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Conventional
3% down is about $10,500 on the estimated median for eligible buyers.
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VA
$0 down and no monthly mortgage insurance for eligible service members and veterans.
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First-Time Buyer
A clear path for first-time buyers comparing coastal premiums with more attainable nearby options.
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Loan programs in Savannah
Local guides with Savannah limits, assistance that stacks, and answers to the questions buyers here ask most.
Program eligibility, guidelines, and pricing are set by the applicable investor, agency, or program and are subject to change without notice. Not all applicants will qualify. This information is for educational purposes only and is not a commitment to lend.
Chatham County
| Limit type | Single-family |
|---|---|
| Conforming limit | $832,750 |
| FHA limit | $541,287 |
Lowering your cash to close
On an estimated ~$350,000 purchase, FHA 3.5% is about $12,250, conventional 3% is about $10,500, and VA can be $0 down for eligible buyers. Gift funds and seller credits can reduce cash to close. Budget separately for flood insurance if the home is in a FEMA flood zone.
Local assistance paths buyers ask about in Savannah
Programs change. On a Mortgage Strategy Session we check what may fit your income, purchase price, and county, without treating any program as a guarantee.
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Chenoa Fund (FHA down payment assistance)
The Chenoa Fund, from CBC Mortgage Agency, is the down payment assistance I can place. It pairs an FHA 30-year fixed first mortgage with a second mortgage for 3.5% or 5% of the sales price or appraised value, whichever is less. The forgivable option has 0% interest and no monthly payment and is forgiven after three years of on-time payments on the FHA loan. The repayable option is a 10-year second mortgage with a monthly payment. There are no income limits and no first-time buyer requirement, but the home must be your primary residence (1 to 2 units), and credit and underwriting requirements apply. Refinancing the FHA loan during the first three years can cancel the forgiveness, so it suits buyers who plan to keep the loan at least that long. For a Savannah purchase, I compare it with a standard FHA loan and other low-down options. Program terms and availability change with market conditions, so I confirm current terms for your file before you count on it.
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Georgia Dream (Georgia Department of Community Affairs)
Georgia Dream, from the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, pairs a first mortgage with a 0% second mortgage for down payment help that has no monthly payment. The standard option is 5% of the price or $10,000, whichever is less, with a larger option for eligible protectors, educators, nurses, and households that include a member living with a disability. It is built for first-time buyers, has income and sales-price limits, requires at least $1,000 of your own funds, and is repaid when you sell, refinance, or move out. State housing agency programs like this are offered only through participating lenders. As a broker, I confirm whether one of my wholesale lenders participates before recommending it for your Savannah purchase, so treat it as an option to ask about rather than a promise.
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Savannah neighborhoods, and how financing often fits
Mortgage lending is not one-size-fits-all across Savannah. Price bands, condo rules, flood zones, and buyer profiles change by pocket. Use this as orientation, then we match a program to your file.
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Historic District
Historic, walkable, and visitor-influenced.
The Historic District carries Savannah's highest location premiums, with period architecture and tourism nearby. Flood, insurance, and sometimes condo or HOA rules shape the monthly cost. Financing usually tracks price point toward conventional products. Educational planning around insurance should happen before you write an offer.
- Price band
- Typically well above the metro median.
- Loan fit (educational)
- Conventional is common. FHA only when price and property rules allow.
Watchouts: Flood zones, historic guidelines, and short-term rental rules can affect both use and financing.
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Ardsley Park and Chatham Crescent
Established, residential, and architecturally consistent.
These established neighborhoods offer tree-lined streets and a mix of historic homes outside the tourist core. Buyers often prefer them for primary residences with character. Renovation level drives price as much as location. Inspections on older systems should inform cash reserves.
- Price band
- Often above the metro median for renovated homes.
- Loan fit (educational)
- Conventional is typical. FHA when condition and price align.
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Midtown Savannah
Intown-adjacent and mixed housing types.
Midtown bridges intown convenience and more varied housing stock, including bungalows and some denser options. Pricing is often more approachable than the Historic District while remaining close to amenities. Program fit depends on the individual property. A clear max payment helps when comparing midtown with southside alternatives.
- Price band
- Wide range around the estimated metro median.
- Loan fit (educational)
- FHA and conventional are both commonly discussed.
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Southside
Suburban residential with shopping corridors.
Southside Savannah includes many practical single-family options for primary residences. First-time buyers often start here when historic premiums are out of reach. Condition and subdivision age vary. Pairing low-down programs with inspection realities keeps expectations aligned.
- Price band
- Often near or below the metro median.
- Loan fit (educational)
- FHA, conventional 3% down, and VA for eligible buyers.
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Pooler and west Chatham
Newer suburban growth near employment and retail.
Pooler and nearby west Chatham communities attract buyers seeking newer construction and suburban layouts with Savannah job access. HOAs are common in planned neighborhoods. Financing is usually a standard primary-residence file. Builder contracts can include credits that change cash to close.
- Price band
- Often near regional averages for new homes.
- Loan fit (educational)
- Conventional, FHA, and VA are common.
Watchouts: HOA dues and builder completion timelines differ from resale deals.
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Wilmington Island and coastal areas
Coastal residential with marina and marsh access.
Island and coastal edges draw primary and second-home buyers who want water access. Flood and wind insurance can dominate the budget conversation. Occupancy type must be clear for program selection. Address-level insurance quotes belong in your planning before you compete for a listing.
- Price band
- Often above inland alternatives.
- Loan fit (educational)
- Depends on occupancy. Primary, second-home, and investment rules differ.
Watchouts: Flood and wind coverage can materially change the monthly payment.
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Garden City and Port Wentworth
Practical residential near employment corridors.
These communities north and west of central Savannah can offer more attainable entry points tied to port and industrial employment. Housing stock and price bands vary. Financing follows standard guidelines for primary residences. Compare total commute and insurance cost, not only list price.
- Price band
- Often at or below the Savannah median.
- Loan fit (educational)
- FHA and conventional low-down options are frequently a fit.
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Thunderbolt
Small riverside community with a local harbor feel.
Thunderbolt is a small riverside town that some Savannah shoppers include for marina proximity and a quieter scale. Inventory is limited, so pricing can feel idiosyncratic. Flood questions still apply near the water. Treat each address as its own insurance and financing review.
- Price band
- Wide range depending on water proximity and condition.
- Loan fit (educational)
- Conventional and FHA depending on price and property type.
Watchouts: Flood zone and elevation details should be checked early.
A quick note on closing in Georgia.
Georgia closings are typically handled by a closing attorney who oversees the title work and the settlement. Two state taxes show up: the real estate transfer tax on the deed ($1 per $1,000 of the price, usually a seller cost) and the intangible recording tax on a new long-term mortgage ($1.50 per $500 of the loan amount, capped at $25,000), which usually lands on the buyer's side. On a $320,000 loan, the intangible tax is $960, so I build it into your cash-to-close estimate from day one. Your closing attorney confirms the final figures.
Buying in Savannah, answered straight.
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How much do I need for a down payment in Savannah?
On the estimated ~$350,000 median, about $12,250 with FHA (3.5%) or $10,500 with a 3%-down conventional loan. VA can be $0 down for eligible buyers.
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What is the 2026 FHA loan limit in Chatham County?
$541,287 for a single-family home, per HUD, so most Savannah-area homes at typical price points can qualify for FHA. Historic District and waterfront homes above that level usually need conventional financing.
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Do I need flood insurance in Savannah?
If the home is in a FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area and you have a mortgage, yes. Island, marsh, and river-adjacent homes are the most common cases, and wind coverage adds to coastal insurance costs. Check the flood zone and get a quote before you write an offer.
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Can I use a VA loan near Hunter Army Airfield or Fort Stewart?
Yes, if you are eligible. Hunter Army Airfield is inside Savannah, and many buyers stationed there or at Fort Stewart compare southside Savannah, Pooler, and Richmond Hill. VA offers $0 down and no monthly mortgage insurance, and I plan the timeline around PCS dates.
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Can I finance a home in Savannah's Historic District?
Yes, with standard programs, but expect extra steps. Exterior changes in the Historic District go through the city's historic preservation review, and older homes often need system updates. Build inspection time and repair reserves into your plan.
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Can I buy a Savannah home to use as a short-term rental?
Sometimes, but check the rules first. The City of Savannah regulates short-term vacation rentals by zone, and the purchase would be financed as an investment or second home rather than a primary residence. Confirm the ordinance for the exact address before you count on nightly income.
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Is there down payment assistance for Savannah buyers?
Yes. The down payment assistance I can place is the Chenoa Fund, which pairs with an FHA loan and has no income limits or first-time buyer requirement. Georgia Dream, from the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, offers a 0% deferred second mortgage for eligible first-time buyers, with the standard option at 5% of the price or $10,000, whichever is less, and income and sales-price limits. Georgia Dream is offered only through participating lenders, so I confirm whether one of my wholesale lenders participates before recommending it. Program terms change, so I confirm current terms for your file.
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What Georgia taxes should I expect at a Savannah closing?
The intangible recording tax on your new mortgage is $1.50 per $500 of the loan amount, which is typically a buyer cost; on a $330,000 loan that is $990. The transfer tax on the deed is $1 per $1,000 of the price and is usually paid by the seller. Your closing attorney confirms the final numbers.
Also serving nearby
Mortgage reading for Savannah buyers
- Market & Local Coastal Homeowners Insurance, Flood, and Wind Coverage: What Carolina and Georgia Buyers Need to Know Before Closing Buying a coastal home in Charleston, Myrtle Beach, Wilmington, or Savannah means flood insurance, wind deductibles, and elevation certificates all factor into your mortgage. Here is what to know before you make an offer.
- Market & Local Georgia Homestead Exemption for New Homebuyers: Who Qualifies, Deadlines, and How It Affects Your Escrow The Georgia homestead exemption can reduce your property tax bill, but you must file with your county tax commissioner by April 1 and occupy the home on January 1. Here is what new buyers need to know about qualifying, filing, and how it affects your escrow.
- Loan Programs USDA Loan Eligibility in Georgia: Income and Property Location Basics USDA loans offer no-down-payment financing for eligible Georgia buyers, but both the property location and household income must meet program requirements. Here is what to check first.
Ready to talk through your Savannah options?
One free, no-pressure Mortgage Strategy Session. Your options, your numbers, your next step, talked through clearly for buying in Savannah, GA.
Let's talk through your Savannah options.
One free Mortgage Strategy Session. Your options, your numbers, your next step.
Keith Lopez, NMLS #2814077 | NEXA Mortgage, LLC, NMLS #1660690 | Licensed in NC, SC & GA | Equal Housing Opportunity