Vol. XX · Florida Edition ★ ★ ★ ★ ★   4.97 / 5   ·   49 verified reviews NMLS #244944 · Est. 2005
Mariah Lee
Loan Officer · VA Specialist · Orlando, FL
The Cover · 2026

The mortgage they said couldn't close.
Closed.

Twenty years. Thousands of families. A reputation built on grit, precision, and a refusal to take no for an answer when the numbers say otherwise. When the file is messy, the timeline is tight, or every other lender has tapped out — that's when the work begins.

Apply Now → Call Now · (813) 544-8541

↓ Or let Aria, our AI voice assistant, take your information first — she'll prep your file in minutes so Mariah can hit the ground running. Available 24/7.

20+
Years in Practice
4.97★
Client Rating
VA
Veteran Specialist
Vol. XX · Issue 244944
The Closer Florida · 2026
Mariah Lee, Senior Loan Officer
Mariah Lee
Senior Loan Officer · NMLS 244944
Featured
★★★★★
FHA · VA · Conv · JumboEvery Loan Type
500+Min. Credit Considered
10–14 daysAverage Close
StatewideFlorida Licensed
A New Tool · Florida-Specific
The Florida Buyer Sheet
A live closing-cost calculator built for Florida buyers. Doc stamps, intangible tax, title insurance, prepaids, and your real cash to close — in seconds.
Open the Sheet →
Closing day — Mariah signing final mortgage documents
Closing day. Final signature, gold seal, keys on the table. The quiet moment every Mariah file is built toward.
The Profile

A number nerd with the soul of an empath — and a closing rate that keeps Realtors on speed dial.

Number nerd. Empath. Veteran's advocate. True force in the Florida mortgage space. Mariah's home base is in Orlando, but she works files for clients statewide — and especially loves serving the veterans who put their lives on the line for ours.

From first-time buyers to seasoned investors, she meets every client at their level — explains the math, owns the timeline, and answers the phone after hours when it matters. Two decades of doing it right. Zero shortcuts.

"Built entirely on trust, referrals, and real relationships. Not loud funnels. Not gimmicks. Just two decades of doing it right."
— On Her Practice
Mariah Lee
Sr. Loan Officer · NMLS 244944
A Word From Mariah

Press play. Then let’s talk.

A one‑minute hello before the paperwork, the rate sheets, and the rest.

Vol. XX · Issue 244944
A Word From Mariah
Florida · 2026
Recorded in Florida, 2026 · Mariah Lee Loan Officer · NMLS 244944
The Portfolio

Loan options as varied as the lives they support.

Whether you're buying your first home, refinancing, building a portfolio, or fighting a credit story you didn't write — there's a path. Built for your reality.

— Specialty
i.

VA Loans for Veterans

Zero down. No PMI. Competitive rates. The fight to make sure every veteran gets the benefits they earned — and the home they deserve. This isn't a side hustle. It's the work I'm called to.

Explore VA →
ii.

First-Time Homebuyers

FHA, down-payment assistance, and patient hand-holding through every form, fee, and milestone. No question is too small. Pre-approval shouldn't feel anxious. We'll get you there.

Apply Now →
iii.

Conventional & Jumbo

Move-up buyers, repeat homeowners, and high-value Florida properties. Competitive conventional, jumbo, and portfolio products with rates that actually compete.

Compare Options →
iv.

Refinance & Cash-Out

Rate-drop. FHA streamline. Equity to consolidate, renovate, or invest. I'll show you the math before you commit — no surprises, no pressure.

Run the Math →
v.

Investor & DSCR

Building a Florida portfolio? Bank-statement, self-employed, and DSCR products that qualify on the property's income. Not just W-2 boxes.

Investor Path →
vi.

Bruised Credit & Self-Employed

500+ credit considered. Returns that don't fit a standard box. The files other lenders won't touch — and the patience to walk you through every option until something works.

Tell Me Your Story →
“
I'm not the loan officer who chases leads.
I'm the one your real estate agent whispers about.
The one your friend swore by.
The one who picks up at nine.
Mariah's Operating Principle
Vol. XX · Issue 244944
The Closing
Florida · 2026
A couple holding the keys to their new Florida home, golden hour
“This is what we're working toward.”
— A real moment, on a real porch, on signing day.
The Process

From "is this even possible?" to keys in hand.

A clean, honest path with someone in your corner the whole way. No black boxes, no guessing, no “let me get back to you.”

i

Real Conversation

Call, text, or send a quick note. We talk through your goals, your timeline, what's realistic — no pressure, no pitch.

ii

The Pre-Approval

We submit the application. I run the numbers, secure your pre-approval, and arm you with what you need to compete.

iii

Under Contract

You found the home. I move underwriting fast, manage the appraisal, and keep your team in the loop the entire way.

iv

Close & Celebrate

Clear-to-close. Signing day. Keys in your hand. A warm welcome home — and the start of a relationship I take seriously, for life.

The Journal

Field notes from twenty years in the file.

Honest, plain-English guides on the parts of the mortgage that confuse most buyers — and most lenders won't slow down to explain.

— VA Specialty VA loan playbook
Veterans · 9 min read · April 2026

The VA Loan Playbook: Five mistakes I see veterans make — and how to avoid every one of them.

Your entitlement is one of the most powerful benefits you earned. But the rules around funding fees, second-tier eligibility, and seller concessions trip up even seasoned vets. Here's what to know before you sign anything.

Read the Article →
— First-Time Buyer First-time buyer math
Buyer Math · 7 min read

How much house can you actually afford?

Forget what the online calculators tell you. Here's the real math — DTI, reserves, escrow, and the Florida insurance reality nobody talks about.

Read the Article →
— Credit Strategy Credit repair and 500+ scores
Credit · 8 min read

500+ credit? You may already qualify.

A bruised score isn't a closed door. The five things underwriters actually weigh — and how to position your file so the answer is yes, not "come back next year."

Read the Article →
Subscribe to The Journal →
The Verdict

What clients actually say.

4.97 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 49 Verified · experience.com
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Mariah was a rockstar from beginning to end. Helping guide the client to the best loan option to serving the day with her experience and ease — 10 out of 10. Can't wait for the next one.
Robyn
Closed · April 2026
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
She got me a whole one percent lower on my interest rate than the others. She listens about the whole thing and has options when other companies thank you for thinking of them but couldn't help. So thankful we got to contact with her.
Vanessa
Closed · March 2026
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Very patient, kind, and explained the process so I understood and felt comfortable. She is very knowledgeable and has compassion for what she does.
Kim
Closed · April 2026
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Very personalized, expert experience. Mariah is absolutely amazing.
Sandra
Closed · April 2026
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Mariah is very helpful and great with replying to emails and phone calls. She walked me through every step and got it all done quickly. Thank you again!
Brian
Closed · March 2026
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Quick, communicative — handled everything smoothly and a quick close-to-close.
Trevor
Closed · March 2026

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Welcome Home.

Let's get you home.

One quiet question is all it takes — I'll have the math, the options, and the next move ready before we hang up. No filler. No funnel.

Apply Now →

Or tap Call Now — Aria, our AI voice assistant, will take your information and prep your file in minutes. Available 24/7.

(813) 544-8541 Mariah.Lee@uniteddirectlending.com Florida Statewide