Mortgage broker · Florida, Ohio & Texas
Chris Ailes, mortgage broker in Fort Myers, licensed in Florida, Ohio and Texas. Your loan goes to a wide range of wholesale lenders and they compete for it: more options, and the most competitive rate available for your situation, not whatever one bank has on the shelf.
Florida Fort Myers · Cape Coral · Alva ·
Lehigh Acres · North Fort Myers · Estero · Naples · Venice · Sarasota
· Lee, Charlotte, Collier & Sarasota Counties
Texas Greater Dallas · Fort Worth · Frisco · Greater Houston
· El Paso · Austin
Ohio Columbus · Cleveland · Akron · Cincinnati ·
Dayton · Toledo
FHA, VA, conventional, DSCR, renovation and construction financing.
See loan programs →A lender who sends referrals back, and answers on a Saturday.
How I work with agents →A one-page analysis of the spec that’s been sitting longest.
Financing that moves inventory →Why it matters
A bank has one shelf. If your loan doesn’t fit what’s on it, the answer is no, and it usually arrives late, after weeks of work you’ve already done.
I work through United Wholesale Mortgage and a range of other wholesale lenders. When a loan sits slightly outside one lender’s guidelines, it gets a second look somewhere else instead of a decline. When it fits everywhere, those lenders compete for it, and that is how you end up with a better rate and better options. Self-employed income, investment property, new construction, a wrinkle in the credit: those are the loans where having somewhere else to go actually matters.
On speed, the only promise I’ll make is the honest one: fast initial approval via AUS workflow, subject to underwriting on a complete file.
Most lenders ask agents for business. I’d rather send you a closing than ask you for one. My Florida real estate license is inactive and stays that way. On your transaction I’m the lender, and only the lender.
I live and work about fifteen minutes from downtown Fort Myers, inside one of the most active new-construction corridors in Lee County. I’m originally from Columbus, Ohio, and I started in real estate in Austin, Texas, so all three licenses come with real knowledge of the market behind them.
About
I’m originally from Columbus, Ohio. I started in real estate in Austin, Texas in 2003, worked extensively with investors building property portfolios, and I’ve been on the financing side ever since. I’m now based in Fort Myers, Florida.
Before mortgages I spent two decades as a television producer, including years at HGTV. That is why I can make a complicated loan make sense to a nervous buyer at nine o’clock at night, which is usually the moment a deal is saved.
Licensed in Florida, Ohio and Texas. I answer my own phone, and I’d rather explain something twice than have you sign something you don’t understand. Off the clock, I’m a Kentucky Wildcats fan through and through.
More about ChrisI’d rather send you a closing than ask you for one.
Loan programs
Six programs, and an honest conversation about which one actually fits.
Down payments as low as 3.5% and more flexible qualification standards.
How FHA works →Competitive rates for strong credit, with flexible terms and removable mortgage insurance.
How conventional works →No down payment for eligible service members and veterans.
How VA works →Qualify on the property’s rental income rather than personal income.
How DSCR works →Finance the purchase and the repairs in a single loan.
How renovation loans work →Construction-to-permanent financing for a custom build.
How construction loans work →The process
A detailed conversation about your goals, so the options I bring you are the ones that actually apply.
I walk you through it and make sure your application is complete before it goes anywhere.
I explain the real options side by side, including the trade-offs nobody mentions.
You hear from me at every stage, and you can reach me after it closes.
Testimonials
Five stars on Google, in clients’ own words. Read every review on Google.
“I had a real estate agent refer me to Chris and he a delight to speak with, the process of getting a loan for my new house in Florida for the winter was much easier and less of headache than it was when I bought my first home.”
“Chris was always there to answer every question I had. He walked me thru the process that I had no idea how to get thru. He always had a explanation for everything I did or needed to do. I am so happy I was able to work with him and if I go down this road again Chris will be my first call.”
“If there were an opportunity to give an extra star I would. Chris goes above and beyond to ensure the process is smooth and stress-free. Open communication and any questions are answered quickly and thoroughly.”
“Working with Chris was an excellent experience. Even though I faced some unexpected challenges with my credit during the process, Chris remained professional, patient, and consistently supportive. He always had an optimistic attitude and took the time to explain options clearly, which gave me confidence as a client. His persistence, responsiveness, and dedication to finding solutions made it clear that he genuinely cares about helping his clients succeed. No matter the situation, Chris always had a positive approach and a plan forward. I’m truly thankful to Chris and his entire team for their professionalism and outstanding service. I would absolutely work with him again and highly recommend him.”
“Chris was absolutely incredible to work with! Navigating the mortgage process can be challenging, but he made everything feel manageable. Chris was extremely informative, breaking down the details into easy-to-understand explanations, and was always available to answer my questions. I never felt pressured, only supported, which gave me great confidence throughout the entire process. With nearly two decades of experience in real estate, his expertise goes beyond mortgages. If you’re looking for a knowledgeable, patient, and professional mortgage broker, I highly recommend Chris!”
“Chris Ailes is your trusted partner for home loan needs. His professionalism shines through in every interaction, offering clear, relevant, and personalized advice. Chris is not only a great communicator but also a pleasure to work with, making the home loan process smooth and stress-free.”
Questions
A mortgage pre-approval provides an estimate of how much you can borrow based on your financial situation. It shows sellers you’re a serious buyer and helps you shop within your budget.
The down payment amount varies depending on the loan type. Conventional loans typically require 3% to 20%, while FHA loans often require 3.5%. There are also several down payment assistance programs available in Florida, Ohio and Texas. If you qualify, you may be able to purchase with little or no money down.
A fixed-rate mortgage has a constant interest rate throughout the loan term, providing predictable monthly payments. An adjustable-rate mortgage has a variable rate that can change periodically, which affects your payment amount.
It depends on your loan. Once I have a complete application and your documents, I can usually give you a clear picture quickly. I work with a fast initial approval via AUS workflow, subject to underwriting on a complete file. The honest answer is that a straightforward purchase moves quickly and a complicated one takes longer, and I’d rather tell you which one you have than give you a number that turns out to be wrong.
Your rate is influenced by your credit profile, down payment, loan term, property type and current market conditions. Because those move independently, the only honest answer is one priced for your actual loan. Contact me and I’ll do that.
Yes. I’m licensed in Florida, Ohio and Texas. Florida and Texas loans run through Anchor Mortgage Funding and Ohio loans through Loan Factory, and I’ll tell you which applies before we start. See Where I Lend for the cities and how each state works.
Book fifteen minutes or call or text (941) 275-4119. We’ll talk through where you are and what you’re trying to do, and I’ll tell you what documents I need and what the next step is. You can also start an application any time.
Many lenders allow early repayment without penalties, but it’s important to check your loan agreement. Some loans may have prepayment penalties, so review your terms or ask me for clarification.
Fifteen minutes, and I keep it to fifteen. No pitch and no pressure. Whether you’re buying a home, selling them, or building them, it’s the fastest way to find out if I can help.
