Unless you already have a relationship with a mortgage lender doing business in Florida, the best way to find a lender is to simply ask your real estate agent.

A good agent will provide you a short list of local contacts, while not officially endorsing any particular one.

Whether financing or refinancing, a good relationship with a mortgage lender is important in Florida's fast moving real estate market. Many people trade up, down, or across within a year or two of moving here, an activity where a call to your mortgage broker is a good first step.

National lenders doing business in Florida
There are quite a few, but perhaps the most well know are:

• Countrywide
  
• Bank of America
  
• Wells Fargo

Also worth checking are larger banks like Sun Trust. These regional or local banks will sometimes keep short term ARM loans in-house, and resell long term loans to -- you guessed it -- national lenders like Countrywide.

Mortgage brokers are also an option, but be sure to do your homework and shop around before you commit.