Short answer: Brazilians buying a home in the US usually choose between four paths: a large US bank or national lender, a Brazil-linked bank in Florida, a direct lender that specializes in foreign national loans, or a mortgage broker that compares several lenders. Which one fits depends on your documents (SSN, ITIN or passport only), where your income comes from, and the state where you are buying. Below we compare the paths and some companies Brazilians often look at, using only what each company publishes about itself.
Full disclosure: this article is published by Heart Mortgage, one of the companies in the comparison. Company facts were checked on each company's own website on September 28, 2026, and can change. Always confirm a license on NMLS Consumer Access.
First, which borrower are you?
The right lender depends on your profile more than on the lender's name:
- SSN, US income, US credit history: you can usually use conventional, FHA or VA loans, the same as any US resident.
- ITIN instead of SSN: you need an ITIN program, which is a type of Non-QM loan (outside the standard Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac rules). Not every lender offers it. See our ITIN mortgage guide.
- Living in Brazil, or no US residency: you need a foreign national program. See our foreign national mortgage guide.
- Buying to rent out: a DSCR loan, which qualifies you by the property's rental income, may fit either profile.
The four paths, side by side
| Path | How it works | Usually a fit when |
|---|---|---|
| Large US bank or national lender | Lends its own money with its own product list | You have SSN, US income and US credit |
| Brazil-linked bank in Florida | A US bank from a Brazilian group, lending its own money | You want a banking relationship tied to Brazil and are buying in Florida |
| Direct lender focused on foreign nationals | Lends its own money, with in-house foreign national and Non-QM programs | Your case matches that lender's program and state |
| Mortgage broker | Does not lend; compares programs from several lenders and manages the process to closing | Your profile is non-traditional and you want more than one lender's answer |
A broker is not automatically better, and a bank is not automatically worse. A bank gives you one set of rules. A broker gives you access to several sets of rules, which matters most when your documents or income do not fit a standard profile.
Companies Brazilians often compare
| Company | Type (as the company describes itself) | Company NMLS | Where it lends | Service in Portuguese | ITIN / foreign national |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heart Mortgage | Mortgage broker | #2045769 | 10 states: FL, TX, NJ, MA, CT, SC, NC, RI, NH, GA | Yes, all 11 licensed loan officers | Both |
| Alvorada Mortgage | Mortgage broker | #2137907 | Georgia and Florida | Yes | Both |
| Beyond Financing | Mortgage broker and correspondent lender | #2394496 | Several states, including Florida and Massachusetts (see its licensing page) | Yes | Both |
| BB Americas Bank | Bank, a subsidiary of Banco do Brasil | Not shown on its site; its loan officers list individual NMLS numbers | Florida (international residential loans in South and Central Florida) | Yes | Foreign national residential loans; ITIN not listed |
| Home Financial Group | Mortgage lender | #305389 | Florida | Yes (English, Spanish, Portuguese) | Both |
Sources, checked September 28, 2026: Alvorada Mortgage, Beyond Financing licensing, BB Americas residential loans, Home Financial Group, Heart Mortgage.
This is not a ranking. Rates and fees are left out on purpose: they change daily and depend on your credit, down payment, property and program, so any number here would be out of date or not apply to you.
Where Heart Mortgage fits, and where it may not
What Heart Mortgage is, in facts you can check:
- A mortgage broker (NMLS #2045769) founded in 2021 by Lee Dama (NMLS #485039), a Brazilian who arrived in the US at 19.
- Offices in Boca Raton and Orlando, and licensed in 10 states.
- 11 licensed loan officers, all fluent in English and Portuguese; 7 also speak Spanish and 1 speaks Taiwanese. Each one has an individual NMLS number listed on our team page.
- We compare programs from multiple lenders, including conventional, FHA, VA, ITIN, foreign national, bank statement and DSCR loans.
- 5.0 average rating across 172 Google reviews (as of September 2026).
Where another option may fit better:
- The property is in a state where we are not licensed. We can only work in the 10 states above.
- You want your mortgage at a bank connected to your bank in Brazil. BB Americas is part of the Banco do Brasil group, and some clients value that relationship.
- You already have a strong US profile and a relationship with a large bank. A standard conventional loan at your own bank can be a reasonable choice. It is still worth comparing a second offer.
What down payment to expect
Published foreign national programs from the companies above generally start at 25% down, and one lender cites a typical range of 25% to 30%. ITIN programs can start lower, depending on the lender. These are published starting points, not offers. Your actual down payment depends on the program, the property, your credit and your reserves.
How to compare offers the right way
- Use the same scenario everywhere: same price, down payment, property type, occupancy (home, second home or investment) and loan term.
- Ask for a Loan Estimate. It is the standard three-page form every lender must give you after you apply, and it makes offers comparable line by line.
- Compare the APR, not just the rate. The APR includes certain fees, so a lower rate with high points can cost more.
- Check the license. Search the company and the loan officer on NMLS Consumer Access and confirm the state where you are buying.
- Ask which documents they accept. Brazilian income, IRPF, pró-labore and bank statements are accepted differently by each lender. See which Brazilian income documents US lenders accept.
Frequently asked questions
What kind of lender is best for a Brazilian without an SSN?
It depends on your documents and the state. Without an SSN you need a lender or broker that offers ITIN or foreign national programs, and many large banks do not list them. Brokers that work with Brazilians, and a few specialized lenders, do. Compare at least two offers for the same scenario.
Is a mortgage broker better than a bank?
Not always. A bank offers its own products under one set of rules. A broker compares programs from several lenders, which tends to matter more when your income, documents or credit history are non-traditional. With a standard US profile, both can work.
Do these companies offer service in Portuguese?
Heart Mortgage, Alvorada Mortgage, Beyond Financing, BB Americas Bank and Home Financial Group all state on their websites that they serve clients in Portuguese (checked September 28, 2026).
How much down payment do Brazilians need?
With an SSN and US credit, the same programs available to any US resident apply. With ITIN or foreign national programs, expect a larger down payment; published foreign national programs we reviewed start at 25%. Requirements vary by lender, program and property.
How do I check if a mortgage company is licensed?
Search the company name or NMLS number on NMLS Consumer Access. It shows which states the company and each loan officer are licensed in. Heart Mortgage is NMLS #2045769.
Requirements and terms vary by borrower profile, program and lender, and are subject to change. This article is educational and is not a commitment to lend. Heart Mortgage Corporation, NMLS #2045769. Equal Housing Opportunity.
