Marcus Lefebvre
Five star rating, no written review.
Portland, Maine
Mortgage broker in Portland, Maine
Travis Penny, a mortgage broker with Vision Mortgage in Portland (NMLS 1649161), helps clients buy and refinance homes in Portland, Maine. I compare FHA, VA, USDA, conventional, jumbo and self employed options for your file and tell you plainly which one fits.
Reviewed by Travis Penny, NMLS 1649161
Last reviewed September 29, 2026
Portland is the most expensive market in Maine and the one with the most moving parts: a citywide revaluation that reset every assessment, a waterfront that floods in the big storms, and a housing stock that runs from 1800s brick in the West End to new condos in Bayside. I close here often and I know which of those things an underwriter will care about.
Travis Penny is a licensed mortgage broker (NMLS #1649161) with Vision Mortgage, LLC (NMLS #1286953), based at 352 Warren Avenue, Suite 6, Portland, Maine. He brokers FHA, VA, USDA, conventional, jumbo, and self employed home loans for buyers in Portland and Cumberland County, plus DSCR investor loans in the states listed on my Licensing page. Started in 2004 and I'm still here. Call or text (207) 615-7770.
Why work with a Portland mortgage broker?
Travis Penny is a mortgage broker with Vision Mortgage based in Portland, Maine, at 352 Warren Avenue, Suite 6. I arrange one time close construction, bridge, and DSCR investor loans in Portland along with other purchase options. A broker compares multiple wholesale lenders instead of limiting your choices to one bank. I review the property, credit, and income details before recommending a loan program.
All loans are subject to credit and underwriting approval. Not all applicants will qualify. Program terms and availability can change. This page is for general education and is not a loan offer or a commitment to make a loan. Travis Penny, NMLS ID #1649161, is a mortgage broker with Vision Mortgage, LLC, NMLS #1286953. Equal Housing Opportunity.
Maine loans are what I do
Closing loans across Cumberland County and the rest of Maine. Real local underwriting know-how, no call centers.
Every major program
FHA, VA, USDA, conventional, jumbo, and self employed bank statement loans. Matched to your file, not the easiest one.
One person, start to finish
You talk to Travis from pre approval through closing. No handoffs to a processor in another time zone.
Loans I arrange in Portland
One time close construction (conventional, FHA, VA). For a Portland build, check the lot's zoning, access, and utility connections before comparing conventional, FHA, or VA construction financing.
Bridge loans for buying before selling. A peninsula condo purchase may need association review while you arrange the sale of your current Portland home.
DSCR investor loans. For a Portland rental or multi unit, review actual leases, taxes, insurance, and any condo rental restrictions.
Physician and nurse loans. Portland healthcare workers can compare physician and nurse options while checking condo or older home property requirements.
Bank statement and 1099 loans. For a Portland buyer with business income, match bank deposits or 1099 records to the property and financing plan.
Portland homes and nearby towns
Peninsula condos may require a review of the building and its association. An off peninsula single family home calls for a different property review. Portland also has older housing stock, so it is worth checking the roof, heating system, paint, and any well or septic details where applicable before you depend on a financing plan.
I also help buyers looking nearby in South Portland, Westbrook, Falmouth, and Cape Elizabeth. Call, text, or email me about the property you are considering.
Neighborhoods and villages in Portland
- Munjoy Hill
- West End
- East End
- Old Port
- Bayside and East Bayside
- Deering Center
- North Deering
- Stroudwater
- Parkside
- Rosemont
- Woodfords Corner
- Peaks Island
What to know about buying in Portland
- Portland is the priciest market in Maine, and prices shift by neighborhood. Condos and the Deering neighborhoods usually sit below the city's typical price, and the West End and Munjoy Hill usually sit above it.
- Portland completed a citywide property revaluation. Ask the city assessor for the current assessment on any property before you rely on the tax bill from a prior owner.
- Parts of the waterfront and Back Cove have flooded in major coastal storms. Check the FEMA flood map for the exact address before you count on a standard insurance quote.
- MaineHealth Maine Medical Center, Unum, Northern Light Mercy, Martin's Point, WEX and the University of New England are among the city's larger employers.
- Most of the city is not USDA eligible. Surrounding towns often are. I check the address on the USDA map before we rule it out.
Official sources: Portland Assessor's Office, FEMA Flood Map Service Center
Loan programs available in Portland
- FHA. 3.5% down with a score of 580 or higher, or 10% down with a score from 500 to 579, on an eligible primary home.
- VA. No down payment required for eligible service members, veterans, and qualifying surviving spouses with full entitlement, with no monthly mortgage insurance.
- USDA. No down payment required for eligible buyers on eligible rural and suburban addresses within household income limits.
- Conventional. 3% down for eligible first time buyers, typically 5% otherwise, 10% for second homes, and 15% to 25% for investment properties. Putting 20% down avoids PMI.
- Jumbo. for loan amounts above the county conforming limit.
- Self employed. bank statement and 1099 programs that don't punish you for tax write offs.
Other Maine city guides
How to start
The fastest first step is a five-minute scenario call. Bring your target purchase price, your down payment plan, and any credit concerns. I'll quote a realistic rate, payment, and cash-to-close range on the spot.
Cumberland County loan limits
For 2026 HUD sets the FHA one unit floor at $541,287 and FHFA sets the conforming one unit baseline at $832,750 (HUD Mortgagee Letter 2025-23, December 11, 2025; FHFA release, November 25, 2025). Cumberland and York counties carry a higher FHA limit than the floor because of the Portland area's prices. I confirm the exact county figure on your file before you shop.
Portland mortgage questions
What should I know about home prices in Portland, Maine?
Portland is the priciest market in Maine, and prices shift by neighborhood. Condos and the Deering neighborhoods usually sit below the city's typical price, and the West End and Munjoy Hill usually sit above it. I pull current sales for the exact street before you make an offer.
How do I find the current property tax on a Portland home?
Portland completed a citywide revaluation, so a prior owner's tax bill will not match the current assessment. I pull the current assessed value from the city assessor's office on every Portland file.
Do I need flood insurance in Portland?
Only if the property sits in a FEMA special flood hazard area, which is common along Commercial Street, the Eastern Waterfront and Back Cove. I run the flood determination early so it never surprises you at closing.
Can I use an FHA loan on a Portland condo?
Yes if the project is FHA approved or qualifies for single unit approval. Many Portland buildings are. I check the approval list before you write the offer. If the building isn't approved, see my non warrantable condo guide.
Is Portland USDA eligible?
Almost none of the city is. Several surrounding towns are, so if USDA financing that doesn't require a down payment matters more than the address, we look one town out.
What loan limit applies in Portland?
Cumberland County carries an FHA limit above the national floor, and the conforming baseline is set annually by FHFA. Above that you are in jumbo territory, which I also place.
How competitive is Portland?
Homes in Portland typically move quickly and often draw multiple offers. A fully underwritten preapproval is the difference between winning and watching.
Should I buy in Portland or a nearby town?
It depends on what you are buying for. South Portland and Westbrook sell for less with a short commute. Scarborough costs more with a lower tax rate. I run the full monthly cost on each so you compare payments, not list prices.
Quick checklist
- FHA
- VA
- USDA
- Conventional
- Jumbo
- Self employed
Keep exploring
This information is general education, not a loan offer or a commitment to lend. Down payment and credit requirements vary by client, property, and lender, and program guidelines change. For your own numbers, call or text me at (207) 615-7770 or email Travis@travis.mortgage.
What clients say
Read all reviewsLaPlace Sallis
Travis was great to work with. We were able to close in less than three weeks.
Steven Retalic
Travis by far is the best Mortgage Broker I have ever worked with. I am happy to refer Travis to friends and family.
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