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First-time homebuyers in Florida have access to a number of resources to help with their purchase. The Florida Housing Finance Corporation, known simply as Florida Housing, offers several down payment and closing cost assistance programs to help you buy your first home.
Florida Housing programs are available to first-time homebuyers or anyone who hasn’t owned and occupied a home in three years. Active military members, qualified veterans and anyone purchasing in a federally designated targeted area might also be eligible.
Florida first-time homebuyer loan programs
Florida Housing’s loan programs are all 30-year, fixed-rate mortgages. Here’s an overview:
Florida Housing homebuyer programs
Florida Housing has a few categories of loans for first-time homebuyers, which include the Florida First program for federally-backed loans and HFA conventional loan programs. Borrowers who qualify for these 30-year, fixed-rate conventional mortgages will see lower mortgage insurance costs than with comparable federal loan programs. The loans can usually be combined with down payment and closing cost assistance.
Borrowers who qualify for these 30-year, fixed-rate conventional mortgages will see lower mortgage insurance costs than with comparable federal loan program. The loans can usually be combined with a down payment and closing cost assistance program.
Salute Our Soldiers Military Loan Program
Geared toward qualified active duty and veteran military members, these programs offer 30-year, fixed-rate mortgages for government-backed loans (FHA, VA and USDA). Salute Our Soldiers offers lower rates than Florida First, but you don’t have to be a first-time homebuyer to use either program. Borrowers can also combine these loans with Florida Housing down payment and closing cost assistance.
Borrower requirements:
- Available to first-time homebuyers, qualified veterans and active military members
- Must meet income, credit and purchase price requirements
- Must complete a homebuyer education class
Property requirements:
- Must be a primary residence located within the state of Florida
Florida Hometown Heroes Program
The Florida Hometown Heroes Housing Program aims to make homeownership affordable law enforcement officers, firefighters, educators, healthcare professionals, childcare employees and other front-line workers.
The program, run by the Florida Housing Finance Corp., provides down payment and closing cost assistance to first-time, income-qualified homebuyers so they can buy a home in the community where they work.
Among the benefits:
- Eligible frontline workers can receive below-market rates on an FHA, VA, Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac first mortgage, reduced upfront fees, no origination points or discount points and down payment and closing cost assistance.
- Borrowers can receive up to 5 percent of the first mortgage loan amount (maximum of $25,000) in down payment and closing cost assistance.
- Down payment and closing cost assistance is available in the form of a no-interest, non-amortizing, 30-year deferred second mortgage. This second mortgage becomes due and payable, in full, upon sale of the property, refinancing of the first mortgage, transfer of deed or if the homeowner no longer occupies the property as his/her primary residence. The Florida Hometown Heroes loan is not forgivable.
Florida down payment assistance
Florida Assist Second Mortgage Program (FL Assist)
Through Florida Housing, eligible borrowers can receive up to $7,500 at zero percent interest on a deferred second mortgage to use toward a down payment on a conventional loan. (If obtaining an FHA, VA or USDA loan, eligible borrowers could receive up to $10,000.) The repayment is deferred until the home is sold or the borrower moves, or the borrower refinances the mortgage.
HFA Preferred Grants (3, 4 and 5 percent)
This program provides qualified borrowers with 3, 4 or 5 percent of the home’s purchase price to use toward the down payment and closing costs. This second mortgage is forgiven after five years.
Florida Homeownership Loan Program (FL HLP)
This program gives buyers up to $10,000 in assistance as a second mortgage at 3 percent interest. The mortgage must be paid off over 15 years unless you move, refinance, sell or transfer ownership of the property. In those cases, the balance must be paid in full.
Note: These programs must be used with a Florida Housing loan program.
Other first-time homebuyer loans and programs
There are a number of national programs to help first-time homebuyers get into homes, as well. These include FHA, USDA and VA loans, as well as a handful of more specialized programs based on your mortgage lender, or whether or not you plan to renovate your new property. Check out Bankrate’s guide for more information.
Get started
Now that you have the lowdown on what help is available to buy your first home in Florida, you’re ready to take next steps. For full details on loan programs and requirements, visit Florida Housing’s website. Keep in mind that Florida Housing is not a lender and doesn’t make borrowing decisions. Reach out to one of its approved lenders to apply for a mortgage or learn more details about which program best meets your needs. Note that lenders might have their own income and credit rules to qualify for a loan.
First-time homebuyer programs in nearby states
- Alabama first-time homebuyer programs
- Georgia first-time homebuyer programs
- Mississippi first-time homebuyer programs
- South Carolina first-time homebuyer programs
