What first-time homebuyer programs are available in Florida?

Florida Housing Homebuyer Program

Florida Housing offers 30-year fixed-rate first mortgages to first-time buyers through participating lenders. Basic requirements listed on its site:

• Minimum credit score of 640
• Use an approved participating lender
• Complete approved homebuyer education
• Stay under the county’s price and income limits
• Meet the IRS first-time buyer definition, meaning you haven’t owned and lived in a primary residence in the last 3 years

Down payment & closing cost help

• FL Assist: up to $10,000, a 0% deferred second mortgage that you repay when you sell, refinance, or move out.
• FL HLP Second Mortgage: $12,500 at 3% over 30 years, with a monthly payment.
• HFA Preferred / Advantage PLUS: 3%, 4%, or 5% of the loan as a forgivable second mortgage (forgiven 20% a year over 5 years) with certain conventional loans.

This assistance is only available together with a Florida Housing first mortgage.

Sources: Florida Housing: Homebuyer Overview.

Program terms are summarized from Florida Housing Finance Corporation’s published 2026 guidelines and can change. This is general information, not an advertisement or offer of credit. Isaiah James is a real estate licensee, not a mortgage lender or loan originator. Confirm the annual percentage rate (APR), payments, fees and eligibility with a participating lender.

Hometown Heroes

For eligible full-time workers at Florida-based employers, such as health care, school staff, first responders, public safety and court employees, and child care, plus military members and veterans, Hometown Heroes offers 5% of the first mortgage (minimum $10,000, maximum $35,000) as a 0% deferred second mortgage. It isn’t forgivable. Funding and eligibility rules change, so check the current program page with a participating lender.

Sources: Florida Housing: Hometown Heroes Program.

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