First Time Homebuyer Program
Dated: February 26 2026
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Step 1: Verify Your Eligibility and Requirements
Before beginning your search, you must ensure you meet the baseline criteria for Florida Housing programs. Please note that while our state-level funds are available in all 67 counties, local HFAs (City or County) may have their own unique geographical restrictions and requirements.
- First-Time Homebuyer Status: You must meet the IRS definition of a first-time homebuyer, meaning you have not owned and occupied a primary residence within the last three years.
- Credit Score: A minimum credit score of 640 is required for all program participants.
- Income Limits: Your total household income must not exceed the specific limits set for the county where you are purchasing.
- Purchase Price Limits: The home's cost must fall within the maximum purchase price limits designated for that specific county.
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Step 2: Connect with a Participating Program Lender
Florida Housing does not lend money directly to consumers. Instead, we provide 30-year fixed-rate mortgages through a network of approved partners. The lender is your primary point of contact; they will verify your creditworthiness and manage the application for both your first mortgage and secondary assistance.
Instruction: Visit https://www.floridahousing.org and select the "Lender and Real Estate Agent Locator" button. As a specialist tip, I recommend looking for professionals identified as "Top Performing Lenders." These individuals have a high volume of experience with FHFC technical requirements, which often leads to a smoother closing process.
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Step 3: Partner with an Approved Real Estate Agent
To ensure your agent understands the specific nuances of our DPA and single-family programs, use the Florida Housing locator tool to find an "Approved" agent. These professionals have expressed their commitment to our mission by completing the Florida Housing Directory Waiver form. This ensures they are trained to navigate the specific price and income restrictions required by the state. Visit https://www.floridahousing.org/programs/homebuyer-overview-page
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Step 4: Complete Approved Homebuyer Education
Education is a mandatory milestone. To qualify for any Florida Housing loan program, all borrowers must complete an "Approved" Homebuyer Education course. This requirement is designed to prepare you for the financial responsibilities of homeownership. Your lender will require proof of completion before your loan can be approved.
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Step 5: Select Your First Mortgage and DPA Combination
Florida Housing offers several 30-year fixed-rate first mortgage programs, including "Bond," "Non-Bond" (TBA), and the Florida Hometown Heroes program. Note: Down payment assistance is not a "stand-alone" product; it must be used in conjunction with a Florida Housing first mortgage.
Program Name | Amount Offered | Key Repayment Terms |
|---|---|---|
Florida Assist (FL Assist) | Up to $10,000 | 0% interest; deferred; non-forgivable. Becomes due in full upon sale, transfer, refinancing, satisfaction of the first mortgage, or if the owner ceases to occupy the home. |
Florida Homeownership Loan Program (HLP) | $12,500 | 3% fully-amortizing; 30-year term. Requires monthly payments. Becomes due in full upon sale, transfer, refinancing, or satisfaction of the first mortgage. |
3%, 4%, 5% PLUS Second Mortgage | 3%, 4%, or 5% of the loan amount | Forgivable at 20% per year over 5 years. Available only with HFA Preferred for TBA or HFA Advantage for TBA conventional products. |
Hometown Heroes DPA | Varies (see program limits) | Specific DPA available for Florida’s frontline workers. Can be used for down payment and closing costs. |
Technical Note: Because the FL HLP requires a monthly payment, your lender must include this in your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio during underwriting.
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Step 6: Navigate the Closing Process
Once you have found a home within the county purchase price limits and your offer is accepted, your lender and agent will guide you to the closing table. You are participating in a system with a long history of stability and success. Since 1982, Florida Housing has provided 144,179 home loans. Since 2003, we have provided
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Tadas Grigaliunas
I am Tadas Grigaliunas, a real estate professional with a unique international background and deep local expertise. Born and raised in Lithuania, I moved to the United States in 2001, bringing with me....
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All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. All properties are subject to prior sale, change or withdrawal. Neither listing broker(s) or information provider(s) shall be responsible for any typographical errors, misinformation, misprints and shall be held totally harmless. Listing(s) information is provided for consumers personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing.
Updated on September 24, 2026 12:33 AM UTC
