Median Sale Price
$395,595
Florida statewide median (May 2026)
+1.7% YoYFlorida · Programs & Market GuideFirst-Time Buyer Programs
First-Time Buyer Programs
in Florida
3.5%Minimum FHA down payment
580Minimum credit score (3.5% down)
$524,225FHA loan limit — most Florida counties
43%Standard max debt-to-income ratio
The short version
First-Time Buying in Florida at a Glance
Florida's primary assistance programs come through Florida Housing Finance Corporation, which administers down payment and closing cost help for income-qualifying first-time buyers. These programs are designed to layer on top of a base mortgage, including FHA loans, so buyers can address both the down payment and the closing cost hurdle at the same time.
3.5%
Min. down payment (580+ score)
10%
Down payment if score 500–579
1.75%
Upfront MIP added to loan
The term 'first-time buyer' under most Florida programs means you have not owned a primary residence in the past three years, so previous homeowners may still qualify. Income and purchase price limits apply and vary by county, which means eligibility depends on where you are buying and what you earn, not just whether this is your first purchase. A participating lender can pull the current limits for your specific county before you apply. Assistance structures also differ: some programs offer forgivable loans that require no repayment if you stay in the home for a set period, while others are deferred second mortgages that come due at sale or refinance.
Key distinction: Qualifying for an assistance program and qualifying for the underlying FHA loan are two separate approvals. Meeting one does not guarantee the other.
Florida housing market
Statewide Market Snapshot
Florida's for-sale inventory has been shifting, creating conditions that vary noticeably from one metro area to another, so buyers should research conditions at the county level rather than assuming a statewide trend applies to their target neighborhood.
Price, Year over Year
+1.7%
Change in Florida median sale price
vs. last yearDays on Market
69 days
Statewide median before contract · Source: Redfin
Homes Sold
30,460
Recent month across Florida · Source: Redfin
The figures displayed here reflect current market data and are provided as context for understanding local conditions; they are not a quote or commitment and will change over time.
Down payment help
Homebuyer Programs in Florida
State and local programs that can layer on top of an FHA loan to reduce your out-of-pocket costs. Many are stackable.
Florida Assist (FL Assist)
State standard deferred second mortgage
- Benefit
- Up to $10,000 as a 0% interest, deferred second mortgage
- Who qualifies
- First-time buyers using an FL Housing first mortgage within county income limits
Florida Homeownership Loan Program (FL HLP)
Amortizing second-mortgage assistance
- Benefit
- Up to $10,000 as a fully amortizing second mortgage over 15 years
- Who qualifies
- Buyers needing higher upfront funds who meet FL Housing first-mortgage limits
Florida Hometown Heroes Housing Program
Down payment help for the state workforce
- Benefit
- Up to 5% of the first mortgage (capped at $35,000) toward down payment and closing costs
- Who qualifies
- Full-time Florida workforce employees who are first-time buyers within income limits
Stacking assistance programs. Florida Housing's down payment assistance programs are built to pair with an approved base loan, and an FHA loan is one of the most common pairings because FHA's flexible credit guidelines help buyers who are still building their credit profiles. When a buyer uses a Florida Housing first mortgage alongside a down payment assistance second mortgage, the combined financing can cover the upfront costs that most often delay entry into homeownership. It is important to confirm that the total combined loan amount stays within program purchase price limits and that the assistance structure, forgivable versus deferred, fits your expected time in the home.
Sound familiar?
Florida Buyer Profiles
Common buyer situations we see in Florida, and how financing typically works for each.
Profile A
Credit-Building Renter
A buyer with a credit score near the minimum FHA threshold who has been renting for several years and has modest savings. Florida Housing programs that pair with FHA loans are designed with this profile in mind, but the buyer should confirm that their debt-to-income ratio, or DTI, leaves room for the full housing payment including taxes and insurance.
First-time buyerFHA candidateLimited savings
Profile B
Returning Homeowner
Someone who owned a home more than three years ago and has since been renting. Because the three-year look-back window resets eligibility, this buyer may qualify for first-time buyer assistance they assume is unavailable to them. Verifying prior ownership dates before dismissing programs is a practical first step.
Prior ownerEligibility resetThree-year rule
Profile C
Dual-Income Household
A couple combining incomes to qualify for a higher purchase price, but whose combined income may push them above county-specific income limits on some programs. Checking the income cap for the target county early in the process prevents choosing a home price range based on assistance that turns out to be unavailable.
Combined incomeIncome limit riskCounty-specific caps
Profile D
Self-Employed Buyer
A buyer whose income is documented through tax returns rather than pay stubs, which can affect how a lender calculates qualifying income and DTI. Florida Housing programs use the same income documentation standards as the base loan type, so a self-employed FHA borrower faces the same documentation requirements on both approvals simultaneously.
Tax-return incomeDTI scrutinyFHA documentation
Run the numbers
Florida Payment Estimator
Estimate a monthly payment at Florida price points. Figures are illustrative estimates only, not a quote.
Florida median: $395,595 · FHA limit: $524,225 · Typical close: 42–55 days
Illustrative only, not a quote
Monthly P&I
$2,455
Principal & interest
Monthly MIP
$175
Mortgage insurance premium (MIP)
Total Monthly
Talk to a loan officer$2,630
Before tax & insurance
Illustrative estimates only, not an offer or commitment to lend. Actual rate and costs depend on a full application and credit review. Does not include property tax, insurance, or HOA.
Answers to real questions
Florida Program & Loan FAQs
From the Intra-Mortgage team
What We Tell Florida Buyers
A common oversight among first-time buyers in Florida is treating the assistance program search and the mortgage prequalification as two separate tasks to complete in sequence. Because both the base loan and the assistance second mortgage require approval from the same participating lender, beginning both conversations at the same time produces a more accurate picture of actual purchasing power and reduces the risk of contract timelines outpacing the approval process.
Intra-Mortgage Editorial Team
Mortgage Education & ContentBefore making an offer, it is worth understanding how Florida's assistance programs interact with your base loan approval, your county's income and price limits, and the specific repayment terms tied to the assistance structure you select.
What we watch for:
- Confirm your county's current income and purchase price limits before setting a search range
- Check whether your assistance second mortgage is deferred or forgivable and plan for the repayment scenario
- Verify that your lender is an active Florida Housing participating lender before starting the application
DPA-Participating Lender
FHA + assistance in one transaction
5.0 Google Rating
Verified borrower reviews
NMLS #2620605
Equal Housing Lender
Multi-state guidance
Availability shown on each loan officer profile
Your next step
Talk to a loan officer licensed in Florida
No cost, no obligation. A straight answer on what you can afford and which programs you can stack. This is not a commitment to lend.