Verify the active Florida Housing menu
Florida Housing Finance Corporation programs, rates, funding and assistance can change. Use its current homebuyer portal and an approved participating lender to confirm the first mortgage, assistance amount, income limit, purchase-price limit, education and repayment terms before an offer.
Down-payment and closing-cost assistance
Florida Housing programs may pair an eligible first mortgage with a second-mortgage assistance product. Compare whether the second mortgage is deferred, amortizing, forgivable or due upon sale, refinance, transfer or payoff. Assistance can reduce cash today while affecting flexibility later.
Florida Hometown Heroes
Hometown Heroes has changed across funding cycles. This review did not establish a currently funded 2026 reservation window from an accessible official source, so this site does not advertise a benefit amount or claim active availability. Confirm status directly with Florida Housing and an approved lender.
Conventional, FHA, VA and USDA alternatives
A low-down-payment conventional loan may be competitive for eligible buyers. FHA uses mortgage insurance and program-specific appraisal rules. VA may offer zero-down financing for eligible service members and veterans. USDA may offer zero-down financing in eligible areas subject to household-income and property rules.
Florida closing and tax considerations
Documentary-stamp and intangible-tax charges can affect closing costs depending on the transaction. Property taxes should be modeled from the expected purchase and local assessment; homestead exemption requires eligibility and filing and should not be assumed in the first-year estimate.
Insurance and condo eligibility
Obtain homeowners, wind and flood indications early. For condos, lender review may include insurance, reserves, milestone or structural reports, litigation, rental concentration and special assessments. The property can be the controlling issue even when the buyer qualifies.
Education and the comparison
Complete required homebuyer education early and compare an assistance scenario with a non-assistance mortgage using rate, APR, payment, cash to close, second-lien repayment and five-year cost. The best headline is not always the strongest financial result.
Frequently asked questions
Is Florida Hometown Heroes active right now?+
This review did not verify an active 2026 reservation window from an accessible official source. Confirm current funding directly with Florida Housing before relying on it.
Is Florida assistance forgiven?+
Terms vary by product. Some assistance is repayable or becomes due after a sale, refinance, transfer or payoff. Read the current program documents.
Do Florida Housing programs require education?+
Many first-time-buyer and assistance programs require approved homebuyer education. Confirm the acceptable course and completion timing.
Can a condo block the loan?+
Yes. Project insurance, reserves, inspections, litigation and other project factors may affect financing independently of the borrower.