The programs, loans, and steps that get first-time buyers into a Florida home — including the down-payment help most people don’t know they qualify for.
As a first-time buyer in Florida you can often buy with 3–5% down (or 0% on VA/USDA loans), and the state’s Florida Housing programs offer down-payment and closing-cost assistance to qualified buyers. The path is: check your eligibility, get pre-approved, find your home, and after closing file for the homestead exemption to cut your taxes.
This is the part new buyers miss. Florida Housing Finance Corporation runs programs — like Florida Assist and the Hometown Heroes program for eligible workers — that provide down-payment and closing-cost help, usually paired with a first mortgage. Many county and city programs add their own assistance. Eligibility depends on income limits, the purchase price, and a homebuyer education course.
Not every buyer qualifies, but a lot more do than realize it. Ask us and we’ll point you to a lender who handles these programs.
Beyond the down payment, budget 2–5% of the price for closing costs — though assistance programs and seller credits can cover part of it. Don’t forget Florida’s higher homeowners insurance and, in newer communities, HOA and CDD costs. Our mortgage calculator helps you see the full monthly picture.
Most first-time buyers I meet think they need 20% down. They don’t — and once they see the assistance programs, the timeline to owning gets a lot shorter. — Mourad Elbanna
The steps mirror any purchase, just with more hand-holding: get pre-approved (with a lender who knows the FL programs), set your budget and area, tour homes for sale, make an offer, complete inspections, and close. The full sequence is in the Orlando buying guide.
Once it’s your primary home, file for the homestead exemption with the county by March 1. It removes up to $50,000 from your taxable value and caps future increases at 3% a year under Save Our Homes — real money every year you own.
Yes — Florida Housing offers down-payment and closing-cost assistance to qualified buyers, and many counties add their own programs. Eligibility depends on income limits, price, and completing a homebuyer education course.
Often just 3–5% with FHA or conventional loans, and 0% with VA or USDA if you qualify. Assistance programs can reduce or cover the down payment and part of your closing costs.
FHA loans can work with lower scores, while conventional loans usually start around 620. A higher score earns a better rate — but talk to a lender first, because a strong pre-approval matters more than a perfect score.
Many programs define a first-time buyer as someone who hasn’t owned a primary residence in the last three years, so you may still qualify. Ask us and we’ll check your eligibility.
A Florida tax break that removes up to $50,000 from the assessed value of your primary residence and caps annual increases at 3%. You apply with the county property appraiser by March 1 after you move in.
Get pre-approved with a lender who handles Florida assistance programs, then tell Lina your budget and areas so she can pull homes that fit. We guide you through every step from there.
Tell Lina what you want in plain language and she searches the live Stellar MLS, answers questions, and lines up showings — a licensed agent closes your deal.
Tell Lina your budget — she’ll show you what fits, and we’ll point you to the down-payment programs you may qualify for.
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