Compare Assistance Types
Florida Down Payment Assistance
Use these options as a conversation starter. Adam will check current funding, your eligibility, the mortgage pairing and lender participation before including assistance in your plan.
Florida Assist
Deferred, Not ForgivableAssistance paired with an eligible Florida Housing first mortgage.
How it works: A deferred second loan. Repayment can be triggered by sale, refinance, transfer or ending primary occupancy. Confirm the exact current documents.
Official Florida Assist Details (opens in a new tab)HFA Preferred / HFA Advantage PLUS
Conditional ForgivenessAssistance available with eligible Florida Housing conventional first mortgages.
How it works: A second loan with a required forgiveness period. Ask how an early sale, refinance or move affects the remaining balance.
Official HFA Preferred / HFA Advantage PLUS Details (opens in a new tab)Florida Homeownership Loan Program
Monthly Payment AppliesAnother assistance option to review with an eligible Florida Housing first mortgage.
How it works: Include the second-loan payment in your budget. Confirm the current assistance amount, rate, term and funding.
Official Florida Homeownership Loan Program Details (opens in a new tab)Hometown Heroes
Occupation & Funding RulesA separate Florida Housing option with current occupation, employment, buyer and income requirements.
How it works: Confirm the current eligible categories, funding status and repayment terms with Adam. Do not assume the program is a forgivable grant.
Official Hometown Heroes Details (opens in a new tab)Which Florida Program Could Fit?
Florida Housing assistance goes with an eligible agency first mortgage. County income and purchase-price limits, homebuyer education and buyer-status requirements apply. Adam can help check the available pairing and lender participation before you rely on assistance.
Build a Florida Payment Estimate
Use a property-specific insurance quote and a tax estimate for you as the new owner. Those two figures make your payment estimate much more useful than the listing price alone.
- Ask the county property appraiser about taxes after purchase and whether a homestead exemption or portability applies. The seller’s tax bill may reflect benefits you will not inherit.
- Ask your insurance professional about wind coverage, deductibles and flood insurance. Standard homeowners coverage does not include flood damage.
- For a condominium or HOA community, include dues and ask about assessments, association insurance and loan eligibility.
Turn Assistance into a Cash-to-Close Plan
Start with your savings, then add the assistance that has been confirmed for your loan. Keep a separate allowance for inspections, deposits and moving costs. Assistance may reduce what you bring to closing without covering every purchase expense.
Bring Adam a comfortable monthly budget and an estimated purchase timeline. Once you have an address, update the payment and cash estimate together.
More Than One Financing Path
Self-Employed or Buying a Rental in Florida?
Your documentation and property use matter alongside your buying state. Adam can review standard mortgage options and CCM’s Non-QM paths, including bank statements, 1099 or professional P&L statements, eligible assets and DSCR investor financing.
DSCR is for investment property. Non-QM availability and terms vary by product and property; state assistance should not be assumed to work with these loans.
Put the options together
What Could Work for Your Purchase?
Tell me where in Florida you’re buying, your timeline and what you have set aside. We can review state and national options, the monthly payment and the cash you may still need.
Review My Homebuying Options
Get help connecting your budget, down payment and loan choices. Leave a short request for Adam to review.
Prefer to talk? Call 304.268.8864Before You Make an Offer
- Ask for the current property tax bill and check whether your bill could change after purchase.
- Get a homeowners insurance quote and check flood coverage needs.
- Confirm HOA dues, assessments and any program-specific property requirements.
- Ask whether assistance funds are available for your loan and closing timeline.
National Down Payment Assistance
State programs are one path. Ask Adam about national down payment assistance options, too. Their rules may differ from state housing-agency programs; the specific product, property and borrower still need a review.
Assistance is not always a grant. Some options create a second loan or require repayment when you sell, refinance or no longer meet program conditions. The rate and total payment may differ from a loan without assistance. Availability, funding and eligibility must be confirmed for your purchase.
Explore national down payment assistance →Questions Buyers Ask
Is Hometown Heroes available to every Florida worker?
No. The 2026 program has specific occupation and employment categories, plus military categories. Ask Adam to review the current requirements, funds and lender participation for your situation.
Is Florida assistance free money?
The structure matters. Florida Assist is repayable, PLUS has conditional forgiveness and FL HLP has monthly payments. Review the specific loan terms with Adam.
Can I ask about assistance before choosing a home?
Yes. Start with your buying area, savings and timeline. A property and a full loan review are needed to confirm eligibility, but you can discuss potential options now.
Official State Resources
Program terms and funding can change. Ask Adam to help verify current details with the agency, including lender-participation requirements.
- Florida Housing: first mortgages and down payment programs (opens in a new tab)
- Florida Housing: 2026 Hometown Heroes requirements (opens in a new tab)
- Florida Department of Revenue: homestead and property-tax benefits (opens in a new tab)
- Florida Department of Financial Services: homeowners insurance (opens in a new tab)