Florida’s 2026 housing market is active — median home prices across Tampa Bay, Orlando, Jacksonville, and South Florida remain elevated, and mortgage rates continue to shape buyer strategy in ways that make loan product selection more consequential than ever. For first-time buyers entering this market, the combination of Florida’s no state income tax, a genuinely independent mortgage broker with access to 500+ wholesale lenders, and purpose-built down payment assistance programs creates a qualification picture that most national mortgage guides never fully explain.
Florida’s no state income tax gives first-time homebuyers a genuine DTI qualification edge. Your gross monthly income stretches further here than in most states, and that matters when a broker is calculating how much house you can afford. Because DTI is calculated on gross income, Florida residents sustain higher housing costs relative to take-home pay compared to buyers in states with 5-9% income tax rates — a real, structural advantage worth understanding before you ever look at a loan product.
Choosing the right loan product remains the single biggest financial decision most first-time buyers will make. The Florida market in 2026 offers more options than ever: government-backed loans with flexible credit standards, conventional products with cancellable mortgage insurance, state-run down payment assistance programs, VA loans available to borrowers with scores as low as 500 FICO, and broker-exclusive programs like Dynamo DPA and Turbo DPA that can bring eligible buyers to the closing table with little to nothing out of pocket at closing. The challenge isn’t finding a loan — it’s matching the right product to your credit profile, down payment reserves, debt load, and long-term ownership timeline.
This guide breaks down seven loan strategies best suited to Florida first-time buyers, with real program names, current terms, a worked breakeven calculation, and Florida-specific details — flood zone costs, homestead exemption, HUD AMI thresholds — that most guides skip entirely. Whether you’re starting with a soft pull mortgage pre-qualification (also called a no credit check mortgage preapproval, mortgage pre-approval without hard pull, or no hard inquiry mortgage pre-approval) to protect your score during comparison shopping, or you’re ready to submit a full application, the framework here will help you make a confident, informed decision. With 1,400+ five-star reviews documented across verified platforms, the guidance behind this site is verifiable — not just claimed.
By Duane Buziak, NMLS #1110647 | Coast2Coast Mortgage LLC NMLS #376205 | Florida-licensed mortgage broker serving clients statewide.
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1. FHA Loans — The Most Forgiving Entry Point for Florida First-Time Buyers
The Challenge It Solves
Many first-time buyers arrive at the mortgage conversation with limited credit history, a few collection accounts, or a FICO score that doesn’t yet qualify for conventional financing. FHA loans exist precisely for this situation. Because the Federal Housing Administration insures the loan, participating lenders can accept borrower profiles that conventional underwriting would decline outright.
The Strategy Explained
FHA loans accept FICO scores as low as 580 with a 3.5% down payment, and scores between 500 and 579 with a 10% down payment. (Source: HUD.gov.) Upfront mortgage insurance premium (MIP) is 1.75% of the loan amount, financed into the loan. Annual MIP varies by LTV and loan term — and critically, for loans with LTV above 90%, MIP typically persists for the life of the loan, not just until you reach 80% equity.
Florida’s no-income-tax environment improves your DTI calculation in a meaningful way. A buyer earning $6,000 gross per month in Florida keeps more of that income in practice than a buyer earning the same amount in a state with a 5% income tax rate. That real-world affordability difference can determine whether you qualify for the home you actually want. Understanding the full range of FHA loan options in Florida before you apply gives you a meaningful advantage in the comparison process.
Starting your process with a soft credit pull mortgage pre-approval protects your score while you comparison shop. A soft pull lets a broker check your eligibility across multiple loan types without triggering a hard inquiry — an important step before committing to any single product.
FHA vs. Conventional 97: Side-by-Side Comparison
FICO Minimum: FHA = 580 (3.5% down) | Conventional 97 = typically 620+
Down Payment: FHA = 3.5% | Conventional 97 = 3%
Upfront MIP/Fee: FHA = 1.75% financed | Conventional = none
Monthly Mortgage Insurance: FHA = annual MIP (varies) | Conventional = PMI, cancels at 80% LTV
MIP/PMI Duration: FHA = life of loan if LTV > 90% | Conventional = cancels automatically at 78% LTV
Florida DPA Compatible: FHA = yes | Conventional 97 = yes (HomeReady)
Pro Tips
FHA is often the right starting point, not the final destination. If your credit score improves after a year or two of on-time payments, refinancing into a conventional loan can eliminate the lifetime MIP and reduce your total borrowing cost. Think of FHA as the door that gets you into homeownership — not necessarily the loan you’ll carry for 30 years.
2. Conventional 97 and HomeReady — When 3% Down Conventional Beats FHA
The Challenge It Solves
FHA’s lifetime MIP is a real cost that compounds over time. For buyers with stronger credit profiles — typically 680 FICO and above — a conventional loan with private mortgage insurance often produces a lower total cost of ownership because PMI cancels when you reach 80% LTV, while FHA MIP frequently does not. A detailed conventional loan vs FHA comparison can reveal thousands of dollars in long-term savings depending on your credit profile and ownership timeline.
The Strategy Explained
Conventional 97 requires just 3% down and is available to first-time buyers (defined as someone who has not owned a primary residence in the past three years). Fannie Mae’s HomeReady program also allows 3% down but adds income-limit requirements: buyers must earn at or below 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI) for their census tract. You can verify county-specific Florida AMI thresholds at huduser.gov.
PMI on a conventional loan cancels automatically at 78% LTV per the Homeowners Protection Act, and you can request cancellation at 80% LTV once you can document the equity. That’s a meaningful structural difference from FHA’s MIP on high-LTV loans.
Here’s the DTI illustration: A Florida buyer earning $7,000 gross monthly has no state income tax withheld. In a state with a 5% income tax, that same buyer loses roughly $350/month in take-home pay. While DTI is calculated on gross income either way, the Florida buyer’s real-world budget is more sustainable at the same qualifying payment — which matters for how comfortably you carry the mortgage long-term. Florida’s no-income-tax advantage is a genuine quality-of-life and financial resilience factor, not just a talking point.
Implementation Steps
1. Pull your credit report (soft pull, no score impact) and confirm your FICO is at or above 680 — the threshold where conventional pricing typically becomes more competitive than FHA.
2. Look up your county’s HUD AMI at huduser.gov to determine HomeReady eligibility. If your income exceeds 80% AMI, Conventional 97 (without HomeReady’s income cap) may still apply.
3. Run a side-by-side payment comparison between FHA and Conventional 97 factoring in the upfront MIP difference, monthly MIP vs. PMI rate, and the cancellation timeline.
Pro Tips
HomeReady also allows non-borrower household income to be considered in qualifying, which can help buyers in multi-generational households. If a parent or relative lives with you and contributes to household expenses, ask your broker whether that income can be factored into your HomeReady application.
3. VA Loans — The Most Powerful Product for Eligible Florida First-Time Buyers
The Challenge It Solves
Down payment and mortgage insurance are the two largest upfront and ongoing cost barriers for first-time buyers. VA loans eliminate both. If you’ve served in the U.S. military or are an eligible surviving spouse, no other loan product comes close to the financial value a VA loan delivers.
The Strategy Explained
VA loans require no down payment and carry no private mortgage insurance — ever. A VA funding fee applies (the amount varies based on service history, down payment if any, and whether it’s a first or subsequent use), but veterans with a service-connected disability rating may be exempt entirely. (Source: VA.gov.) Some participating lenders work with FICO scores as low as 500 — not a VA-mandated floor, since the VA sets no minimum FICO, but a lender overlay that reflects the program’s flexibility. Understanding the full scope of VA loan benefits in Florida is essential before you compare it against any other product.
For Florida buyers, the Salute Our Soldiers Military Home Loan Program, administered by Florida Housing, can be stacked on top of a VA loan. It offers a below-market first mortgage rate plus an optional DPA component for eligible active duty and veteran borrowers. Verify current terms at floridahousing.org — program terms are updated periodically.
Florida’s no-income-tax DTI advantage matters here too. A veteran buyer qualifying on a fixed military pension or combined income benefits from the same gross-income DTI calculation that applies to all Florida borrowers — with no state income tax reducing their real take-home.
Implementation Steps
1. Obtain your Certificate of Eligibility (COE) through VA.gov or ask your broker to pull it on your behalf — this confirms your entitlement and service history.
2. Check your FEMA flood zone designation for any property you’re seriously considering at msc.fema.gov. Florida has extensive Special Flood Hazard Areas, and flood insurance required for federally backed loans in SFHA zones can add meaningfully to your monthly escrow payment.
3. Contact Florida Housing or a participating broker to verify Salute Our Soldiers current rate and DPA terms before locking any product.
Pro Tips
VA loans are assumable — a feature that becomes valuable if rates rise significantly after you purchase. A buyer who later purchases your home could assume your existing VA loan rate, making your property more marketable. It’s a long-term advantage most first-time buyers don’t think about at origination.
4. Florida Down Payment Assistance — FL Assist, FL HLP, and the 3-Variable Breakeven
The Challenge It Solves
Saving for a down payment is the most commonly cited barrier for first-time buyers. Florida Housing’s down payment assistance programs address this directly with structured second mortgages that can cover most or all of the required down payment — but they come with trade-offs that require a real calculation, not just a yes/no decision. Exploring all available Florida homebuyer assistance programs before you commit to a single product ensures you’re not leaving money on the table.
The Strategy Explained
FL Assist provides $10,000 as a 0% non-amortizing deferred second mortgage. There is no monthly payment. The balance is due upon sale, refinance, or transfer of the property. Income limits are tied to HUD AMI by county — verify at huduser.gov. FL Assist requires a Florida Housing first mortgage.
FL HLP (Home Loan Program) also provides $10,000 but at 3% interest amortizing over 15 years. The monthly payment is approximately $69 (verify with current amortization at floridahousing.org). Because FL HLP has a monthly payment, it must be counted in your DTI calculation — which affects how much first mortgage you can qualify for.
The key question for any DPA product is whether the financial trade-off makes sense for your specific situation. That’s where the three-variable breakeven calculation comes in.
The 3-Variable DPA Breakeven: Hypothetical Illustration
Note: The following is a hypothetical illustration only. Actual rate premiums, program terms, and payment amounts vary by market conditions and borrower profile. Verify current terms at floridahousing.org.
Assumptions: Home price $300,000. FL Assist $10,000 DPA accepted. Rate premium from using the DPA program: 0.25% above market rate (e.g., 6.75% vs. 6.50% without DPA). Loan amount approximately $280,500.
Variable 1 — Rate premium cost per month: The 0.25% rate difference on approximately $280,500 produces a monthly payment increase of roughly $46.
Variable 2 — DPA dollar amount: $10,000 in cash not spent at closing.
Variable 3 — Ownership/hold timeline: $10,000 ÷ $46/month ≈ 217 months, or approximately 18 years.
Interpretation: If you plan to own the home for fewer than 18 years — or plan to refinance before then — the DPA cash benefit outweighs the cumulative rate premium cost. If you plan to hold the home for 25-30 years without refinancing, the rate premium cost eventually exceeds the $10,000 benefit. For most first-time buyers with realistic ownership timelines of 7-12 years, FL Assist is clearly advantageous.
Implementation Steps
1. Run your own three-variable breakeven using your actual rate quote with and without DPA — ask your broker for both scenarios in writing.
2. Verify income eligibility against your county’s HUD AMI at huduser.gov.
3. If DTI is tight, compare FL Assist (no monthly payment) vs. FL HLP (approximately $69/month) to determine which second mortgage structure preserves more qualifying room on your first mortgage.
Pro Tips
FL Assist’s deferred structure makes it particularly powerful for buyers who expect to refinance within 5-10 years. You access the $10,000 now, pay nothing monthly, and repay it only when you refinance — at which point you may have enough equity to absorb it without additional out-of-pocket cost.
5. USDA Rural Development Loans — The Zero-Down Option Many Florida Buyers Miss
The Challenge It Solves
Many buyers assume USDA loans apply only to farmland or remote rural areas. In Florida, that assumption leaves money on the table. A substantial portion of the state’s suburban and exurban communities — including areas near major metros — fall within USDA-eligible zones, and the program’s zero-down structure combined with lower mortgage insurance costs makes it genuinely competitive.
The Strategy Explained
USDA Rural Development loans require no down payment. The upfront guarantee fee is 1.0% of the loan amount (financed into the loan), and the annual fee is 0.35% of the remaining balance. (Source: rd.usda.gov.) Compare that to FHA’s 1.75% upfront MIP and higher annual MIP — USDA’s mortgage insurance structure is meaningfully less expensive for eligible buyers. A full review of USDA loan eligibility in Florida can confirm whether your target property and household income qualify before you invest time in the application process.
Income limits are set at 115% of HUD Area Median Income for the relevant county. Florida’s no-income-tax environment improves real-world affordability here just as it does with every other loan type — the same gross income qualifies you for the same loan amount, but your actual take-home pay is higher than in comparable-income states with state income tax.
USDA loans are not available for investment properties or vacation homes. The property must be your primary residence, and it must be located in a USDA-eligible area.
Implementation Steps
1. Before falling in love with a property, check USDA eligibility at the USDA Property Eligibility Map (available through rd.usda.gov). Enter the property address to confirm eligibility — this takes under two minutes.
2. Verify your household income against the USDA income limit for your county and household size. Limits are based on 115% of HUD AMI — cross-reference at huduser.gov.
3. Compare the USDA total payment (principal, interest, 0.35% annual fee, taxes, insurance) against an FHA payment on the same property to confirm which product produces the lower monthly cost for your profile.
Pro Tips
USDA does not set a minimum FICO score in its guidelines, but most participating lenders require 640 or above for automated underwriting approval. If your score is between 620 and 639, ask your broker whether manual underwriting is available — some lenders will go lower with compensating factors like strong reserves or a low debt load.
6. Florida Homestead Exemption and Flood Zone Costs — Two Hidden Variables That Change Your Real Payment
The Challenge It Solves
Most loan product comparisons focus on rate, down payment, and mortgage insurance. Two Florida-specific variables can shift your actual monthly payment by hundreds of dollars and are almost never modeled in the initial quote: the homestead exemption and FEMA flood zone designation. Ignoring either one means you’re making a loan product decision based on incomplete payment data.
The Strategy Explained
Florida Statute 196.031 provides a $50,000 assessed value reduction for primary residences. The first $25,000 applies to all taxing authorities; the second $25,000 applies to non-school taxing authorities. (Source: leg.state.fl.us.) The application deadline is March 1 of the tax year. Critically, first-year buyers will typically not see the exemption reflected in their escrow immediately — you must file after closing, and the reduction applies to the following tax year’s assessment.
Worked property tax savings example (illustrative): A home with a $350,000 assessed value in a county with a combined millage rate of 20 mills (2.0%) would have an annual tax bill of approximately $7,000 without the exemption. With the full $50,000 homestead reduction applied to the appropriate taxing authorities, the taxable value drops, producing estimated savings of roughly $600-$1,000 annually depending on how the millage applies across school vs. non-school authorities. That’s $50-$85/month back in your escrow calculation once the exemption takes effect. File promptly. Understanding how these costs interact with your loan product is a core part of qualifying for a home loan in Florida that many buyers overlook until after closing.
Flood zone designation is the second hidden variable. Florida has extensive FEMA Special Flood Hazard Areas. Flood insurance is required for federally backed loans on properties in SFHA zones, and costs vary widely — from modest annual premiums to several thousand dollars per year depending on zone classification, elevation certificate, and structure type. Before making an offer on any Florida property, check the FEMA Map Service Center at msc.fema.gov and ask the seller whether an elevation certificate exists. A property in Zone AE without an elevation certificate can carry a flood insurance premium that adds $200-$400/month or more to your effective housing cost.
Implementation Steps
1. After identifying a property, enter the address at msc.fema.gov and note the flood zone designation. If the property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area, request an elevation certificate and get a flood insurance quote before submitting an offer.
2. Ask your broker to model your escrow estimate both with and without the homestead exemption so you understand the Year 1 payment vs. the stabilized Year 2+ payment after you file.
3. File your homestead exemption application with your county property appraiser’s office by March 1 of the year following your closing. Most Florida counties now allow online filing.
Pro Tips
Florida’s Save Our Homes cap limits annual assessed value increases to 3% or the CPI increase, whichever is lower, once the homestead exemption is in place. This means long-term Florida homeowners are often paying property taxes on an assessed value significantly below market value — another financial advantage that compounds over time and reinforces the case for homeownership here.
7. Matching the Right Loan to Your Profile — A Decision Framework and Comparison Table
The Challenge It Solves
With five distinct loan products available and multiple Florida-specific overlays to consider, the risk for first-time buyers is paralysis or, worse, defaulting to whatever a single lender offers without comparing alternatives. A structured decision framework eliminates that risk by mapping your actual profile to the loan product that fits it best. Working with a mortgage broker rather than a direct lender gives you access to multiple product comparisons simultaneously — a critical advantage when five loan types are on the table.
The Strategy Explained
The right loan product follows from five variables: your FICO score, your available down payment, your income relative to HUD AMI, your property’s location (urban, suburban, rural, flood zone), and your veteran status. Here’s how those variables map to products:
FICO 500-579, limited down payment: FHA with 10% down is the primary option. VA loan if eligible (no FICO floor set by VA). USDA if property is in an eligible zone and lender offers manual underwriting.
FICO 580-679, 3.5% down available: FHA is the primary product. FL Assist or FL HLP DPA can cover most of the down payment requirement. VA if eligible.
FICO 680+, income at or below 80% AMI: HomeReady at 3% down with cancellable PMI often beats FHA on total cost. Run the side-by-side comparison.
FICO 680+, income above 80% AMI: Conventional 97 at 3% down. PMI cancels at 78-80% LTV. No income cap applies.
Veteran/active duty, any FICO: VA loan first, then stack Salute Our Soldiers if Florida Housing terms are favorable. No down payment, no PMI.
Property in USDA-eligible zone, income at or below 115% AMI: USDA zero-down with lower annual fee than FHA. Run the USDA vs. FHA payment comparison before deciding.
Full Loan Product Comparison Table
FHA Loan: FICO floor 580 (3.5% down) | Down payment 3.5% | MIP: 1.75% upfront + annual, life of loan if LTV > 90% | DTI typically up to 43-57% with compensating factors | Florida DPA compatible: yes
Conventional 97 / HomeReady: FICO floor 620+ | Down payment 3% | PMI cancels at 78-80% LTV | DTI typically up to 45% | Florida DPA compatible: yes (HomeReady income limits apply)
VA Loan: FICO floor: VA sets none; lender overlays vary (some to 500) | Down payment 0% | No PMI; funding fee applies (disability-exempt eligible) | DTI flexible with residual income analysis | Florida DPA compatible: yes (Salute Our Soldiers stackable)
USDA Rural Development: FICO floor 640 for automated underwriting (manual underwriting available at some lenders) | Down payment 0% | 1.0% upfront guarantee fee + 0.35% annual fee | DTI typically up to 41-44% | Florida DPA compatible: limited; verify with Florida Housing
FHA + FL Assist DPA: FICO floor 580 | Effective down payment: minimal to nothing out of pocket at closing | MIP structure as FHA + deferred $10,000 second at 0% | DTI: FL Assist adds no monthly payment | Florida DPA compatible: by definition
Implementation Steps
1. Start with a no hard inquiry mortgage pre-approval — a no-touch credit check that evaluates your eligibility across hundreds of lenders without affecting your score. This is the recommended first step before any product decision. Learn exactly how to get pre-approved without a credit check so your score stays protected throughout the comparison process.
2. Request parallel quotes on at least two loan products that match your profile. A broker who shops multiple lenders simultaneously gives you a genuine comparison that a single direct lender cannot provide.
3. Run the three-variable DPA breakeven calculation (Section 4 of this guide) on any DPA product you’re considering before committing to the program rate.
Pro Tips
Working with a broker rather than a single direct lender means your application is evaluated against multiple lender guidelines simultaneously. Different lenders apply different overlays — credit score floors, DTI limits, property type restrictions — and a broker who shops hundreds of lenders at once can find the approval that a single-lender application would miss. Florida’s no-income-tax DTI advantage compounds this: your qualifying power is genuinely stronger here than in most states, and a broker who understands that will use it to your benefit.
Your Implementation Roadmap
The right sequence matters as much as the right loan product. Here’s how to move from where you are now to a confident closing.
Start with a no credit hit mortgage application — a soft pull pre-approval that checks your eligibility across hundreds of lenders without affecting your score. This gives you a real picture of which products you qualify for before you’ve committed to anything.
Then run the three-variable DPA breakeven calculation to determine whether FL Assist or FL HLP makes financial sense for your ownership timeline. If you plan to hold the property for fewer than the breakeven period, DPA is almost always advantageous. If you’re planning a long-term hold without refinancing, model both scenarios carefully.
Check the FEMA flood zone designation at msc.fema.gov on any property you’re seriously considering before you make an offer. If the property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area, get a flood insurance quote and an elevation certificate before your offer goes in — not after.
Verify whether the homestead exemption under Florida Statute 196.031 has been applied to the property or will need to be filed by March 1 of your first ownership year. Model your Year 1 escrow payment without the exemption and your Year 2+ payment with it so you’re not surprised by the difference.
If you’re a veteran or active duty service member, start with the VA loan and explore stacking Salute Our Soldiers through Florida Housing before looking at any other product. No down payment and no PMI is a combination no other loan type matches.
Florida’s no-income-tax DTI advantage means your qualifying power is genuinely stronger here than in most states. Use it. A Florida-licensed mortgage broker who understands the full product landscape — FHA, conventional, VA, USDA, and Florida Housing DPA programs — can model all of these variables together and find the combination that serves your specific profile.
Get your credit-safe consultation today and discover the loan options that fit your life, backed by trusted guidance every step of the way. Your dream home in Florida is closer than you think.
2026 Florida Market Update: Broker-Exclusive DPA Programs, 500+ Lenders, and What’s New for First-Time Buyers
Florida’s 2026 housing market continues to reflect elevated median home prices across the Tampa Bay area, Orlando, Jacksonville, and South Florida corridors. For first-time buyers navigating this environment, the structural advantage of working with a truly independent mortgage broker has never been more consequential — and two broker-exclusive down payment assistance products have emerged as meaningful options beyond the Florida Housing programs covered earlier in this guide.
Dynamo DPA and Turbo DPA: Wholesale-Channel Programs You Won’t Find at a Bank
Beyond FL Assist and FL HLP, two broker-exclusive DPA products are now available through the wholesale channel: Dynamo DPA and Turbo DPA. These are not government programs — they are investor-specific products available only through independent mortgage brokers with broad wholesale access, and they are not offered by retail banks or direct lenders.
Dynamo DPA is structured to help eligible Florida first-time buyers arrive at the closing table with little to nothing out of pocket, covering a portion of down payment and closing costs through a second-lien structure. Its qualification parameters are set at the investor level — not tied to Florida Housing’s AMI thresholds — which means buyers who narrowly exceed FL Assist’s income cap may still find a qualifying path through Dynamo DPA. Terms vary by investor; confirm current parameters with your broker before application.
Turbo DPA is designed for speed. In competitive Florida markets where multiple-offer situations are common — particularly in Orlando, Tampa, and South Florida — Turbo DPA’s faster execution timeline can match the 21–30 day close windows of standard FHA and conventional loans, giving buyers a tactical edge without sacrificing cost assistance. For first-time buyers juggling lease expirations or competing offers, this combination of assistance and closing speed is genuinely valuable.
Both programs are available through the same broker relationship that provides access to FL Assist, FL HLP, and Salute Our Soldiers — meaning first-time buyers can compare all available DPA structures simultaneously from a single soft-pull conversation, with no hard inquiry required to evaluate options.
Broker Independence: Why 500+ Wholesale Lenders Matter for First-Time Buyers
Florida Mortgage Maestro operates as a fully independent mortgage broker — not a retail bank, not captive to any single investor’s product shelf — with access to 500+ wholesale lenders simultaneously. That independence is what makes a genuine multi-lender comparison possible for every first-time buyer scenario covered in this guide: FHA vs. conventional, FL Assist vs. Dynamo DPA, VA with Salute Our Soldiers stacked on top.
With 1,400+ five-star reviews documented across verified platforms, the track record behind this broker network is documented — not self-reported. Florida first-time buyers deserve proof behind the badge, not just marketing language. VA loans are available through the wholesale broker network to borrowers with scores as low as 500 FICO, per VA.gov eligibility guidelines — a path that retail lenders imposing 620+ overlays simply cannot offer.
Soft Pull Mortgage Pre-Qualification: The Right Starting Point in 2026
Before committing to any DPA program, loan type, or lender, Florida first-time buyers should begin with a soft pull mortgage pre-qualification — also referred to as a no credit check mortgage preapproval, mortgage pre-approval without hard pull, or no hard inquiry mortgage pre-approval. Florida Mortgage Maestro’s NoTouch Credit process uses Vantage Score 4.0, a soft-pull credit model, to deliver a real eligibility read across hundreds of programs — including which DPA programs fit, what rate range to expect, and which loan type best matches your specific credit profile — without any impact to your credit score.
In 2026’s Florida market, starting with a soft credit pull mortgage pre-check is not just a convenience — it’s the strategic first move that keeps your score intact while you evaluate every option available to you as a first-time buyer.
Florida DPA Program Terms Confirmed for 2026
Florida Housing Finance Corporation’s primary programs — FL Assist, FL HLP, and Salute Our Soldiers — remain active. Current terms as confirmed at floridahousing.org:
- FL Assist: Up to $10,000 at 0% interest, non-amortizing deferred second mortgage. No monthly payment. Due on sale, refinance, or transfer. Income limits apply by county (HUD AMI-based).
- FL HLP (Home Loan Program): Up to $10,000 at 3% interest, amortizing over 15 years, monthly payment approximately $69. Due in full at payoff of first mortgage if sold or refinanced before 15 years.
- Salute Our Soldiers Military Loan Program: Available to eligible active-duty military, veterans, and surviving spouses. Offers a below-market first mortgage rate plus a DPA second mortgage. Stackable on VA loan benefits for qualifying Florida veterans.
Program availability and terms are subject to change. Always verify current terms at floridahousing.org before any application decision.
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