Ready to Buy Your First Florida Home?

Ready to Buy Your First Florida Home?

Buying your first home is exciting — but it can also feel overwhelming when you think about down payments and closing costs. The good news: Florida has programs designed to help first-time buyers.

While I’m not a mortgage lender, I work closely with local lending professionals who can walk you through these options and see if you qualify.

Common First-Time Home Buyer Assistance in Florida

Here’s what I often see my clients use when working with their lender:

• Hometown Heroes Housing Program — helps eligible full-time workers (teachers, healthcare, law enforcement, and more) with down payment and closing cost assistance.

• Florida Assist Second Mortgage — a deferred, zero-interest second mortgage that helps with upfront costs (your lender will explain payback details).

• HFA Preferred & HFA Advantage Conventional Loans — special low-down-payment loan options with reduced mortgage insurance.

• Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC) — a potential federal tax credit on a portion of your annual mortgage interest.

Each program has its own rules on income, purchase price, and eligibility. That’s why it’s smart to have a lender review your personal situation early in the process.

Other Local Options

• Some counties and cities offer grants or forgivable loans for first-time buyers. Highlands County occasionally partners with state initiatives or local housing funds.

• USDA Rural Development Loans may work in certain areas if you meet income and location requirements.

Your Next Steps as a First-Time Buyer

1. Connect with a local real estate agent (that’s where I come in!). I can help you identify homes that may qualify and introduce you to lenders experienced with these programs.

2. Talk to a lender early. They’ll review your finances and outline which programs you can use.

3. Get pre-approved. This tells you how much you can afford and what assistance may apply before you start shopping.

4. Start your home search with confidence.

Why It Matters

These programs can make the difference between waiting and buying now. I’ve seen first-time buyers move forward with less cash up front than they expected — because they found the right resources and had the right team.

Bottom line: You don’t need to figure this out alone. If you’re considering buying in Highlands County or anywhere in Florida, I can connect you with local lenders who specialize in first-time buyer programs and guide you through the search and purchase process.

👉 Call or text me at 863-260-8436 if you’re ready to talk about next steps.