Down payment assistance Florida programs help home buyers cover the upfront cost of purchasing a home through grants, forgivable second liens, and deferred DPA loans. Mortgage-World.com (NMLS #1630225, FL License MLB 1987) is a licensed Florida mortgage broker offering FHA DPA programs with 3.5% and 5% assistance and FL Assist state housing programs for Florida buyers. Down payment assistance Florida is also called Florida DPA, FL home buyer assistance, Florida closing cost assistance, FL Assist program, and Florida homeownership assistance.
Down Payment Assistance Florida — FHA DPA & FL Assist Programs for Florida Home Buyers
Down payment assistance in Florida gives qualified buyers the funds to cover their down payment and closing costs so they can purchase a home with little or nothing out of pocket. Whether you are a first-time buyer in Miami, Orlando, Tampa, or Jacksonville, or a repeat buyer who meets the guidelines anywhere in the state, Florida home buyer assistance programs pair an FHA first mortgage with a forgivable or deferred DPA second lien. Mortgage-World.com (NMLS #1630225, FL License MLB 1987) is a licensed Florida mortgage broker with access to wholesale FHA DPA programs through multiple loan programs as well as FL Assist state programs — and we compare both to find the highest DPA benefit you qualify for.
What Down Payment Assistance Programs Are Available in Florida?
Florida home buyers have two strong paths to down payment assistance: wholesale FHA DPA programs available through licensed mortgage brokers and Florida Housing Finance Corporation (FL Assist) state programs designed for income-qualified first-time buyers. Knowing the difference between them is the fastest way to find out what you qualify for before you ever meet with a lender.
The FHA DPA programs available through Mortgage-World.com pair a 30-year fixed FHA first mortgage with a second lien worth either 3.5% or 5% of the purchase price. That second lien covers your FHA minimum down payment requirement in full, and in many cases it extends to closing costs as well. There is no income cap on these programs — any borrower in Florida who qualifies for FHA financing can use them — and the minimum credit score is 580. The 3.5% second lien can be structured as a forgivable lien that disappears after 36 consecutive on-time payments. Alternatively it can be structured as a repayable second at the first mortgage note rate plus 2%, amortized over 10 years.
The Florida Housing Finance Corporation FL Assist program provides up to $10,000 as a 0% deferred second mortgage with no monthly payment, due only upon sale, refinance, transfer, or payoff of the first mortgage. FL Assist pairs with Florida Housing’s first mortgage products and requires first-time buyer status — defined as no primary residence ownership in the past three years. Income limits and purchase price caps apply by county across Florida. The Florida Housing Finance Corporation publishes its current income and purchase price limits on their official website. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development also maintains a complete directory of approved DPA programs and HUD-approved housing counseling agencies for Florida buyers.
A free mortgage review with Mortgage-World.com shows you both options side by side. Call 888.958.5382 or apply online and we will pull your Florida DPA options from our network of multiple loan programs.
Program Comparison
FHA DPA vs FL Assist — Florida Program Comparison at a Glance
Compare the main Florida home buyer assistance programs available through Mortgage-World.com (NMLS #1630225, FL License MLB 1987).
How the Second Lien Structure Works for Florida Buyers
When you use an FHA DPA program in Florida, two loans close on the same day. The first is a standard FHA mortgage at 96.5% LTV. The second is the DPA lien covering the 3.5% minimum FHA down payment. Together they reach a CLTV of 100% on the 3.5% program, or up to 101.5% on the 5% program — meaning you can buy a Florida home with no down payment out of pocket. Before closing, at least one borrower on the loan must complete a course from a HUD-approved Florida housing counseling agency. After closing, 36 consecutive on-time first mortgage payments qualifies you to request the forgivable DPA second lien be discharged with no remaining balance. The repayable DPA adds a second monthly payment for 10 years at the Note Rate plus 2%, then drops off entirely.
South Florida, Orlando, and Tampa: What to Know About Purchase Price Caps
Florida is a large and varied real estate market. Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach County buyers face higher home prices, and the wholesale FHA DPA program has no purchase price ceiling beyond the current FHA conforming loan limit for each Florida county. For buyers in South Florida or the Orlando metro whose target purchase price exceeds the FL Assist county cap, the FHA DPA program delivers the higher dollar benefit without income limits. In more affordable markets across North Florida and the Panhandle, FL Assist’s $10,000 deferred second can be an excellent fit for income-qualified buyers looking to minimize out-of-pocket costs at closing.
Who Qualifies in FL
Qualifying for Florida Home Buyer Assistance: Credit, Income & Property
Borrower Requirements (FHA DPA)
Minimum 580 FICO for AUS-approved FHA DPA loans (3.5% and 5%)
Minimum 600 FICO if using manual underwriting on the 3.5% DPA
First-time and repeat home buyers are both eligible on FHA DPA
U.S. Citizens and Permanent Resident Aliens
Non-occupant co-borrowers allowed on FHA DPA programs
No income cap on qualifying income for FHA DPA programs
At least one borrower must complete HUD-approved housing counseling
Borrower Requirements (FL Assist / HFA)
First-time home buyer (no primary residence ownership in past 3 years)
Minimum 640 FICO for FL Assist and FL HFA Preferred programs
Income at or below Florida Housing income limits for county and household size
Purchase price must fall within Florida Housing county purchase price caps
Must purchase and occupy the property as primary residence in Florida
Homebuyer education completion required before closing
Eligible Property Types in Florida
Owner-occupied primary residence in Florida
Single family detached and attached homes (1 unit)
Two-unit (duplex) properties with FHA DPA program
Planned Unit Developments and townhouses
FHA-approved condominiums without active litigation
Manufactured homes (double-wide): 620 FICO, 20-yr repayable DPA term
Investment properties and second homes are not eligible
Loan Structure & Terms
FHA first mortgage: 96.5% LTV, 30-year or 25-year fixed rate
Standard and high-balance Florida FHA loan limits both eligible
Forgivable DPA: no monthly payment; forgiven after 36 on-time payments
Repayable DPA: Note Rate + 2%, amortized over 10 years
2-1 buydown allowed on 3.5% DPA (seller/builder paid only)
FL Broker Advantage: Mortgage-World.com (NMLS #1630225, FL License MLB 1987) compares wholesale FHA DPA programs and FL Assist state options for every Florida buyer. The FHA DPA programs have no income cap — a key advantage for South Florida and Central Florida buyers whose income exceeds Florida Housing limits. We find the program that delivers the most down payment assistance for your purchase.
Related Resources
Related Mortgage Pages
Florida assistance stacks with these programs. Here is what to compare.
Find out exactly what you qualify for — free, no obligation.
What Clients Say
Real Reviews From Our Clients
Here’s what a few of our clients said about working with Mortgage-World.com.
★★★★★
“Chris Luis is the BEST mortgage broker on this planet! If you’re looking to buy a home, definitely give him a call. Chris will go above and beyond to try to help you!”
— Tanya W.
★★★★★
“I had an opportunity to work with Chris when I did my refinancing. I would highly recommend his services to anyone. He was efficient, helpful and very prompt in responding.”
— Aurora T.
★★★★★
“Julia Luis has been very professional and has been very helpful during the process! Anyone looking for someone to assist them in their future adventures needs to have her on your side! Thank you for being there for me!!”
Frequently Asked Questions: Down Payment Assistance Florida
What is the best down payment assistance program in Florida?
The best Florida down payment assistance program depends on your income, credit score, and purchase price. For most buyers, the FHA 3.5% DPA forgivable program leads — no income cap, 580 minimum FICO, and the second lien is forgiven after 36 on-time payments. For income-qualified first-time buyers under Florida Housing limits, the FL Assist $10,000 deferred second mortgage is also a strong option. Mortgage-World.com (NMLS #1630225, FL License MLB 1987) compares both. Call 888.958.5382.
How much down payment assistance can I get in Florida?
FHA DPA programs provide 3.5% or 5% of the purchase price — on a $350,000 Florida home that is $12,250 to $17,500. The FL Assist program provides a fixed $10,000 deferred second mortgage for income-qualified first-time buyers. The FL HFA Preferred Grant covers 3% to 4% of the first mortgage amount and requires no repayment. Because FHA DPA programs have no income cap, they often deliver a higher dollar amount for South Florida and Central Florida buyers where purchase prices exceed state program ceilings.
Do I have to be a first-time home buyer for Florida down payment assistance?
No. Both the FHA 3.5% and 5% DPA programs are open to first-time and repeat buyers who meet credit and property guidelines. FL Assist and FL HFA programs do require first-time buyer status — defined as no primary residence ownership in the past three years. If you do not qualify under Florida Housing’s first-time buyer definition, the wholesale FHA DPA program is your path to Florida down payment help.
What is the minimum credit score for down payment assistance in Florida?
The minimum credit score for FHA 3.5% and 5% DPA programs in Florida is 580 FICO. Manual underwriting on the 3.5% DPA requires a 600 minimum FICO. FL Assist and FL HFA programs generally require a 640 minimum FICO. If your score is between 580 and 639, the wholesale FHA DPA program is your primary path to Florida down payment help. Mortgage-World.com works with buyers across the credit spectrum — call 888.958.5382 to review your options.
Does Florida down payment assistance have to be repaid?
It depends on the program. The FHA 3.5% DPA forgivable structure carries no monthly payment on the second lien and is forgiven at your request after 36 consecutive on-time first mortgage payments — meaning after three years it disappears with no balance owed. The repayable DPA structure amortizes the second lien over 10 years at the first mortgage rate plus 2%. The 5% DPA is always repayable. FL Assist carries no monthly payment and is deferred until sale, refinance, or transfer of the property. Our team at Mortgage-World.com walks every Florida buyer through exactly what payback looks like before committing to any program.
Is there an income limit for down payment assistance in Florida?
The FHA DPA programs through Mortgage-World.com (NMLS #1630225, FL License MLB 1987) carry no income cap — any Florida buyer who qualifies for FHA financing can use them. This is especially valuable for South Florida and Orlando-area buyers whose income exceeds Florida Housing thresholds. FL Assist and FL HFA programs apply income caps that vary by county and household size. We compare both for every buyer. Call 888.958.5382.
Can Florida down payment assistance cover closing costs?
Yes. The 5% FHA DPA program provides up to 101.5% CLTV, allowing DPA funds to cover the full down payment plus some closing costs. On the 3.5% program, excess DPA can also be applied toward closing costs. A seller or builder-paid 2-1 buydown is permitted on the 3.5% program within FHA’s 6% interested party contribution limit. FL Assist’s $10,000 can also be applied toward both down payment and closing costs for FL Housing-eligible buyers.
Ready to Find Your Florida Down Payment Assistance?
Mortgage-World.com compares wholesale FHA DPA programs and FL Assist state options for Florida buyers to find the highest DPA benefit you qualify for. No income cap on FHA DPA. 580 minimum FICO. Free review, no obligation. Licensed FL Mortgage Broker | NMLS #1630225 | FL License MLB 1987 | 535 Bergen Blvd, Suite 2, Ridgefield, NJ 07657 | 888.958.5382
Written By: Chris Luis — Broker/Owner, Mortgage-World.com — NMLS #1630225
I’ve been originating mortgage loans for over 20 years, since 2002. Mortgage-World.com has operated as a licensed mortgage broker since 2017, working across multiple loan programs — FHA, VA, conventional, jumbo, and Non-QM. Down payment assistance in Florida stacks with most of them; the trick is knowing which combination you actually qualify for.
Purchase
Buy a home for the first time with a minimum 500 credit score. Get started today!
