Down Payment Assistance for Florida’s Hometown Heroes
If you’re a teacher, nurse, veteran or other public service worker in Florida looking to buy your first home, you should ask your Loan Officer if you qualify for the Florida Hometown Heroes program.
In 2023, $100 million of funding for this program was exhausted in just two months, helping over 6,400 families purchase a home.1 With new funding being added in July 2024, you’ll want to act fast to take advantage of this program!
What is the Florida Hometown Heroes Program?
The Florida Hometown Heroes program is a Down Payment Assistance (DPA) program that aims to help Florida’s everyday heroes afford homes in the communities they serve.
It offers down payment and closing cost assistance, lower-than-market interest rates on certain loan types and reduced fees to help homebuyers ease into homeownership.
What are the benefits of the Florida Hometown Heroes Program?
This program is designed to ease first-time Florida homebuyers into homeownership. If you qualify, you may receive:
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Up to 5% of the first loan mortgage amount (maximum $35,000) in down payment and closing costs assistance
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A lower-than-market interest rate on a conventional, FHA, VA or USDA first mortgage
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Reduced upfront fees
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No origination points or discount points
How is the down payment assistance provided?
The down payment and closing cost assistance of the Florida Hometown Heroes program comes in the form of a second mortgage. The second loan will be:
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0% interest: You won’t need to pay interest on the down payment assistance
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30-year deferred: The second mortgage will only be due after 30 years, often after your first loan mortgage amount would be paid off
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Non-amortizing: You’ll need to pay the DPA back in a lump sum at the conclusion of the loan term, rather than paying in installments
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Due in full if you sell, refinance, transfer or no longer occupy the property as your primary residence
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Not forgivable
Who is eligible for the Florida Hometown Heroes Program?
You may be eligible for this DPA program if:
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You work full-time (35+ hours a week) for a Florida-based employer
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You are a first-time homebuyer or you are a veteran
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You have a credit score of 640+
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You earn less than 150% of the area median income, according to local county data
Professions that may qualify for this program include, but are not limited to:
Your Loan Officer can help you determine whether you qualify for this and other Down Payment Assistance programs. To connect with a local Loan Officer, get pre-qualified today.
How do I apply for the Florida Hometown Heroes Program?
To take advantage of the Florida Hometown Heroes program, you’ll first need to connect with a participating Loan Officer.
At Lennar Mortgage, we specialize in financing new construction Lennar homes. After learning more about you, we’ll connect you with a local Loan Officer who will guide you through every step of your application. They can help you determine if you qualify for the Florida Hometown Heroes program, as well as walking you through other available Down Payment Assistance programs.
Learn if you qualify for this program: Get pre-qualified today!
Sources
1 Florida Housing Finance Corporation Reopens the Hometown Heroes Program with Additional Funds to Assist Homebuyers, Florida Housing Finance Corporation
2 Governor Ron DeSantis Announces Hometown Heroes Program Has Provided $100 Million in Down Payment Assistance to Florida’s Hometown Workers, FLGov.com
3 Hometown Heroes Program, Florida Housing Finance Corporation
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