Down Payment Assistance Florida  ·  Licensed in Florida (MLB 1987)  ·  NMLS #1630225

Down Payment Assistance Florida — FHA DPA and FL Assist Programs

Down payment assistance in Florida covers the down payment, the closing costs, or both, so you can buy with little or nothing out of pocket. The FHA route takes a 580 score with automated approval and carries no income cap. At the 3.5% tier the second lien can be forgiven after 36 on-time payments; at 5% it is repayable over 10 years at the note rate plus 2%. Alongside that, Florida Housing runs its own programs with their own income limits and credit requirements. Mortgage-World.com (NMLS #1630225, FL License MLB 1987) is a licensed mortgage broker in New Jersey, Connecticut, and Florida.

Last updated September 2026 · reviewed by a licensed mortgage broker

1Check My Florida DPA OptionsA few minutes, no documents yet2Call 888.958.5382Speak with a licensed loan officer3Book a timePick a slot that works for you
★★★★★ 5.0 on GoogleNMLS #1630225 · verify on NMLS Consumer AccessLicensed in NJ · CT · FL (FL MLB 1987)Family owned since 2017 · Ridgefield, NJ
580Minimum Score
With Auto Approval
600Manual Review
On the 3.5% Tier
120 Mo5% Tier Lien
Repayable Term
NoneIncome Cap
On FHA DPA


Your Answer Right Here

Down payment assistance in Florida can cover your down payment and closing costs through Florida Housing and other programs. Below is every Florida down payment assistance option and who qualifies.

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 walk you through your Florida DPA options.


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).

Program DPA Amount Min FICO Income Limit DPA Structure First-Time Buyer Required
FHA 3.5% DPA 3.5% of purchase price or appraised value 580 None Forgivable after 36 payments or repayable 10-yr No
FHA 5% DPA 5% of purchase price or appraised value 580 None Repayable over 10 years at Note Rate + 2% Yes
FL Assist Up to $10,000 deferred second mortgage 640 Yes — varies by county 0% deferred, due on sale/refi/transfer Yes
FL HFA Preferred Grant 3% or 4% of first mortgage amount 640 Yes — income-qualified Grant (no repayment required) Yes

Down Payment Assistance Florida – Mortgage-World.com NMLS 1630225DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE FLORIDA  ·  MORTGAGE-WORLD.COM  ·  NMLS #1630225FHA 3.5% DPAFLORIDACovers FHA down paymentForgivable after 36 paymentsor repayable over 10 years580 FICO minimumNo income cap1st & repeat buyers eligibleFHA 5% DPAFLORIDACovers down payment + costsRepayable 10-yr at Note+2%101.5% CLTV available580 FICO minimumNo income capFirst-time buyers requiredFL ASSIST / HFASTATE PROGRAM FLFL Assist up to $10,0000% deferred second lienIncome limits by county640 FICO minimumPurchase price caps applyStatewide FL coverageWHO QUALIFIESFL BUYERS580+ FICO (FHA DPA)Primary residence FL1st-time & repeat buyersUS Citizens & Perm ResNon-occ co-borrowers OKHUD counseling required
Down Payment Assistance Florida — Mortgage-World.com NMLS #1630225 | FL License MLB 1987 | FHA DPA · FL Assist Programs | 888.958.5382


How It Works

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.
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  3. We ask for documents and pull credit

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Frequently Asked Questions

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.
Do I have to take a homebuyer education course?
On the 5% tier, yes. At least one borrower has to complete HUD-approved counselling, and the certificate has to be in the file before you close. The 3.5% tier does not carry that requirement. If you are heading for the 5% amount it is worth booking the course early rather than at the end, because it is one of the few conditions you cannot clear in a day.
Can a parent or relative go on the loan to help me qualify?
Yes. The FHA down payment assistance programs allow non-occupant co-borrowers, so a parent or a relative who will not be living in the home can still be on the loan and have their income counted. The home itself has to stay owner-occupied by whoever is living there, and that holds on both the 3.5% and the 5% tiers.
Does the assistance second lien count against my debt-to-income ratio?
On the 5% tier it does. That lien is fully amortizing over 120 months at your first mortgage note rate plus 2%, so it has a monthly payment and underwriting counts it. On the 3.5% tier the forgivable version has no monthly payment at all, which is the practical reason a borrower who is tight on debt-to-income often lands there rather than on the larger amount.

Related down payment pages: Down payment assistance overview · New Jersey down payment assistance · Connecticut down payment assistance.

Related Resources

Which Florida Assistance Route Fits?

Florida DPABoth routes, side by sideYou are hereFlorida FHA loanThe first mortgage the assistance sits onCompareFL first-time buyerWhat else you can stack on topCompareHome Possible3% down, if you fit the income limitCompare
Related Down Payment Assistance ProgramsFL FHA requirementsFHA down paymentGet pre-approved
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Licensed in
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NMLS #1630225
Florida license
MLB 1987
Family owned since
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Office
Ridgefield, NJ

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A licensed loan officer can check your score and your income against both routes and tell you which one puts more toward the down payment.

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✓580 with automated approval, 600 for manual on the 3.5% tier
✓No income cap on the FHA route
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Written and reviewed by Chris Luis, Broker/Owner of Mortgage-World.com, NMLS #1630225. About the author

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