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

Down Payment Assistance Florida — The 3.5% and 5% FHA Programs

Down payment assistance in Florida covers the down payment, the closing costs, or both, depending on the tier, so less of the money at closing has to come from you. Our FHA assistance 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%. Mortgage-World.com (NMLS #1630225, FL License MLB 1987) is a licensed mortgage broker in New Jersey, Connecticut, and Florida.

Last updated October 2026 · reviewed by a licensed mortgage broker

1Check My Florida DPA OptionsA few minutes, no documents yet 2Call 888.958.5382Speak with a licensed loan officer 3Book 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 through Mortgage-World.com is an FHA program in two tiers. It can cover your down payment, and on the 5% tier part of your closing costs too. Below is how each tier works and who qualifies.

What Down Payment Assistance Programs Are Available in Florida?

The down payment assistance we place in Florida is a wholesale FHA DPA program, available through licensed mortgage brokers like Mortgage-World.com. Here is what you need to know before you meet with a lender.

The FHA DPA programs available through Mortgage-World.com pair a 30- or 25-year fixed FHA first mortgage with a second lien worth either 3.5% or 5% of the purchase price, or of the appraised value if that is lower. That second lien covers your FHA minimum down payment in full, and on the 5% tier it also reaches part of your closing costs. 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 forgivable, forgiven at your request after 36 consecutive on-time payments. It can also be a repayable second at the first mortgage note rate plus 2%, paid off over 10 years.

You may also come across Florida’s state assistance, run by the Florida Housing Finance Corporation. It is a separate set of programs with its own eligibility rules, and they are not ones we offer. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development keeps a directory of assistance programs and HUD-approved housing counseling agencies for Florida buyers.

A free mortgage review with Mortgage-World.com shows you what each FHA tier would put toward your purchase. Call 888.958.5382 or apply online and we will walk you through your Florida DPA options.

Program Comparison

FHA DPA 3.5% vs 5% — Florida Program Comparison at a Glance

The two FHA down payment assistance tiers available through Mortgage-World.com (NMLS #1630225, FL License MLB 1987), side by side.

Program	DPA Amount	Min FICO	Manual Underwriting	Second Lien	Max CLTV
FHA 3.5% DPA	3.5% of the lower of price or appraised value	580	Allowed, 600 minimum	Forgivable after 36 payments, or repayable over 10 years	100%
FHA 5% DPA	5% of the lower of price or appraised value	580	Not allowed — AUS approval required	Repayable over 10 years at Note Rate + 2%	101.5%

Down Payment Assistance Florida — Mortgage-World.com NMLS #1630225 | FL License MLB 1987 | FHA DPA 3.5% · 5% 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 qualify 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: How Prices Affect Your Assistance

Florida is a large and varied real estate market, and Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach County buyers face higher home prices than most of the state. The assistance is a percentage of the price, not a fixed dollar amount, so it grows with the house. There is no income cap, and both standard and high-balance FHA loan amounts are eligible, so your ceiling is the FHA loan limit for the county you buy in.

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

Choosing 3.5% or 5%

Pick 3.5% if you want the option of a forgivable second
Pick 3.5% if your file needs manual underwriting (600 minimum)
Pick 5% if you need more of your closing costs covered
The 5% tier needs an automated underwriting approval
A repayable second, on either tier, counts in your debt-to-income ratio

Eligible Property Types in Florida

Owner-occupied primary residence in Florida
Single family detached and attached homes (1 unit)
Two-unit (duplex) properties
Planned Unit Developments and townhouses
FHA-approved condominiums without active litigation
Manufactured homes: double-wide only
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)

Not sure which program you clear?
Start your Florida application

Before You Start

What Happens After You Apply

You send the application
A few minutes online. No documents at this stage.
A licensed loan officer calls you
Someone on our team covering your state.
We ask for documents and pull credit
Only once you have decided to move forward.
You get an approval to shop with
Typically back within the hour.

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!!”

— Joel F.

Frequently Asked Questions: Down Payment Assistance Florida

What is the best down payment assistance program in Florida?

For many buyers, the 3.5% FHA DPA with the forgivable second is the place to start: a 580 minimum score, no income cap, and the second lien can be forgiven at your request after 36 on-time payments. The 5% tier puts more toward your costs, but it is always repaid and needs an automated approval. Mortgage-World.com (NMLS #1630225, FL License MLB 1987) will price both for you. Call 888.958.5382.

How much down payment assistance can I get in Florida?

The FHA DPA programs provide 3.5% or 5% of the purchase price, or of the appraised value if that is lower. On a $350,000 Florida home, that is $12,250 to $17,500. Because it is a percentage, the amount rises with the price, which helps in South Florida and the Orlando area.

Do I have to be a first-time home buyer for Florida down payment assistance?

No. Both the 3.5% and 5% FHA DPA programs are open to first-time and repeat buyers who meet the credit and property guidelines. The home does have to be your primary residence.

What is the minimum credit score for down payment assistance in Florida?

The minimum is 580 on both FHA DPA tiers in Florida when the loan gets an automated approval. If your file has to be manually underwritten, the 3.5% tier needs a 600 score, and the 5% tier cannot be manually underwritten at all. Call 888.958.5382 and we will tell you which applies to you.

Does Florida down payment assistance have to be repaid?

It depends on the tier. The 3.5% forgivable second has no monthly payment and can be forgiven at your request after 36 consecutive on-time first mortgage payments. The repayable version is paid back over 10 years at the first mortgage rate plus 2%. The 5% tier is always repayable, on those same terms. We will show you what payback looks like before you commit.

Is there an income limit for down payment assistance in Florida?

No. 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, whatever the income. Call 888.958.5382.

Can Florida down payment assistance cover closing costs?

Yes, within limits. The 5% FHA DPA tier allows up to 101.5% CLTV, so the assistance can cover the full down payment plus part of your closing costs. On the 3.5% tier the assistance matches the FHA minimum down payment, so closing costs usually come from you or a seller credit. A seller- or builder-paid 2-1 buydown is permitted on the 3.5% tier within the FHA 6% interested party contribution limit.

Do I have to take a homebuyer education course?

Yes, on both tiers. At least one borrower has to complete HUD-approved counseling, and the certificate has to be in the file before you close. 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?

It does whenever the second has a payment. On the 5% tier the lien is fully amortizing over 120 months at your first mortgage note rate plus 2%, so underwriting counts that payment, and the same goes for the repayable version of the 3.5% tier. The forgivable 3.5% 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.