18 Florida First-Time Home Buyer Assistance Programs

Struggling to buy a house? A Florida first-time home buyer grant may be able to help. These city or county programs provide money you can put toward a down payment, closing costs and other expenses that are typically part of the homebuying process.

What is a first-time home buyer grant?

First-time home buyer assistance is available throughout the Sunshine State. A variety of entities offer these grants, including local governments, community development organizations and nonprofits.

Some are true grants that don’t have to be repaid. Others are forgivable loans that don't have to be paid back if you reach a certain threshold, like having lived in the home for 10 years. Many are deferred, zero-interest loans. These loans don't accrue interest, but they do have to be repaid when you sell, refinance or finish paying off the primary mortgage. Even though they don't have required payments, it's a good idea to pay a little over time so you aren't stuck having to pay back a deferred loan all at once.

Each assistance program has its own terms, conditions and eligibility requirements, but generally, you must:

• Be a first-time home buyer, as defined by the program.

• Take a home buyer education course.

• Stay within income limits.

• Stay within purchase price limits.

• Buy a property in an approved location.

• Use the home as your primary residence.

In addition to the grants listed here, you may qualify for other Florida programs designed to make homebuying more affordable. The Florida Housing Finance Corporation offers mortgages packaged with assistance in the form of zero-interest deferred loans and forgivable loans that you might find helpful.

» MORE: How down payment assistance programs work