Florida Bond Program for Buyers

FL Bond Program - Up to $7,500 toward Down Payment Assistance

One of the first steps in the home buying process is to consult with a mortgage lender about your financing options. When you know what you can afford, you can focus your home search and make your move more quickly when you find the property you want.

As the consumer, it’s your right to freely choose who you feel most comfortable to work with. We have many vendors whom our team can connect you with; just ask us and we can send you over a full list. Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation is one of our trusted mortgage lenders.

About the FL Bond Program

1st Mortgage Program

The Florida Bond program allows 1st time home buyers to acquire an FHA, USDA, VA, or Conventional loan that range from 95%-100% LTV (loan-to-value ratio). That means that many 1st time home buyers will be able to secure a low-interest home loan through the FL Bond program with little to no money down.

Here are your down payment options under the FL Bond program:

USDA– 0% down
VA– 0% down
FHA– 3.5% down
Conventional– 3% or 5% down

Down Payment Assistance

Through the Florida Bond program, 1st time home buyers will qualify for the Florida Assist down payment assistance loan, which provides a $7,500 loan with a 30-year term, 0% interest and $0 payments as long as you occupy and do not refinance the property.

Buyers using the Conventional Bond program have the choice to receive a grant equal to 3% of the sale price of the home and is not required to be paid back after 5 years of living in the home.

For example, a buyer buying a $250,000 home using a Conventional loan under the FL Bond program will receive a $7,500 grant that will be forgiven after 5 years.

Commonly Asked Questions

Who qualifies as a 1st time home buyer? The answer might surprise you...

A FIRST-TIME HOME BUYER IS DEFINED AS AN INDIVIDUAL WHO HAS NOT OWNED AND OCCUPIED A PRIMARY RESIDENCE WITHIN THE PAST THREE YEARS.
Under this definition, you may still qualify for the Florida Bond program even if you have purchased and currently own a home! Finally, Veterans are exempt from the 1st time homebuyer requirement.

How does the Florida Bond Program work?

The Florida Bond program is offered through the Florida Housing Finance Corporation and is available to borrowers through certain local and approved lenders. In order to offer the FL Bond program, loan originators must be certified.?All loans under the FL Bond program are sold after origination to the Florida Housing Finance Corporation and are serviced by US Bank.
THE GOAL OF THE FLORIDA BOND PROGRAM IS TO MAKE HOME OWNERSHIP IN FLORIDA MORE AFFORDABLE FOR FIRST-TIME HOME BUYERS. Under this definition, you may still qualify for the Florida Bond program even if you have purchased and currently own a home! Finally, Veterans are exempt from the 1st time homebuyer requirement.

What are the Income & Property Value limits?

All programs have income limits as of 1/2020.

FLORIDA ASSIST= Loan up to $7500, 0% down, 30 year deferred

FLORIDA HLP= Loan up to $10,000, 3% down, 15 year amortizing

FLORIDA 3% AND 4%, PLUS SECOND MORTGAGE= 0% Interest, 5 year deferred and forgiven at 20% per year

PLUS SECOND (Assistance Amount) remains as 3% or 4% of the purchase price and is automatically calculated.

HOUSING FINANCE AUTHORITY = Loan up to $7500, 0% down, 30 year deferred

Here are the income limits for Seminole County:

1-2 household family member – $69,400

3-4 household family members – $79,810

The property value limit is $283,348 (Non-targeted) and $346,315 in Seminole County.

Interest Rate and income limits for the FL Housing First Time Homebuyer Program The interest rate for the FL Bond Program changes over time. Your lender will be able to confirm the current interest rate once you are pre-approved.