Duval County Home Sweet Home Program
Available Assistance
With the Home Sweet Home program, eligible first-time homebuyers can receive a 30-year deferred, zero-interest second mortgage, up to $7,500. The funds must be used for down payment and/or closing costs. The second mortgage is never forgiven and must be repaid when the home is refinanced, sold, foreclosed on, or if the borrower ceases to live in the property.
Eligibility Requirements
All applicants and their spouses (occupant and non-occupant) must be first-time buyers and permanent residents of the U.S. They must complete an approved pre-purchase homebuyer education course, have a FICO score of 640 or higher, and fall within the program’s set income limits (shown below).
Property Guidelines
Any home purchased with funds from the Home Sweet Home Hillsborough Program must serve as the applicants’ primary residence and fall within the maximum purchase price limit of the $225,000. This price must include everything paid by the buyer or on the buyer's behalf. Eligible property types include new or existing one- to four-unit detached or attached homes, condos, and townhomes. Buyers are also required to occupy the property within 60 days of closing.
Income Limits
The household income is considered for ALL borrower(s), spouses, and anyone 18 years or older.
FHA, USDA-RD, and VA Loans:
1 - 2 person household: $78,865
3 or more person household: $90,694
Seller-funded down payment programs were eliminated in the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008, but states and local government agencies are still permitted to help borrowers finance their homes with second mortgages and grants. These agencies set different requirements that a borrower needs to meet in order to qualify for the grant programs, such as property location, and purchase price and income limits.
Note: All figures mentioned above were accurate at the time of publication and may no longer be current. Visit the program website for updated information.
First-Time Homebuyer Programs in Florida
Miami First Time Homebuyer Program
The City of Miami's First Time Homebuyer program helps eligible applicants purchase their first home by providing low-interest assistance loans.
City of Orlando First-Time Homebuyer Program
The City of Orlando's Down Payment Assistance (DPA) Program provides assistance to qualified first-time homebuyers for the down payment and closing costs associated with purchasing a home.
The Tallahassee Lenders' Consortium First-Time Homebuyer Program
The Tallahassee Lenders' Consortium First-Time Homebuyer Program provides down payment assistance to first-time homebuyers, lessening the burden of upfront costs associated with the mortgage process.
City of St. Petersburg Purchase Assistance Program
The City of St. Petersburg offers eligible applicants assistance with the Purchase Assistance Program to help them afford the upfront costs of buying a new home.
Duval County Home Sweet Home Program
The Home Sweet Home Program helps income-eligible applicants by offering down payment and closing cost assistance
Housing Choice Voucher Homeownership Option
The Housing Authority of the City of Fort Lauderdale's Housing Choice Voucher Homeownership Option offers eligible first-time homebuyers monthly assistance to purchase a home rather than rent.
First-time homebuyer assistance programs and/or grants were researched by the team at FHA.com. Please note that all programs listed on this website may involve a second mortgage with payments that are forgiven, deferred, or subsidized in some manner until resale of the mortgaged property.
FHA.com's compilation is not a complete list, but it can serve as a starting point in your search for the down payment assistance program or grant for your situation. It is up to the consumer to contact these entities and find out the specifics of each program.
Do you know what's on your credit report?
Learn what your score means.
