Topic
14 articles on this topic
The 2026 Florida Hometown Heroes cycle launched July 13 with $50 million — and roughly $25 million remains as of mid-September. Funds are projected to run out around late November. Here's what Tampa Bay buyers need to do right now to reserve assistance before the window closes.
Read More
Buying a home as an unmarried couple in Tampa Bay? Learn how relationship status, household income calculations, first-time buyer rules, and title structure all affect your Florida DPA eligibility — and how to structure your purchase to keep the most assistance on the table.
Read More
Rent-to-own sounds like a path to homeownership, but most Tampa Bay buyers pay far more than they realize. Here's how down payment assistance compares — and why DPA almost always wins.
Read More
Florida DPA programs reserve funding for 60 days from the reservation date. Learn what triggers automatic cancellation, what resets the clock, and how to protect your down payment assistance when your closing timeline runs long.
Read More
The federal recapture tax is one of the most misunderstood aspects of Florida's bond-funded DPA programs. Here's what it actually is, when it applies, how much it costs, and why most Tampa Bay buyers will never owe a dime.
Read More
Think you earn too much for down payment assistance in Florida? Targeted census tracts offer relaxed income limits — up to 120% AMI — and waive first-time buyer requirements. Here's how Tampa Bay buyers can use targeted areas to access DPA they didn't know they qualified for.
Read MoreFlorida offers two conventional loan tracks for down payment assistance: HFA Preferred (Fannie Mae) and HFA Advantage (Freddie Mac). Learn how they differ, which DPA programs pair with each, and how to choose the right one for your Tampa Bay purchase.
Read MoreIn 2026, Tampa Bay buyers are combining seller-funded rate buydowns with Florida DPA programs to attack both the upfront cost and the monthly payment at the same time. Here's exactly how a 2-1 buydown works alongside Hometown Heroes, FL Assist, and county programs.
Read More
Adding a co-borrower can help Tampa Bay buyers qualify for Florida DPA programs — or it can push you over the income limit and disqualify you. Here's exactly how co-borrowers and co-signers interact with Hometown Heroes, FL Assist, and FHA-backed DPA loans in 2026.
Read MoreA Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC) is a federal tax credit that can save Tampa Bay homebuyers up to $2,000 every year — and it stacks directly with down payment assistance programs. Here's how it works, who qualifies in Hillsborough County, and how to claim it.
Read More
The Florida Hometown Heroes program relaunched July 13, 2026 with $50 million in new funding. Learn whether funding is still available, who qualifies, how much you can get, and why Tampa Bay buyers need to act quickly.
Read More
Yes, you can combine an FHA 203(k) renovation loan with down payment assistance in Florida. Here's how Tampa Bay buyers are purchasing fixer-uppers with little to no money out of pocket.
Read MoreThe Florida Hometown Heroes program has two versions — Bond and TBA — that count income differently, accept different loan types, and carry different rates. Learn which one is right for you.
Read More
Florida Housing sets annual purchase price limits that cap the home value eligible for DPA. Learn the 2026 limits for Tampa Bay counties, how targeted areas raise the cap, and what to do if the home exceeds it.
Read More
