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67 articles on this topic
Sun City Center and Wimauma are two of South Hillsborough County's most affordable communities for homebuyers. Discover which DPA programs cover both areas, current income limits, and how to stack assistance in 2026.
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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.
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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.
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Florida DPA programs including Hometown Heroes and FL Assist can be used on 2–4 unit owner-occupied properties. Learn how to buy a duplex in Tampa Bay with little out of pocket and use rental income to offset your mortgage.
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Tampa, St. Petersburg, and West Tampa are launching community land trust programs in 2026. Learn how CLT homes work, whether you can combine them with down payment assistance, and what resale restrictions buyers need to know.
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Earn commission, bonuses, overtime, or seasonal pay? Here's exactly how Florida DPA lenders calculate variable income — and what Tampa Bay buyers can do to maximize their qualifying amount.
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Buying a home in a FEMA flood zone in Tampa Bay affects your insurance costs, DTI ratio, and DPA eligibility. Here's how to navigate flood zone designations and still use down payment assistance in 2026.
Read MoreFlorida property taxes are escrowed into your monthly mortgage payment and directly affect your DTI ratio — and how much home you can afford with down payment assistance. Learn how Tampa Bay tax bills work for DPA buyers in 2026.
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The HUD Good Neighbor Next Door program lets eligible Florida teachers, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and EMTs buy HUD-owned homes at 50% off list price. Here's how it works, what properties qualify, and how Tampa Bay buyers can use it in 2026.
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Military spouses in Tampa Bay can access Florida's DPA programs even with employment gaps from PCS moves. Here's how Hometown Heroes, FL Assist, and other programs work for military families near MacDill AFB.
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.
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Thinking about buying a townhome in Tampa Bay using down payment assistance? Learn which DPA programs work, how HOA fees affect approval, and what townhome communities fit within Florida's purchase price limits in 2026.
Read MoreAge is never a disqualifier for Florida's down payment assistance programs. Retired and near-retirement buyers in Tampa Bay can qualify using Social Security, pension, and retirement distributions as income. Learn which programs work best and how to get approved.
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Florida's home insurance crisis is adding thousands of dollars a year to the cost of homeownership. Learn how rising premiums affect your mortgage approval, your DTI ratio, and why down payment assistance matters more than ever for Tampa Bay buyers in 2026.
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Non-U.S. citizens including green card holders and certain visa holders can qualify for down payment assistance in Florida. Learn which FHFC programs are available, what documentation you need, and how to buy a home in Tampa Bay as a non-citizen.
Read MoreThe Florida Homeownership Loan Program (FL HLP) is a down payment assistance option that comes with a small monthly payment. Here's how it works, how it compares to FL Assist, and when Tampa Bay buyers should consider it.
Read MoreWhen a home appraises below the purchase price, DPA buyers face a compounding problem: the assistance amount shrinks AND the gap grows. Here's how Florida's DPA programs handle low appraisals — and your options to save the deal in Tampa Bay's 2026 market.
Read MoreWest Pasco buyers in Port Richey, Holiday, and Hudson can access up to $52,500 in stacked DPA — and the area's lower price points make the Pasco County SHIP program's $330,000 cap actually workable here. Here's what's available in 2026.
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ARM rates run 0.75–1.25% below 30-year fixed rates in 2026. But can you combine an adjustable-rate mortgage with Florida's DPA programs? Here's what actually works — and what doesn't.
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Tampa Bay HOA fees jumped 17.2% in 2026 — the steepest increase in the nation. Here's how those costs affect your debt-to-income ratio, your DPA approval, and your ability to close.
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Can you use Florida DPA on an assumable FHA or VA mortgage? Not exactly — and the reason matters. Here's how to compare assuming a low-rate loan versus using DPA to buy in Tampa Bay.
Read MoreUsing DPA in Florida doesn't mean you're stuck with high PMI forever. Learn how HFA Preferred loans offer reduced mortgage insurance, how FHA MIP compares, and how to calculate your true monthly cost with DPA.
Read MoreDown payment assistance solves your upfront problem. Florida's homestead exemption solves the ongoing one. Here's how first-time Tampa Bay buyers who used DPA can stack both benefits and cut their housing costs for the life of the loan.
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Should you tap your retirement account or use a DPA program to cover your down payment? In most cases, Florida's DPA programs are the smarter move — but there are situations where using both makes sense. Here's how to think through it.
Read MoreBuyers in Palm Harbor, Dunedin, and Safety Harbor have access to Pinellas County DPA (up to $75,000, now accepting applications), Florida Hometown Heroes, FL Assist, and Home Key Plus. Here's how North Pinellas buyers use these programs in 2026.
Read MoreMoving to Tampa Bay from another state? You can still qualify for Florida down payment assistance programs — including FL Assist, HFA Preferred PLUS, and Hometown Heroes. Here's exactly how DPA works for relocating buyers in 2026.
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In 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.
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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 MoreZephyrhills and Dade City are among the most affordable markets in the Tampa Bay region — and multiple down payment assistance programs serve east Pasco County buyers in 2026. Here's what's available, what it pays, and how to qualify.
Read MoreFlorida's average homeowners insurance premium tops $8,000 a year — and if you're using down payment assistance, that monthly cost hits your debt-to-income ratio in ways most buyers don't see coming. Here's how to protect your approval before it's too late.
Read MorePlant City buyers can access Florida Hometown Heroes (relaunched July 2026 with $50M), FL Assist, and Hillsborough County DPA — and Plant City's affordable prices mean the numbers work better here than almost anywhere else in Hillsborough County.
Read MoreWesley Chapel buyers can access Florida Hometown Heroes (relaunched July 2026 with $50M), FL Assist, and the new Home Key Plus program — up to $52,500 in combined assistance. Here's what works at today's price points.
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HomeReady and Home Possible are both 3% down conventional loans — but they differ in ways that affect Tampa Bay buyers using DPA. Learn which program qualifies more buyers and costs less over time.
Read MoreBuyers in New Tampa, Lutz, and Carrollwood can access Florida Hometown Heroes, FL Assist, the City of Tampa DARE program, and Hillsborough County DPA — but higher home prices in these areas mean knowing which programs apply is critical. Here's the full guide.
Read MoreThe 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.
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Your debt-to-income ratio is one of the most important numbers in any DPA application. Learn how DTI is calculated, what limits each Florida program sets, and how to lower your ratio before you apply.
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Florida offers two types of down payment assistance: forgivable loans that disappear after you meet an occupancy requirement, and deferred loans repaid only when you sell or refinance. Here's how to choose.
Read MoreA past bankruptcy or foreclosure doesn't mean homeownership is out of reach. Learn the exact waiting periods for Florida DPA programs, which programs accept comeback buyers, and how to prepare during the gap.
Read MoreThe State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) program funds local down payment assistance across all 67 Florida counties. Learn how much SHIP offers in Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco, and how to stack it with Hometown Heroes.
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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 MoreMost buyers assume FHA is the only loan type that works with DPA — but Florida's HFA Preferred program pairs conventional financing with forgivable down payment assistance. Here's how it works in Tampa Bay.
Read MoreGift funds and down payment assistance both reduce your cash to close — but they work very differently. Learn which option saves more money for Tampa Bay homebuyers in 2026.
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Using down payment assistance in Florida? Learn how earnest money deposits interact with DPA programs, whether DPA covers your EMD, and what happens if your DPA falls through before closing.
Read MoreWhen homes sit longer in Tampa Bay, sellers agree to pay closing costs. Layer that with DPA programs and approach zero out-of-pocket homeownership. Call (813) 733-7907.
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Multi-generational households face unique DPA challenges with income limits and occupancy rules. Learn how families buying together can qualify. Call (813) 733-7907.
Read MoreA DPA-experienced REALTOR® connects you with lenders, protects your timeline, and negotiates your deal. Learn why agent choice matters for DPA buyers. Call (813) 733-7907.
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Some Tampa Bay employers offer housing assistance as a benefit. Learn which industries and companies provide DPA-like programs and how to access them. Call (813) 733-7907.
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Closing with DPA takes 30-45 days. Here is a week-by-week breakdown of what happens after your Tampa Bay offer is accepted. Stay on track. Call (813) 733-7907.
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Some Tampa Bay suburbs qualify for USDA zero-down loans. Combine with DPA to cover closing costs and bring almost nothing to closing. Learn which areas qualify. Call (813) 733-7907.
Read MoreSingle parents in Tampa Bay can qualify for DPA programs, grants, and special housing assistance. Learn what is available and how to apply. Call (813) 733-7907.
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FHA loans paired with DPA are the most common path to homeownership in Tampa Bay. Learn why this combination works, what it costs, and how to get started with just 3.5% down.
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Not all condos qualify for DPA in Florida. Learn about FHA condo approval, warrantable requirements, and which Tampa Bay condo communities work with down payment assistance.
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Tampa Bay law enforcement officers, firefighters, and EMTs qualify for Hometown Heroes and other DPA programs. Learn eligibility, income limits, and how first responders can buy.
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Yes, DPA works on new construction in Florida — but there are builder and lender requirements. Learn which programs cover new builds and how to navigate builder-preferred lenders.
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Tampa Bay's 2026 housing market offers more inventory and motivated sellers. Learn why current conditions make DPA more powerful and how to take advantage of the market shift.
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Tampa Bay nurses and healthcare workers qualify for Hometown Heroes and other DPA programs. Learn eligibility, income limits, and how hospital employees can buy with assistance.
Read MoreSingle mothers in Tampa Bay qualify for the same DPA programs as all buyers — plus targeted resources. Learn how Hometown Heroes, SHIP, and other programs can help you buy a home.
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Some Florida DPA programs can be combined for maximum assistance. Learn which programs stack, maximum amounts, lender requirements, and how Tampa Bay buyers can layer help.
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Tampa Bay veterans can combine VA loan benefits with Florida DPA programs for maximum savings. Learn how Hometown Heroes and county programs work with VA loans.
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Many Tampa Bay renters believe they cannot afford to buy a home. These 5 DPA myths are holding them back — here is the truth about down payment assistance in Florida.
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Hillsborough County offers local DPA programs on top of state assistance. Learn about county-specific grants, income limits, and how Tampa and Brandon buyers can qualify.
Read MoreTampa Bay closing costs typically run 2% to 4% of the purchase price. Learn what fees to expect, which DPA programs cover closing costs, and how to reduce your total out-of-pocket costs.
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You may not need 20% down to buy a home in Tampa Bay. FHA loans require 3.5%, and DPA programs can cover most or all of it. Here is what you really need.
Read MoreThe Florida Hometown Heroes program offers up to 5% of your loan for down payment and closing costs. Learn who qualifies, income limits, and how to apply in Tampa Bay.
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Tampa Bay first-time buyers have access to grants, forgivable loans, and below-market rates. Here are the top programs available in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, and surrounding counties.
Read MoreDown payment assistance (DPA) programs help homebuyers cover their down payment through grants, forgivable loans, or deferred-payment second mortgages. Learn how DPA works in Florida.
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