MENU

  • HOME
  • APPLY/ LOGIN
  • BLOG
  • CONTACT US
  • LOAN PROGRAMS
  • RESOURCES

CALL TODAY:
(813) 928-9610

CLICK TO CALL TODAY:
(813) 928-9610

Green Telephone Icon
twitter-color-circle
youtube-color-circle

$0 FUNDS AVAILABLE.

The Florida Hometown Heroes Fund is currently depleted.

SIGN UP BELOW TO BE NOTIFIED WHEN FUNDS ARE REPLENISHED.

Additional funds coming soon in 2024.

WHAT IS THE FLORIDA HOMETOWN HEROES PROGRAM?

The Florida Hometown Heroes Program is an affordable housing initiative to assist first-time homebuyers, Veterans and the other heroes in our community. This program is designed to empower and support our local heroes as they embark on the journey of homeownership.

THE FLORIDA HOMETOWN HEROES PROGRAM COMBINES COMPETITIVE INTEREST RATES AND TERMS WITH DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE UP TO $35,000, AS WELL AS PERSONALIZED GUIDEANCE FROM OUR EXPERT SUPPORT TEAM.

This ground-breaking program is newly expanded and now qualifying is easier than ever--and is only available through authorized participating lenders with the Florida Housing Finance Corporation.

Join the ranks of homeownership and enjoy the stability and pride that comes with owning your own home.

DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE FACTS:

The down payment assistance for the Florida Hometown Heroes Program is a 0% interest, 30 year deferred second mortgage. There is no monthly payment due each month.

The assistance loan must always be repaid in full when the home is sold or refinanced, if the homeowner moves to another property, or the loan comes to term.  At no time is this loan forgiven.

DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE AMOUNT:

The down payment assistance is based on 5% of the total new loan amount, ranging from:

$10,000 - $35,000

TO QUALIFY FOR DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE:

To be eligible for the Florida Hometown Heroes Program, applicants must meet the following basic criteria. If you're not sure, call us so we can guide you!

FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYERS: Applicants must be a first-time homebuyer *OR* must not have owned a home in the most recent 3 years.

Veterans and Active Duty Service members do not need to be first-time homebuyers to qualify.

EMPLOYMENT: At least one owner-occupying applicant must be employed full-time by a Florida-based business. The business must have a headquarters or a brick & mortar location in Florida.  

Work-from-home employees must report to or work out of a specific Florida location to qualify. Work-from-home employees must report to a specific location and the employer must confirm the location in writing.

Self-employed applicants must have third party confirmation of full-time status. The self-employed applicant’s CPA, bookkeeper or tax preparer must provide a letter confirming full-time work status.

Veterans and Active Duty Service members are also eligible regardless of employment.

CREDIT SCORE: All applicants must have a middle credit score of 640 or higher.  (660 for Manufactured Homes)

INCOME LIMITS: Applicant(s) total income must be at or below the County limit where the home being financed resides. For instance, Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco Counties, the maximum income to qualify is $143,250/year. Your county may vary, so be sure to check the Florida income limits chart below.

CHECK FLORIDA INCOME LIMITS CHART »

ELIGIBLE PROPERTIES (FLORIDA HOMES ONLY):

  • Single Family Homes

  • Townhomes and Villas

  • Condos

  • 2-4 Unit Multi-Family homes (FHA, VA & USDA only)

  • Manufactured Homes and Double-wide Mobile Homes built after 1993.

OCCUPANCY: This program is designed for owner-occupied homes only.  This program cannot be used to finance second/vacation homes, or investment properties.

LOAN APPROVAL: Applicants must qualify for one of 4 different traditional mortgage loan programs:

Your Loan Originator can help you determine the right program  for your needs and goals.

NOTE: The Hometown Heroes Down Payment Assistance cannot be combined with our Unconventional/ Non-traditional loan programs such as Bank Statement Loans, 1099 Income Programs, Profit & Loss Statement Loans, most Asset-based loan programs, Portfolio loans, etc.  

See loan originator for loan program eligibility questions.

DOWN PAYMENT FUNDS METER:

The Florida Hometown Heroes (Version 2), which launched July 2023, began with $100 MILLION in Available Down Payment Assistance.

When the funds are gone, the program will not function until more funds have been added to the fund.

We do not know when--or if--the funds will be replenished, so be sure to act quickly if you're serious about buying your first home.

$900K

as of 12/20/2023

AVAILABLE HEROES RESOURCE FUNDS REMAINING

FUNDS WILL RUN OUT SOON.

As of 11/06/2023, the Florida Hometown Heroes Program Down Payment Assistance Fund was replenished with $36 Million in Down Payment Funds.

The funds are allocated on a first-come/ first-serve basis.  You must be under contract on a home to reserve your funds.

CALL US TODAY TO GET THE PROCESS STARTED.

DOWN PAYMENT FUNDS METER:

The Florida Hometown Heroes has launched July 2024, began with a starting fund of $100 MILLION in Available Down Payment Assistance.

When the funds are gone, the program will not function until funds have been replenished.

There is no timeline for when new funds will be replenished, so be sure to act quickly if you're serious about buying your first home!

$45 MILLION

AVAILABLE HEROES ASSISTANCE FUNDS REMAINING AS OF 07/26/2024

FUNDS CAN BE RESERVED AS EARLY AS JULY 1, 2024

Funds are limited, and are issued on a first-come/first served basis. to reserve your funds, you must be preapproved for your new mortgage and be under contract on a home.  We coordinate the down payment assistance funds for you!

✅   SIGN UP BELOW TO BE NOTIFIED          WHEN FUNDS ARE REPLENISHED.

ADDITIONAL HERO RESOURCES:

4
Hometown Hero Loan Programs
:

Each loan program comes with the Hometown Heroes down payment assistance. If approved, you may receive up to $35,000 in Down Payment Assistance. Use the calculators to determine how much down payment you may receive.

Not sure which program is right for you? Your loan originator can help you determine the best loan program for your needs and goals.  We're here to help!

Private Client

CONVENTIONAL

Term: Choice of 30 Year Fixed, 20 Year Fixed, 15 Year Fixed

Minimum Down Payment: 3% of the purchase price.

Hometown Heroes Down Payment Assistance: $10,000 - $35,000

Minimum Credit Score to qualify for Hometown Heroes Down Payment Assistance: 640  (or 660 for Manufactured Homes)*  

*We can approve Conventional loans down to a 620 score **outside of the Hometown Heroes program and with no down payment assistance.

Maximum Income Limits by County: See Chart »

Eligible Homes: Single Family Homes, Townhomes, Villas, Condos, Manufactured Homes

Minimum / Maximum Loan Amount: $50,000 - $766,550

Occupancy: Owner-occupied Primary Residence Only.  Hometown Heroes Down Payment Assistance cannot be used for Second/Vacation Homes or Investment Homes.

Prepayment Penalties: None

wedge
Private Client

FHA

Term:  30 Year Fixed

Minimum Down Payment: 3.5% of the purchase price.

Hometown Heroes Down Payment Assistance: $10,000 - $35,000

Minimum Credit Score to qualify for Hometown Heroes Down Payment Assistance:  640  (or 660 for Manufactured Homes)*  

*We can approve FHA loans down to a 500 score **outside of the Hometown Heroes program and with no down payment assistance.

Maximum Income Limits by County: See Chart »

Eligible Homes: Single Family Homes, Townhomes, Villas, Condos, 2-4 Unit Multi-Family Homes, Manufactured Homes

Minimum / Maximum Loan Amount: $50,000 - $498,257

Occupancy: Owner-occupied / Primary Residence Only.

Prepayment Penalties: None

wedge
Flex

VA

Term:  30 Year Fixed

Minimum Down Payment: No down payment required with sufficient VA Entitlement. Like all VA loans, the Veteran must have sufficient VA loan Entitlement.

Hometown Heroes Down Payment Assistance: $10,000 - $35,000

Minimum Credit Score to qualify for Hometown Heroes Down Payment Assistance:  640  (or 660 for Mobile Homes)*  

*We can approve VA loans down to a 500 score **outside of the Hometown Heroes program and with no down payment assistance.

Income Limits by County: N/A (Veterans are exempt)

Eligible Homes: Single Family Homes, Townhomes, Villas, Condos, 2-4 Unit Multi-Family Homes, Manufactured  Homes

Minimum / Maximum Loan Amount: $50,000 - $766,550*

* This is a Florida Hometown Heroes restriction. VA loans technically have no upper loan amount limit. We can approve VA loans **  outside of the Hometown Heroes program but with no down payment assistance.

Occupancy: Owner-occupied / Primary Residence Only.

Prepayment Penalties: None

wedge
Private Client

USDA

Term:  30 Year Fixed

Minimum Down Payment: 0% of the purchase price.

Hometown Heroes Down Payment Assistance: $10,000 - $35,000

Minimum Credit Score to qualify for Hometown Heroes Down Payment Assistance:  640  (or 660 for Mobile Homes)*  

*We can approve FHA loans down to a 500 score **outside of the Hometown Heroes program and with no down payment assistance.

Income Limits - USDA loans consider the total household in the approval process and there are limits that vary by County. For most Florida Counties, the limit is $110,650 for 1-4 Person Households OR $146,050 for 5+ person Households.  
Click here for complete chart of Florida Counties »

Eligible Homes: Homes must be in designated eligible Rural Development area. See loan originator for details.

Minimum / Maximum Loan Amount: $50,000 - No upper limit

Occupancy: Owner-occupied / Primary Residence Only.

Prepayment Penalties: None

wedge

OTHER RESOURCES:

TAKE THE NEXT STEP:

GET PRE-APPROVED FOR THIS PROGRAM TODAY »

CALL TODAY:
(813) 928-9610

Green Telephone Icon

HAVE A QUESTION? MESSAGE US TODAY  »

DEREK  BISSEN

NMLS# 365627

MORTGAGE LOAN ORIGINATOR

FLORIDA HOMETOWN HEROES PROGRAM EXPERT

MEET YOUR LOAN ORIGINATOR

A Tampa native, Derek has been banking and financing for over 25 years. Derek's expertise and depth of knowledge in the mortgage and financial services industry is unparalleled. He is a creative loan structurer and specializes in working with homebuyers of all experience levels.

He is also professional saxophonist, marketing specialist, videographer, visual artist, Star Trek/ Sci-Fi fan, comic book collector and sports car enthusiast.

If you're looking for a reliable and trustworthy mortgage expert, contact Derek today to learn more about how he can help you achieve your financial goals.

OTHER LINKS:

FLORIDA BUSINESS OWNERS & HUMAN RESOURCE SPECIALISTS: Employee homeownership lowers attrition and boosts employee pride in their communities and workplace.  Book a seminar today with your staff, and let us show your employees how to become a homeowner with little or no money down.

RESIDENTIAL BUILDERS IN FLORIDA: Increase your pool of eligible buyers by offering them the ability to close with little or no money down

REALTORS – Start selling more homes today! We host lunch and learn seminars to help you understand this powerful program!

This is not a commitment to lend.  Not all borrowers will qualify for the loan programs listed.  All program terms and conditions are subject to change and may be discontinued without prior notice.  Contact loan originator for program questions and scenarios.