Conventional loans
A starting point for buyers with documented income and an established credit profile. Compare mortgage insurance, upfront costs, and the overall monthly payment.
Discuss: income, credit, and available savings
Florida first-time homebuyer financing
Florida First-Time Homebuyer Loans
Know your loan options, understand your cash to close, and take the next step toward a home of your own.
- Compare FHA, conventional, VA, and USDA options
- Explore down payment assistance eligibility
- Get guidance from a Florida mortgage broker
Personal guidance. No obligation. Serving homebuyers throughout Florida.
Local expertise.Personal guidance.Built for Florida.
From questions to a plan
A clear plan before you make an offer
Buying your first home comes with big questions. How much can you comfortably spend? What will you need at closing? Which mortgage fits your situation? Bennett Capital Partners Mortgage Brokers helps you connect those decisions, so you can shop with direction.
Start with a conversation about your income, savings, credit profile, and the area where you want to buy. We will help you compare available loan options and identify what to prepare next.
Talk through my homebuying plansFind your starting point
First-time homebuyer programs in Florida
We help you compare the options that fit your qualifications and the home you want to buy.
FHA loans
An option to explore when credit flexibility and down payment requirements matter. FHA mortgage insurance and property standards are part of the comparison.
Discuss: credit history and property condition
VA loans
For eligible veterans, service members, and certain surviving spouses. We can review service eligibility, the Certificate of Eligibility, and applicable funding-fee treatment.
Discuss: military eligibility and entitlement
USDA loans
For qualifying buyers and eligible properties in designated areas. Household income and the property's location must meet program requirements.
Discuss: property location and household income
Programs, terms, and eligibility are subject to change and borrower and property qualification.
Explore assistance, understand the terms
Could down payment assistance help you buy?
Florida Housing and local housing agencies offer programs that may help eligible buyers with down payment and closing costs. The right starting point is your county, household income, purchase price, and mortgage program.
Assistance is not automatically a grant. It may be a repayable or forgivable second mortgage with conditions tied to occupancy, sale, refinance, or payoff. We will help you understand the rules before you rely on assistance funds.
Discuss possible assistanceFlorida Housing programs
Review current first-mortgage and assistance options through participating lenders. Program access and eligibility must be confirmed.
Hometown Heroes
Current occupation or employment rules, income limits, and other requirements apply. Assistance is a repayable second mortgage, not a forgivable grant. Lender participation and available funding must be confirmed.
County and city assistance
Local programs may have their own income limits, application windows, homebuyer education, and lender requirements.
Official resources: Florida Housing homebuyer programs and Hometown Heroes. Program participation and available funding must be verified.
Cash-to-close planner
Know what to plan for beyond the down payment.
Add the estimated figures from your mortgage conversation or Loan Estimate to organize your closing budget.
Down payment + closing costs−Deposits + approved credits
Not sure which numbers to use? Call 800.457.9057 and we can walk through them.
Estimated cash still needed at closing
Enter your figuresYour planner results stay in this browser.Planning tool only, not a Loan Estimate or approval. Do not count unapproved assistance or double-count credits. Final cash to close may include other adjustments. Moving expenses and required reserves are separate.
Build a realistic budget
Understand the full cost of your first home.
Down payment
Your contribution toward the purchase price. The amount depends on the loan program and your qualifications.
Closing costs and prepaids
Lender and settlement charges, prepaid insurance, property taxes, and initial escrow deposits can add to the funds needed.
Your full monthly payment
Plan for principal, interest, taxes, homeowners insurance, mortgage insurance when applicable, and HOA or condo dues.
Cash after closing
Leave room for moving, repairs, maintenance, and savings. Some loan programs also require documented reserves.
Get organized
What to have ready for a mortgage review
- Income and employment
- Recent pay statements and W-2s, or tax returns and business records when your income requires them.
- Savings and available funds
- Bank or investment statements, plus documentation for any eligible gift funds or assistance.
- Credit and identification
- Government-issued identification and an authorized credit review when you proceed with an application.
- Property and contract
- If you have a home selected, the purchase contract and property details. Condo and HOA records may also be needed.
You do not need these documents to send the initial inquiry. Your mortgage professional will explain how to provide sensitive records securely.
The homebuying process
From the first conversation to your first set of keys.
- 01
Tell us where you are starting
Share your buying timeline and the Florida area you are considering. You do not need a property under contract to start a conversation.
- 02
Build your financing plan
Review possible loan programs, estimated monthly costs, cash to close, and any assistance worth investigating.
- 03
Prepare to make an offer
Complete the application and provide required documents for a preapproval review. Any preapproval remains subject to its stated conditions.
- 04
Move through closing
After you select a home, coordinate appraisal, insurance, underwriting, and closing with your lender and settlement team.
Florida expertise. Personal attention.
A mortgage professional in your corner.
Philip Bennett25+ years of mortgage experience
Principal, Bennett Capital Partners Mortgage
NMLS #1098318
Principal, Bennett Capital Partners Mortgage
NMLS #1098318
Your questions deserve clear answers, whether you are still saving or ready to make an offer. As a mortgage broker, Bennett Capital Partners helps you compare available lender options and understand what each one means for your purchase.
Based on Brickell Avenue in Miami, we work with homebuyers throughout Florida, including Fort Lauderdale, Palm Beach, Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville, Naples, and Sarasota.
Florida property insurance, flood considerations, taxes, and condo or HOA costs can materially affect your budget. We help you raise these questions early.
Frequently asked questions
Your first-home questions, answered.
A short conversation can help you apply these answers to your own plans.
Discuss My OptionsWhat is the best loan for a first-time homebuyer in Florida?
The best fit depends on your credit, income, savings, military eligibility, and the property. FHA, conventional, VA, and USDA programs have different costs and qualification rules. Compare the total monthly payment and cash needed to close alongside the interest rate.
How much money do I need to buy my first home?
Plan for the down payment, closing costs, prepaid items, and any required reserves. You will also want funds for moving and unexpected expenses. The amount depends on your price range, loan program, taxes, insurance, and any approved credits or assistance.
Can I get help with my down payment or closing costs?
Possibly. Florida Housing and local agencies offer assistance for eligible buyers. Household income, location, purchase price, education, lender participation, and funding availability may affect eligibility. Assistance terms can include repayment or forgiveness conditions.
Am I eligible for the Florida Hometown Heroes program?
Eligibility depends on the program's current occupation or employment rules, income limits, homebuyer requirements, and other criteria. Funding availability and lender participation must also be confirmed. A mortgage consultation can help identify what needs to be checked.
Can I qualify if I have owned a home before?
You may still have options. First-time homebuyer definitions and exceptions vary by program, and many mortgage products are available to repeat buyers. Share your ownership history so the applicable guidelines can be reviewed.
Can I buy a condo or townhome as my first home?
Eligible condos and townhomes may qualify. With a condominium, the lender also reviews the project where required, which can include insurance, budgets, reserves, repairs, and other association information. Monthly association dues affect your housing budget.
Should I get preapproved before house hunting?
A preapproval review can help establish a realistic price range and identify documentation needed before you make an offer. Preapproval is subject to its conditions and does not replace final credit, property, and lender approval.
Will this inquiry affect my credit?
Submitting the short inquiry on this page does not request or run a credit report. If you choose to proceed with a mortgage application, we will explain the credit authorization and review process.
Take the first step
Your first home deserves a clear financing plan.
Tell us where you want to buy and when. We will help you understand the next step.