Check out the programs and contact Birch Real Estate Services today so we can help you claim your down payment money and achieve your goal of homeownership! 

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Home Buyers Assistance Programs


Borrowing money to buy a home is a big deal, so it’s natural to feel a bit overwhelmed.

Let's get started by learning some of the types of loans & programs available…


FHA loan : This is the go-to program for many first-time home buyers wanting a low down payment and/or have lower credit scores. The Federal Housing Administration allows down payments as low as 3.5% for those with credit scores of 580 or higher. The FHA will insure loans for borrowers with scores as low as 500 but requires a 10% down payment for a score that low. Mortgage insurance is required for the life of an FHA loan and cannot be canceled.


VA loan : The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs helps service members, veterans and surviving spouses buy homes. VA loans are especially generous, providing competitive interest rates, often requiring no down payment or mortgage insurance. Although there is no official minimum credit score, a credit score of 640 or higher is what most VA-approved lenders require.


USDA loan : 100% financing on rural properties. This one may surprise you. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has a home buyers assistance program. And no, you are not required to have to live on a farm. The program targets rural areas and allows 100% financing by offering lenders mortgage guarantees. There are income limitations, which vary by region.


Fannie and Freddie Conventional loans : Conventional loans are best suited for people with high credit scores and because they are less risky to the lender they offer the lowest fees and best interest rates. With a higher down payment of 20% no mortgage insurance is needed. Fannie and Freddie are government sanctioned companies that work with local mortgage lenders to offer some appealing options on conventional loans, such as 3% down payments and either 30 or 15 year terms. Fixed and Adjustable rates are available to best suit your payment needs and qualifications.

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Home renovation loans : Looking to Buy a Fixer Upper - this might be the perfect option

• FHA 203(k) loans, designed for buyers who want to tackle a fixer-upper. This special FHA-backed loan considers what the value of the property will be after improvements and allows you to borrow the funds to complete the project as part of your main mortgage.

• The CHOICERenovation loan is a conventional loan program through Freddie Mac that allows you to finance the purchase of a home and the cost of improvements, with low down payments. 


First time homebuyer programs : National, state and local governments offer assistance to first time home buyers. You may qualify for these programs even if you've owned a house before. It's worth your time to gain more information if one of these programs will work for you. 


 If you are specifically looking for a way to purchase a home with little or no money down you have found the right website! 
Click on the following links and see the chart to get the most local & up to date home buyer program information 

Directory of Homebuyer Assistance Programs
Directory of Homebuyer Assistance Programs
Directory of Homebuyer Assistance Programs
CITY/COUNTY NAME ASSISTANCE AMOUNT MAXIMUM INCOME How to Apply Phone # Website
CITY CLEARWATER $20,000 Household Income must be LESS THAN 80% of Median Income. BORROWER MUST APPLY TO: TAMPA BAY CDC, 2139 N.E. Coachman Road, #1, Clearwater, FL 33765 (727) 442-7075 www.tampabaycdc.org
CITY OF LARGO Up to $25,000 Up to $35,000 Income LESS THAN 80% Income LESS THAN 50% BORROWER MUST APPLY TO: TAMPA BAY CDC, 2139 N.E. Coachman Road, #1, Clearwater, FL 33765 (727) 442-7075 www.tampabaycdc.org
CITY OF ST. PETERSBURG WIN PROGRAM 10% of Sales Price + $5,000 Household Income must be LESS THAN 80% of Median Income. LENDER MUST APPLY TO CITY OF ST. PETERSBURG ON CLIENT’S BEHALF (727) 893-7247 www.stpete.org/housing
PINELLAS HOME KEY BOND PROGRAM (for properties located in Pinellas, Pasco & Polk County) $7,500 1-2 PEOPLE: $68,811 3 OR MORE: $79,133 AN HFA-APPROVED LENDER MUST APPROVE YOU FOR THE FIRST MORTGAGE & THE ASSISTANCE LOAN (727) 223-6419 www.pinellascounty.org/hfa
FREDDIE MAC HFA ADVANTAGE (used for 97% Conventional Loan and added to Pinellas Home Key $2,500 $1,500 $ 33,450 $ 53,520 A BOND-APPROVED LENDER MUST APPROVE YOU FOR THE FIRST MORTGAGE & THE FREDDIE MAC LOAN N/A N/A
COMMUNITY HEROES PROGRAM $2,500 Household Income must be between 80.01% and 120% of Median Income 4 Lenders are Permitted to offer this program: Raymond James Bank, Synovus Mortgage, First Home Bank, and Center Sate Bank N/A If you are working with one of the four lenders listed, inquire with them about this program.
State Bond Program $7,500 Conventional Loan: 1-2 People: $76,935. 3 or more: $80,280. FHA Loan: 1-2 People: $66,900. 3 or more: $76,935. A bond approved lender must approve you for the first mortgage & the assistance loan. N/A www.floridahousing.org
State Bond Plus Program 3% of Sales Price $93,660 A bond approved lender must approve you for the first mortgage & the assistance loan. N/A www.floridahousing.org
City Limits of Tampa $30,000. $15,000. Household Income less than 80% of Median Income. Household income less than 140% of Median Income. Borrower must apply with one of the approved Charities (813) 274- 7954 www.tampagov.net/housing
"Home Sweet Home" Hillsborough County Bond Program $15,000 1-2 People: $63,900. 3 or more: $73,485. A bond-approved lender must approve you for the first mortgage & the assistance loan. (813) 415-3549 www.myfirstfloridahome.com/hillsborough-county
Pasco County $25,000. $15,000. $5,000. Income Less than 50%. Income less than 80%. Income less than 120% Lender must apply to pasco county on client's behalf (727) 834-3445 pascocountyfl.net
Unincorporated Pinellas County Up to $40,000 (based on need) Household Income must be less than 80% of median income. Lender must apply to Pinellas County on client's behalf www.pinellascounty.org
50% Median Family Income 80% Median Family Income 120% Median Family Income 140% Median Family Income HFA & State Bond Income Limits
Used for: All Assistance Programs Used for: All Assistance Programs Used for: City of Tampa, Community Heroes Program, Pasco County. Used for: City of Tampa Pinellas Home Key DPA: 1-2 People: $68,811. 3 or more people: $79,133.
1 Person $23,450. 2 People: $26,800. 3 People: $30,150. 4 People: $33,450. 5 People: $36,150. 6 People: $38,850. 7 People: $41,500. 8 People: $44,200. 1 Person $37,450. 2 People: $42,800. 3 People: $48,150. 4 People: $53,500. 5 People: $57,800. 6 People: $62,100. 7 People: $66,350. 8 People: $70,650. 1 Person $56,280. 2 People: $64,320. 3 People: $72,360. 4 People: $80,280. 5 People: $86,760. 6 People: $93,240. 7 People: $99,600. 8 People: $106,080. 1 Person $65,660. 2 People: $75,040. 3 People: $84,420. 4 People: $93,660. 5 People: $101,220. 6 People: $108,780. 7 People: $116,200. 8 People: $123,760. State Bond DPA: FHA Loan: 1-2 People: $66,900. 3 or more people: $76,935. Conventional Loan: 1-2 People: $76,935. 3 or more people: $80,280. State Bond Plus DPA: $93,660