FHA: the most accessible path to homeownership in Florida.

Most Florida counties for 2026: $541,287 for a single-family home. Monroe County (Florida Keys) follows high-cost limits at $990,150. FHA limits are set annually by HUD based on county median home prices, and 2-4 unit properties carry higher limits.

FHA itself requires 580 for 3.5% down, 500 to 579 for 10% down. But most large retail lenders overlay 620 to 640 as their internal floor. We have access to lenders who actually approve at 580. If you're below 580, we'll build a credit improvement plan, often just 1 to 2 months of targeted cleanup gets you across the threshold.

Yes, FHA is one of the eligible first mortgage types under Florida Hometown Heroes. Qualifying professionals (teachers, nurses, law enforcement, military, EMTs, healthcare workers, government employees) can receive up to 5% of the loan amount in DPA, capped at $35,000. It's a zero-interest second mortgage, deferred until sale or refi. In many cases it covers the entire 3.5% down plus closing costs.

For loans with less than 10% down: for the life of the loan. For 10%+ down: 11 years. This is why borrowers with 620+ FICO and 5%+ down often do better with conventional PMI, it drops at 78 to 80% LTV and costs nothing once it's gone. We model the breakeven between FHA MIP and conventional PMI for every file where both are options.

Only if the condo project is on HUD's FHA-approved condo list. Many FL condo buildings, especially older ones and newer luxury developments, are not approved. Single-unit approvals (FHA spot approvals) exist but have their own criteria. We check the HUD database before you write any offers on a condo to prevent a late-stage dead end.