Buying a Home in Florida
Dreaming about buying a gorgeous home in Florida? This could be the right time for you to contemplate a move to the Sunshine State. Here’s what you need to know:
Florida is a mix of tourist towns and rural areas. The state houses nearly 20 million people, and one in eight live in the state’s top seven biggest cities:
- Jacksonville
- Miami
- Tampa
- Orlando
- St. Petersburg
- Hialeah
- Tallahassee (state capital)
Pricing for Florida homes is all over the map. Florida ranks 10th in US homes for sale at average price, and 2nd for homes over $1,000,000. It’s a must to get preapproved and know your budget before you start attending open houses.
First-time Homebuyers
First-time home buyers will be happy to learn that they may qualify for assistance through a program administered by the Florida Housing Finance Authority (FL HFA.)
The Florida Assist Second Mortgage Program (FL Assist) provides eligible borrowers up to $7,500 as a deferred second mortgage at zero percent interest to use toward a down payment. Repayment is deferred until the loan is repaid or refinanced, or the home is sold or ownership transferred.
HFA Preferred Grants provide qualified borrowers with 3% to 5% of the home’s purchase price, to be paid against down payment and closing costs. After five years, this second mortgage is forgiven at 20%.
The Florida Homeownership Loan Program (FL HLP) gives buyers up to $10,000 at 3% interest on a second amortizing mortgage which must be paid off over 15 years. If you move, it must be repaid in full.
Refinancing in Florida
There are plenty of reasons to refinance a home in Florida and take advantage of lowered Florida mortgage rates. You can do any of the following:
- Obtain a lower interest rate by refinancing lower interest rate
- Drop your payment by refinancing for a longer loan term
- Cash-out equity with a refinance that increases your total loan amount
- Use refinancing to get rid of private mortgage insurance (PMI) payments
You should find out if you have the right kind of loan to qualify for a streamlined refinance. Ask your lender for more information.