Are There Any First-Time Homebuyer Programs or Incentives Available?

Homeownership has long been a part of the American Dream, and today’s aspiring first-time homeowners have more options than ever before to make that dream come true.

However, what hasn’t changed is the wisdom of first-time buyers doing more preparation than mere house hunting and filling out mortgage applications. If you’re a first-time buyer, don’t be discouraged! You can’t know what you don’t know, and that’s why many builders, mortgage lenders, and housing organizations offer helpful tools for navigating the homeownership journey.

Here’s a quick look at some of the first-time homebuyer programs and incentives available from various sources.

HUD programs

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) website contains numerous resources about every aspect of homeownership, including educational guidance.

One of those topics is housing counseling. Find the HUD-approved counseling agency closest to you and get the conversation started. Informational HUD videos, articles and links also are available online.

State of Florida programs for first-time homebuyer

Along with the above options for first-time buyers, HUD’s website also contains links on numerous homeownership topics for all 50 U.S. states. These links connect prospective first-time buyers to regional and state resources, giving folks the ability to find seminars, workshops and other homeownership learning methods nearer to their location. Find Florida’s listings here.

Interested in Florida’s HUD-listed homeownership counseling options? Click here.

Another Sunshine State source for first-time buyers is Florida Housing, an organization created by the state’s legislature as a clearing house for home-buying information and assistance.

Among many things, Florida Housing offers home loan programs and down payment assistance programs. You’ll find a downloadable guide called “Opening the Door to Homeownership” on the organization’s website.

Another possibly helpful opportunity — if you and/or yours meet the requirements — is the Florida Hometown Heroes Housing Program. It offers help with down payments and loans for first responders, educators, veterans, active military members and other folks who are important in our communities.

Still other options include federal government-backed loans from the Veterans Administration (VA) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (U.S.D.A), among others. Also check to see if your employer offers homebuyer programs or assistance. And definitely seek input from friends, co-workers or family members about their tips and journeys as first-time homebuyers.

ICI Homes’ tools and incentives

As Florida’s Custom Home Builder, we at ICI Homes have built custom Florida homes all over the state for more than four decades. We often offer buyer incentives that can be very helpful for any potential customers, including first-timers and more experienced buyers.

One recent example is ICI Homes’ 5.99 percent interest rate over a 30-year fixed mortgage for select homes with a preferred lender. Contact us for more information.

We’ve also got you covered on our website, where you’ll find an entire suite of financial tools that help you compare mortgages, calculate affordability, and digest many other topics.

Ready for your new custom Florida home? Talk to ICI Homes here.