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Your First Home
Buying your first home in South Florida is more attainable than most people think. Pure Equity Realty walks first-time buyers through financing, down payment assistance, and every step from pre-approval to the keys, at no cost to you.
Get Pre-Approved →Down Payment
As little as 0 to 3.5 percent with the right loan
Assistance
Florida down payment and closing-cost programs
Cost to You
Buyer representation at no out-of-pocket cost
First-Time Buyers in South Florida
The hardest part of buying a first home is usually not the house, it is the money math and the fear of getting something wrong. The good news is that the down payment you actually need is far smaller than the old 20 percent rule, and Florida runs real programs that help first-time and moderate-income buyers cover the down payment and closing costs. Between low-down-payment loans and assistance programs, many renters can buy sooner than they expect.
Pure Equity Realty guides first-time buyers through the whole process across Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade, and the Treasure Coast. We explain each step in plain language, connect you with lenders who work with first-time programs, and negotiate on your behalf, all at no cost to you as the buyer. No question is too basic, and there is no pressure to rush.
The real floor is much lower than most first-timers assume. VA and USDA loans can be zero down for those who qualify, FHA loans require as little as 3.5 percent, and several conventional programs go as low as 3 percent for first-time buyers. On a starter condo or townhome, that can mean a down payment in the thousands rather than the tens of thousands. We help you match the loan type to your credit, income, and the kind of property you want.
Florida Housing runs programs that help eligible buyers with the down payment and closing costs, including assistance for first-time buyers and for people in key local professions. Many counties and cities layer their own programs on top. These have income limits, homebuyer-education requirements, and property rules, so the details matter. Our guide to Florida down payment assistance programs breaks down who qualifies and how the money works, and we connect you with lenders approved to offer them.
A pre-approval turns you from a browser into a real buyer. It tells you exactly what you can spend, shows sellers your offer is credible in a competitive market, and surfaces any credit or documentation issues while there is still time to fix them. It costs nothing and does not commit you to a lender. We treat pre-approval as step one, before touring, so you never fall for a home outside your range.
Beyond the down payment, budget for closing costs, which typically run a few percent of the price and cover things like title, taxes, and lender fees. Some of these can be negotiated onto the seller or covered by assistance programs. Once you own and occupy the home as your primary residence, Florida's homestead exemption reduces your taxable value and caps how fast your assessed value can rise each year, one of the best long-term perks of owning here. Our closing-cost and mortgage calculators let you model the full monthly and upfront picture.
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Tell us your budget and the area you have in mind. We will map out the loan options and assistance you may qualify for.
Questions
Far less than the traditional 20 percent. VA and USDA loans can be zero down for eligible buyers, FHA requires as little as 3.5 percent, and some conventional first-time programs go as low as 3 percent. On an entry-level condo or townhome in South Florida, that can mean a down payment in the low thousands. The right number depends on your loan type, credit, and the property, which we help you sort out early.
Down payment assistance is money, usually a second loan or grant, that helps cover your down payment and sometimes closing costs. Florida Housing runs statewide programs, and many counties and cities add their own. Eligibility is based on income limits, a homebuyer-education course, and the property, and some programs are reserved for first-time buyers or specific professions. We connect you with approved lenders and help you see which programs fit.
Yes, always. A pre-approval tells you your true budget, makes your offers credible to sellers, and catches any credit or paperwork issues while there is still time to fix them. It is free and does not lock you into anything. Shopping without one is the most common first-timer mistake, because it leads to falling for homes you cannot finance.
Closing costs are the fees to finalize the purchase, typically a few percent of the price, covering title, taxes, and lender charges. They are separate from your down payment. In many transactions, some or all of them can be negotiated onto the seller or covered by an assistance program. We build a realistic closing-cost estimate into your plan so there are no surprises at the table.
It is a tax benefit for owners who make a Florida property their primary residence. It reduces the taxable value of your home and, through the Save Our Homes cap, limits how much your assessed value can increase each year. Over time this can save you thousands and keep your tax bill predictable. You apply through your county property appraiser after you move in, and we make sure first-time buyers know to do it.