You're Closer to Owning a Home Than You Think.
12+ zero-down and low-down programs most Tampa Bay buyers never hear about. Find out which ones you qualify for in 2 minutes.
The math that changes everything:
FHA needs 3.5% down
Hometown Heroes gives 5%
5% > 3.5% = $0 out of pocket
On a $350K home, that's $17,500 in assistance — covering your entire down payment with $5,250 left toward closing.
What down payment assistance is available for Tampa Bay first-time buyers in 2026?
Tampa Bay first-time buyers can access 12+ programs including Hometown Heroes (up to $35,000 deferred), HFA PLUS (forgivable in 5 years), USDA zero-down loans, VA zero-down loans, and the Chenoa Fund (no income limit). Most buyers with 640+ credit qualify for multiple programs that cover the entire down payment.
How does it work?
Check Your Eligibility
Answer 8 quick questions — no credit pull, no commitment. See which programs match your situation.
Get Your Match
Barrett reviews your results and connects you with a participating lender who specializes in your matched programs.
Move In
With assistance covering your down payment and a buyer's market giving you leverage, you're home sooner than you thought.
Your Loan — the first mortgage
The foundation. Choose your path based on military status, location preference, and credit.
USDA Rural Development Loan
Tampa/St. Pete city limits are NOT eligible — but 30–45 minutes out often IS (Plant City fringe, Dade City, Zephyrhills, Brooksville, Inverness, rural Polk/Manatee/Citrus/Hernando). Eligibility is ADDRESS-SPECIFIC via the USDA map — never promise a city qualifies; Barrett pulls eligible neighborhoods.
Do I qualify? →VA Loan
Tampa Bay = MacDill AFB country. Stacks with Hometown Heroes (veterans skip the first-time requirement AND the education course). The single strongest buyer profile on this site.
Do I qualify? →FHA Loan (the stacking workhorse)
THE MATH STORY: FHA needs 3.5% down. Hometown Heroes gives up to 5%. 5% > 3.5% — the assistance covers the entire down payment with money left toward closing. That's how Tampa Bay buyers walk in with nearly $0 out of pocket.
Do I qualify? →Conventional 3% Down (HomeReady / Home Possible / Conv 97)
Pairs with HFA PLUS forgivable seconds and bank grants.
Do I qualify? →Assumable Mortgage (FHA/VA takeover)
In a buyer's market with elevated rates, assuming a 3% mortgage can beat every program on this page. Barrett actively hunts assumable listings — almost no competitor site even mentions this.
Do I qualify? →Your Assistance — covers the down payment + closing
Stack these on top of your loan. Many buyers qualify for 2–3 programs simultaneously.
Florida Hometown Heroes
Funding is first-come, first-served. Veterans: no first-time requirement, no education course with a VA loan. May stack with county SHIP funds.
Do I qualify? →HFA Preferred/Advantage PLUS (Forgivable)
Best for buyers planning to stay 5+ years — the assistance becomes free money.
Do I qualify? →Florida Assist (FL Assist)
Straightforward deferred loan — no monthly payment, but you do pay it back eventually.
Do I qualify? →Florida Homeownership Loan Program (FL HLP)
Backup option — has a real monthly payment, unlike the deferred programs.
Do I qualify? →County / Local SHIP Assistance
Can LAYER on top of Hometown Heroes — combined assistance can exceed $50,000. Hillsborough County HFA runs its own first-time buyer DPA.
Do I qualify? →Chenoa Fund (national DPA)
Not a bond program — it never runs out of funds. The safety net when state funding is exhausted or the buyer is over income caps.
Do I qualify? →It's a buyer's market — make the seller help pay.
Beyond down payment programs, today's market gives you leverage to negotiate seller concessions toward closing costs, rate buydowns, and more. Most first-time buyers don't know to ask.
Learn how to leverage a buyer's market →Programs in your city
Barrett Henry, REALTOR®
23+ years of real estate experience. Broker Associate with RE/MAX Collective, serving 8 Tampa Bay counties. I specialize in connecting first-time buyers with the programs most agents don't know exist — or don't bother to explain.
MOVE WITH CONFIDENCE
More about Barrett →Common questions
See which programs you qualify for
2-minute eligibility check — no commitment, no credit pull.
Check My EligibilityOr call Barrett directly: (813) 733-7907