Florida First-Time Home Buyer Loans
Buying your first home in Florida shouldn’t require a perfect credit file or 20% down sitting in the bank. We offer low down payment programs starting as low as 3% down, guide you through FHA, Conventional, VA, and USDA options, and connect eligible Florida buyers with Florida Housing down payment assistance such as Hometown Heroes and Florida Assist – all with a real person walking you through every step, from Pensacola to Key West.
- Low down payment programs starting as low as 3% down
- FHA, Conventional, VA & USDA loan options for Florida homes
- Florida down payment assistance for eligible buyers, including Hometown Heroes
- Condos, townhomes, and single-family homes across the state
- Fast pre-approvals so you can compete in Florida’s busy markets
- Tell us about your goalsTarget Florida home price, your savings for a down payment, and your income situation.
- Get matched to a programFHA, Conventional, VA, USDA, or a Florida down payment assistance option.
- Get pre-approved fastSo you can shop with confidence and make competitive offers.
Our Florida First-Time Home Buyer Loan Advantages
- Low down payment programs starting as low as 3% down on Florida primary residences.
- FHA, Conventional, VA & USDA loan options, so we match you to the program that actually fits your Florida purchase.
- Florida Housing down payment assistance for eligible buyers, including Florida Hometown Heroes, Florida Assist, and the Florida Home Loan Program.
- Flexible credit qualification guidelines for eligible buyers, rather than a single rigid cutoff.
- Condos, townhomes & single-family homes all eligible, including help navigating Florida condo approval requirements.
- Programs for self-employed and non-traditional income borrowers, including seasonal, hospitality, tourism, and gig income.
- Insurance-aware guidance – we help you plan around Florida homeowners, wind, and flood insurance costs before you make an offer.
- Competitive fixed-rate and adjustable-rate mortgage options, depending on your plans.
- Fast pre-approvals and a streamlined loan process, so you can move quickly in competitive Florida markets.
- Guidance throughout the entire mortgage process, from your first question to closing day, from a Tampa-based direct lender.
Loan program types
FHA, Conventional, VA & USDA – which one is right for your Florida purchase?
“First-time home buyer loan” isn’t a single product – it’s a starting point that can lead to any of several loan types, depending on your down payment, credit, income, and where in Florida you’re buying. Here’s a plain-language look at each:
FHA Loans
Backed by the Federal Housing Administration, FHA loans are a popular starting point for Florida first-time buyers thanks to flexible credit guidelines and a low minimum down payment. FHA can also be paired with Florida down payment assistance.
Conventional Loans
Not government-backed, conventional loans can offer competitive pricing and, with strong enough credit, some of the lowest overall costs among first-time buyer programs. Mortgage insurance can be removed once you build enough equity.
VA Loans
With one of the largest veteran and military populations in the country, Florida is a natural fit for VA loans, which can offer no down payment and no monthly mortgage insurance for eligible borrowers.
USDA Loans
Designed for eligible rural and suburban areas, USDA loans can offer zero-down financing in parts of Florida outside the major metros, for buyers who meet income and location requirements.
Eligible properties
Florida homes you can buy as a first-time buyer
A “starter home” looks different for everyone in Florida – from a block home in a suburban neighborhood to a condo near the water. Whichever shape yours takes, one of our programs is likely built for it:
Primary Residences
Any Florida home you plan to live in as your primary residence is eligible across all four program types.
Condos
A popular entry point in Florida’s coastal and urban markets. Condo approval rules matter, so we review the building with you early.
Townhomes
Attached homes that often offer more square footage per dollar than a detached house in Florida’s growing suburbs.
Single-Family Homes
The classic Florida starter home, financeable with as little as 3% down on the right program.
Closing the gap
Florida down payment assistance programs
The down payment is the single biggest hurdle for most first-time buyers – not the monthly payment. Florida Housing Finance Corporation, the state’s housing agency, runs several assistance programs that pair a low-rate first mortgage with help toward your down payment and closing costs. We actively connect eligible buyers with these programs, along with local city and county options.
Every program comes with its own income limits, purchase price caps, credit requirements, and a homebuyer education course, and funding can change or pause, so eligibility depends on who you are and where in Florida you’re buying. We’ll walk you through what’s currently available as part of your pre-approval, at no extra cost to explore your options.
See What I Qualify For →Florida Housing programs at a glance
| Program | Who it’s for | How the assistance works |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Hometown Heroes | Florida residents working full-time in eligible fields such as healthcare, education, law enforcement, fire and EMS, childcare, military, and other qualifying professions | Down payment and closing cost help as a deferred second mortgage, paired with a Florida Housing first mortgage |
| Florida Assist | Eligible first-time and repeat buyers within Florida Housing income and price limits | Deferred second mortgage assistance toward down payment and closing costs |
| Florida Home Loan Program | Eligible buyers within Florida Housing income and price limits | Second mortgage assistance paired with a Florida Housing first mortgage; terms set by Florida Housing |
Program names, assistance amounts, income and price limits, and funding availability are set by Florida Housing Finance Corporation and change over time. We confirm current terms with you during pre-approval.
Know before you buy
Florida homeownership costs first-time buyers should plan for
Florida has real advantages – no state income tax and a homestead exemption – along with a few costs that catch first-time buyers off guard. Building them into your budget early makes for a smoother purchase:
Homeowners, Wind & Flood Insurance
Insurance is often the biggest surprise in a Florida payment. Get quotes early, ask about wind mitigation credits, and check whether the home sits in a flood zone that requires flood coverage.
Homestead Exemption
Owner-occupants who make a Florida home their permanent residence may qualify for the homestead exemption, which reduces taxable value and can cap yearly assessment increases. Filing deadlines apply.
Condo & HOA Rules
Florida condos have specific reserve, inspection, and financial requirements that affect loan approval, plus monthly HOA or condo dues that count toward your qualifying payment.
Closing Costs
Florida closing costs include documentary stamp tax and intangible tax on the mortgage, title insurance, and prepaid items. Down payment assistance and seller credits can help cover them.
Older Home Inspections
Insurers and lenders often want extra inspections on older Florida homes, such as roof, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC checks. Ask your agent what your target home may need.
Flexible Income Documentation
Seasonal, hospitality, tourism, and self-employed income is common in Florida. We offer programs designed for non-W-2 income situations.
Flexible qualification
Built for real financial situations, not just perfect ones
Flexible Credit Guidelines
We work with eligible buyers across a range of credit profiles rather than applying one rigid cutoff to every applicant.
Self-Employed & Non-Traditional Income
Programs designed for self-employed borrowers, gig income, and other non-W-2 income situations that a purely automated system might miss.
Fixed or Adjustable-Rate Options
Competitive fixed-rate and adjustable-rate mortgage options, so your loan structure matches how long you actually plan to stay.
Free tool
Florida first-time buyer payment calculator
This tool estimates your down payment, loan amount, and monthly payment – including an estimate for mortgage insurance if you’re putting down less than 20%. We’ve pre-filled Florida-style numbers for property tax and insurance, but update them for the home you’re considering. Illustrative only; your actual pre-approval will reflect the specific program you qualify for.
Your Florida home
Illustrative only; not a commitment to lend. Default property tax and insurance figures are example inputs, not quotes, and Florida insurance costs vary widely by county, home age, and flood zone. Mortgage insurance is estimated at roughly 0.5% of the loan amount annually when the down payment is below 20%, and set to zero at or above 20% down – actual mortgage insurance varies by program and credit profile. Excludes closing costs. The interest rate is an example input, not a quote.
Florida city guides
Where to buy your first home in Florida: 12 cities compared
Florida isn’t one housing market – it’s dozens. Prices, insurance costs, jobs, schools, and rental demand change a lot from city to city. For context, Zillow’s typical Florida home value is about $378,000 (June 2026), down roughly 2.8% over the past year, with homes taking around 46 days to go pending. Here is a closer look at 12 cities where first-time buyers are getting started:
Jacksonville
Duval County · Northeast Florida
Best for: budget-friendly big-city living & VA buyers- Population: About 1.02 million – the largest city in Florida by population.
- Top employers: Naval Air Station Jacksonville and Naval Station Mayport, Baptist Health, Mayo Clinic, Florida Blue, CSX.
- Schools: Duval County Public Schools. Neighboring St. Johns County is routinely ranked among the state’s top districts.
- Retirement: Mixed – popular with military retirees and beach-area downsizers, but a working-age city at its core.
- Rental market: Average rent is about $1,600, up roughly 1% year over year – among the lower rents of Florida’s big metros.
- Safety: City-wide violent crime runs above the Florida average and varies widely by neighborhood. Check the local crime map street by street.
Why buy your first home here: Jacksonville is the most affordable of Florida’s large metros, with values down about 1.8% over the past year. A big military community also makes VA zero-down financing a real option, and lower price points make 3% down FHA and Conventional loans easier to fit into a budget.
Start a Jacksonville pre-approval →Tampa
Hillsborough County · Tampa Bay
Best for: job growth, lifestyle & buyers ready to move fast- Population: About 414,000 in the city, within a Tampa Bay metro of more than 3 million.
- Top employers: MacDill Air Force Base, Tampa General Hospital, BayCare, HCA Florida, USF and the University of Tampa, plus a large finance and tech sector.
- Schools: Hillsborough County Public Schools, one of the nation’s largest districts, with magnet and career-academy options. USF and the University of Tampa anchor higher education.
- Retirement: Mixed – the Gulf beaches and Sun City Center draw retirees, but Tampa itself skews toward working professionals.
- Rental market: Average rent is about $1,999, down roughly 1% year over year.
- Safety: City-wide violent crime runs above the Florida average and varies by neighborhood. Check Tampa Police crime maps for any area you’re considering.
Why buy your first home here: Our home market. Tampa’s diversified economy – healthcare, finance, defense, tourism, and tech – supports steady demand, and homes go pending in about four weeks, so a pre-approval in hand matters. Flood zones vary block by block, so ask about flood risk early.
Start a Tampa pre-approval →Orlando
Orange County · Central Florida
Best for: young families & new-construction shoppers- Population: About 334,000 in the city, within a metro area of nearly 3 million.
- Top employers: Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, AdventHealth, Orlando Health, Lockheed Martin, and the University of Central Florida.
- Schools: Orange County Public Schools, a large district with magnet and school-choice programs. UCF, Rollins College, and Valencia College are nearby.
- Retirement: Not primarily – Orlando is a younger, career-and-family market. Many retirees head to nearby Lake and Sumter counties instead.
- Rental market: Average rent is about $1,904, essentially flat year over year.
- Safety: City-wide violent crime runs above the Florida average and varies widely by neighborhood. Review Orlando Police crime maps before you buy.
Why buy your first home here: Values are down about 2.4% year over year, and the surrounding suburbs offer a wide range of new-construction communities at first-time buyer price points. Homes go pending in under a month, so shopping with a pre-approval helps you compete.
Start a Orlando pre-approval →Miami
Miami-Dade County · South Florida
Best for: buyers using assistance & condo-friendly budgets- Population: About 490,000 in the city, within a Miami-Dade County of roughly 2.7 million.
- Top employers: Baptist Health South Florida, Jackson Health System, Miami-Dade County Public Schools, the University of Miami, PortMiami and the cruise industry, and Miami International Airport.
- Schools: Miami-Dade County Public Schools, one of the largest districts in the country, with many magnet and choice programs. The University of Miami and FIU are major institutions.
- Retirement: Mixed – Coral Gables and Miami Beach attract retirees, but it is a global, working-age city and pricey for fixed incomes.
- Rental market: Average rent is about $3,004, one of the highest in the country and roughly flat year over year.
- Safety: Reported city-wide violent crime has been around 460 per 100,000 residents, above the Florida average, with big differences between neighborhoods.
Why buy your first home here: Prices are the steepest on this list, but rents near $3,000 lead many first-time buyers to run the numbers on a condo or townhome with a low down payment and assistance. Homes take about 57 days to go pending and most sell under list price, which gives buyers negotiating room. Condo approval matters here, so bring us the building name early.
Start a Miami pre-approval →St. Petersburg
Pinellas County · Tampa Bay
Best for: a walkable arts-and-beach lifestyle- Population: About 264,000.
- Top employers: Raymond James Financial, Jabil, Duke Energy Florida, Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, and Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital.
- Schools: Pinellas County Schools, with magnet and fundamental programs. Eckerd College, USF St. Petersburg, and St. Petersburg College are local.
- Retirement: Yes – a long-time retiree favorite that is increasingly drawing a younger crowd to its downtown and arts districts.
- Rental market: Average rent is about $2,058, roughly flat year over year.
- Safety: City-wide violent crime runs above the Florida average and varies by neighborhood. Check St. Petersburg Police crime maps.
Why buy your first home here: Values are down nearly 4% year over year, creating room to negotiate in a walkable, waterfront city. After the 2024 storm season, check flood zones and insurance quotes before you write an offer.
Start a St. Petersburg pre-approval →Cape Coral
Lee County · Southwest Florida
Best for: waterfront-lifestyle value & retirees- Population: About 236,000 – one of the fastest-growing large cities in Florida.
- Top employers: Lee Health, the Lee County School District, Publix, local government, and the construction, trades, and tourism sectors.
- Schools: Lee County School District, with magnet and charter options. Florida SouthWestern State College is nearby.
- Retirement: Yes – one of Southwest Florida’s leading retiree and second-home markets.
- Rental market: Average rent is around $1,850 (early 2026), down roughly 5-6% year over year.
- Safety: Typically among the lower-crime large cities in the state, though it still varies by neighborhood.
Why buy your first home here: Zillow-based market reports show values roughly 14% below the mid-2024 peak, with about 7% year-over-year declines as of May 2026, plenty of inventory, and homes taking around two months to go pending. That is real leverage for a first-time buyer. Wind and flood insurance are essential here after Hurricane Ian in 2022.
Start a Cape Coral pre-approval →Tallahassee
Leon County · Florida Panhandle
Best for: stable government & university jobs- Population: About 205,000.
- Top employers: State of Florida government, Florida State University, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, and Leon County Schools.
- Schools: Leon County Schools, regularly among the stronger districts in Florida. FSU, FAMU, and Tallahassee State College are local.
- Retirement: Not primarily – some retirees choose it for the college-town culture and lower costs, but it is mostly a working and student market.
- Rental market: Average rent is about $1,507, the lowest on this list. Roughly 59% of households rent, so rental demand is strong.
- Safety: Reported violent crime was around 774 per 100,000 residents in 2023, above the Florida average. Check Tallahassee Police crime maps by neighborhood.
Why buy your first home here: Steady state-government and university employment supports the market, and it is one of the few cities here where values are up year over year (about +1.1%). Homes go pending in about 17 days, so expect competition and get pre-approved before you tour.
Start a Tallahassee pre-approval →Gainesville
Alachua County · North Central Florida
Best for: university-town jobs & steady demand- Population: About 146,000.
- Top employers: The University of Florida, UF Health Shands, the North Florida/South Georgia VA Health System, Alachua County Public Schools, and Santa Fe College.
- Schools: Alachua County Public Schools. The University of Florida and Santa Fe College are major local institutions.
- Retirement: Yes – retirees are drawn by UF Health, college-town culture, and a lower cost of living than Florida’s coasts.
- Rental market: Average rent is about $1,657, up roughly 1.6% year over year, supported by strong student and staff demand.
- Safety: City-wide violent crime runs above the Florida average and varies by neighborhood. Check Gainesville Police crime maps.
Why buy your first home here: UF and UF Health provide a large, recession-resistant employment base, and homes near campus tend to hold rental demand, which supports resale value. Values are down about 1.3% year over year, with homes going pending in under a month.
Start a Gainesville pre-approval →Lakeland
Polk County · Central Florida (I-4 corridor)
Best for: affordability between Tampa & Orlando- Population: About 122,000 and growing.
- Top employers: Publix Super Markets (headquartered here), Lakeland Regional Health, Polk County Public Schools, GEICO, and logistics and distribution employers.
- Schools: Polk County Public Schools. Florida Southern College, Southeastern University, and Polk State College are local.
- Retirement: Yes – a value-minded choice for retirees who want a central location between the Gulf and the Atlantic.
- Rental market: Average rent is about $1,689, up roughly 1.7% year over year.
- Safety: City-wide violent crime runs above the Florida average and varies by neighborhood. Check Lakeland Police crime maps.
Why buy your first home here: Sitting on the I-4 corridor between Tampa and Orlando, Lakeland offers noticeably lower prices than either metro while keeping big-city jobs within commuting range. Values are down about 1.8% over the past year.
Start a Lakeland pre-approval →Ocala
Marion County · North Central Florida
Best for: low entry price & USDA-eligible surroundings- Population: About 65,000 in the city, within a Marion County of more than 400,000.
- Top employers: AdventHealth Ocala, HCA Florida Ocala Hospital, Marion County Public Schools, Lockheed Martin, and the thoroughbred horse industry.
- Schools: Marion County Public Schools. The College of Central Florida is local.
- Retirement: Yes – home to some of Florida’s largest 55+ communities, including On Top of the World.
- Rental market: Average rent is about $1,590, roughly flat year over year.
- Safety: City-wide violent crime runs above the Florida average and varies by neighborhood. Check Ocala Police and Marion County Sheriff crime maps.
Why buy your first home here: One of the lowest typical home values in the state, with roughly 70% of sales closing under list price and values down about 2.9% year over year. Some outlying areas of Marion County may also qualify for USDA zero-down financing.
Start a Ocala pre-approval →Pensacola
Escambia County · Florida Panhandle
Best for: military families & Gulf Coast living- Population: About 55,000 in the city, within a metro area of roughly 500,000.
- Top employers: Naval Air Station Pensacola (home of the Blue Angels), Baptist Health Care, Ascension Sacred Heart, Navy Federal Credit Union, and the University of West Florida.
- Schools: Escambia County School District. Neighboring Santa Rosa County districts often rank higher. The University of West Florida and Pensacola State College are local.
- Retirement: Yes – a popular choice for military retirees and Gulf Coast beach retirees.
- Rental market: Average rent is about $1,657, up roughly 2.9% year over year – rents are rising faster than home values.
- Safety: Reported violent crime has been around 620 per 100,000 residents, above the Florida average, with wide variation between neighborhoods.
Why buy your first home here: Among the most affordable markets on this list, with values up about 1.1% year over year while rents climb faster. A large military presence makes VA zero-down financing a strong option. Wind and flood coverage matter on the Gulf Coast, so get insurance quotes early.
Start a Pensacola pre-approval →Fort Lauderdale
Broward County · South Florida
Best for: condo & townhome buyers using assistance- Population: About 192,000, in a Broward County of roughly 2 million.
- Top employers: Broward County government and public schools, Broward Health, Port Everglades, AutoNation (headquartered here), and the marine and cruise industry.
- Schools: Broward County Public Schools, one of the largest districts in the country, with magnet programs. Broward College, Nova Southeastern University, and FAU are nearby.
- Retirement: Yes – a large retiree and snowbird market, with many 55+ condo communities across Broward.
- Rental market: Average rent is about $2,778, up roughly 2.8% year over year.
- Safety: City-wide violent crime runs above the Florida average and varies widely by neighborhood. Check the Fort Lauderdale Police crime map.
Why buy your first home here: Rents near $2,800 and rising push many first-time buyers to compare renting with owning. Values are down about 2.2% year over year, homes take around 65 days to go pending, and over 80% of sales close under list, so buyers have leverage. Condo approval and insurance costs deserve extra attention.
Start a Fort Lauderdale pre-approval →Home values are the Zillow Home Value Index (typical value, all home types) and rents are the Zillow Observed Rent Index, mostly as of June 2026 (Fort Lauderdale July 2026; Cape Coral May 2026 for values and early 2026 for rent and days to pending). Days to pending is the median. Population figures are rounded from U.S. Census Bureau and Florida EDR estimates. Statewide, Florida’s 2024 violent crime rate was about 267 per 100,000 residents, below the U.S. rate of roughly 359, but city-level figures vary by source and year, so use your local police department’s crime map for any neighborhood you’re considering. Employer, school, and retirement notes are general context, not rankings or guarantees. All figures change frequently.
How it works
Get pre-approved in three steps
Tell us about your goals
Share your target Florida home price, how much you’ve saved, and your income situation – employed, self-employed, or a mix.
Get matched to a program
We review FHA, Conventional, VA, USDA, and available Florida down payment assistance to find your best fit.
Get pre-approved fast
Shop with confidence and make competitive offers, backed by guidance through every step to closing.
Answers
Florida first-time home buyer loan FAQ
Do I have to have never owned a home to qualify as a “first-time” buyer in Florida?
Not necessarily. Many first-time buyer programs, including several Florida Housing programs, define a first-time buyer as someone who hasn’t owned a primary residence in the past three years. Some programs also waive the first-time requirement for certain buyers, such as eligible veterans. We’ll help you understand which definition applies to the program you’re pursuing.
What is Florida Hometown Heroes?
Florida Hometown Heroes is a Florida Housing program that helps eligible Florida residents working in qualifying professions – such as healthcare, education, law enforcement, fire and EMS, childcare, and the military – with down payment and closing cost assistance. Requirements, assistance amounts, and funding availability change, so we confirm current terms with you as part of your pre-approval.
What’s the real difference between FHA, Conventional, VA, and USDA loans?
FHA loans are government-backed and known for flexible credit guidelines with a low down payment. Conventional loans aren’t government-backed and can offer competitive pricing for stronger credit profiles. VA loans serve eligible veterans and service members with no down payment required. USDA loans support buyers in eligible rural and suburban areas with zero-down financing. We’ll help match you to the one that fits your credit, income, and target property.
How much down payment do I actually need in Florida?
It depends on the program – some conventional and FHA options start as low as 3% to 3.5% down, and VA and USDA loans can require no down payment at all for eligible buyers. Florida down payment assistance programs can reduce what you need to bring to closing even further, depending on your income, location, and eligibility.
Why is homeowners insurance so important when buying in Florida?
Homeowners insurance in Florida is often significantly higher than in other states, and homes in flood zones may also require separate flood insurance. Because insurance is part of your monthly housing payment, it directly affects how much home you can qualify for. We recommend getting insurance quotes early, before you make an offer.
Can I buy a condo as a first-time buyer in Florida?
Yes, but condo approval can be more involved in Florida. Lenders review the building’s financials, reserves, insurance, inspections, and owner-occupancy mix, and not every building is eligible for every loan type. Bring us the condo name early and we can help you understand whether it’s likely to qualify before you spend time and money on it.
What is the Florida homestead exemption?
The homestead exemption reduces the taxable value of a home you own and occupy as your permanent Florida residence, and can limit how much your assessed value rises each year. There is an application deadline each year, so file promptly after you close. Check with your county property appraiser for current details.
Which Florida cities are the most affordable for first-time buyers?
Based on Zillow typical home values in mid-2026, some of the most affordable cities in this guide include Ocala, Pensacola, Tallahassee, Gainesville, and Lakeland, with typical values roughly between $270,000 and $315,000. Jacksonville, Tampa, Orlando, and St. Petersburg sit in the middle, while Miami and Fort Lauderdale are the most expensive. Prices and insurance costs change often, so we’ll help you compare real numbers for the areas you’re considering.
What credit score do I need to qualify?
We work with flexible credit qualification guidelines rather than a single fixed cutoff, and different loan programs have different minimums. Rather than guessing, it’s usually faster to start a pre-approval conversation and let us tell you exactly where you stand and what programs are available to you.
Can self-employed or non-traditional income borrowers qualify?
Yes. We offer programs designed for self-employed borrowers and others with non-traditional income, using documentation like tax returns, business financials, or bank statements alongside or instead of standard pay stubs.
How fast can I get pre-approved?
Our streamlined process is built for speed – most buyers can get a clear pre-approval quickly once we have your basic income, credit, and down payment information, so you can start shopping with a real number in hand rather than a guess.
Keep exploring
Planning ahead? Explore our other programs
© 2026 CambridgeHomeLoan.com · NMLS #1826020 · 4830 W Kennedy Blvd, Tampa, FL 33609 · (800) 826-5077 · Equal Housing Lender. This is not a commitment to lend. Loan programs including FHA, Conventional, VA, and USDA financing, and any down payment assistance program, are subject to individual eligibility, income and purchase-price limits, property location, credit qualification, and full underwriting approval, and terms vary by program. “As low as 3% down” and other minimums reflect the strongest borrower profiles under specific programs and are not available to all buyers or in all areas. VA loans are available only to eligible veterans, active-duty service members, and certain surviving spouses; USDA loans are available only in eligible rural and suburban areas and are subject to household income limits. Down payment assistance programs referenced (including Florida Hometown Heroes, Florida Assist, and the Florida Home Loan Program) are administered by Florida Housing Finance Corporation or local housing agencies, are subject to their own eligibility rules, funding availability, and program changes, and are not guaranteed. Homestead exemption eligibility and property tax treatment are determined by the county property appraiser. Calculator results are illustrative, use an estimated mortgage insurance figure and example tax and insurance inputs, and exclude closing costs. Rates, terms, and monthly payments will vary based on the loan program, your credit profile, and market conditions at the time of application. This page is informational and does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice.