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First-Time Home Buyer in Florida

The straight-talk guide to buying your first home in Broward, Miami-Dade and anywhere in Florida — from a family brokerage doing this since 1982.

Get Pre-Qualified — Free

Get a call within 24 hours — no SSN needed!

The short version

Buying your first home in Florida takes three things:

  • A real pre-approval — sellers won’t read an offer without one.
  • A budget that includes Florida’s extras — insurance, doc stamps, HOA.
  • The right program — FHA, conventional, VA, USDA or down-payment assistance.

Most first-time buyers put down far less than they think. We shop many lenders for you with no processing fee.

Start my free pre-qual

Get a call within 24 hours — no SSN needed!

First-time buyers with the keys to their new home

Am I a “first-time buyer”? Most people are.

As long as you don’t own a primary residence today, you qualify — even if you owned a home years ago or the house went to your ex. We confirm it in one call.

The programs we use for Florida first-time buyers

FHA

The most common first home loan: flexible credit, low down payment, gifts allowed, seller can pay closing costs. Works for houses and FHA-approved condos.

Conventional

Fannie Mae / Freddie Mac first-time options with a low down payment — and mortgage insurance that can drop off later.

VA

Thank you for your service. For veterans and active duty: no down payment and no monthly mortgage insurance. You earned this benefit — let us help you use it.

USDA

Zero down in eligible areas — not the metro core, but much of Florida outside it. We check your address in 30 seconds.

Hometown Heroes

State down-payment help for teachers, nurses, police, fire, military and more. We’re a participating broker. Funding opens yearly and goes fast — ask if it’s open today.

Down payment assistance

Whitehall offers its own down-payment assistance programs and works with any state or county grant you qualify for. You don’t have to find the program — we match you.

Program specifics change and carry income, price and credit requirements. We confirm what’s available the day you apply.

South Florida skyline

Florida costs nobody warns you about

  • Homeowners insurance — the biggest surprise. Wind, roof age and flood zone drive it. We get a real quote before you offer.
  • Flood insurance — required in some zones, wise in others.
  • Doc stamps, intangible tax, title — Florida closing costs run high; seller credits can cover a big share.
  • Condo & HOA — the fee counts against you and the building has to pass review. Send us the building name first.
  • Property taxes reset at purchase — the seller’s bill isn’t yours. We estimate it properly.

From offer to keys in six steps

1. Get pre-approved

Free, usually within 24 hours, good for 120 days. Real underwriting, not an online guess.

2. Know the whole payment

Principal, interest, taxes, insurance, HOA — you see the number before you shop.

3. Shop with a local realtor

We work with agents across Broward and Miami-Dade and can introduce you.

4. Offer + inspection

Your realtor negotiates; we structure the loan so a seller contribution can be used. A 4-point and wind-mitigation inspection lowers your insurance.

5. Appraisal + building review

We handle the appraisal and, for condos, the building questionnaire.

6. Clear to close → keys

About 30 days is typical. We’ve done faster.

Family-owned since

Hours to a typical pre-approval

Days your pre-approval is good for

Processing fee — ever

Dallas and Doug Pinnell at the Old Forge office

Mistakes we see every month

  • Opening new credit before closing
  • Changing jobs mid-process
  • Skipping the insurance quote
  • Writing offers before pre-approval
  • Assuming you need a huge down payment
  • Taking an online lender’s teaser, then getting re-priced at the end

Why buyers use Whitehall: family-owned since 1982 · we shop many lenders · no processing fee · Dallas answers his own phone at (754) 484-2194.

Questions we hear from Florida first-time buyers

How much do I need for a down payment in Florida?
Less than most people think. Several first-time programs need very little, and gifts, seller contributions and assistance can cover much of it. You get an exact figure after pre-approval.
What credit score do I need?
It depends on the program — FHA is the most flexible. If you’re not there yet, we tell you exactly what to fix.
Is Florida Hometown Heroes still available?
Funding opens each year and runs out quickly. Call us and we’ll check today’s status and whether your job qualifies.
Can I buy a condo as a first-time buyer?
Yes. The building has to pass the lender’s review, so send us the building name before you make an offer.
How long does a pre-approval take?
Usually within 24 hours. It’s free and good for 120 days.
Can the seller pay my closing costs?
Often, yes. Your realtor negotiates it into the offer and we structure the loan so the seller contribution is used.
Do you help buyers outside Broward and Miami-Dade?
Yes — we lend statewide in Florida. Our South Florida office is in Hollywood.

Start with a free pre-approval.

Or call (754) 484-2194.

Get Pre-Qualified

Get a call within 24 hours — no SSN needed!

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Dallas Pinnell, NMLS #1580860 · Whitehall Mortgage Financial LTD, Company NMLS #102617 · NMLS Consumer Access · Equal Housing Opportunity