Updated June 2026

Florida Mortgage Rates 2026: Best Lenders + State Programs Ranked

Sarah MitchellMortgage Rate Analyst12 min read

Florida's average 30-year mortgage rate is 6.74% in June 2026 — nearly identical to the national average. But the right lender can save you $8,000–$18,000 on a $400K FL home. Add the Hometown Heroes program ($35K DPA) and Florida first-time buyers have access to some of the best assistance in the country. Here's the complete 2026 breakdown.

6.74%
FL 30-yr avg
$35K
Hometown Heroes DPA
$621K
Miami FHA limit
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⚡ Florida Mortgage Quick Answer

  • Best overall FL rate: Better.com (6.68%, closes in 16 days)
  • Best for FHA in FL: Carrington Mortgage (accepts 500 score)
  • Best for FL VA loans: Rocket Mortgage (6.09% VA)
  • Best DPA program: Hometown Heroes — up to $35,000 for essential workers
  • FL-specific rule: TX-style cash-out restrictions don't apply; FL allows 90% LTV cash-out

Florida Mortgage Rates by Lender (June 2026)

Rates for a $400K FL home, 740 credit score, 20% down. Updated weekly.

Lender30-yr15-yrFHAVALender FeeClose
Rocket Mortgage
Best overall + digital
6.71%6.04%6.28%6.09%$021 days
Better.com
Fastest closing in FL
6.68%5.98%6.31%6.15%$016 days
AmeriSave
Lowest lender fees
6.72%6.01%6.29%6.11%$025 days
Caliber Home Loans
Best jumbo (FL Keys)
6.75%6.07%6.33%6.18%$99528 days
New American Funding
Best for Spanish speakers
6.74%6.06%6.30%6.14%$026 days
Flagstar Bank
Best jumbo loans
6.76%6.09%6.34%6.19%$75030 days
Carrington Mortgage
Best for 500 credit score
6.82%6.14%6.25%N/A$035 days

Rates are indicative. Request a Loan Estimate to compare APR. Get your personalized Florida rate →

Florida FHA Loan Limits 2026 by County

Florida has 3 FHA loan limit tiers in 2026 due to its diverse housing markets:

County / Metro1-Unit FHA LimitConventional LimitTier
Monroe (FL Keys)$929,200$1,209,750⭐ Highest
Collier (Naples / Marco Island)$702,000$998,000High-cost
Miami-Dade / Broward / Palm Beach$621,000$806,500High-cost
Sarasota / Manatee$574,950$726,200Mid-tier
Most other FL counties$498,257$766,550Standard

Florida tip: If your target home is near the FHA limit, consider getting pre-approved now before prices push you into a jumbo loan tier (which requires 10-20% down and 700+ credit).

Florida Down Payment Assistance Programs 2026

Florida has some of the best DPA programs in the US. Here are the top 5:

FL Hometown Heroes

Up to $35,000 DPA
Type: 0% interest loan
Income: ≤$128K (varies by county)
Min Score: 640+
For: Essential workers (teachers, nurses, first responders, military)

FL Assist (Second Mortgage)

Up to $10,000 DPA
Type: 0% deferred loan
Income: County AMI limits
Min Score: 640+
For: First-time buyers with HFA-approved lender

FL HFA Preferred Grant

3–5% of loan amount
Type: Forgivable grant
Income: County AMI limits
Min Score: 640+
For: First-time buyers on conventional loans

MyFirstFlorida

Up to $15,000 DPA
Type: 30-yr 0% 2nd mortgage
Income: ≤$120K
Min Score: 640+
For: First-time buyers, conventional or FHA

Pasco County DPA

Up to $40,000
Type: Forgivable after 10 yrs
Income: ≤80% AMI
Min Score: 620+
For: Pasco County residents only

🔑 Hometown Heroes insider tip

The Hometown Heroes program regularly runs out of funds mid-year. As of June 2026, funds are still available but limited. Essential workers should apply for pre-approval now to lock in eligibility before the next allocation round.

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5 Florida-Specific Mortgage Rules You Must Know

1. Florida homestead exemption saves you on property taxes
FL primary residences get a $50,000 homestead exemption off assessed value, saving ~$750-$1,250/yr in taxes depending on your county millage rate. This is automatically applied after you establish residency and file. It also caps annual assessment increases at 3% (Save Our Homes cap). Investment properties do NOT qualify.
2. Property insurance is the #1 cost shock for FL buyers
Florida homeowners insurance averages $2,800-$6,000/year vs national avg of $1,700. Miami-Dade, Broward, and coastal counties can hit $8,000-$15,000+. Lenders require full coverage, so budget for this in your escrow. Pro tip: get insurance quotes BEFORE making an offer — some homes in high-risk zones are uninsurable at reasonable costs.
3. FL allows 90% LTV cash-out refinance (no Texas restrictions)
Unlike Texas (which caps cash-out refi at 80% LTV), Florida has no constitutional restrictions on cash-out refinancing. You can access up to 80% LTV via conventional, and FHA allows cash-out up to 80% LTV as well. This makes FL home equity more accessible for renovations, debt payoff, or investment property down payments.
4. VA loans are exceptionally strong in FL (no funding fee for disabled vets)
Florida has the 3rd-largest veteran population (1.5M+). VA loans come with 0% down, no PMI, and rates averaging 6.09% — about 0.65% below conventional. Veterans with 10%+ disability rating pay NO VA funding fee (saves $3,000-$6,000). The FL Hometown Heroes program STACKS with VA loans for additional DPA.
5. FL condo mortgages have extra hurdles post-Surfside
After the 2021 Surfside collapse, FL passed strict condo inspection laws (SB 4-D). Lenders and Fannie Mae now require condo buildings to have no deferred maintenance issues and funded reserves. Getting a mortgage in a condo with outstanding structural issues or underfunded HOA reserve is nearly impossible. Always check the condo HOA's reserve study before making an offer.

Florida Mortgage FAQ 2026

What is the average mortgage rate in Florida in 2026?

Florida's average 30-year fixed mortgage rate in 2026 is approximately 6.74%, which is very close to the national average of 6.72%. Rates can be slightly higher in high-cost counties like Miami-Dade (+0.05%) due to property insurance costs impacting lender risk assessment. The best FL borrowers (760+ credit, 20% down) can access rates as low as 6.51%.

→ Compare FL rates from top lenders now

What is the Florida Hometown Heroes program in 2026?

The Florida Hometown Heroes Housing Program offers up to $35,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance to essential workers — teachers, nurses, law enforcement, firefighters, EMTs, active military, and veterans. It's a 0% interest second mortgage that is due only when you sell, refinance, or move out. Income limit is approximately $128,000 but varies by county. Credit score: 640+.

What are the FHA loan limits in Florida for 2026?

Florida 2026 FHA loan limits vary by county: Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Monroe: $621,000 (high-cost). Collier (Naples): $702,000. Most other FL counties: $498,257 (standard limit). Monroe County (Florida Keys) has the highest limit at $929,200 due to extreme real estate costs.

→ Get pre-approved for an FHA loan in FL today

Does Florida have special mortgage programs for veterans?

Yes. Beyond the federal VA loan (0% down, no PMI, rates from 6.09%), Florida offers veterans the Hometown Heroes program (up to $35K DPA), Salute Our Soldiers Military Loan Program (below-market rates + $5,000 DPA), and some counties offer additional local veteran grants. VA loans in FL had a 0.15% lower default rate than national average in 2025.

What credit score do I need for a Florida mortgage in 2026?

Minimum credit scores for FL mortgages 2026: FHA loan = 580 (3.5% down) or 500 (10% down); Conventional = 620; VA = no official minimum (most lenders require 580+); USDA = 640; FL Hometown Heroes = 640; Jumbo loans = typically 700+. For the best rates (6.51% range), you'll need 760+.

People Also Ask: Florida Mortgage Questions

More common FL homebuyer questions for 2026.

Is Florida a good state to buy a home in 2026?
Yes, for most buyers. FL has no state income tax, strong job growth, and warm weather driving continued demand. However, property insurance costs (+$3,000-$8,000/yr vs national avg) and rising HOA fees in condo markets are real considerations. Miami, Orlando, and Tampa metros remain expensive; Jacksonville, Tallahassee, and the Panhandle offer better affordability.
What is the debt-to-income limit for Florida mortgages?
Florida lenders follow national standards: conventional loans allow up to 45% DTI (50% with strong compensating factors); FHA allows up to 57% DTI with strong credit; VA and USDA loans have flexible DTI requirements. Hometown Heroes program requires a maximum 50% DTI. Calculate your DTI as (all monthly debt payments ÷ gross monthly income) × 100.
Can I get a mortgage in Florida with a 580 credit score?
Yes. FHA loans in Florida accept 580+ credit with 3.5% down. Several FL lenders (Carrington, Rocket Mortgage) also accept 580 for conventional via non-QM products. For the Hometown Heroes DPA program, you need 640+. With 500-579, FHA requires 10% down — shop Carrington Mortgage specifically for this score range.

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