Homebuyer Programs in Bonita Springs, FL (2026)
Bonita Springs is a Gulf Coast city of about 55,000 in Lee County, Florida, known for its pristine beaches, Barefoot Beach Preserve, and vibrant downtown. With a median home price around $475,000, buyers here can access Lee County assistance programs since the city does not currently offer its own down payment assistance. The Lee County HOME Down Payment Assistance Program provides up to $34,000 as a forgivable loan covering 10% of the purchase price. The Lee County Housing Finance Authority FirstPlus Program adds up to $10,000 as a deferred loan. Florida state programs including Hometown Heroes (up to $35,000) and Florida Assist (up to $10,000) round out the options. Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry Counties also builds affordable homes in the area. By combining county and state programs, eligible Bonita Springs buyers can potentially stack over $50,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance.
Top Homebuyer Programs in Bonita Springs
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lee County HOME Down Payment Assistance Program | Forgivable Loan | Up to $34,000 (10% of purchase price) | Yes | View → |
| Lee County Housing Finance Authority FirstPlus Program | Deferred Loan | Up to $10,000 | Yes | View → |
| FHA Loans | Government-Insured Mortgage | Up to FHA county loan limits ($541,287 floor to $1,249,125 ceiling for single-family in 2026) | No | View → |
| FHLBA Community Partners Product | Forgivable Loan | Up to $20,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs | No | View → |
| FHLBA First Time Homebuyer Product | Forgivable Loan | Up to $17,500 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs | Yes | View → |
| FHLBA Workforce Housing Plus+ | Forgivable Loan | Up to $15,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs | No | View → |
| Good Neighbor Next Door (HUD) | Government Property Sale Program | 50% discount off the list price of HUD-owned homes | Yes | View → |
| Home Possible Mortgage (Freddie Mac) | Government-Guaranteed Mortgage | Up to conforming loan limits ($832,750 standard / $1,249,125 high-cost in 2026); 3% minimum down payment | No | View → |
| HomeReady Mortgage (Fannie Mae) | Government-Guaranteed Mortgage | Up to conforming loan limits ($832,750 standard / $1,249,125 high-cost in 2026); 3% minimum down payment | No | View → |
| HUD $100 Down Program | FHA-Financed HUD REO Purchase | Only $100 down payment required (vs. standard 3.5% FHA down payment). HUD may also pay up to 3% of buyer's closing costs. | No | View → |
| USDA Rural Development Loans | Government-Guaranteed Mortgage | 100% financing (no down payment required); loan amount up to appraised value | No | View → |
| VA Loans | Government-Guaranteed Mortgage | No loan limit for veterans with full entitlement (0% down at any price); partial entitlement subject to conforming limits ($832,750 standard in 2026) | No | View → |
| Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry Counties Homeownership Program | Zero-Interest Loan | Affordable mortgage with no down payment required | No | View → |
| Florida Assist (FL Assist) Second Mortgage Program | Deferred Loan | Up to $10,000 | Yes | View → |
| Florida HFA Preferred and Advantage PLUS Program | Forgivable Loan | 3%, 4%, or 5% of the first mortgage loan amount | Yes | View → |
| Florida Hometown Heroes Housing Program | Deferred Loan | Up to 5% of first mortgage loan amount, minimum $10,000, maximum $35,000 | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $34,000 (10% of purchase price)
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $10,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Government-Insured Mortgage
- Amount:
- Up to FHA county loan limits ($541,287 floor to $1,249,125 ceiling for single-family in 2026)
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $20,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $17,500 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $15,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Government Property Sale Program
- Amount:
- 50% discount off the list price of HUD-owned homes
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Government-Guaranteed Mortgage
- Amount:
- Up to conforming loan limits ($832,750 standard / $1,249,125 high-cost in 2026); 3% minimum down payment
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Government-Guaranteed Mortgage
- Amount:
- Up to conforming loan limits ($832,750 standard / $1,249,125 high-cost in 2026); 3% minimum down payment
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- FHA-Financed HUD REO Purchase
- Amount:
- Only $100 down payment required (vs. standard 3.5% FHA down payment). HUD may also pay up to 3% of buyer's closing costs.
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Government-Guaranteed Mortgage
- Amount:
- 100% financing (no down payment required); loan amount up to appraised value
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Government-Guaranteed Mortgage
- Amount:
- No loan limit for veterans with full entitlement (0% down at any price); partial entitlement subject to conforming limits ($832,750 standard in 2026)
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Affordable mortgage with no down payment required
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $10,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- 3%, 4%, or 5% of the first mortgage loan amount
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to 5% of first mortgage loan amount, minimum $10,000, maximum $35,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
How to Apply
- Step 1:
Check your eligibility. The Lee County HOME program typically serves households at or below 80% of Area Median Income for the Cape Coral-Fort Myers MSA. You must be a first-time homebuyer who has not owned a home in the past three years.
- Step 2:
Complete homebuyer education. A HUD-approved homebuyer education course is required for most programs. Contact the Lee County Department of Human and Veteran Services at 239-533-7930 for a list of approved providers in the area.
- Step 3:
Get pre-approved for a first mortgage. Contact a participating lender through the Lee County Housing Finance Authority or the Florida Housing Finance Corporation's lender network. The HFA FirstPlus program pairs a competitive first mortgage with up to $10,000 in down payment assistance.
- Step 4:
Apply for Lee County HOME assistance. Contact the Lee County Department of Human and Veteran Services to apply for up to $34,000 in purchase assistance through the HOME program. This is structured as a forgivable loan covering up to 10% of the purchase price.
- Step 5:
Find a home within program limits. Lee County programs have purchase price limits updated annually based on HUD guidelines. Work with your real estate agent to find eligible properties in Bonita Springs that fall within the program caps.
- Step 6:
Close on your new home. Your lender and the county will coordinate to apply all approved assistance at closing. The HOME assistance is structured as a forgivable loan.