See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated March 25, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Brandon, FL (2026)
Brandon is a thriving census-designated place in Hillsborough County, just east of Tampa, with a median home price around $370,000. While Brandon does not have its own city-funded down payment assistance programs, buyers here can access substantial help through Hillsborough County and state-level programs. The Hillsborough County SHIP program offers up to $40,000 in deferred-payment assistance, and the Home Sweet Home Hillsborough Program provides up to $30,000 for buyers outside Tampa city limits. Combined with Florida Hometown Heroes (up to $35,000) and other state programs, Brandon homebuyers can potentially stack over $70,000 in assistance toward their purchase.
County Programs in Hillsborough County
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HFA of Hillsborough County Mortgage Program | Deferred Loan | Down payment and closing cost assistance as a 0% second mortgage, combined with competitive first mortgage rates | Yes | View → |
| Hillsborough County Down Payment Assistance (SHIP) | Deferred Loan | Up to $40,000 | Yes | View → |
| Home Sweet Home Hillsborough Program | Deferred Loan | $5,000 within City of Tampa; $30,000 in Hillsborough County outside Tampa (as of December 5, 2025) | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Down payment and closing cost assistance as a 0% second mortgage, combined with competitive first mortgage rates
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $40,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- $5,000 within City of Tampa; $30,000 in Hillsborough County outside Tampa (as of December 5, 2025)
- First-time only:
- Yes
State Programs in Florida
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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+ | Grant | Up to $15,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs | 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 total first mortgage loan amount (HFA Advantage PLUS TBA, Freddie Mac first mortgage only) | 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 $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:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Up to $15,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
- 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 total first mortgage loan amount (HFA Advantage PLUS TBA, Freddie Mac first mortgage only)
- 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
Federal Programs
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 → |
| 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 → |
- 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:
- 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
Nonprofit Programs
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Habitat for Humanity Tampa Bay Hillsborough | Zero-Interest Loan | Affordable home purchase with 0% interest mortgage | No | View → |
| NACA Purchase Program (Brandon) | Grant | No down payment, no closing costs, no PMI, no fees, below-market fixed interest rate | No | View → |
| Solita's House Down Payment Assistance Loan | Deferred Loan | Up to $15,000 | No | View → |
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Affordable home purchase with 0% interest mortgage
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- No down payment, no closing costs, no PMI, no fees, below-market fixed interest rate
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $15,000
- First-time only:
- No
How to Apply
Step 1: Check your eligibility. Most Hillsborough County programs require household income at or below 80% of the Area Median Income, though some extend to 120% AMI. Review current income limits on the Hillsborough County Affordable Housing Services website or call (813) 612-5397.
Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. Hillsborough County requires a HUD-approved homebuyer education course. Contact the CDC of Tampa at (813) 231-4362 or the Housing and Education Alliance at (813) 932-4663 to enroll in an approved course.
Step 3: Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Work with a Florida Housing-approved lender or contact the Housing Finance Authority of Hillsborough County to access their first mortgage program with built-in down payment assistance.
Step 4: Apply for down payment assistance. Submit your application for the Hillsborough County SHIP program (up to $40,000) and the Home Sweet Home Hillsborough Program (up to $30,000 outside Tampa). You can also explore stacking with the Florida Hometown Heroes program through your lender.
Step 5: Find a home within program limits. Some programs have purchase price caps, so confirm the current maximum with your lender or housing counselor before making an offer.
Step 6: Close on your home. Your lender and housing counselor will coordinate the assistance funds with your closing. The process typically takes 45-60 days from application to closing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much down payment assistance can I get in Brandon?+−
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer to qualify?+−
What is the maximum home price I can pay using these programs?+−
What homebuyer education is required?+−
Is Brandon inside Tampa city limits?+−
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