See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated March 27, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Margate, FL (2026)
Margate is a residential city of about 58,000 in central Broward County, Florida, offering an affordable alternative to neighboring Fort Lauderdale and Coral Springs with a median home price around $350,000. First-time buyers in Margate have access to strong local and county assistance. The City of Margate Purchase Assistance Program offers up to $40,000 as a 0% interest second mortgage with a 15-year term. The Broward County Homebuyer Purchase Assistance Program provides up to $80,000 as a deferred loan. The Broward County Mortgage Credit Certificate Program offers up to $2,000 per year in federal tax credits. Florida state programs including Hometown Heroes (up to $35,000) and Florida Assist (up to $10,000) are also available. By combining city, county, and state programs, eligible Margate buyers can potentially stack over $100,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance.
City Programs in Margate
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City of Margate Purchase Assistance Program | Zero-Interest Loan | Up to $40,000 | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $40,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
County Programs in Broward County
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Broward County Homebuyer Purchase Assistance Program | Deferred Loan | Up to $80,000 | Yes | View → |
| Broward County Mortgage Credit Certificate Program | Tax Credit | Up to $2,000 per year | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $80,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Tax Credit
- Amount:
- Up to $2,000 per year
- First-time only:
- Yes
State Programs in Florida
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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:
- 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
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 → |
| 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 → |
- 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
Nonprofit Programs
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Habitat for Humanity of Broward Homeownership Program | Zero-Interest Loan | Affordable mortgage with below-market terms | Yes | View → |
| Neighborhood Housing Services of South Florida Homebuyer Program | Deferred Loan | Down payment and closing cost assistance available | Yes | View → |
| South Florida Community Land Trust Homeownership Program | Deferred Loan | Permanently affordable homes priced in the $200,000s to $300,000s | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Affordable mortgage with below-market terms
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Down payment and closing cost assistance available
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Permanently affordable homes priced in the $200,000s to $300,000s
- First-time only:
- Yes
How to Apply
Check your eligibility. The City of Margate Purchase Assistance Program requires household income at or below 80% of Area Median Income for Broward County. You must be a first-time homebuyer who has not owned a home in the past three years.
Complete homebuyer education. A HUD-approved homebuyer education course must be completed before closing. Neighborhood Housing Services of South Florida offers courses throughout Broward County, and you can also contact Broward County at 954-357-4943 for a list of approved providers.
Get pre-approved for a first mortgage. Your first mortgage must meet Broward County guidelines. Contact an approved lender through the Florida Housing Finance Corporation's participating lender network or the Broward County Housing Finance Division.
Find a home within Margate city limits. Eligible properties include single-family homes, townhomes, villas, and condominiums within Margate. Mobile homes are not eligible.
Apply for city and county assistance. Once under contract, have your lender contact Broward County at 954-357-4943 to confirm that city funds are available for the next 60-90 days. You can apply for the City of Margate program (up to $40,000) and the Broward County program (up to $80,000) simultaneously.
Close on your new home. The city assistance is structured as a 0% interest second mortgage with a 15-year term and no monthly payments. Your lender and the county will coordinate to apply all approved assistance at closing.