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.
Top Homebuyer 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 → |
| 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 → |
| 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 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 → |
| 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:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $40,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
- 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
- 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 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
- 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 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.
- Step 2:
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.
- Step 3:
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.
- Step 4:
Find a home within Margate city limits. Eligible properties include single-family homes, townhomes, villas, and condominiums within Margate. Mobile homes are not eligible.
- Step 5:
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.
- Step 6:
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.