See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated March 27, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in North Port, FL (2026)
North Port is a rapidly growing city in southern Sarasota County, Florida, located between Sarasota and Fort Myers along the Gulf Coast. With a median home price around $345,000, buyers here can take advantage of the Sarasota County SHIP (HERO) Purchase Assistance Program, which offers up to $75,000 in down payment and closing cost help as a 0% interest deferred loan. While North Port does not currently offer its own city-funded DPA program, state programs like the Florida Hometown Heroes Program provide up to $35,000 for eligible frontline workers, and the Florida Assist program adds up to $10,000. Habitat for Humanity South Sarasota County also serves North Port with affordable homeownership opportunities. By combining county and state programs, first-time buyers in North Port can stack meaningful assistance toward their home purchase.
County Programs in Sarasota County
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sarasota County SHIP (HERO) Purchase Assistance Program | Deferred Loan | Up to $75,000 | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $75,000
- 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 South Sarasota County Homeownership Program | Zero-Interest Loan | Affordable mortgage with below-market terms | No | View → |
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Affordable mortgage with below-market terms
- First-time only:
- No
How to Apply
Check your eligibility. The Sarasota County SHIP (HERO) program requires household income at Very Low (50% AMI or below) or Low (51-80% AMI) levels and that you have not owned a home in the past three years.
Complete homebuyer education. The county SHIP program requires a HUD-approved homebuyer education course before applying. Habitat for Humanity South Sarasota County also offers free homeownership classes covering budgeting, home maintenance, and insurance. Contact them at 941-493-6606.
Visit the Sarasota County HERO office to apply for up to $75,000 in purchase assistance. Walk-in office hours are available Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9 a.m. to noon at 4510 Fruitville Road, 2nd Floor, Sarasota.
Ask your lender about the Florida Hometown Heroes Program, which offers up to $35,000 for eligible frontline workers including teachers, nurses, law enforcement, and firefighters. The Florida Assist program provides up to $10,000 for any qualifying first-time buyer.
Get pre-approved for a first mortgage. Eligible loan types for the SHIP program include FHA, VA, USDA, and conventional loans.
Find a home within North Port or Sarasota County that meets program requirements. The home must be your primary residence.
Submit your applications and work with the HERO office and your lender to finalize all layers of assistance. SHIP funds are available on a first-come, first-qualified basis.