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 | Forgivable Loan | Up to $75,000 (up to 10% of purchase price for households at 50-80% AMI; up to 15% below 50% AMI), sized to the lender-documented funding gap | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $75,000 (up to 10% of purchase price for households at 50-80% AMI; up to 15% below 50% AMI), sized to the lender-documented funding gap
- 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 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
Step 1: 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.
Step 2: 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.
Step 3: 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.
Step 4: 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.
Step 5: Get pre-approved for a first mortgage. Eligible loan types for the SHIP program include FHA, VA, USDA, and conventional loans.
Step 6: Find a home within North Port or Sarasota County that meets program requirements. The home must be your primary residence.
Step 7: 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much down payment assistance can I get in North Port?+−
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer to qualify?+−
Does North Port have its own city down payment assistance program?+−
What are the income limits for the Sarasota County SHIP program?+−
What homebuyer education is required?+−
How do I contact the Sarasota County HERO office?+−
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