Homebuyer Programs in Palm Coast, FL (2026)
Palm Coast is one of the fastest-growing cities in Florida, located along the coast in Flagler County between Jacksonville and Daytona Beach, with a median home price around $360,000. The City of Palm Coast offers a First-Time Homebuyer Program providing up to $35,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance as a forgivable loan. Flagler County also administers a SHIP Purchase Assistance Program for additional help. At the state level, the Florida Hometown Heroes Program offers up to $35,000 for eligible frontline workers, and the FL Assist program provides $10,000 in second mortgage assistance. By combining local, county, and state programs, first-time buyers in Palm Coast can access meaningful assistance to make homeownership more affordable in this growing community.
Top Homebuyer Programs in Palm Coast
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City of Palm Coast First-Time Homebuyer Program | Forgivable Loan | Up to $35,000 | Yes | View → |
| Flagler County SHIP Purchase Assistance Program | Forgivable Loan | Varies by funding availability | 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 → |
| Flagler Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program | Zero-Interest Loan | Affordable mortgage with 0% interest | 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 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:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $35,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Varies by funding availability
- 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 0% interest
- 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 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. Most programs require household income at or below 80% of the Area Median Income for Flagler County. Review the City of Palm Coast FY 2025 income limits for your household size.
- Step 2:
Complete a HUD-approved homebuyer education course. Mid-Florida Housing Partnership is the primary HUD-approved counseling agency serving Palm Coast and Flagler County. Contact them at 386-274-4441 or visit mfhp.org to register for a First-Time Homebuyer class and Credit and Credit Scoring workshop.
- Step 3:
Submit a prescreening form to Mid-Florida Housing Partnership. They will help determine your eligibility for available programs and guide you through the application process.
- Step 4:
Get pre-approved for a first mortgage through a participating lender. For state programs like the Florida Hometown Heroes Program, work with an approved Florida Housing Finance Corporation lender.
- Step 5:
Find a home within the City of Palm Coast limits (for the city program) or within Flagler County (for the county program). The home must be your primary residence.
- Step 6:
Submit your complete application to the City of Palm Coast Community Development Planning Division at 386-986-3736 or email Housing@palmcoastgov.com. For the Flagler County program, contact Flagler County Housing Services directly.