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By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated March 27, 2026

Homebuyer Programs in Pine Hills, FL (2026)

Population: 82,000 | Median home price: $285,000 | Est. closing costs: $5,500 - $8,500

Skyline of Pine Hills, FL

Pine Hills is a large unincorporated community in Orange County, Florida, located just west of Orlando with a population of approximately 82,000 and a median home price around $285,000. As one of the most affordable areas in the Orlando metro, Pine Hills offers homebuyers access to some of the most generous county-level down payment assistance in Florida. The Orange County Down Payment Assistance Program provides up to $70,000 for very low-income households, while the Orange County Mortgage Assistance Program (MAP) offers up to $80,000 in deferred loans. Combined with state programs like the Florida Hometown Heroes Program (up to $35,000) and the Florida Assist Second Mortgage ($10,000), eligible Pine Hills homebuyers could potentially access over $100,000 in total assistance — which at a $285,000 median price could cover the entire purchase.

County Programs in Orange County

OCHFA Homebuyer Program
Type:
Deferred Loan
Amount:
Down payment and closing cost assistance combined with competitive first mortgage rates
First-time only:
Yes
Orange County Down Payment Assistance Program
Type:
Deferred Loan
Amount:
Up to $70,000 (very low income), $40,000 (low income), or $10,000 (moderate income)
First-time only:
Yes
Orange County Mortgage Assistance Program (MAP)
Type:
Deferred Loan
Amount:
Up to $80,000
First-time only:
Yes

State Programs in Florida

FHLBA Community Partners Product
Type:
Forgivable Loan
Amount:
Up to $20,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
First-time only:
No
FHLBA First Time Homebuyer Product
Type:
Forgivable Loan
Amount:
Up to $17,500 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
First-time only:
Yes
FHLBA Workforce Housing Plus+
Type:
Grant
Amount:
Up to $15,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
First-time only:
No
Florida Assist (FL Assist) Second Mortgage Program
Type:
Deferred Loan
Amount:
Up to $10,000
First-time only:
Yes
Florida HFA Preferred and Advantage PLUS Program
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
Florida Hometown Heroes Housing Program
Type:
Deferred Loan
Amount:
Up to 5% of first mortgage loan amount, minimum $10,000, maximum $35,000
First-time only:
Yes

Federal Programs

FHA Loans
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
Good Neighbor Next Door (HUD)
Type:
Government Property Sale Program
Amount:
50% discount off the list price of HUD-owned homes
First-time only:
Yes
Home Possible Mortgage (Freddie Mac)
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
HomeReady Mortgage (Fannie Mae)
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
HUD $100 Down Program
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
USDA Rural Development Loans
Type:
Government-Guaranteed Mortgage
Amount:
100% financing (no down payment required); loan amount up to appraised value
First-time only:
No
VA Loans
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

Habitat for Humanity Greater Orlando & Osceola County
Type:
Zero-Interest Loan
Amount:
Affordable home purchase with 0% interest mortgage; mortgage payments never exceed 30% of household income
First-time only:
No
NACA Purchase Program (Orlando)
Type:
Grant
Amount:
No down payment, no closing costs, no PMI, no fees, below-market fixed interest rate
First-time only:
No
NeighborWorks Orange County Homebuyer Assistance
Type:
Deferred Loan
Amount:
Down payment assistance available through counseling and program matching
First-time only:
No

How to Apply

Step 1: Check your eligibility. The Orange County Down Payment Assistance Program serves first-time homebuyers with household income at or below 80% of the Area Median Income. The Mortgage Assistance Program (MAP) serves households at or below 80% AMI with a maximum loan of $80,000 at 3% simple interest.

Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. All Orange County programs require completion of a HUD-approved homebuyer education course. NeighborWorks Orange County is a HUD-approved counseling agency offering free homebuyer education and one-on-one counseling. Contact them at (407) 245-7150.

Step 3: Meet with a housing counselor. Schedule a free appointment with NeighborWorks Orange County or another HUD-approved counselor to review your finances, determine which programs you qualify for, and create a homeownership plan.

Step 4: Get pre-approved for a first mortgage. Work with a lender approved by the Orange County programs. For the OCHFA Homebuyer Program, you must use a participating lender from the Orange County Housing Finance Authority.

Step 5: Find a home in Orange County. The property must be located within Orange County (Pine Hills qualifies as unincorporated Orange County). The total sales price cannot exceed 85% of the Orange County median sales price.

Step 6: Submit your application. Contact the Orange County Housing and Community Development Division at (407) 836-5150 to apply. Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis while funding is available.

Step 7: Close on your new home. After approval, coordinate your closing. The county assistance is recorded as a deferred loan, and no monthly payments are required as long as you live in the home as your primary residence.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much down payment assistance can I get in Pine Hills?+
Pine Hills homebuyers can access substantial assistance through Orange County programs. The Orange County Down Payment Assistance Program offers up to $70,000 for very low-income households (50% AMI or below), $40,000 for low-income households, or $10,000 for moderate-income households. The Orange County Mortgage Assistance Program (MAP) provides up to $80,000 as a deferred loan at 3% simple interest. The OCHFA Homebuyer Program offers additional down payment and closing cost assistance with competitive first mortgage rates. At the state level, the Florida Hometown Heroes Program provides up to $35,000 and the Florida Assist Second Mortgage provides $10,000.
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer to qualify?+
For the Orange County Down Payment Assistance Program and the MAP program, yes, you must be a first-time homebuyer (no homeownership in the past 3 years). The Florida Hometown Heroes Program also requires first-time buyer status. Federal programs like FHA and VA loans do not have this requirement.
What is the maximum home price I can purchase?+
For the Orange County Down Payment Assistance Program, the total sales price cannot exceed 85% of the Orange County median sales price. The MAP program also has purchase price limits tied to the area median. Contact Orange County Housing and Community Development at (407) 836-5150 for current limits, as they are updated periodically.
What homebuyer education is required?+
All Orange County down payment assistance programs require completion of a HUD-approved homebuyer education course. NeighborWorks Orange County at (407) 245-7150 offers free homebuyer education classes and one-on-one financial counseling. They are a HUD-approved housing counseling agency serving the Pine Hills and greater Orlando area.
Is Pine Hills eligible for Orange County programs even though it is not a city?+
Yes. Pine Hills is an unincorporated census-designated place within Orange County, which means residents are directly served by Orange County government programs. You do not need to live within an incorporated city like Orlando to qualify for Orange County down payment assistance programs. In fact, because Pine Hills is unincorporated, county programs are your primary source of local assistance.
What is the difference between the DPA program and the MAP program?+
The Orange County Down Payment Assistance Program provides up to $70,000 as a deferred loan with tiered amounts based on income level. The Mortgage Assistance Program (MAP) provides up to $80,000 at 3% simple interest as a deferred payment loan with a 30-year term. Both cover down payment and closing costs, but they have different interest structures and maximum amounts. A housing counselor at NeighborWorks Orange County can help you determine which program or combination is best for your situation.

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