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

Homebuyer Programs in Town 'n' Country, FL (2026)

Population: 88,000 | Median home price: $410,000 | Est. closing costs: $8,000 - $12,500

Skyline of Town 'n' Country, FL

Town 'n' Country is an unincorporated community in Hillsborough County, Florida, located just west of Tampa with easy access to Tampa International Airport and the Westshore business district. With a median home price around $410,000, buyers here benefit from strong Hillsborough County assistance programs. The Home Sweet Home Hillsborough Program offers up to $30,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance for buyers purchasing outside the City of Tampa, and the Hillsborough County SHIP Down Payment Assistance Program provides up to $40,000 as a 0% interest deferred loan. Solita's House, a local CDFI, adds up to $15,000 in additional down payment assistance. By combining county, state, and nonprofit programs, first-time buyers in Town 'n' Country can stack significant assistance toward their home purchase.

County Programs in Hillsborough County

HFA of Hillsborough County Mortgage Program
Type:
Deferred Loan
Amount:
Down payment and closing cost assistance as a 0% second mortgage, combined with competitive first mortgage rates
First-time only:
Yes
Hillsborough County Down Payment Assistance (SHIP)
Type:
Deferred Loan
Amount:
Up to $40,000
First-time only:
Yes
Home Sweet Home Hillsborough Program
Type:
Deferred Loan
Amount:
$5,000 within City of Tampa; $30,000 in Hillsborough County outside Tampa (as of December 5, 2025)
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 Tampa Bay Hillsborough
Type:
Zero-Interest Loan
Amount:
Affordable home purchase with 0% interest mortgage
First-time only:
No
Solita's House Down Payment Assistance Loan
Type:
Deferred Loan
Amount:
Up to $15,000
First-time only:
No

How to Apply

Step 1: Check your eligibility. Most Hillsborough County programs require household income at or below 80% AMI and that you have not owned a home in the past three years. The Home Sweet Home program requires a minimum FICO score of 660.

Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. All county programs require a HUD-approved homebuyer education course. Tampa Bay CDC and the Housing Finance Authority of Hillsborough County can direct you to approved providers. Contact the HFA at (813) 739-3529.

Step 3: Apply for the Home Sweet Home Hillsborough Program through a participating lender. Since Town 'n' Country is outside the City of Tampa, you qualify for up to $30,000 as a 0% interest deferred second mortgage. There are no monthly payments, and the loan is repaid only when you sell, refinance, or move.

Step 4: Apply for Hillsborough County SHIP Down Payment Assistance, which provides up to $40,000 as a 0% interest deferred loan. Contact Hillsborough County Housing and Human Services for application details.

Step 5: Contact Solita's House at (813) 344-3694 about their down payment assistance loan of up to $15,000. As a certified CDFI, they specialize in helping low-to-moderate income families achieve homeownership.

Step 6: Get pre-approved for a first mortgage. The Housing Finance Authority of Hillsborough County offers competitive 30-year fixed-rate first mortgages with built-in DPA through participating lenders.

Step 7: Find a home within Hillsborough County that meets program requirements. The Home Sweet Home program has a maximum purchase price of $283,348. Submit your applications and work with your lender to finalize all layers of assistance.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much down payment assistance can I get in Town 'n' Country?+
Town 'n' Country buyers can access multiple layers of assistance. The Home Sweet Home Hillsborough Program offers up to $30,000 for purchases outside the City of Tampa, the Hillsborough County SHIP program provides up to $40,000, and Solita's House offers up to $15,000. State programs like Florida Hometown Heroes add up to $35,000 for eligible workers, and Florida Assist offers up to $10,000. Eligible buyers could potentially combine over $100,000 in total assistance.
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer to qualify?+
Yes, the Hillsborough County SHIP program and the Home Sweet Home Hillsborough Program both require that you have not owned a home in the past three years. The Home Sweet Home program also requires a minimum FICO score of 660. Federal programs like FHA and USDA loans do not require first-time buyer status, and VA loans are available to eligible veterans regardless of prior ownership.
What is the maximum home price I can purchase?+
The Home Sweet Home Hillsborough Program has a maximum purchase price of $283,348. The Hillsborough County SHIP program and other programs may have different limits. Contact the Housing Finance Authority of Hillsborough County at (813) 739-3529 for the most current purchase price limits across all programs.
What homebuyer education is required?+
All Hillsborough County homebuyer programs require completion of a HUD-approved homebuyer education course before applying. Contact the Housing Finance Authority of Hillsborough County at (813) 739-3529 to find approved education providers in the area.
Is Town 'n' Country eligible for Tampa city programs?+
No. Town 'n' Country is an unincorporated community in Hillsborough County, not part of the City of Tampa. This means City of Tampa programs like the DARE to Own the Dream Program do not apply. However, Town 'n' Country buyers benefit from county-wide programs like the Home Sweet Home Hillsborough Program, which actually provides more assistance ($30,000) for purchases outside Tampa than within it ($5,000).
What is Solita's House and how can they help?+
Solita's House is a U.S. Department of Treasury certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) based in Tampa. They offer down payment assistance loans of up to $15,000 as well as a matched savings program to help low-to-moderate income families achieve homeownership. Contact them at (813) 344-3694 to learn more.

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