Home Purchase
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First-Time Buyers · Broward County, FL
First-Time Home Buyer in Broward County, Florida — A Step-by-Step Guide
Buying your first home in Broward County — whether you're looking in Fort Lauderdale, Pembroke Pines, Hollywood, or Coral Springs — is one of the biggest financial decisions you'll ever make. This guide walks you through the process in plain English, from prequalification to closing. Homesite Mortgage has helped Florida families finance homes for over years.
Buying Your First Home in South Florida
You Don't Have to Figure This Out Alone
For most first-time buyers, the hardest part isn't the paperwork — it's not knowing what to expect next. How much do you really need saved? Which loan program is right for your situation? What does a prequalification actually mean to a seller in a competitive market? This guide answers those questions in order, the way we'd walk through them with you over the phone.
Broward County stretches from the Atlantic coastline through dense urban neighborhoods and into quieter suburban communities to the west. Fort Lauderdale's waterways and downtown energy attract buyers looking for an urban lifestyle; Pembroke Pines and Coral Springs offer established family-friendly neighborhoods; Hollywood sits right on the coast with a walkable beachside feel. Wherever you're looking in Broward, the path to your first closing follows the same general steps — and understanding them up front removes a lot of the stress.
Homesite Mortgage is a Florida-licensed, family-owned brokerage. We originate loans in Florida only, so we know how the process works here — and we'll give you an honest read on your options from the very first conversation.
The First-Time Buyer Process
Five Steps From "Maybe" to Move-In
- 1. Get prequalified. A free prequal gives you a realistic budget before you shop, so you're looking at homes you can actually finance — not falling in love with one you can't. In Broward County's competitive market, knowing your numbers before you make an offer matters.
- 2. Understand your loan options. First-time buyers in Florida often consider FHA, VA, or conventional loans. We'll explain the trade-offs in plain language and discuss which may suit your credit, savings, and goals.
- 3. Find a home and make an offer. With a prequal in hand, your offer carries more weight with sellers. A local real estate agent and a responsive lender working together makes this phase much smoother.
- 4. Underwriting and the appraisal. Your file is reviewed by underwriting and the home is appraised to confirm value. We handle the documentation and keep you updated throughout so there are no surprises.
- 5. Close and get your keys. You review and sign your final documents, funds are disbursed, and the home is yours. Our team processes and closes your loan in-house.
Timelines vary by situation and market conditions. Not every file moves at the same pace — but knowing the sequence helps you plan with confidence and ask the right questions along the way.
Loan Programs First-Time Florida Buyers Often Use
Common Paths to a First Home in Broward County
FHA Loans
Insured by the Federal Housing Administration, FHA loans are designed for buyers who want a low-down-payment option and have flexible credit guidelines. A common starting point for first-time buyers across South Florida. Learn more →
VA Loans
For eligible veterans, active-duty service members, and certain surviving spouses, VA financing offers favorable terms that no other program can match. Eligibility depends on your service history and VA guidelines. Learn more →
Conventional Loans
Not government-insured, conventional loans offer their own low-down-payment options for qualified buyers and can be a strong fit when credit and savings are in a solid position. Learn more →
Down Payment Assistance
Florida and Broward County periodically offer assistance programs that may help eligible first-time buyers with down payment or closing costs. Availability and rules change — we'll check what's current for your situation.
Down Payment Help in Florida
Assistance Programs Worth Asking About
One of the most common reasons people delay buying is the belief that they need a large lump sum saved before they can even start. For many first-time buyers, that's not the case. Beyond the low-down-payment loan programs above, the Florida Housing Finance Corporation and various local and county programs periodically offer down payment and closing-cost assistance to eligible buyers.
These programs have their own income limits, property requirements, and eligibility rules — and they change over time as funding cycles open and close. We don't quote program specifics that might be out of date by the time you read this. What we can do is review your situation and check which current programs you may qualify for. If help is available for a buyer like you in Broward County, we'll find it.
Many programs define a first-time buyer as someone who has not owned a primary residence in the past three years — so even some repeat buyers may qualify. We'll confirm eligibility requirements based on your actual circumstances, not a general rule.
Why Work With a Local Florida Broker
Family-Owned, Florida-Only, Personally Reviewed
- Florida-licensed and Florida-only. Homesite Mortgage originates loans exclusively in Florida, so we understand how the process works in Broward County and across the state.
- + years, family-owned. We've guided Florida families through first homes since 1999. The same team handles your file from prequal to closing.
- Every prequal is reviewed personally. You'll get an honest read on your options — not an automated decision. If something isn't going to work, we'll tell you that too and explain what might help.
- We work across all of Broward. Whether you're shopping in Fort Lauderdale, Pembroke Pines, Hollywood, Coral Springs, or anywhere in between, we can help you navigate the financing side of the purchase.
First-Time Buyer Questions
Answers to What People Ask Us Most
Do I have to be a true first-time buyer to qualify for assistance programs?
Not always. Many programs define a first-time buyer as someone who hasn't owned a primary residence in the past three years, so even some repeat buyers may qualify. Rules vary by program and can change, so we check current eligibility requirements for your specific situation.
How much down payment will I need to buy in Broward County?
It depends on the loan program and your individual situation. FHA is designed for buyers who want a lower down payment, VA financing offers favorable terms for eligible veterans, and conventional loans have low-down-payment options for qualified buyers. These are program parameters, not guarantees — we'll review your full picture and explain what may work for you.
What credit score do I need to buy my first home in Fort Lauderdale?
There's no single number that applies to everyone — different programs have different guidelines, and your full financial picture matters. Rather than guess, we review your situation and explain honestly which options may fit.
How do I get started buying my first home in Broward County?
Start with a free prequalification. It gives you a realistic budget before you shop and shows sellers you're serious when you make an offer. Every prequal is reviewed by our Florida-licensed team.
Ready to start?
Take the First Step Toward Your First Home in Broward County
Every submission is reviewed personally; our team typically follows up as soon as we can.
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