First-Time Homebuyer Program

The City's First Time Homebuyer program provides zero percent (0%) deferred loans to first-time homebuyers purchasing a property in the City of Miami. The buyer selects their own eligible property to purchase and meets with one of the participating lenders to be pre-qualified for a mortgage loan. The City of Miami underwrites the loan based on the first mortgage lender's commitment. The City only accepts applications from participating lenders and they are processed on a first-come, first-ready, first-serve basis. Please refer to our Frequently Asked Questions section for more information.

Snapshot of the First-Time Homebuyer Program

Eligible Properties:

Single Family Residences; townhomes, condominiums
Property must be located in the City of Miami;
Property must meet Housing Quality Standards as per 24 CFR 982.401.

Eligible Buyers:

Must not have owned a home in the past 3 years;
Household income less than or equal to 80% of the area median income adjusted for family size.
Must be able to afford a monthly payment based on income and debt;
Must contribute at least $500 of personal funds towards down payment / closing costs.

Maximum Sales Price:

Existing homes: $261,000 New construction homes: $276,000

Loan Terms:

Maximum Amount of Assistance: Varies based on the number of bedrooms of the home being purchased, and the financing needs of the applicant. The current Maximum limits as determined by U.S. HUD under the Basic Statutory Mortgage Limits (Sec. 221 (d)(3) and 234, Federal Register), are listed in the chart below.
0% non-amortizing;
Deferred payment 30-year loan;
Payment of principal will be forgiven at end of maturity period provided that the homeowner resided in the house as their primary residence.

Security:

The loan will be secured by a second mortgage on the property.

First Mortgage Restrictions:

Term of the loan must be 30 years; fixed interest rate & cannot exceed more than 150 basis points over Freddie Mac's weekly average 30-year rate, as published in the Primary Mortgage Market Survey ("PMMS"); no prepayment penalties; Total percentage charged for Discount, Origination & Broker fees must not exceed 2 points; all other lending fees must be reasonable and cannot exceed $500 or 0.5% of the loan amount, whichever is greater.

Other Restrictions:

Applicant must reside in purchased unit at all times.

Resale Restrictions:

If the owner sells and/ or transfer the house before the end of the City's mortgage term, the following provisions will apply:

The borrower will be required to repay the original amount given as assistance.
For any "early" sale or transfer, the City shall share in any gain realized, based on its pro-rated share of participation in the original purchase. Furthermore, if the sale occurs within the first 3 years, the City shall keep 100% of its pro-rated share of the "gain", from year 3 up to year 20, the City's share of its pro-rated "gain" shall decrease by 5% every year, while in turn, the owner's share shall increase by 5% each year. At year 20 up to the City's loan maturity, the owner shall retain 100% of the City's gain'.
This above share gain proposal terminates in the event of a foreclosure, with the lender required to provide the City the right of first refusal to purchase the loan at a negotiated price. In the case of a foreclosure, the City will recapture any amount of net proceeds available for the sale of the property.

How Do I Get Started?

Pick up an application for the First-Time Homebuyer Program at the Department of Housing & Community Development or at any of the City's Neighborhood Enhancement Team (NET) locations.
Gather all documents listed in the "First-Time Checklist", under the header "Provided by Homeowner."
Attend an approved Homebuyer Counseling workshop.
Contact a participating lender to obtain a loan commitment and to be pre-qualified for a mortgage loan, subject to the City's down payment amount.
Search for a home in the City of Miami based on your pre-approved loan amount and within the maximum sales price limit.
Have your lender provide you with a full mortgage commitment.
Fill out the First-time Homebuyer Program application, include all proper documentation, and submit them to your lender. Have your lender submit your loan package to the City.

For more information, regarding our First-Time Homebuyer Program, please call (305) 416-1927