1% Down for First-Time Buyers

Put down 1%, get a lender grant for the rest of the equity, and start with a real cushion.

Down Payment %

On a $400K Home

$4,000

Loan Amount

$396,000

Sample Price

$400,000

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Get Pre-Approved in 1% Down for First-Time Buyers

5 minutes · No cost · Soft credit pull only

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NMLS# 1859012 · Equal Housing Lender

1% Down · First-Time Buyers

1% Down for First-Time Buyers in Florida

For first-time buyers, 1% down is usually about pairing the loan with Florida assistance. First-time buyers qualify for Hometown Heroes and SHIP help, which can cover most of the cash to close, and a soft-pull pre-approval makes your offer credible. We line both up before you tour homes.

A 1% down mortgage lets you contribute just one percent of the price while the lender adds a grant — usually another 2% — so you start with 3% equity without saving 3%. It is one of the few legitimate paths to a near-zero down conventional loan in Florida.

On a $400,000 Florida home, 1% down is $4,000 out of pocket. The lender grant covers the gap to the program minimum, and you finance the rest. That keeps cash in your account for moving costs, repairs, and reserves rather than draining it at the closing table.

These programs run through specific conventional investors and have income limits in many areas, so they are not available on every loan. As a broker we know which lenders offer a true 1% down product right now and whether you fit the box before you write an offer.

1% Down at a Glance

✓Pay 1% of the price; the lender grant supplies the rest of the minimum equity.

✓Keeps thousands in the bank for reserves and move-in costs.

✓Runs on conventional financing with cancellable PMI, not a permanent fee.

✓Income limits apply in most areas — we confirm eligibility up front.

Read the full 1% down guide, or compare other loan types: FHA · Conventional · Florida.

1% Down Snapshot

1%Down Payment %

$4,000On a $400K Home

$396,000Loan Amount

$400,000Sample Price

How It Works

Apply Online

5 min · soft credit pull only

Match Program

We shop lenders + assistance

Processing

Our team handles paperwork

Typically 14–21 days

FAQ

1% Down for First-Time Buyers Questions

Is 1% down good for first-time buyers in Florida?

Yes. First-time buyers can pair 1% down with Hometown Heroes (up to $35,000) and county SHIP grants, which often cover most of the cash needed. We map your exact cash to close and get you pre-approved first.

Is a 1% down mortgage real?

Yes. Several conventional lenders offer a 1% down program where you pay 1% and the lender contributes a grant (commonly 2%) to reach the 3% minimum equity. It is a real product, not a teaser, but it has income limits and is not offered by every lender. We match you to one that has it.

Do I keep the lender grant if I sell?

In most 1% down programs the grant is a true gift, not a second loan, so there is nothing to repay when you sell or refinance. Terms vary by lender, so we confirm the grant structure in writing before you commit.

Keep Going

1% Down Guide 1% Down · FHA 1% Down · Conventional 1% Down · Florida All Down Payment Options Apply for Pre-Approval

1% Down for First-Time Buyers?

A licensed Florida mortgage broker who shops the loan and the assistance for you — 5-minute pre-approval, honest numbers.

(561) 300-0380

Figures are illustrative only and based on a sample purchase price. APR, payments, and assistance amounts vary by credit score, loan amount, income, and market conditions. Subject to credit approval. Not a commitment to lend. NMLS# 1859012. Equal Housing Lender.