Home›Down Payment›3.5% Down
Florida Down Payment · 3.5% Down

3.5% Down FHA Mortgage Guide in Florida

3.5% down is the FHA minimum — flexible credit, a 580 score floor, and easy to pair with assistance.

Down Payment %
3.5000000000000004%
On a $400K Home
$14,000
Loan Amount
$386,000
Sample Price
$400,000
Call Now
Get Pre-Approved in 3.5% Down
5 minutes · No cost · Soft credit pull only
NMLS# 1859012 · Equal Housing Lender
3.5% Down · Florida

3.5% Down FHA Mortgage Guide From a Florida Mortgage Broker

Three and a half percent down is the FHA minimum, and it is the most forgiving low-down path for buyers with a 580 to 680 score. FHA looks past thinner credit and higher debt ratios than conventional, which is why it is the workhorse loan for Florida first-time buyers.

On a $400,000 home, 3.5% down is $14,000. FHA carries an upfront mortgage insurance premium and a monthly one, but the trade is real flexibility on credit and debt. With a 580 score you still hit the 3.5% minimum; below that you need 10% down.

FHA also stacks cleanly with Florida Hometown Heroes and SHIP assistance, which can cover most or all of that 3.5%. That combination is how many Florida buyers get into a home with almost nothing out of pocket.

3.5% Down at a Glance

✓FHA minimum down payment at 3.5% with a 580+ score.
✓Forgiving on credit history and debt-to-income ratio.
✓Stacks with Hometown Heroes and SHIP down payment help.
✓Below 580, the minimum rises to 10% down.

See how 3.5% down works by loan type: FHA · Conventional · First-Time Buyers · Florida.

3.5% Down Snapshot
3.5000000000000004%Down Payment %
$14,000On a $400K Home
$386,000Loan Amount
$400,000Sample Price
How It Works
01
Apply Online
5 min · soft credit pull only
02
Match Program
We shop lenders + assistance
03
Processing
Our team handles paperwork
04
Close
Typically 14–21 days
FAQ

3.5% Down Questions

What credit score do I need for 3.5% down?

FHA requires a 580 middle score for the 3.5% minimum down payment. Between 500 and 579 you can still get an FHA loan but with 10% down. A higher score lowers your rate, so if you are close to a threshold we will tell you whether a small bump is worth it.

Can assistance cover the 3.5% FHA down payment?

Yes. Florida Hometown Heroes offers up to $35,000 and county SHIP programs add more. Stacked with an FHA loan, that assistance can cover the full 3.5% down payment and part of your closing costs. We line both up before you shop.

Official resources

Verify the details for your own situation against these government and agency sources: Florida Housing homebuyer programs and CFPB Owning a Home guide.

Related Tools & Programs
Loan ProgramVA LoansCalculatorExtra Payment CalculatorCredit Score520 Score, JUMBO LoanCredit Score620 Credit Score MortgagebuyersVeterans Home LoansProperty TypeTiny Home FinancingProperty TypeVacation Home FinancingProperty TypeMobile Home Financing
Keep Exploring
Local ProgramConventional Loan in Port CharlotteLocal ProgramBank Statement Loan in TallahasseeLocal ProgramITIN Loan in Boca RatonLocationColumbia County County Mortgage BrokerJournalThe Real Disadvantages of a VA Loan in FloridaLocationEl Jobean Mortgage Broker
Keep Going
3.5% Down · FHA3.5% Down · Conventional3.5% Down · First-Time Buyers3.5% Down · FloridaAll Down Payment OptionsApply for Pre-Approval

3.5% Down FHA Mortgage?

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.