Free Download · First-Time Buyers
This is the first-time buyer guide that shows you how to buy a home for less than $10,000 out of pocket — even if you think you can't afford it yet.
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What's Inside the Free Guide
Everything you need before you make a move.
The 4 loan programs that let you buy with as little as 0% down — including the two zero-down options most first-time buyers in Southwest Florida have no idea they qualify for
How a Florida couple bought a $305,000 home for less than $4,150 out of pocket — the exact combination of down payment assistance and seller concessions they used (and you can copy)
The $7,500 Florida down payment assistance program with 0% interest that you don't pay back until you sell or refinance — plus the Lee County program that goes up to $40,000 for qualifying buyers
Why putting down $5,000 or $10,000 in earnest money is a rookie mistake — the much smaller amount that's still fully refundable during your inspection period and keeps cash in your pocket
The wind mitigation report that can cut your Florida insurance premium by 20–40% — it costs $75–$150 and almost every first-time buyer skips it (then overpays for years)
How one buyer saved $3,700 every single year by walking away from a home in an AE flood zone during her inspection window — and the exact step that got her full $1,000 deposit back
The 203(k) renovation loan that lets you finance a fixer-upper AND the renovations in one mortgage — one buyer used it to turn a $180,000 home into a $250,000 home with $40,000 in instant equity
The 3 categories of inspection findings — which ones to ignore, which ones to negotiate hard on, and which ones let you walk away with your full deposit no questions asked
The wire fraud scam targeting first-time buyers at closing — the one phone call that protects you from losing your entire down payment to scammers posing as the title company
BONUS: The homestead exemption most new homeowners forget to file — a free 10-minute step that saves around $400 per year in property taxes for as long as you own the home
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First-Timer Questions
First-time buying in SWFL — FAQ
- How much do I need to buy my first home in Southwest Florida?
- Less than most people think. Many first-time buyers put down as little as 3–3.5%, and buyer closing costs typically run ~2–5% of the price. The bigger question is the monthly carrying cost — taxes, insurance, flood, HOA — which the cost cheatsheet breaks down.
- What first-time buyer programs and down-payment assistance are available in Florida?
- Florida Housing offers down-payment assistance and special first-mortgage programs many buyers never hear about, plus FHA/VA/USDA options. The guide above walks through which ones fit — and I'll connect you with lenders who actually use them.
- What credit score do I need to buy a home?
- Many programs start around 620, and some go lower with assistance — but the right loan depends on your full picture. Don't self-disqualify; a quick pre-approval tells you exactly where you stand.
- How do I find a first home I can actually afford?
- Start with your real number, then filter communities to match. Use the community map (filter by price tier and lifestyle) or take the 90-second quiz for your top 5 fits.