At 1st Florida Lending we offer Florida & California home
purchases and refinances plus non-owner-occupied investor
and commercial property financing in AL, AZ, CA, GA, FL, IL,
IA, KS, KY, LA, MN, MT, ND, OK, PA, SC, SD, TX, and WV
Florida’s Top Rated Mortgage Lender
A+ BBB RATED I 48 loan programs
4.8 Google Review
Trusted Direct Lender with Decades of Experience
Servicing Florida and California for Purchases
and Refinancing Primary and Second Homes Offering
Investment and Commercial Properties Nationwide
CARLOS MATOS - CEO & FOUNDER
A FEW HIGHLIGHTS
48+ PROGRAMS with LOW RATES
DIRECT LENDER - NOT BROKERS
WE LIKE CHALLENGING LOANS
SAME DAY PRE-APPROVAL LETTERS
TRUSTED LENDER FROM FL TO CA
CALL OR TEXT US AT 407-300-2558
1st Florida Lending Corp., a registered Mortgage Lender
Orlando servicing only the State of Florida, offering over
48 loans programs including Conventional Loans, Non-
Conforming Loans, FHA Loans, VA Loans, USDA Loan,
Self-Employed Loans, Bank Statement Loans, No-Doc
Loans, Reverse Mortgage Loans, ITIN Loans, Rental
Investment Loans, to name a few and specializing in
Bank Statement Loans or “stated loans” requiring no Tax
Return verification and much more. * No broker or
lender fees are for FHA,VA, USDA and Conventional
loan types
Main Office: 2151 Consulate Dr. * Suite 8 * Orlando,
FL., 32837 * Telephone * (800)856-7097 * (800) 655-
1345 * (407) 300-2558 * Fax (877) 401-9955
* Disclaimer: All Loan programs, rates and terms can
change without notice and are subject to credit and
underwriting approval. Loan charts highlight min/max
constraints, assumptions & random scenarios only. We will
always work hard to approve your loan but there are no
guarantees of any kind expressed or implied that any loan
we be approved. Licensed in Florida Only. When Banks
Say No ! We Say YES ! ® is a registered trademark owned
by 1st Florida Lending Corp. Florida lender license #
MLD106.
© 2007 - 2025 1st Florida Lending Corp. - All rights reserved
We offer over 48 loan programs in every
county in the State of Florida as follows;
Alachua County,Baker County,Bay
County,Bradford County,Brevard County,Broward
County,Calhoun County,Charlotte County,Citrus
County,Clay County,Collier County,Columbia
County,DeSoto County,Dixie County,Duval
County,Escambia County,Flagler County,Franklin
County,Gadsden County,Gilchrist County,Glades
County,Gulf County,Hamilton County,Hardee
County,Hendry County,Hernando
County,Highlands County,Hillsborough
County,Holmes County,Indian River
County,Jackson County,Jefferson
County,Lafayette County,Lake County,Lee
County,Leon County,Levy County,Liberty
County,Madison County,Manatee County,Marion
County,Martin County,Miami-Dade
County,Monroe County,Nassau County,Okaloosa
County,Okeechobee County,Orange
County,Osceola County,Palm Beach
County,Pasco County,Pinellas County,Polk
County,Putnam County,Santa Rosa
County,Sarasota County,Seminole County,St.
Johns County,St. Lucie County,Sumter
County,Suwannee County,Taylor County,Union
County,Volusia County,Wakulla County,Walton
County,Washington County
Hometown Heroes Down
Payment Assistance
Program for 2025 - Up to
$35,000 Available
Limited Funding Alert: The Hometown
Heroes Program is funded annually and
awarded first-come, first-served. When
funds run out, new reservations pause
until the next funding cycle. Apply early
to secure your spot. The Florida
Hometown Heroes Housing Program
helps eligible Florida workers become
homeowners by offering down payment
and closing cost assistance on a pri-
mary residence. Along with assistance,
qualified buyers may receive reduced
first-mortgage rates and other benefits,
making homeownership more attain-
able in the communities they serve.
Click Here to download the 2025 Loan Limit Chart
The Florida Hometown Heroes Housing
(HTH) Program makes homeownership
affordable for eligible workforce
occupations. This program provides
down payment and closing cost
assistance to first-time, income-qualified
homebuyers so they can purchase a
primary residence in the community in
which they work and serve. The Florida
Hometown Heroes Loan Program also
offers a lower first mortgage interest rate
and additional special benefits to those
who have served and continue to serve
their country.
Eligible Borrowers
•
A person employed full-time by a
Florida-based employer as a
Healthcare professional, Law
enforcement, educators, school staff
members, childcare employee first
responders, public safety employee,
civil servant;
•
A servicemember of the United States
military or military reserves, the
United States Coast Guard or its
reserves, or the Florida National
Guard; or
•
A veteran employed full-time by a
Florida-based employer.
Those who meet the occupational
requirements, work full time, and are
currently employed by a Florida-based
employer can receive competitive market
interest rates on an FHA, VA, RD, and
Conventional first mortgage, reduced
upfront fees, no origination points or
discount points and down payment and
closing cost assistance.
Key Benefits
•
Competitive first-mortgage rates with
fixed terms.
•
Works with popular loan types: FHA,
VA, USDA, and Conventional (HFA
Preferred/Advantage).
•
Borrowers can receive up to 5% of the
total first mortgage loan amount
(maximum of $35,000/minimum of
$10,000) in funds towards down
payment and closing cost assistance.
•
May be combined with select local
grants and lender credits (program
permitting).
•
No monthly payment on the
assistance second (terms vary by
year ask for current details).
Tips: Income and price limits, credit
score minimums, and assistance caps
change periodically. Click Here to
download the 2025 Loan Limit Chart
How the Program Works
1.
Get pre-approved with 1st Florida
Lending to confirm eligibility and
budget.
2.
Reserve funds (we handle the
reservation once you’re approved and
under contract).
3.
Complete homebuyer education (if
required) and provide documents.
4.
Close on your home with your first
mortgage + deferred assistance
second.
What You Can Buy
•
Single-family homes, town homes,
condos, and select PUDs (primary
residence only).
•
New construction or resale
(condo/project approval may be
required).
Documents to Get Started
•
Government ID and recent pay stubs
(or verification of employment).
•
W-2s/1099s and tax returns (as
applicable).
•
Bank statements for assets used
toward closing and reserves.
•
Signed purchase contract (when
available).
Frequently Asked Questions
Is funding really limited?
Yes. Each year’s allocation is finite and
reserved on a first-come, first-served
basis. When funds are depleted, new
reservations pause until the next cycle.
Do I have to be a first-time buyer?
•
Generally yes, with standard
exceptions (e.g., certain veteran or
targeted-area rules). We’ll confirm based
on your profile.
Can I combine Hometown Heroes with
other assistance?
•
Often, yes subject to program rules,
lien position, and total assistance caps.
Which loan types are allowed?
•
FHA, VA, USDA, and Conventional
(HFA Preferred/Advantage), subject to
program guidelines.
Do you offer other Down Payment
Assitance Programs other than this one?
•
Yes! Click to learn more .
There is no cost to apply for Hometown
Heroes Down Payment Assistance.
Why Choose 1st Florida Lending?
As a Florida-based direct lender, 1st
Florida Lending streamlines your
approval, reserves Hometown Heroes
funds quickly, and coordinates everything
through closing, so you don’t miss out
due to timing.
Ready to check your eligibility?
Click Request a Quote online for fast pre-
approval or call 407-300-2558 to speak
with a specialist today. There is no cost
to apply for Hometown Heroes Down
Payment Assistance.
Hometown Heroes Down
Payment Assistance
Program for 2025 - Up to
$35,000 Available
