Hometown Heroes Assessment
See if you qualify for up to $35,000 in Down Payment Assistance!
What is your profession or employer category?
Florida Hometown Heroes is available to full-time employees in eligible community-service professions.
Are you currently employed full-time (35+ hours/week) by a Florida-based employer?
Are you or your spouse an active military member, reserve member, or veteran?
Note: Military service members and veterans may receive additional baseline exemptions from specific Hometown Heroes program guidelines.
Do you have a service-connected disability rating?
Do you receive monthly VA disability compensation?
How much do you receive monthly in VA disability benefits?
Are you a Purple Heart recipient or a surviving spouse of a service member?
Either status may qualify you for a VA funding fee exemption.
Have you used your VA home loan benefit before?
This affects your funding fee. First-time use has a lower rate.
Have you owned a primary residence anywhere within the last 3 years?
What is your estimated credit score?
Hometown Heroes requires a minimum credit score of 640.
Where are you in the home buying process?
Will you be applying with a co-borrower?
What is your employment status?
What is your estimated gross annual income?
Your Preliminary Hometown Heroes Assessment
You're almost done — enter your contact information below so one of our specialists can confirm your down payment assistance eligibility against your county's income limits.
Please fill the details below to see your options.
Profile Submitted!
Great news—Step 1 is complete! We've received your homebuyer profile. Would you like to input your liabilities now to calculate your purchasing power and unlock your initial pre-qualification estimate?
What is your co-borrower's estimated credit score?
What is your co-borrower's employment status?
What is your co-borrower's estimated gross annual income?
Input Your Liabilities
Review and adjust your monthly debts below.
Edit My Profile
Click any section below to update your information.
Mortgage Calculator
🏡 Florida Hometown Heroes Down Payment Assistance
Based on your profile, you may qualify for up to $35,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance through the Florida Hometown Heroes program. Final assistance amounts depend on your household income relative to your county's limits — your specialist will confirm this during underwriting.
About VA's Residual Income Standard
Unlike Conventional or FHA loans, the VA's primary qualification standard isn't your DTI ratio — it's residual income (the dollars left after housing and debts to support your household). A veteran with a higher DTI can still qualify if residual income is strong, and your specialist can review compensating factors if needed.
💡 Possible Funding Fee Refund
If you have a pending VA disability claim with an effective date before your loan closing, you may be eligible for a full refund of your VA funding fee after the rating is granted. Mention any pending claims to your specialist.
💡 Seller Can Cover Closing Costs
On VA loans, sellers can contribute up to 4% in concessions — often enough to fully cover your funding fee, escrows, and other closing costs. This is a powerful negotiating tool your specialist can help you leverage.
💡 Reminder: BAH Counts as Income
If you didn't include your Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) in your income, your purchasing power may be significantly understated. BAH is fully usable as qualifying income on VA loans. Edit your profile to add it.
🏠 Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) Grants
Veterans with certain severe service-connected disabilities (loss of limbs, blindness, certain conditions) may qualify for VA grants of up to ~$117,000 (SAH) or ~$23,000 (SHA) to build, buy, or modify a home for accessibility. Ask your specialist if you may qualify.
Important Note on Property Tax Exemptions for 100% P&T Veterans
As a 100% Total & Permanent disabled veteran purchasing in Florida, you generally qualify for a full exemption of standard ad valorem property taxes on your primary residence.
This exemption does not cover minor local "non-ad valorem" assessments (e.g., trash collection, fire rescue). Always verify exact exemption amounts, application deadlines, and local rules with your county tax assessor.
⚠ Important Notice — Credit Score Below 580
A credit score below 580 may limit your loan program options, as most VA-approved lenders require a minimum 580. You can still continue, and a specialist will review your full profile to explore available options and provide resources to help boost your score.
Application Submitted!
Your information has been sent to one of the Approved Mortgage Solutions loan specialists for review. You will be updated within the next 24 hours.