Reduce the cash needed to buy your first home in Highlands County with purchase assistance of up to $40,000. Eligible buyers receive a 0% deferred loan with forgiveness over a twenty-year term.
Eligibility, an approved purchase, and program funding are required.
Highlands County purchase assistance helps income-qualified first-time buyers with down payment and closing costs through the SHIP program.
Extremely-Low, Very-Low & Low Income
Up to $40,000 toward eligible purchase costs.
Moderate Income
Up to $20,000 for eligible households through 120% of area median income.
Workforce Income
Up to $15,000 for eligible households above 120% and through 140% of area median income.
Get your financing, household documents, and home purchase ready for Highlands County purchase assistance.
Find out what you can borrow and what you will need to complete your home purchase.
Take qualifying homebuyer education and keep your certificate for the county application.
Gather income records, your mortgage preapproval, and documentation of your required buyer contribution.
The county reviews your purchase-assistance application and must approve the award before funds can be used at closing.
Down payment and closing costs are part of the cost of buying a home. Highlands County purchase assistance can help cover eligible costs while you establish your primary residence.
Apply an approved assistance award toward eligible down payment and closing costs.
The assistance loan has deferred payments. Your primary mortgage still requires its regular payments.
The assistance is a 0% deferred loan with a twenty-year term. Forgiveness begins after year ten, with 10% of the original amount forgiven for each full year thereafter. Selling, moving out, or another default can make the unforgiven balance due.
Common questions about the Highlands County purchase assistance.
Highlands County purchase assistance helps income-qualified first-time buyers with down payment and closing costs through the SHIP program. Eligible buyers may receive up to $40,000 toward approved purchase costs.
Meet the program's first-time homebuyer rules, generally no principal-residence ownership during the past three years; exceptions may apply. Meet household income limits and qualify for first-mortgage financing. Complete qualifying homebuyer education within the 18 months before closing. Make the required buyer contribution and occupy an eligible Highlands County home as your primary residence.
For a four-person household in 2026, the income limits are $40,400 at 50% of area median income, $64,650 at 80%, $96,960 at 120%, and $113,120 at 140%. The applicable limit and maximum assistance depend on household size and income category.
Extremely-Low, Very-Low & Low Income: Up to $40,000 toward eligible purchase costs. Moderate Income: Up to $20,000 for eligible households through 120% of area median income. Workforce Income: Up to $15,000 for eligible households above 120% and through 140% of area median income. The final award depends on your eligibility, eligible costs, and program funding.
The assistance is a 0% deferred loan with a twenty-year term. Forgiveness begins after year ten, with 10% of the original amount forgiven for each full year thereafter. Selling, moving out, or another default can make the unforgiven balance due.
New and existing homes in Highlands County may qualify. New homes must have received a certificate of occupancy within the past twelve months. Qualifying manufactured homes built after June 1994 may be eligible when the buyer also owns the land. Approved minor repairs can be included within the award.
Review your mortgage qualifications, gather income documents, and complete qualifying homebuyer education. The county requires a separate purchase-assistance application and reviews your household, financing, and proposed purchase before approving an award.
The minimum contribution is $500 for very-low- and low-income buyers, $1,000 for moderate-income buyers, and $1,500 for eligible workforce-income buyers. Qualifying inspections, appraisal fees, deposits, and closing funds can count when listed on the Closing Disclosure. Your lender may require additional funds.
Your household income category, eligible purchase costs, and county approval determine your assistance award. Review your mortgage budget, buyer contribution, and repayment terms before closing.
No. This is a private mortgage inquiry with Next Wave Mortgage, LLC, not a county assistance application. A mortgage professional can help you review financing options; the county or its administrator makes the assistance decision.
Your household income category, eligible purchase costs, and county approval determine your assistance award. Review your mortgage budget, buyer contribution, and repayment terms before closing.
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