Orange County, FL First-Time Home Buyer Programs and Down Payment Help
Orange County buyers can apply to 1 local down payment program, with help up to $70,000 through Down Payment Assistance (DPA) Program, on top of Florida's statewide programs. Figures below were read from the administering agencies' own pages on September 11, 2026.
Local programs in Orange County
These are run by Orange County, separate from the state housing finance agency, and can usually be combined with a state loan. Check the program page for current funding before you apply.
| Program | Type | Amount | Income limit | First-time only | Where |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Down Payment Assistance (DPA) Program Orange County (Orange County Housing and Community Development Division) · source | deferred second mortgage, tiered by income | $70,000 (Very Low income, 50% AMI), $40,000 (Low income, 80% AMI), or $10,000 (Moderate income, 120% AMI) | Very Low: 4-person household at or below $57,450 (50% AMI); | Yes | Orange County; |
- Down Payment Assistance (DPA) Program. Minimum credit score: 620 Requires a HUD-approved pre-purchase homebuyer education workshop and a first mortgage; buyer contribution of $500 (Very Low/Low income tiers) or $1,000 (Moderate income tier).
Income limits in Orange County
Down payment programs here are keyed to HUD's income limits for Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL HUD Metro FMR Area (Orange County) (fiscal year 2026): the area median family income is $97,600 and the 80% limit that most programs use is $91,900 for a four-person household. Limits scale with household size; each program page has the full table. HUD income limits
Florida statewide programs you can also use in Orange County
Florida Housing Finance Corporation (Florida Housing) (homebuyer programs page) runs 4 statewide programs open to buyers anywhere in Florida, with down payment help up to $35,000 through Florida Hometown Heroes Housing Program. Most local programs above can be combined with a state first mortgage; check each program's pairing rule.
| Program | Type | Amount | First-time only | Min. credit | Income limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florida Assist (FL Assist) source | Deferred second loan | Up to $10,000 | Yes | 640 | See program page |
| Florida Homeownership Loan Program (FL HLP) Second Mortgage source | Second mortgage | $12,500 | Yes | 640 | See program page |
| HFA Preferred / HFA Advantage PLUS Second Mortgage source | Forgivable second loan | 3%, 4%, or 5% of the total first mortgage loan amount | Yes | 640 | See program page |
| Florida Hometown Heroes Housing Program source | Deferred second loan | Up to 5% of the first mortgage loan amount, minimum $10,000, maximum $35,000 | Yes | n/a | See program page |
Orange County closing costs that differ from the rest of Florida
Transfer tax: Orange County follows Florida's standard statewide documentary stamp tax: $0.70 per $100 (or fraction) of consideration on the deed. Mortgages carry doc stamps of $0.35 per $100 of the debt plus Florida's nonrecurring intangible tax of $2.00 per $1,000 of the mortgage amount. Orange County has no additional county surtax on real property transfers. Source
Recording the deed costs $10 and the mortgage $10. Fee schedule
Owner's title policy: seller (customary in Orange County, following the statewide Florida default outside Miami-Dade/Broward/Sarasota)
Recording fee is $10.00 for the first page and $8.50 for each additional page, with $1.00 per name beyond four, per the Orange County Comptroller's Official Records FAQs. The deed's first page must reserve a 3-inch square at the top right for the recording stamp.
Frequently asked questions
What down payment assistance is available in Orange County, FL?
Down Payment Assistance (DPA) Program (Orange County, up to $70,000). Florida statewide programs can be used here too.
What is the income limit for first-time buyer programs in Orange County?
Most programs cap income at 80% of HUD's area median, which is $91,900 for a four-person household in Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL HUD Metro FMR Area (Orange County) (FY2026). Some programs allow up to 120% or 150% of median; each program page lists its own table by household size.
Is there a transfer tax in Orange County?
Orange County follows Florida's standard statewide documentary stamp tax: $0.70 per $100 (or fraction) of consideration on the deed. Mortgages carry doc stamps of $0.35 per $100 of the debt plus Florida's nonrecurring intangible tax of $2.00 per $1,000 of the mortgage amount. Orange County has no additional county surtax on real property transfers.
What is the median home price in Orange County?
About $370,000, per Orlando Regional REALTOR Association (ORRA) - State of the Market, January 2026. Down payment help of up to $70,000 covers roughly 19% of that price.
Official sources
- Orange County: Down Payment Assistance (DPA) Program
- Orange County transfer tax
- Orange County recording fees
- Orlando Regional REALTOR Association (ORRA) - State of the Market, January 2026
- Orange County Comptroller, FL - Official Records FAQs
Orange County figures last verified against official sources on September 11, 2026.
Other Florida counties
This is general information, not financial advice. Program funding, limits and terms change; confirm the current rules with the administering agency and your lender before you rely on them.
See down payment help in all covered counties