Requirements to Buy a House in Florida (2026): The Complete Checklist
Last updated June 11, 2026 · Written by Keith Meredith, Florida mortgage broker · NMLS #303217
To buy a house in Florida in 2026 you generally need: a credit score of 580+ (FHA) or 620+ (conventional), a two-year documentable work history, a debt-to-income ratio up to roughly 50%, and a down payment of $0 (VA/USDA) to 3.5% (FHA). Florida residency is not required, and gift funds are allowed on all major programs.
Buying a house in Florida doesn't require a perfect credit score, 20% down, or even Florida residency. After 16 years and $100M+ in closed loans, I can tell you the requirements are more forgiving than almost everyone assumes. Here's the real checklist — what lenders actually require, what Florida specifically adds, and the order to do it in.
1. Credit Score
Minimums by loan type. One big 2026 change: for years, mortgages ran only on old FICO models — never the score your banking app shows. As of April 2026, VantageScore 4.0 is accepted on conventional loans (we run it on VA too), which often scores higher for thin-credit files (full breakdown here):
| Loan type | Minimum score | Down payment |
|---|---|---|
| FHA | 580 (500–579 with 10% down) | 3.5% |
| VA | No official minimum — we work from 500 | $0 |
| USDA | Typically 640 | $0 |
| Conventional | 620+ | 3% |
2. Income & Employment
Lenders want a two-year work history — not necessarily the same job, and it’s fine to be starting a new job, even in a new field, or your first job out of school (your schooling can count toward history). One or two job changes in the last two years is not a deal killer. W-2 employees bring pay stubs and W-2s; self-employed buyers typically need two years of returns — or can use bank statement and 1099 programs that skip tax returns entirely. There's no minimum income; what matters is your debt-to-income ratio, generally up to about 50% depending on the program.
3. Down Payment (Less Than You Think)
$0 down with VA and USDA; 3% with a conventional first-time program; 3.5% with FHA; and up to $35,000 in help through Florida assistance programs. Gift funds from family are allowed on all the major programs.
4. The Documents You'll Need
Photo ID, two years of W-2s or tax returns, recent pay stubs, two months of bank statements, and explanations for any large deposits. I keep a complete, printable version here: documents needed for a Florida mortgage.
5. Florida-Specific Costs to Plan For
- Closing costs run roughly 2–5% and include Florida's documentary stamp taxes and title insurance — estimate yours with the Florida closing-costs calculator.
- Homeowner's insurance is a bigger line item here than most states; in some areas add flood. Get quotes before you fall in love with a house.
- Property taxes — and the exemptions that cut them — are covered in our Florida property tax exemptions guide.
Out-of-state and relocating buyers purchase Florida homes every day, and you can even buy a primary residence for your parents. Second homes and investment properties have their own programs, including DSCR loans that qualify on the property's rent instead of your income.
Keith's take
The requirement people trip on isn't credit or income — it's order. Get pre-approved before you tour a single house. It's free, it takes about a day, and it tells you your real budget, catches anything fixable while there's still time to fix it, and makes your offer competitive. Shopping first and financing later is how good deals fall apart.
The Right Order to Do It In
- Get pre-approved — before touring homes.
- Check what you can afford with the Florida affordability calculator.
- Shop with your agent, offer, inspect, appraise, close — the full play-by-play is in our free Florida Home Buyer's Survival Guide.
Get your personal checklist, not a generic one
Tell me your credit ballpark, your income, and where you're looking. I'll tell you exactly what you qualify for and what you'd need to bring — in about a day.
Florida Home Buying FAQ
How much money do I need to buy a $300,000 Florida house?
With FHA, roughly $10,500 down plus closing costs — and the seller can cover up to 6% of those. With USDA or VA in an eligible scenario, the down payment is $0, and with Hometown Heroes, assistance can cover most of your cash to close.
Can I buy with collections or an old bankruptcy?
Often, yes. FHA allows purchases two years after a Chapter 7, and many collections don't have to be paid off to close. It's case-by-case — tell me the details and I'll tell you straight.
Do I need to be a Florida resident to buy here?
No. Out-of-state and relocating buyers close on Florida homes constantly. As long as the home is your primary residence and you can document income and credit, where you're moving from doesn't matter.
How long does the whole process take?
Pre-approval takes about a day. Contract to closing is typically 30–45 days depending on the program — USDA adds its own review time, which is why we build a buffer into the contract.
What debt-to-income ratio do I need?
Generally up to about 50% of gross income including the new mortgage, though it varies by program and credit profile — FHA can stretch higher with strong compensating factors. The cleanest way to know is to get pre-approved.
Can I buy a house in Florida making $3,000 a month?
Yes — in the right market. At a ~50% debt-to-income cap, $3,000 a month supports roughly $1,400–$1,500 in total monthly debt including the mortgage. With $0-down USDA in an affordable inland market, that’s a $150,000–$180,000 home — an everyday purchase in Ocala, Palatka, or Lake City. Existing car loans and cards shrink that number, which is why the pre-approval math matters.
How much income do I need to buy a $300,000 house in Florida?
Ballpark at mid-2026 rates: roughly $75,000–$90,000 household income with modest existing debts, using FHA at 3.5% down with taxes and insurance included. A bigger down payment or zero monthly debts pulls that figure down. The exact answer depends on rates, county costs, and your debts — a pre-approval gives you the real number in a day.
Can a 70-year-old get a 30-year mortgage in Florida?
Absolutely. Age discrimination in lending is illegal under federal law (ECOA) — lenders qualify you on income and credit, and Social Security, pension, and retirement income all count. Buyers 62+ also have a second path: the HECM for purchase, with no monthly mortgage payment at all.
I just started a new job — can I still get a mortgage?
Usually, yes. It’s fine to be starting a job right out of school (your education can count toward the two-year history), and fine to be starting a new job — even in a new field. We can even close using an offer letter with a start date. Heavy job-hopping weighs on the automated underwriting models, but one or two changes in the last two years is not a deal killer.
Is my Credit Karma score accurate for a mortgage?
For years the honest answer was no — mortgages ran on old FICO models, not the VantageScore your app shows. That changed in April 2026: VantageScore 4.0 is now accepted by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and we run it on conventional and VA loans today. It can genuinely help thin-credit files — it ignores paid and medical collections and can score newer credit. Full breakdown of what changed here.
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