Home / Florida / Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale · Broward FHA
Fort Lauderdale FHA Home Loan
FHA loans for Fort Lauderdale condos, villas and houses, with 3.5% down at a 580 score. In a city full of older condo buildings, we look for the path to approval, including single-unit approval when the building is not on HUD’s list.
We specialize in Fort Lauderdale FHA home financing.
Fort Lauderdale’s more affordable homes are mostly condos and villas, and many were built in the 1960s and 1970s. Those buildings are now working through Florida’s milestone inspections and reserve funding requirements, and the results show up in their budgets, their insurance and their eligibility for FHA. Buying one with an FHA loan takes a lender and a broker who read association documents carefully.
On Mortgage compares many FHA lenders and screens buildings before you commit. For every program’s current pricing, visit our Fort Lauderdale mortgage rates page; for a broader conversation, our Fort Lauderdale mortgage broker team is a call away.
Today’s Fort Lauderdale FHA Mortgage Rate
0.162 points
No points, no credit
0.125 points
$672 lender credit
$713 lender credit
Par rate per program for a single-family primary residence in Broward County, 20% down, 780+ credit, 30-day lock, escrows included. Rates change through the day and are not a commitment to lend. Price your own Fort Lauderdale scenario, no credit pull.
Fort Lauderdale FHA Loan Benefits: Affordable Homeownership Starts Here
FHA’s low down payment and flexible credit standards matter most at the entry level of the Fort Lauderdale market, where a condo in the low to mid $300,000s is a common first purchase. For a buyer with a 700 score on a $325,000 condo, today’s FHA and conventional numbers look like this:
| $325,000 purchase, 700 credit | Conventional, 5% down | FHA, 3.5% down |
|---|---|---|
| Down payment | $16,250 | $11,375 |
| Loan amount | $308,750 | $319,113 (includes 1.75% upfront MIP) |
| Today’s rate | 7.500% | 6.375% |
| Principal and interest | $2,159/mo | $1,991/mo |
| Mortgage insurance | $201/mo PMI | $144/mo MIP |
| Total before taxes and insurance | $2,360/mo | $2,135/mo |
| Mortgage insurance ends | When you reach 20% equity (cancellable) | Usually lasts the life of the loan with under 10% down |
Broward owner-occupied pricing at a 700 score; mortgage insurance from current premium tables. Conventional condo loans with less than 25% down can carry an added pricing adjustment not reflected here, and both loans require an eligible building. Dues, taxes and insurance are added on top.
Beyond the payment, FHA brings gift funds for the full down payment, seller contributions up to 6% of the price and a more forgiving approach to debt-to-income, which helps when a building’s dues are high.
Fort Lauderdale FHA Loans for First-Time Homebuyers
First-time buyers in Fort Lauderdale have something they have not had in years: time and leverage. With homes taking around 100 days to sell, many sellers will pay closing costs, fund an escrow deposit or accept repair requests, and FHA allows up to 6% of the price in seller help.
Use that leverage carefully on condos. Ask for the association’s budget, reserve study, milestone inspection report and any approved or proposed special assessments before you finalize an offer. A special assessment paid in installments counts in your monthly debt, and a large one can change your approval. A seller credit toward the assessment balance is a fair request in this market.
On Mortgage: Your Fort Lauderdale FHA Loan Expert
From neighborhoods near the beach to downtown condos, our local knowledge gives FHA buyers an edge in Broward County’s market. When a building is not on HUD’s approved list, single-unit approval is often the answer, provided the building passes HUD’s main tests:
Owner occupancy
Generally at least half of the units must be owner-occupied, which rules out many rental-heavy beach buildings.
FHA concentration
Only a limited share of a building’s units can already carry FHA loans, usually 10% in larger projects.
Commercial space
Non-residential space must stay within HUD’s cap, a point that matters in mixed-use towers near Las Olas.
Dues delinquency
Too many owners behind on dues signals financial stress and can block approval.
Insurance in place
Adequate hazard, liability and, where required, flood coverage on the building.
Completed and stable
The project must be complete, without significant pending litigation or unresolved safety issues.
And the mortgage insurance cost on a $325,000 unit:
| $325,000 purchase | Base loan | Upfront MIP (1.75%, financed) | Monthly MIP | How long MIP lasts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5% down | $313,625 | $5,488 | $144 (0.55% a year) | Life of the loan |
| 5% down | $308,750 | $5,403 | $129 (0.50% a year) | Life of the loan |
| 10% down | $292,500 | $5,119 | $122 (0.50% a year) | 11 years |
FHA premium schedule for a 30-year loan of this size. A refinance into conventional once you reach 20% equity is the usual exit from lifetime MIP.
2026 Fort Lauderdale FHA Loan Limits
Fort Lauderdale falls within Broward County, which shares the Miami metro area’s higher FHA limits. The one-unit limit covers the city’s condos and most of its houses below the median; small multifamily buildings, common in neighborhoods west of Federal Highway, have higher limits when you live in one unit.
| Broward County, 2026 | FHA loan limit | Highest price at 3.5% down |
|---|---|---|
| Single-family, condo or townhome | $667,000 | $691,100 |
| Two-unit | $853,900 | $884,800 |
| Three-unit | $1,032,150 | $1,069,500 |
| Four-unit | $1,282,700 | $1,329,200 |
Broward County FHA limits for 2026. Price column reflects 3.5% down.
FHA Financing in Fort Lauderdale
With just 3.5% down and flexible credit options, FHA loans reach condos near Las Olas Boulevard and along the Marina Mile, older homes in Victoria Park and Coral Ridge, and, at the right price, canal homes in Lauderdale Isles. Waterfront houses mostly run above the FHA limit, but older, smaller canal homes sometimes fit.
FHA appraisals in Fort Lauderdale tend to focus on roof age, electrical panels and, on waterfront lots, seawall condition and flood risk. Buyers should also budget for flood insurance in the many parts of the city that sit in high-risk zones.
Market Snapshot
Fort Lauderdale sales clustered near $575,000 in mid-2026, and the average home took about 100 days to sell. Most FHA buyers shop below that median, among condos, villas and smaller houses. On Mortgage puts FHA and conventional quotes side by side for each property you consider.
Why Choose On Mortgage for Your Fort Lauderdale FHA Loan
Local insight, fast pre-approvals and careful building reviews set our FHA work apart in Fort Lauderdale.
Building screens
HUD list, single-unit eligibility and assessment history, checked first.
Negotiation support
We show how a seller credit or assessment payoff changes your numbers.
Many FHA lenders
Including those comfortable with single-unit approvals.
Frequently Asked Questions: FHA Loans
Can I get an FHA loan on a Fort Lauderdale condo that is not FHA approved?
Sometimes. FHA single-unit approval lets a lender approve one unit in a building that is not on HUD’s list, if the building meets HUD’s owner-occupancy, FHA concentration, commercial space, delinquency and insurance tests.
Do special assessments affect my FHA approval?
Yes. An assessment paid in monthly installments is counted in your debt-to-income ratio, and buildings with large pending repairs may face approval issues. Ask for assessment details before you finalize an offer.
How much can a Fort Lauderdale seller pay toward my FHA closing costs?
Up to 6% of the sales price. With homes taking around 100 days to sell, many sellers are open to it.
What is the 2026 FHA limit in Fort Lauderdale?
$667,000 for a single-family home or condo in Broward County, rising to $1,282,700 for a four-unit property.
Can I buy a waterfront home with FHA?
If the loan fits within the FHA limit and the home meets FHA standards, yes. Flood insurance will be required in high-risk zones, and the appraiser may comment on seawall condition.
Our Reviews
What Florida borrowers say after closing with On Mortgage. Five stars on Google (130 reviews) and Zillow (92 reviews).
“I am a first time home buyer, so all of this was new to me. Caroline helped me every step of the way. I’m so grateful, because of her it was possible to own this house that I am so excited to create into my home. I would definitely work with you again for any future business.”
“We cannot say enough amazing things about Caroline! As a first-time homebuyer, this was such a huge and exciting milestone for us, and we’re so grateful that we had her by our side throughout the entire process. Caroline was incredibly knowledgeable, patient, responsive, and supportive from beginning to end.”
“Caroline was great. Always responsive and available whenever I needed assistance or had questions. 10/10 would recommend to any veteran or anyone for that matter.”
More for Fort Lauderdale borrowers
Nearby in Broward
Start a Fort Lauderdale FHA loan
Send us the building or address you are considering. We will check FHA eligibility, price the loan with several FHA lenders and show the full monthly cost. Call or start online today.