Hometown Heroes Loan Program - Learn How to Get up to a $35,000 Grant in Dixie County, Florida

Many come to see the scenic parks - Glen Dyals Park, Andrew Jackson Waterhole Park, Horseshoe Beach Park, numerous world-famous museums, and historic neighborhoods. This county is always a whirlwind of activities, with popular sites everywhere.

Many of the best sites in Dixie County are just a short ride away or within walking distance of each other, making this area a delight for sightseeing.

Besides enjoying the area's natural beauty, you can participate in various outdoor activities, such as canoeing, swimming, fishing, hiking, and bird watching!

If you're new to this area and considering buying a home in Dixie County, here's everything you should know about the Florida Hometown Heroes Loan Program.

We'll also talk about how to qualify for the $35,000 grant and help you decide whether or not living in Dixie County is a good idea.

What's the Florida Hometown Heroes Loan Program?

Florida is facing a housing crisis, with more eligible community workers struggling to keep up with the soaring housing prices in the region.

In 2016, the median house price in the Sunshine State had climbed more than 58%. And by the end of the year, it had reached $373,990, which was 21% more than the previous year.

The challenge of buying a home is even greater for workers whose salaries often fall below the amount required to afford a home.

To buy a median-priced house, Floridians must earn approximately $62,000 annually. Unfortunately, the average salaries for most full-time community workers fall short.

But don't worry—the Florida Hometown Heroes Loan Program is here to increase homeownership opportunities for low-income homebuyers in Florida.

Generally, this program aims to make homeownership affordable for first-time, income-qualified workers by offering down payment and closing cost assistance.

It also provides a lower first mortgage loan rate and additional unique benefits to individuals who have served and continue serving their country.

So, if you're an eligible community worker, you can enjoy:

• Lower than market rates on Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, VA, RD, or FHA first mortgage
• Reduced upfront fees
• Down payment and closing cost assistance
• No origination or discount points

Financial assistance comes from a 30-year, 0%, non-amortizing deferred second mortgage loan. The Florida Hometown Heroes loan is not forgivable.

This second loan becomes due and payable in full once you refinance the first mortgage, sell the property, transfer the deed, or if you no longer occupy the property as your primary residence.

You can also receive up to 5% of your first mortgage amount (maximum of $35,000) in closing costs and down payment assistance.

Who's Eligible for the Grant in Dixie County, Florida?

If a borrower is employed full-time (must document 35+ hrs. per week) by a business located in Florida, meets Program requirements, and can credit qualify for a mortgage, many more First Time Homebuyers should be able to qualify for this program.

There will no longer be an occupational requirement. There will also be a minimum floor set at $10,000 for those individuals able to purchase a home for less than $200,000.

You must also meet housing income requirements in Dixie County to be eligible for the loan.

These restrictions limit how much money you can earn before getting financial assistance. This ensures that only homebuyers with low incomes benefit from the loan.

The Florida Hometown Heroes Loan Program limits are usually adjusted depending on the size of the property and the county in which it's being acquired.

The loan limit for FHA loans is $472,030, whereas the loan limits for HFA Advantage, HFA Preferred, and VA loans are capped at $726,200. USDA-RD does not have a Cap on Loan Limit.

So, if you want to buy a home in Dixie County, your income must not exceed $128,250 to qualify for the loan.

How to Qualify for the Loan Program in Dixie County, Florida

To qualify for this program, you must:

• Work with a participating loan officer.
• Work a minimum of 35 hours a week or more for an employer that is a FL based company.
• Have a minimum FICO score of 640 and maximum DTI of 50%.
• Meet the income threshold for Dixie County.

Florida Tax Exemption Benefits

One of the top benefits of using the Hometown Heroes Program is tax exemption, saving you thousands of dollars.

Under Section 420.513(1) of the Florida Statutes, this program provides an exemption from documentary stamp tax and intangible tax for first and second mortgages and notes used to secure loans for housing financed through Florida Housing's Homebuyer Programs.

This means that when you purchase a home through these programs, you won't have to pay the documentary stamp tax and intangible tax on your mortgage, saving you a substantial amount of money.

The Florida documentary stamp tax is a real estate transfer tax levied at a rate of $0.70 per $100 paid for the property in most counties, except Miami Dade, where it is $0.60 per $100.

With the Hometown Heroes Program, you can exclude this tax when you meet the program's criteria. Additionally, the Florida intangible tax, which is calculated at 2 mills per dollar of the note's just value secured by the mortgage, is also exempted.

For each $100,000 of your home purchase price, this exemption can potentially save you approximately $2,000 in documentary stamp tax and intangible tax.

Best Towns to Buy a Home in Dixie County, Florida

Like most of the counties in Florida, Dixie County has a fetching real estate market, with many towns listing affordable properties for sale. That's why most residents here choose to buy their homes rather than rent.

Planning to move to Dixie County? Here are some of the best places to buy a home:

Cross City

Cross City is a friendly community that relies on good tidings and friendship to run together. Historically, this city has been a logging community - processing and shipping yellow pine and cypress. If you're looking for a tranquil and relaxing area to call home, this is the place to be.

Sawmills and lumber companies were a mainstay of activity back then and still are today. The city's location between large tracts of forest land and a bustling highway that supports it continues to support the industry.

Unlike most of the towns in Florida, Cross City isn't mainly blue- or white-collar. Instead, the most prevalent professions for residents here are a mix of blue- and white-collar jobs. Overall, this city is a place of professionals, service providers, and transportation and shipping workers.

Horseshoe Beach

Horseshoe Beach is a small quiet village situated at the furthest point of Dixie County Highway 351. This town was settled in the early 1800s and was owned by lumber interests until the 1930s.

It now has a full-service marina, restaurant, public library, waterfront park, two churches, and a small athletic field with basketball and baseball.

Horseshoe Beach sits squarely amidst the Big Bend area - halfway between the Steinhatchee River and the Suwannee River.

This strategic position makes it easy to move around different parts of the city for family, work, and social obligations.

This isolated, laid-back, and friendly fishing village boasts a mixture of permanent dwellers, most of whom are involved in the commercial fishing industry, retired, and seasonal visitors.

This fishing and boating community offers homeowners a quiet, welcoming atmosphere, with plenty of condos, rental houses, various services, and beautiful sunsets.

Old Town

When you ask Floridians what they know about the Sunshine State, most will say something about theme parks like Universal, Busch Gardens, and Disney World. However, there's so much more to the state of Florida than these hot spots.

Florida has a great historical background and wildlife presence, and one of the most historical places to visit or live in is Old Town. Settled by colonists in 1820, this unincorporated community has much to love.

For starters, if you're a nature lover, you can drop by the Manatee Springs State Park, which is only a few miles away from Old Town.

Here, you'll find picnic areas, a campground, a playground for children, trails for hiking and biking, and if you're lucky, you can catch sight of the manatees!

Old Town's median property listing price is about $239,900, slightly lower than Dixie County's median. So, if you're on a budget and need a quiet place to call home, you may want to consider purchasing a home in Old Town.

Suwannee

Found along Florida's Big Bend area, Suwannee is situated at the junction of the Gulf of Mexico and the Suwannee River.

As a result, you'll enjoy countless water-related recreational activities, such as boating, paddling, fishing, and even house boating.

You can also spot dolphins, turtles, and hundreds of bird species inside the Lower Suwannee Wildlife Refuge.

Suwannee has man-made canals that link with the river and offer access to the great fishing grounds in the Suwannee River and near the Gulf of Mexico.

If you're a kayaker, you'll be glad to know that the area boasts two marinas that serve the needs of sport and commercial fishers.

As you'd expect from a region in a fishing village, seafood is a specialty for residents in Suwannee. Their appetizers include smoked mullet, clam chowder, crab fingers, and Gulf shrimp.

Generally, Suwannee is an ideal place to visit and raise your family, thanks to its serene beauty and low median home price of about $264,000.

Buying a Home in North Florida? What to Expect When Living in Dixie County, Florida

When considering buying a home in Dixie County, your research will be directed by your investment plan.

Fundamental market indicators will be crucial for all types of homeownership investment. These include immediate highway access, local airports, a low crime rate, etc.

Aside from the essential homeownership investment location criteria, some homebuyers often look for other location advantages.

For instance, if you're looking for short-term vacation rental properties, you may want to target communities with good tourism.

On the other hand, if you're a long-term real property investor, it's wise to hunt for clues to the reliability of the county's job market.

Here's what you should expect when living in Dixie County:

Cost of Living

Situated in the northern part of Florida, Dixie County has an estimated population of 17,102 as of July 1, 2021. Compared to other counties, the cost of living here is about $22.1 lower than the national average.

As earlier mentioned, the median price of a home in Dixie County is only about $249,500, which is significantly lower compared to the national average of $291,700 and the state average of $294,900.

This county's low housing cost is reflected in the rental and home prices. For example, the average rental price for a two-bedroom home is about $734 per month, while the average cost of the same house in the state is about $1,021.

Transport and grocery costs are also much lower in Dixie County compared to the state and national average. However, health and utilities are some expenses that you can expect to spend more on.

Public and Private Schools

Also known as Dixie District Schools, Dixie County School District is the school district that serves Dixie County, Florida.

Its headquarters are in Cross City and have a student population of about 2,131 served by 121 teachers (student-teacher ratio of 17:1).

Some of the best public schools in Dixie County include:

• Old Town Elementary School
• James M. Anderson Elementary School
• Dixie County High School
• Ruth Rains Middle School
• Dixie Teen Parent Preschool
• Dixie Virtual Franchise
• Dixie Virtual Instructions
• Dixie Virtual Instruction Program
• Kinder Cub School Inc

Aside from these high-performing public schools, Dixie County is also home to some of the best private schools in the state. These include:

• Dixie County Learning Academy
• The Rock School
• Jordan Glen School & Summer Camp
• The Oaks Private School
• Anderson Elementary School
• Cornerstone Academy
• Oak Hall School
• Vision Christian Academy
• PASSAGE Christian Academy & Prime Time After School Program
• Old Town Elementary School

Dixie County is a Great Place for Families

Dixie County has a suburban and laid-back feel, which most families find attractive.

Compared to other counties in Florida, home prices in Dixie are pretty affordable, which explains why many residents here prefer to buy homes rather than rent.

With a committed school district and several excellent public and private schools, families that buy homes in Dixie County can rest assured that their children will have a solid foundation and the best guidance for their academic lives.

Most neighborhoods here also have family-friendly parks where you can unwind with your family.

Weather

Do you like to take long strolls under clear skies or soak in the sun? If so, you're highly likely to find Dixie County a haven.

On average, homeowners here enjoy about 229 sunny days each year. So, if you like gardening, going for walks, doing yoga outdoors, or watching sunsets, Dixie County won't disappoint.

You'll also be glad to know winter here isn't harsh compared to other counties in the state.

Dixie's cooler season lasts roughly three months; during the coldest month, the average low is 50°F. While this may be below room temperature, it isn't inherently "freezing."

Crime Rate

CrimeGrade.org gives Dixie County an A- overall crime grade. This implies that the crime rate here is lower than the national average.

In terms of safety, Dixie County is in the 78th percentile, meaning 78% of the counties are more dangerous while 22% of counties are safer.

During a standard year, Dixie County's crime rate is usually 25.15 per 1,000 residents. According to most Floridians, the eastern part of the county is the safest to live in.

So, if you're considering buying a home in this county, you may want to check neighborhoods in the east part of the county.

Young Professionals Can Get New Beginnings in Dixie County

If you're a young single professional planning to buy a home in Dixie County, you'll probably find the prices of renting and homeownership equally attractive.

It's also worth noting that the job market in Dixie County has grown by 0.1% over the past year and is estimated to grow by 35.4% over the next ten years.

So, if you're still young and trying to build your career, now would be the best time to lay down roots in Dixie County.

Eligible Cities and Towns in Dixie County, Florida

As earlier mentioned, the Hometown Heroes Loan Program was rolled out to help community workers across all the counties in Florida, and Dixie is no exception.

Here's a list of the eligible cities and towns in Dixie County:

• Cross City
• Horseshoe Beach
• Old Town
• Suwannee

Other populated places in Dixie County include:

• Broscan
• Dixietown
• Eugene
• Hines
• Fletcher
• Jena
• Horseshoe
• Jonesboro
• Shamrock
• Stewart City
• Shired Island
• Yellow Jacket

It's Time to Make Your Homeownership Dream Come True

The introduction of the Florida Hometown Heroes Housing Program has doubtlessly put a smile on the faces of many full-time community workers in Dixie County, Florida.

Thanks to the $35,000 offered by the program to eligible homebuyers, many community workers in the county can now be able to afford houses in the communities they serve.

If you're an eligible full-time worker, this is an opportunity you don't want to miss!