The Manatee County Home Ownership Program helps qualified buyers cover the cash that usually stops people from buying. Find out where you stand in 60 seconds.
Up to $15,000 in down payment & closing cost assistance for qualified buyers. Subject to program guidelines, income and purchase-price limits, and availability of funds.
Answer 7 quick questions about where you're buying, your timeline, and your basics. Takes about a minute.
We confirm your numbers against the current program limits and walk your options on a short, no-pressure call.
We handle the program paperwork with you so you can get into a Manatee County home sooner.
This help comes as a 0% interest second mortgage with no monthly payment. You only repay it when you sell, refinance, or move out. For most buyers, that's a smart trade for owning a home years sooner instead of waiting to save it all yourself.
Most people who could comfortably afford a monthly payment get stuck on the upfront money. This program is built for exactly that gap.
Put the program's assistance toward the down payment on your Manatee County home so more of your own savings stay in your pocket.
Closing costs catch buyers off guard. The assistance can help cover them too, lowering the total cash you need at the table.
A Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC) is a federal income tax credit for eligible homebuyers — and it may be available alongside your Manatee County assistance. Here's how it works:
Each year, a percentage of the mortgage interest you paid converts into a dollar-for-dollar credit against your federal income taxes — not a deduction that merely reduces taxable income, but a direct cut to the tax you owe. You claim it annually with IRS Form 8396, and the rest of your mortgage interest can still be taken as a deduction if you itemize.
The certificate stays with your loan for as long as you live in the home as your primary residence — meaning the benefit can repeat every single year for decades. Over the life of a mortgage, that can add up to tens of thousands of dollars back in your pocket.
MCC availability, credit percentage, and benefit depend on program guidelines, income and purchase-price limits, and your tax situation — and a federal recapture tax can apply in limited cases if you sell within nine years. We'll confirm current availability during your eligibility check. Always consult a tax advisor about your specific situation.
No credit pull, no obligation. Answer a few quick questions and we'll show you where you stand.
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The Housing Finance Authority of Manatee County Home Ownership Program provides up to $15,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance in the form of a 0% interest, deferred second mortgage, repayable upon sale, refinance, payoff of the first mortgage, or when the home is no longer your primary residence. Assistance is subject to program guidelines, income and purchase-price limits, credit approval, and availability of funds, and may change or end without notice. This is not a commitment to lend. All loans are subject to underwriting approval. Mortgage Credit Certificate availability and benefit depend on program guidelines and your tax situation; consult a tax advisor. Novus Home Mortgage, a division of Ixonia Bank. NMLS #423065. Chris Galli, Region Manager, NMLS #13152. Equal Housing Lender.