FHA Loans in Fort Lauderdale, FL: 2026 Broward County Limits, Condo Rules and Local Help

Reviewed by David Ghazaryan, Mortgage Broker, NMLS 1486726 · iQRATE Mortgages, NMLS 1862492 · Licensed in Nevada, California, Texas and Florida · Last updated: November 10, 2026

Quick answer

An FHA loan is a mortgage insured by the Federal Housing Administration. In Broward County, the 2026 FHA limit for a one unit home is $667,000, from HUD's 2026 FHA forward mortgage limits file. That is below Broward's 2026 conforming limit of $832,750, so some Fort Lauderdale purchases that still fit a conventional loan are already above the FHA cap. iQRATE Mortgages (NMLS 1862492) is licensed in Florida and shops more than 100 lenders on complex files, including Fort Lauderdale condos, canal homes and first-time purchases.

Apply Now · or call (702) 766-3744 · Schedule a Free Consultation

This page is about FHA financing for Fort Lauderdale homes and condos. For waterfront, jumbo, vacation rental and investor loans across the city, see our Fort Lauderdale mortgage broker page. Statewide licensing and Florida rules are on our Florida mortgage broker page. County-by-county FHA limits for Nevada, California, Texas and Florida are on our FHA loans guide.

Fort Lauderdale FHA loans at a glance

What is an FHA loan, and why do Fort Lauderdale buyers use it?

An FHA loan is made by an approved lender and insured by the Federal Housing Administration, part of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The insurance is what lets lenders accept lower credit scores and higher loan-to-value ratios than many conventional programs.

Fort Lauderdale buyers use FHA for three practical reasons. First, Broward's 2026 one unit FHA limit of $667,000 still covers a large share of non-waterfront houses and many condos. Canal and beachfront sales often run higher. Second, FHA rules allow gift funds to cover the entire cash down amount from family and some other sources. That matters when savings are tied up in insurance and prepaid escrow. Third, buyers with a credit event, a higher debt-to-income ratio, or a thinner conventional file can still be eligible when the property and occupancy fit.

FHA is not only for first-time buyers. Repeat buyers, buyers who will live in one unit of a duplex or fourplex, and buyers who need a 203(k) renovation loan can use it when they occupy the property as a primary residence. It is not a second-home or investment-property program.

iQRATE is a mortgage broker, not a single-lender shop. We compare wholesale lenders on the same Fort Lauderdale file, including overlays that are stricter than HUD's baseline, and we close with local Florida escrow and title. We work these files from Las Vegas under company NMLS 1862492.

What is the 2026 FHA loan limit in Broward County?

HUD publishes FHA forward limits by county each year. Broward County is in the Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach, FL metropolitan area. For 2026, HUD's file lists these Broward limits, effective January 1, 2026:

Sources: HUD, 2026 FHA forward mortgage limits file and the FHFA 2026 conforming loan limit announcement. The FHFA county list is the county-level conforming source. The same one unit figures already appear on our Fort Lauderdale mortgage broker page and our FHA loans guide.

What this means on a Fort Lauderdale purchase. The FHA cap is below the conforming cap on a one unit home. A loan above $667,000 and at or under $832,750 cannot use FHA, but it can still be a conventional loan. A loan above $832,750 needs jumbo financing. That split shows up often on canal homes in Las Olas Isles, Harbor Beach and Rio Vista, where asking prices commonly clear both limits.

The 2026 national FHA floor for a one unit home is $541,287, and the high-cost ceiling is $1,249,125, as stated on our FHA loans guide. Broward sits between those two figures. Miami-Dade and Palm Beach use the same $667,000 one unit FHA limit as Broward because they share the metro. Nearby counties do not: our FHA guide lists St. Lucie and Martin at $603,750 and many other Florida counties at the $541,287 floor.

You can confirm whether a specific condo building is FHA approved in HUD's approved condominium lookup. Approval of the building is separate from the county loan limit.

Who qualifies for an FHA loan in Fort Lauderdale?

HUD sets the baseline. Individual lenders can add overlays, so two Fort Lauderdale quotes can disagree even when the property is the same.

Credit and financing level. On a purchase, a credit score of 580 or higher is eligible for maximum financing, up to 96.5 percent loan-to-value. A score from 500 to 579 is eligible for up to 90 percent loan-to-value. Those bands are the HUD baseline described on our FHA loans guide. Many lenders set a higher minimum score than 580. We price the file against more than one lender instead of assuming the baseline is available.

Occupancy and units. FHA 203(b) financing is for a primary residence of one to four units. You have to live in the property. A vacation home you will not occupy, or a pure rental, is a different loan type, such as conventional investment financing or a DSCR loan.

Gift funds. The entire cash down amount can come from a gift from family and some other eligible sources. You will need a gift letter and a paper trail that shows the money moved from the donor. Unsourced deposits are a common delay on FHA files.

Seller concessions. FHA allows the seller to contribute up to 6% of the price toward closing costs and prepaids. That is a cost credit, not a change to the county loan limit.

Property condition. The FHA appraisal checks safety and soundness, not just value. Peeling paint on pre-1978 homes, missing handrails, roof problems, and unresolved condo assessments can delay a Fort Lauderdale closing. On canal homes, seawall condition, flood elevation and an insurance quote belong in the conversation before you waive inspections.

Debt-to-income and overlays. FHA can be more flexible than conventional guidelines on debt ratios, but lenders still underwrite income, reserves and the property. A "yes" from HUD's baseline is not a "yes" from every wholesale lender.

If tax returns show less income than you actually earn, a bank statement loan may be a better fit than forcing an FHA file. Eligible veterans should also compare a VA loan.

How does FHA mortgage insurance work, and when does it end?

FHA charges mortgage insurance, often called MIP, in two pieces. One is an upfront premium that is usually financed into the loan. The other is an annual premium collected through the payment. This page does not quote those premium percentages, because they are program terms that belong on a Loan Estimate for your file, not in advertising copy.

How long the annual premium lasts depends on the original loan-to-value, under current HUD rules as summarized on our FHA loans guide:

• If the original loan-to-value is above 90 percent, annual MIP lasts for the life of the loan unless you refinance out of FHA later.
• If the original loan-to-value is 90 percent or less, annual MIP can end after 11 years.

That is a structural difference from conventional private mortgage insurance. PMI can be cancelled once you reach the federal cancellation thresholds explained by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. We price FHA and conventional side by side on the same down payment and show the five- and ten-year cost. That includes how long insurance stays on the loan. This is not a commitment to lend.

Is FHA or conventional the better fit in Broward County?

It depends on the loan amount, the building, credit and how long you will keep the loan.

Loan amount. If the loan is at or under $667,000, both FHA and conventional are on the table for a one unit primary residence. Between $667,000 and $832,750, conventional is the conforming option and FHA is not. Above $832,750, the file is jumbo.

Credit and cash to close. FHA's 580 band for maximum financing can be the difference on a thinner credit file. Conventional can be cheaper over time when the credit score is strong, because PMI can come off later and conventional pricing may win. That is especially clear once you compare five- and ten-year cost rather than the first payment.

Condos. Many Fort Lauderdale beach and Galt Ocean Mile buildings are working through Florida's milestone inspection and reserve-funding rules. A building that is not on HUD's FHA approved list cannot use a standard FHA condo loan, even if the unit price is under $667,000. Conventional may still work if the project meets Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac rules. If it is non-warrantable, a portfolio or non-QM lender may be the path, usually with more of your own funds. Building status often decides the program before rate shopping starts.

Insurance and prepaids. In Fort Lauderdale, the first year of homeowners insurance, flood insurance where required, and the escrow deposit are often the largest part of cash to close. That is especially true on canal homes. That is true for FHA and conventional. FHA does not shrink those bills.

We do not treat FHA as automatically better for a first-time buyer, or conventional as automatically better for a high score. We run both.

For conventional limits, PMI rules and local cost in the same county, see our Fort Lauderdale conventional loans page.

Can you buy a Fort Lauderdale condo or townhome with an FHA loan?

Yes, if three things line up. The unit price and loan must fit the Broward FHA limit, you will occupy the home as a primary residence, and the building is on HUD's FHA approved list (or can be approved in time). Search the building in HUD's condominium lookup.

Older buildings along the beach, Las Olas and Galt Ocean Mile need extra review. Florida's milestone inspection and reserve rules have increased special assessments and have taken some buildings off standard agency lists. Lenders check:

• Milestone inspection status and any failed or incomplete work
• The reserve study and whether reserves are actually funded
• Pending or upcoming special assessments
• Owner-occupancy mix and any short-term rental rules
• Insurance, including wind and, where the association has flood exposure, flood coverage

A "yes" on the county loan limit is not a "yes" on the building. If the building is not FHA approved, we look at conventional and, if needed, non-warrantable options. For investor or vacation rental condos you will not occupy, FHA is the wrong program; see our Fort Lauderdale broker page and DSCR loans.

Fort Lauderdale also requires an annual vacation rental registration and a certificate of compliance, plus the state DBPR license and Broward tourist tax, for short-term rentals. Many condo associations ban or limit those rentals. That is a city and association issue, not an FHA pricing quirk, and it should be checked before you write an offer.

What does the FHA appraisal check on a Fort Lauderdale home?

The FHA appraiser values the property and also checks HUD's minimum property standards. Typical issues that delay a Fort Lauderdale file include peeling or deteriorating paint on older homes, missing or unsafe handrails, roof life, unpermitted work, and obvious safety problems. On canal and waterfront homes, we also ask for:

• The seawall's age and condition
• The flood zone and an elevation certificate
• A current insurance quote, including wind and flood where required

You can look up flood zone information for an address in the FEMA Flood Map Service Center. Record rainfall in April 2023 flooded large parts of the city. That is one reason elevation and insurance quotes should be in the file early, not after the appraisal is already ordered.

Ask the seller to repair likely FHA items before the appraisal when you can. Re-inspection time is one of the usual reasons an FHA purchase misses a short closing date.

What down payment help can Fort Lauderdale FHA buyers use?

Several Florida and Broward programs can sit alongside an FHA first mortgage when they are funded and when you meet income, purchase-price and occupancy rules. Availability changes, so we confirm current funding before you count on a second loan.

• Florida Hometown Heroes. A deferred second mortgage of up to 5% of the first mortgage, with a minimum of $10,000 and a maximum of $35,000, for first-time, income-qualified buyers in eligible workforce jobs. It is due when you sell, refinance or move out, and it is not forgivable. See Florida Housing, Hometown Heroes.
• FL Assist. Up to $10,000 for eligible buyers through Florida Housing's homebuyer programs, when funded.
• Broward County purchase assistance. Broward's official Home Buyer Programs page offers Affordable Housing Trust Funds of up to $100,000 for income-qualified buyers, when funded. That help is a deferred-payment second mortgage at 0% interest with a 15-year term. Amounts and funding can change, so we confirm the current terms before you count on a second loan. See Broward County Home Buyer Programs.
• City of Fort Lauderdale programs. Separate city-funded help may be available for eligible buyers inside city limits. We check the current city offering rather than quoting a stale dollar amount.

These programs have household-income limits, buyer-contribution rules and inspection requirements of their own. They do not raise the HUD loan limit. If the first mortgage would already exceed $667,000, FHA is not the first-lien program, regardless of assistance.

What do Fort Lauderdale property taxes look like on an FHA purchase?

Property taxes go into your escrow on an FHA loan the same way they do on a conventional loan. In Broward, the rate is set in mills. One mill equals one dollar for every $1,000 of taxable value. The 2025 total rate for Fort Lauderdale tax area 0312 was 18.4464 mills, or $18.4464 per $1,000 of taxable value, from the Broward County Property Appraiser's 2025 final millage table. Your 2026 bill depends on the certified millage for your tax area and on your assessed value. We use the current county figures at application rather than treating 2025 as a permanent rate.

Homestead exemption. If the home is your permanent residence, Florida's homestead exemption can lower taxable value, and Save Our Homes caps yearly assessment increases. See the Florida Department of Revenue, property tax exemptions. The cap does not transfer automatically with the house. When you buy, the assessment resets toward market value, which is why your new bill can be much higher than the seller's. You may be able to port part of a previous Florida homestead's savings to a new Florida homestead.

Florida mortgage taxes. The seller customarily pays documentary stamps on the deed ($0.70 per $100; $0.60 in Miami-Dade). The buyer pays two mortgage taxes: documentary stamps on the note ($0.35 per $100 of the loan) and intangible tax (0.2% of the loan). On a $400,000 loan, those two buyer-side mortgage taxes together are $2,200, as already stated on our Fort Lauderdale mortgage broker page. See the Florida Department of Revenue, documentary stamp tax. These amounts are part of cash to close. They are not FHA fees.

Closing costs and cash to close. Closing costs are what it costs you to get the loan: origination, discount points, appraisal, and escrow and title. Cash to close also includes your prepaids (first-year homeowners insurance, daily interest to month-end, and an escrow deposit for future property taxes and insurance) plus your down payment. Prepaids are your own bills paid ahead, not a lender fee. In Fort Lauderdale, the first full year of homeowners insurance, flood insurance where required, and the escrow deposit are usually the largest prepaids. On canal and waterfront homes, flood and wind coverage can be the biggest number on your Closing Disclosure. Every line is itemized on your Loan Estimate, and our Bare Bones guarantee means we add no fees of our own. Compare states on our closing costs by state page.

What real FHA files has iQRATE closed?

We have not published a verified iQRATE FHA closing in Fort Lauderdale, and this page does not invent one. The neighborhood list below is the area we lend in, from our Fort Lauderdale broker page, not a claim that each ZIP has a documented FHA closing.

Neighborhoods and ZIPs we lend in include Las Olas and Rio Vista (33301, 33316), Victoria Park (33301, 33304), and Coral Ridge and Imperial Point (33308). We also lend in Harbor Beach (33316), Flagler Village (33301, 33311), Riverland (33312), Galt Ocean Mile (33308), and nearby Wilton Manors (33305).

We do have recent first-hand FHA purchase files in other markets. Two examples from summer 2023 in Las Vegas, closed as iQRATE files, show how we work credit, gifts and occupancy documentation. They are not Fort Lauderdale closings and should not be read as local results:

• A Las Vegas buyer could not qualify on one income, so we added a spouse whose recent history included several jobs and a maternity leave gap, each one documented. Gift funds covered part of the cash down amount, and the donor was asked to deposit early because FHA wanted a month of the donor's statements. The roughly $445k FHA purchase funded in summer 2023.
• Another Las Vegas buyer started with roughly $10k in the bank and documented incoming deposits until he had about $40k for cash to close. His spouse's 2022 work gap was documented. He waited to authorize the hard credit pull until he was ready, and the about $475k FHA purchase funded about three weeks after pre-approval in summer 2023.

I have closed FHA purchases, including the two Las Vegas files above in summer 2023. They are not Fort Lauderdale closings. I have also worked Fort Lauderdale FHA files in this market, and we still have not published a verified local closing. The same documentation habits apply in Broward: gift paper trails, occupancy, and a property that can pass the FHA appraisal. Condo and flood questions are more specific to Fort Lauderdale than to those Las Vegas files.

How does iQRATE work a Fort Lauderdale FHA file?

1. We start with the property, not a generic product pitch: county limit, condo approval status, flood zone and a realistic insurance quote.
2. We pull or review credit and talk through the 580 and 500–579 financing bands, including lender overlays that sit above HUD's baseline.
3. We compare FHA and conventional on the same down payment and show how long mortgage insurance lasts, not only the first payment.
4. If you may use Hometown Heroes, FL Assist, Broward County purchase assistance or city help, we check current funding and stack the second loan correctly so the first mortgage still fits $667,000.
5. We order the appraisal and condo questionnaire early enough to catch milestone, reserve and seawall issues.
6. We disclose on time and aim, for eligible full-documentation FHA purchases, at 17 calendar days from initial disclosures under our written closing commitment. Most of our loans close in under 30 days. This is a goal for eligible files, not a promise that every Fort Lauderdale condo or waterfront purchase will close on that timetable.

Apply now or call (702) 766-3744. You can also start on our contact page.

Fort Lauderdale FHA limit checker

Enter a price, the number of units and the share you plan to finance. The tool does simple math only: it shows the loan amount and whether it fits Broward County's 2026 FHA limit for that unit count. It does not use interest rates, quote a payment or approve a loan.

Default price in the tool is only a starting point, not a median we are asserting for this page.

What does iQRATE put in writing?

Terms for each are on its own page; see all iQRATE guarantees.

• Rate Match: lock with us, and within 3 calendar days show a competitor's locked Loan Estimate for identical terms. We match it or pay you $1,000 after you close with them.
• Bare Bones Closing Costs: no processing, admin, doc-prep, lock or broker fees of our own; third-party fees at cost.
• 17-Day Closing Commitment: our goal for eligible conventional, FHA and VA purchases is 17 calendar days from initial disclosures. Most of our loans close in under 30 days.
• $5,000 Seller Guarantee and All Costs Covered: if a purchase backed by our verified approval fails solely because of our error, we pay the seller $5,000, and we reimburse you up to $1,000 of costs plus forfeited earnest money up to $5,000.
• 12-Month Rate Drop and Lifetime Rate Monitoring: if rates fall at least 0.50% within a year, typical lender fees on the refinance are covered through premium pricing (subject to lender availability), and we watch rates for you for life.

What do clients say about iQRATE?

These are verbatim reviews from our stored Yelp source. They are not Fort Lauderdale-specific, and they are not FHA-only.

“David and Andrei and team were very knowledgeable and really helped in the whole process. Even though the economy is going through a rough time they were able to explain every detail and really looked out for our best interest! I would highly recommend their team as they will find a way to get it done!” — Lydia Z. (Menifee, CA), 5-star review on Yelp

“Very efficient and transparent service. They go above and beyond to deliver the loan closure on time even in a very tight time line. Also very resourceful and knowledgeable staff. I'll go to them again next time I need a loan.” — Rita S. (Los Angeles, CA), 5-star review on Yelp

More reviews are collected on our reviews page.

Which questions should you ask any Fort Lauderdale FHA lender?

• Is this building on HUD's current FHA approved condominium list, and is that approval still in force?
• What lender overlays apply above HUD's 580 and 500–579 financing bands?
• What is the insurance quote, including wind and flood, and how many months of escrow will be collected at closing?
• Has the association completed its milestone inspection and funded reserves, and are any special assessments pending?
• For a canal home, what is the seawall's condition and is there an elevation certificate?
• Which down payment assistance programs are actually funded this month, and do they stack with FHA?
• If the loan would fall between $667,000 and $832,750, can you show me a conventional alternative on the same property?

Where do these Fort Lauderdale figures come from?

• FHA limits: HUD 2026 FHA forward mortgage limits file, Broward County row, Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach, FL, effective January 1, 2026.
• Conforming limits: FHFA announces conforming loan limit values for 2026 and the FHFA 2026 county list.
• Credit-score financing bands, gift funds, seller concessions, occupancy and MIP duration: our FHA loans guide, which restates current HUD baseline rules.
• Condo approval lookup: HUD FHA approved condominiums.
• PMI cancellation contrast: CFPB, when can I remove PMI.
• Florida documentary stamp tax: Florida Department of Revenue.
• Homestead and Save Our Homes: Florida Department of Revenue, exemptions.
• Hometown Heroes and FL Assist: Florida Housing, Hometown Heroes and Florida Housing homebuyer programs.
• Broward County purchase assistance: Broward County Home Buyer Programs.
• Flood maps: FEMA Flood Map Service Center.
• 2025 Fort Lauderdale millage, tax area 0312: Broward County Property Appraiser, 2025 final millage table. Neighborhood list, vacation rental registration and other local notes already on our site: Fort Lauderdale mortgage broker.

Fort Lauderdale FHA loan FAQs

What is the 2026 FHA loan limit in Fort Lauderdale?

$667,000 for a one unit home in Broward County, from HUD's 2026 FHA forward mortgage limits file. Two to four unit limits are $853,900, $1,032,150 and $1,282,700. The conforming limit is $832,750 for a one unit home.

What credit score do I need for an FHA loan in Fort Lauderdale?

HUD's baseline is 580 or higher for maximum financing, up to 96.5 percent loan-to-value, and 500 to 579 for up to 90 percent loan-to-value. Many lenders set a higher minimum. We compare overlays rather than quoting one lender's cutoff as a rule.

Can I buy a Fort Lauderdale condo with an FHA loan?

Yes, if you will live there, the loan fits the Broward FHA limit, and the building is on HUD's FHA approved condominium list. Milestone inspections, reserve funding and special assessments still have to clear underwriting.

Is FHA or conventional better in Broward County?

If the loan is above $667,000 and at or under $832,750, conventional is the path and FHA is not. At or under $667,000, we price both, including how long mortgage insurance lasts and whether the building is FHA approved.

How long does FHA mortgage insurance last?

Under current HUD rules, annual MIP lasts for the life of the loan when the original loan-to-value is above 90 percent. It can end after 11 years when the original loan-to-value is 90 percent or less. Conventional PMI can often be cancelled later under CFPB rules.

Does Fort Lauderdale have down payment help for FHA buyers?

Yes, when programs are funded. Florida Hometown Heroes offers a deferred second mortgage of up to 5% of the first mortgage, with a minimum of $10,000 and a maximum of $35,000, for eligible workforce buyers. FL Assist can provide up to $10,000. Broward's official Home Buyer Programs page offers Affordable Housing Trust Funds of up to $100,000 for income-qualified buyers, when funded. The city may have a separate program.

Can I use gift funds on a Fort Lauderdale FHA loan?

Yes. The entire cash down amount can be a gift from family and some other eligible sources, with a gift letter and a documented transfer from the donor.

Can I buy a duplex or fourplex in Fort Lauderdale with FHA?

Yes, if you live in one unit, the loan is within the Broward two to four unit FHA limit, and a 3- or 4-unit purchase meets HUD's self-sufficiency test. That test requires that 75% of total rent cover the full payment, as described on our FHA loans guide.

What are Fort Lauderdale property taxes for an FHA buyer?

18.4464 mills in 2025 for Fort Lauderdale tax area 0312, or $18.4464 per $1,000 of taxable value. Homestead exemption and the Save Our Homes cap can lower a permanent resident's bill, but the assessment resets on a sale. Your escrow is based on your assessed value, not the seller's last bill.

Has iQRATE closed FHA loans in Fort Lauderdale?

We have not published a verified iQRATE FHA closing in Fort Lauderdale. We are licensed in Florida, we work Fort Lauderdale files, and we have documented FHA purchase closings in other markets, including Las Vegas in 2023. This page does not treat those as local results.

Can I use an FHA loan for a Fort Lauderdale home above $667,000?

Not for the amount above the county FHA limit. A one unit loan above $667,000 and at or under $832,750 can still be conventional. Above $832,750, you need a jumbo loan.

Are short-term rentals allowed if I buy with FHA?

FHA requires you to occupy the home as a primary residence, so it is not a vacation rental investment program. Separately, Fort Lauderdale requires an annual vacation rental registration and a certificate of compliance, plus the state DBPR license. Many condo associations ban or limit short-term rentals.

Ready to price a Fort Lauderdale FHA loan?

Apply Now · or call (702) 766-3744 · Contact iQRATE

iQRATE Mortgages · NMLS 1862492 · 6360 S Rainbow Blvd Ste 101, Las Vegas, NV 89118 · Hours: Mon to Fri: 9 am - 5 pm; Sat & Sun: By Appointment Only. See our Las Vegas office on Google Maps. Licensed in Nevada, California, Texas and Florida. David Ghazaryan, Mortgage Broker, NMLS 1486726. Verify us on NMLS Consumer Access.Equal Housing Opportunity. This is not a commitment to lend; programs, rates and terms vary by lender and change without notice.

More: FHA loans · Fort Lauderdale mortgage broker · Fort Lauderdale conventional loans · Florida mortgage broker · Jumbo loans · DSCR loans · Our guarantees · Closing costs by state · About iQRATE