Florida
VA Loans in Florida
The VA Loan is one of the most powerful tools available exclusively for military families and veterans. In Florida, veterans and active-duty military have been taking advantage of the benefits of the VA Loan in cities such as Jacksonville, Miami, Tampa, Orlando, and St. Petersburg.
The cost of homes across the United States has been steadily increasing in recent years. With a $0 down payment requirement, no PMI, lower interest rates, and a more relaxed credit score requirement, the VA Loan is making home ownership a reality for more military families and veterans in Florida now than ever before.
Median Sale Price of Homes in Florida*
|
Jacksonville |
$281,000 |
|
Miami |
$485,000 |
|
Tampa |
$360,000 |
|
Orlando |
$325,500 |
|
St. Petersburg |
$351,000 |
|
Florida Statewide Average |
$460,000 |
|---|
*Data pulled from Redfin (April 2022)
Property Taxes in Florida
In the state of Florida, property taxes are slightly lower than the national average of 1.07% with a rate of 0.83%, according to SmartAsset. Property tax bills are mailed every November and payments are due no later than March 31. There are several tax exemptions in Florida that you may be eligible to take advantage of including for the elderly, surviving spouses, disabled veterans, and more.
VA Disability in Florida
Common property tax exemptions are reserved for veterans, disabled veterans, seniors over the age of 65, and more. Since these exemptions can vary by county and state and often have strict qualification standards, not every veteran or homeowner qualifies, but those that do are able to reap the benefits of significant savings.
Disabled veterans in Florida that have a 100% disability as a result of their service can receive a full property tax exemption. For veterans that have a 10% or more service-connected disability, they may be eligible to get a property tax exemption of $5,000 on any property they own. Additional exemptions exist for select veterans that are over 65 and some surviving spouses.
Since these rates can vary based on location (i.e., exemptions in Jacksonville may be different from those in Miami or Orlando), you’ll want to contact your local municipal tax assessor’s office.
Insurance Programs in Florida
Natural disasters can happen anytime and are often unexpected or occur suddenly which makes it critical that you and your family are sufficiently covered. The most common natural disasters in Florida that homeowners are insured against include floods, hurricanes, severe storms, and wildfires. The best way to ensure you’re getting the best coverage for your location; we recommend you consult with a licensed insurance company.
Military Presence in Florida
Florida is home to 21 military bases which are spread across the state with the majority situated near the Pensacola/Jacksonville area. Since there are over 20 military bases in Florida and every branch of the military has a base in the state, thousands of veterans call it home.
VA Home Loan Volume in 2021 in Florida*
|
Total Loans |
120,964 |
|
Average Loan Amount |
$290,896 |
|
Total Loan Amount (ALL) |
$35,187,999,443 |
|
Total Purchase Loans |
41,587 |
|
Total Purchase Loans % |
34.38% |
|
Total IRRRL Loans |
64,088 |
|
Total IRRRL Loans % |
52.98% |
|
Total Cash-Out Loans |
15,289 |
|
Total Cash-Out Loans % |
12.64% |
*Data pulled from the Department of Veterans Affairs (April 2022)
FAQ’s about VA Loans in Florida
How do I buy a house in Florida? The best way to get started is to give us a call or fill out this form to get started!
How do I find more information about property taxes and exemptions for veterans in Florida? Click here to read more details regarding major property tax exemptions in every state.
What are the average interest rates in Florida? Interest rates for VA Loans are often lower than the national average rates for conventional loans. Click here to learn more about interest rates.