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First-time home buyer programs in Clearwater, FL

Quick answer

First-time buyers in Clearwater, FL can use 3%-down conventional loans (up to the $832,750 Pinellas County conforming limit), 3.5%-down FHA, or VA and USDA where eligible, plus 2 verified city, county or statewide assistance programs. On the $326,100 median home, 3% down is about $9,783 and the estimated payment is $2,720/month at 7.18%.

By Purchase Mortgage Loan Editorial Team Checked against official sources per our editorial standardsData last updated

Median household income: $64,440; value-to-income ratio 5.06. Clearwater ranks 171 by home value and 20 by population among 343 places in our FL dataset.

What does a first-time buyer loan cost on a typical Clearwater home?

ItemClearwater
Median home value (Census ACS)$326,100
Florida median home value$325,000
Down payment (3%)$9,783
Loan amount$316,317
Estimated monthly payment (PITI + MI)$2,720
Income needed (28% / 36%)$117,000 / $91,000
Pinellas County 2026 conforming limit (1 unit)$832,750
Max purchase price at the limit$858,000

Rate assumption: 7.18% (Freddie Mac PMMS 30-year fixed average, week of November 5, 2026). Change it in the payment calculator.

Payment includes Florida's 0.79% effective property tax rate (Census ACS), $2,779/yr homeowners insurance (NAIC state average) and an estimated 0.5% PMI.

What is the 2026 conforming loan limit in Clearwater?

Clearwater is in Pinellas County. Conventional 3%-down loans go up to the $832,750 conforming limit (price ≈ $858,000); FHA loans go up to $541,287.

The Clearwater median home value of $326,100 is 0% above the Florida median, and within what the county limit supports.

Which down payment assistance programs can Clearwater buyers use?

First-time buyer loans in nearby cities

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First-time buyer loan FAQs for Clearwater

On the $326,100 median: 3% conventional ≈ $9,783, 3.5% FHA ≈ $11,414, and 0% for eligible VA or USDA buyers. Conventional loans above $832,750 in Pinellas County become jumbo loans.

At the $326,100 median value (close to the Florida median of $325,000), the estimated payment of $2,720/month at 7.18% needs about $117,000 a year under the 28% housing guideline, or $91,000 if your total debts stay under 36%.

0 city-level, 1 county-level and 1 statewide programs are verified for this city (2 total). Check each official administrator's eligibility rules and available funds.

Sources

Data last updated October 23, 2026.

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Figures on this page are estimates for educational purposes only and are not a loan offer or commitment to lend. Rates, loan limits, fees and assistance programs change frequently and vary by lender, location and borrower profile. Confirm current terms with a licensed loan officer.