FHA loans across Hillsborough County with as little as 3.5% down. Here's the county's 2026 FHA loan limit, why the Tampa area is so FHA-friendly, and how to get pre-approved.
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Hillsborough County anchors the Tampa Bay region, blending the urban core of Tampa with booming suburbs like Brandon and Riverview. It's one of Florida's strongest FHA markets: prices that largely sit under the loan limit, abundant new construction in the growth corridors, and steady job growth drawing buyers from across the country. For most Hillsborough homes, FHA's 3.5% down is all you need to get started.
With the 2026 FHA floor of $541,287 and FHA's 3.5% minimum down, you can finance a Hillsborough County home priced up to roughly $560,000 (your loan covers the price minus your down payment). Across most of Hillsborough, that covers the large majority of homes, including the new construction in fast-growing suburbs. A handful of Florida counties are set higher, so we confirm Hillsborough County's exact figure with HUD.
In the city of Tampa, FHA works for single-family homes and FHA-approved condos alike (see our condo guide). In the growth corridors — Brandon, Riverview, and beyond — new-construction homes pass the FHA appraisal easily and sit within the loan limit, making them ideal for first-time buyers. Pair FHA with Florida assistance and gift funds to keep your upfront cash low.
We help FHA buyers throughout Hillsborough County, including Tampa, Brandon, Riverview. Explore our local guides for a closer look at the market, loan limits, and down payment help in each:
You don't have to cover the down payment alone. FHA allows gift funds, sellers can contribute up to 6% toward closing costs, and Hillsborough County buyers can often pair FHA with assistance from the Florida Housing Finance Corporation and Hillsborough County's local SHIP-funded programs. Funding and eligibility change frequently, so we'll help you confirm what's currently available — see our FHA down payment assistance guide.
Get a free FHA rate quote and pre-approval from a lender who knows the Hillsborough County market.
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