Florida VA Loans
Deciding to purchase a house in beautiful and sunny Florida is exciting, but a huge financial decision. However, with the unique benefits provided by the VA loan, your dream of homeownership just got that much easier.
With the average listing price of a home in Florida landing at $407,000 the VA loan’s signature $0-money-down benefit is a considerable advantage for Florida homebuyers.
See also: VA Loan Eligibility Requirements
How to get a VA Loan in Florida
VA loans are made by private lenders and guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Because private lenders make the loans and not the VA, you need to find a lender licensed in the state you plan to purchase or refinance.
For example, if you're purchasing a home in Jacksonville, FL, you'll need to find a lender licensed in Florida to do the loan.
Florida VA Loan Limits
VA borrowers in Florida with their full VA loan entitlement are not restricted by VA loan limits. This means you can borrow as much as a lender is willing to lend without needing a down payment.
However, veterans without their full VA loan entitlement are still bound to Florida’s VA loan limits.
As of January 1, 2024, VA loan limits for all counties in Florida are $766,550.
Property Taxes in Florida
Another consideration for VA buyers in Florida is property taxes. For certain VA buyers, there are exemptions.
You may be eligible for a property tax exemption in Florida if you meet one of the following condition:
- If you are a 10% or more disabled veteran as a result of service, you may receive a property tax exemption of $5,000 on any property you own.
- If you are a 100% disabled veteran as a result of service, you may receive a full property tax exemption.
- The homestead exemptions exist for veterans over 65 years of age and surviving spouses.
If you are required to pay property tax in Florida, the American Community Survey by the U.S. Census Bureau estimates you may pay the following in each county:
Property Tax Rates in Florida
| County | Property Tax Rate |
|---|---|
| Alachua | 1.18% |
| Baker | 0.78% |
| Bay | 0.69% |
| Bradford | 0.84% |
| Brevard | 0.90% |
| Broward | 1.12% |
| Calhoun | 0.65% |
| Charlotte | 1.03% |
| Citrus | 0.80% |
| Clay | 0.87% |
| Collier | 0.71% |
| Columbia | 1.02% |
| DeSoto | 1.21% |
| Dixie | 0.76% |
| Duval | 0.97% |
| Escambia | 0.79% |
| Flagler | 0.92% |
| Franklin | 0.67% |
| Gadsden | 0.85% |
| Gilchrist | 0.79% |
| Glades | 1.06% |
| Gulf | 0.59% |
| Hamilton | 0.97% |
| Hardee | 1.04% |
| Hendry | 1.23% |
| Hernando | 0.91% |
| Highlands | 0.96% |
| Hillsborough | 1.02% |
| Holmes | 0.62% |
| Indian River | 0.86% |
| Jackson | 0.61% |
| Jefferson | 0.86% |
| Lafayette | 0.79% |
| Lake | 0.95% |
| Lee | 0.97% |
| Leon | 0.99% |
| Levy | 0.84% |
| Liberty | 0.92% |
| Madison | 0.88% |
| Manatee | 0.93% |
| Marion | 0.99% |
| Martin | 0.98% |
| Miami-Dade | 1.04% |
| Monroe | 0.69% |
| Nassau | 0.85% |
| Okaloosa | 0.72% |
| Okeechobee | 1.26% |
| Orange | 1.01% |
| Osceola | 0.91% |
| Palm Beach | 1.12% |
| Pasco | 0.96% |
| Pinellas | 0.94% |
| Polk | 0.91% |
| Putnam | 1.10% |
| Santa Rosa | 0.97% |
| Sarasota | 1.23% |
| Seminole | 0.76% |
| St. Johns | 0.88% |
| St. Lucie | 0.94% |
| Sumter | 0.94% |
| Suwannee | 0.98% |
| Taylor | 0.90% |
| Union | 0.88% |
| Volusia | 0.98% |
| Wakulla | 0.79% |
| Walton | 0.54% |
| Washington | 0.68% |
How VA Loans Work in Florida
View the graphic below to learn more about how VA loans work in Florida.
