Weekend Wrap: South Florida Real Estate Events & Buyer Programs : Sep 11–13, 2026

Read Time: 7 minutes
By the Kohler Team

Buying a home is a major milestone. It can also feel like a lot at once: workshops, mortgage terms, down-payment requirements, inspections, insurance, and a calendar full of deadlines.

The good news? You do not have to figure it out alone.

This week’s Weekend Wrap brings together South Florida homebuyer education, real estate networking, development events, and assistance programs serving buyers and investors from Palm Beach County through Miami-Dade County.

Think of it as your local real estate compass. First, we will look at what is happening this weekend. Then, we will preview upcoming education and networking opportunities. Finally, we will break down programs that may help turn your next step into a practical plan.

Important: Event schedules, funding, eligibility rules, and application windows can change. Confirm details directly with the organizer, housing agency, lender, or program administrator before relying on them.

This Weekend: Sep 11–13

Sep 12: HUD-Certified Zoom Conference Homebuyer Workshop

A HUD-certified Zoom conference homebuyer workshop is scheduled for Saturday, September 12, serving buyers in the Miramar area virtually.

This type of workshop can help you understand:

• Credit preparation and debt-to-income ratios
• Mortgage pre-approval
• Down-payment and closing-cost assistance
• Home inspections and insurance
• The purchase contract and closing process
• Responsibilities after you become a homeowner

If you are a first-time buyer, this is an excellent opportunity to face fears with facts. Ask whether the course provides a certificate accepted by the assistance programs you are considering.

You can also use the official HUD housing counseling resources or the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s housing counselor search to verify counseling agencies and locate additional education options.

Sep 12–13: Ongoing Homebuyer Education

Homebuyer education opportunities continue throughout the weekend and into the following weeks.

A certificate is not always the same thing as approval for assistance. However, completing an approved course early can help you:

1. Understand your budget before touring homes.
2. Identify credit or documentation issues.
3. Learn which questions to ask lenders.
4. Prepare for local down-payment assistance applications.
5. Move faster when a funding window opens.

Pro Tip: Save your certificate, completion email, intake forms, and counselor contact information in one digital folder. When an application window opens, you will not want to jog your memory: or hunt through 300 emails: for an important document.

The Coming Calendar: Education, Development, and Networking

If you cannot attend an event this weekend, several additional opportunities are scheduled across South Florida.

Sep 16–17: NHS Online Two-Part Workshop in English

Neighborhood Housing Services of South Florida offers an online two-part homebuyer education workshop in English scheduled for September 16–17.

The standard format is generally divided into two sessions. Participants should plan to attend both parts to receive their completion certificate.

The workshop can be especially useful if you want a structured overview of the purchase process before speaking with a lender or making an offer. Review the NHS South Florida class schedule for registration instructions, dates, and availability.

Sep 17: PROFILEmiami Pre-Construction Development Summit

The PROFILEmiami Pre-Construction Development Summit is scheduled for Thursday, September 17.

This event is geared toward people interested in:

• New construction
• Development trends
• Investment opportunities
• Miami’s evolving neighborhoods
• Relationships with developers, brokers, and industry professionals

If you are considering a pre-construction purchase, ask about deposit schedules, completion timelines, assignment restrictions, projected association fees, and the developer’s track record.

A glossy rendering can be exciting. Your due diligence should be even more exciting.

Sep 17: Greenacres Real Estate Networking Happy Hour

The South Florida Real Estate Networking Happy Hour is scheduled for Thursday, September 17, in the Greenacres area.

This gathering is designed for agents, lenders, investors, and other real estate professionals. Networking events can be valuable even if you are not actively buying or selling. One conversation may introduce you to:

• A lender who understands assistance programs
• A property manager for an investment property
• A contractor or insurance professional
• A commercial or residential opportunity
• A local market specialist

Check the Fortune Title Group calendar or the event organizer’s registration page for the latest time, venue, and attendance requirements.

Sep 19: Miami Home Buyer Workshop

A Miami Home Buyer Workshop is scheduled for Saturday, September 19.

For buyers in Miami-Dade County, this is a useful follow-up opportunity after completing a virtual class. Bring questions about income limits, eligible properties, purchase-price restrictions, and whether assistance can be combined with your selected first mortgage.

Sep 24: Fort Lauderdale Real Estate Networking Social

The calendar also includes a Fort Lauderdale Real Estate Networking Social on Thursday, September 24.

This type of event can be helpful for investors and business owners who want to build relationships before they need a service. Consider attending with a simple introduction:

“I am researching residential investment opportunities in Broward and want to understand financing, property management, and neighborhood-level returns.”

Short, clear, and no hard sell.

Sep 24: Miramar Homebuyer Purchase Assistance Workshop

A Miramar Homebuyer Purchase Assistance Workshop is scheduled for Thursday, September 24.

If you are considering buying in Miramar, ask whether the workshop covers current city or county assistance, required education, income documentation, property eligibility, and the application process.

Program funds may be limited. Some opportunities are first-come, first-qualified, while others may use an application window or lottery.

Buyer Program Snapshot: What May Be Available?

Here is a quick comparison of commonly discussed South Florida programs.

Program	Potential Assistance	Best For	Key Consideration
FHA financing	Low-down-payment mortgage option	Qualified first-time and repeat buyers	Mortgage insurance and underwriting apply
Florida Assist	Up to $10,000	Eligible buyers using a Florida Housing first mortgage	Typically a deferred, repayable second mortgage
Hometown Heroes	Up to $35,000	Eligible Florida workers and service members	Income, occupation, first-time buyer, and funding rules apply
Miami-Dade SHIP	Current published county materials document up to $35,000	Eligible Miami-Dade first-time buyers	Some online discussions cite higher amounts; verify the current county round
Palm Beach County SHIP/HOME	Amounts are often cited up to $100,000	Eligible Palm Beach County first-time buyers	Exact caps and application windows depend on the current notice
Investor financing	DSCR, 1031 exchange, private lending	Rental-property buyers and seasoned investors	Terms, reserves, and property cash flow are critical

Florida Assist: Up to $10,000

Florida Assist is generally structured as a 0% interest, deferred second mortgage through the Florida Housing Finance Corporation’s participating lender network.

It may help with down payment and closing costs. However, it is typically not a cash grant. Repayment can be triggered by a sale, refinance, payoff, transfer, or loss of primary-residence status.

Review current requirements through the Florida Housing Finance Corporation.

Hometown Heroes: Up to $35,000

The Florida Hometown Heroes program may provide assistance equal to 5% of the first-mortgage amount, subject to a minimum and maximum, with the maximum commonly listed at $35,000 for the current cycle.

Eligible workers may include certain healthcare employees, educators, first responders, childcare workers, public safety employees, service members, and veterans.

The assistance is generally a deferred second mortgage: not free money that disappears immediately. Review the current rules on the official Hometown Heroes program page.

Miami-Dade SHIP: Verify the Current Amount

Miami-Dade County’s SHIP-funded homebuyer assistance is a 0% deferred loan for eligible first-time buyers. Current published county materials document assistance of up to $35,000.

You may see references to $100,000 in broader program discussions or combined-assistance scenarios. That does not necessarily mean the current Miami-Dade County SHIP award is $100,000.

Before counting on a specific figure, verify:

• Current program year
• Income limits
• Purchase-price limits
• Required buyer contribution
• Whether the home must be in a particular area
• Whether assistance can be layered with other financing

Start with the Miami-Dade County down-payment assistance page.

Palm Beach County: SHIP and HOME Opportunities

Palm Beach County programs funded through SHIP and HOME may provide substantial assistance to eligible first-time buyers. Public program summaries frequently reference potential assistance of up to $100,000, although the exact amount, forgiveness terms, and availability depend on the active program notice.

The county may require:

• First-time buyer qualification
• A mortgage pre-approval
• HUD-approved homebuyer education
• Primary-residence occupancy
• Income qualification
• An application during a limited window

Review the Palm Beach County HOME First-Time Homebuyer Program, SHIP Purchase Assistance, and Homebuyer Match Pilot Program.

Investor Options: Beyond Traditional Assistance

Down-payment assistance is primarily designed for owner-occupants. Investors usually need a different toolkit.

DSCR Loans

Debt-Service Coverage Ratio loans qualify an investment property primarily through its projected rental income rather than the borrower’s personal income.

They may be useful for rental investors, but review the required down payment, reserves, interest rate, property condition, and rental-income calculations carefully.

1031 Exchanges

A 1031 exchange may allow an investor to defer recognition of capital gains when exchanging one qualifying investment property for another.

Timing is strict. Work with a qualified intermediary and tax professional before selling.

Private Lending

Private lenders may offer flexible terms for acquisitions, renovations, or bridge financing. Flexibility can come with higher rates, shorter terms, origination fees, and larger equity requirements.

Pro Tip: Build your investor financing plan before making an offer. The pitter-patter of a great opportunity can quickly become an appalling surprise if your exit strategy is unclear.

Your Three-Step Action Plan

Whether you are attending an event this weekend or preparing for a future purchase, start here:

1. Choose your education path.
   Register for a HUD-approved workshop or speak with a housing counselor.

2. Get financially organized.
   Gather pay stubs, tax returns, bank statements, identification, debt information, and employment records.

3. Speak with the right professionals.
   A qualified lender can review financing and assistance options. A local real estate professional can help you compare neighborhoods, property types, taxes, insurance, and resale considerations.

Are you ready to turn information into momentum?

The Kohler Team can help you evaluate your next step across South Florida: from Miramar and Weston to Aventura, Doral, Hollywood, Southwest Ranches, Palm Beach County, and surrounding communities. Visit Jerome Smith to connect and begin building your personalized plan.

Read next: Watch for our upcoming Week Ahead market preview, featuring South Florida trends, upcoming events, and practical guidance for buyers, sellers, and investors.