Weekend Wrap: South Florida Real Estate Events & Buyer Programs, Sep 18–20

Read Time: 7 minutes
By the Kohler Team

Whether you are preparing to buy your first home, exploring an investment property, or simply trying to understand South Florida’s housing landscape, the right event or assistance program can turn uncertainty into a clear action plan.

This Weekend Wrap highlights opportunities connected to Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties, including a Miami homebuyer workshop on September 19, upcoming Miramar and Fort Lauderdale programs, state assistance options, and investor resources. Think of it as your practical field guide: face fears with facts, ask better questions, and take the next step with confidence.

Important: Event schedules, funding availability, income limits, and loan terms can change. Confirm details with the official organizer, housing agency, lender, or program administrator before applying.

1. Your Main Weekend Event: Miami Home Buyer Workshop

Saturday, September 19, 2026

• Event: Home Buyer Workshop
• Time: 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
• Location: 10900 NW 25th Street, Suite 200, Miami, FL
• Cost: Free, with limited seating
• Topics: Financing, lender requirements, the purchase process, and common buyer mistakes

The Miami Home Buyer Workshop is designed to make the buying process easier to understand. You can learn how pre-qualification works, what documents lenders typically request, and how to prepare before touring homes.

Mortgage professionals may also be available to answer questions and offer complimentary pre-qualification guidance to qualified attendees.

Pro Tip: Bring your questions

Before you attend, write down:

• How much cash should you reserve beyond the down payment?
• Which loan type may fit your income and credit profile?
• Can you qualify for down-payment assistance?
• What monthly payment feels comfortable, not merely what a lender approves?
• Are you planning to stay in the home long enough to make ownership worthwhile?

A workshop is not a substitute for personalized advice, but it can jog your memory and help you begin the conversation prepared.

2. Upcoming Buyer Events Across Broward County

The September 18–20 weekend is only the beginning. Several nearby events can help you continue building momentum.

Miramar Homebuyer Purchase Assistance Workshop

• Date: Thursday, September 24, 2026
• Time: 6:30 p.m.
• Location: Miramar Multi-Service Complex, 6700 Miramar Parkway, Miramar
• Focus: City purchase assistance and eligibility requirements

The City of Miramar’s homebuyer resources describe assistance that may reach up to $90,000 for eligible buyers purchasing an owner-occupied home in Miramar. Program rules may include first-time-buyer status, income limits, purchase-price limits, mortgage pre-approval, and completion of approved homebuyer education.

Assistance may be structured as a deferred second loan rather than an immediate cash grant. That distinction matters. Ask when repayment is triggered, whether the loan is forgivable, and what happens if you refinance, sell, or move.

Fort Lauderdale Real Estate Networking Social

• Date: Thursday, September 24, 2026
• Time: 7:00 p.m.
• Location: The Shorely, Fort Lauderdale

This networking social is a useful opportunity for investors, agents, lenders, contractors, and buyers to connect. You may discover local professionals who can help you evaluate a property beyond the online listing photos.

For investors, bring a simple one-page summary of your goals:

• Target property type
• Preferred neighborhoods
• Available capital
• Desired return
• Financing status
• Whether you plan to hold, renovate, or resell

A focused introduction is much more effective than saying, “I’m looking for a deal.”

Housing Foundation of America Workshop

• Date: Saturday, September 26, 2026
• Location: Fort Lauderdale
• Focus: HUD-certified first-time homebuyer education

The Housing Foundation of America offers HUD-certified education covering budgeting, credit, fair housing, predatory lending, financing, and down-payment assistance.

The Fort Lauderdale workshop may help eligible buyers pursue assistance of up to $90,000, depending on the applicable program, household profile, funding availability, and local requirements. Other published HFA materials reference assistance packages that may total approximately $80,000, so confirm the current amount directly with HFA before relying on any figure.

3. Mark Your Calendar: Construction and Luxury Real Estate

South Florida Build Expo

• Dates: September 30–October 1, 2026
• Location: Broward County Convention Center, Hall A
• Address: 1950 Eisenhower Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale
• Exhibit hours: Approximately 10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
• Classes: Beginning at approximately 9:30 a.m.

The South Florida Build Expo is geared toward builders, architects, contractors, developers, designers, and suppliers. However, residential buyers and property owners can also benefit from sessions on materials, renovation, building technology, and design.

If you are considering a major renovation, walk through the expo with a project checklist. Compare products, ask about installation costs, and investigate warranties. The pitter-patter of an exciting renovation plan is wonderful, but the budget should remain firmly grounded.

Bisnow South Florida Ultra-Luxury Home Summit

• Date: October 8, 2026
• Focus: Ultra-luxury residential real estate, development, investment, and market trends

The Bisnow South Florida events calendar is the best place to confirm the summit’s venue, agenda, and registration details as they become available.

For luxury buyers and investors, this type of event can provide insight into development pipelines, international demand, private capital, branded residences, and the evolving definition of luxury across Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties.

4. Buyer Assistance Programs Worth Reviewing

Here is a quick comparison of several programs frequently discussed with South Florida buyers.

Headline assistance amounts

These figures represent potential maximums, not guaranteed awards. Programs may not be combined, and assistance is subject to eligibility, funding, lender approval, and repayment terms.

Program	Potential headline amount	General structure
FHA financing	As low as 3.5% down	Insured mortgage; mortgage insurance applies
Florida Assist	Up to $10,000	Deferred second mortgage
Florida HLP	$12,500	Repayable second mortgage
Hometown Heroes	Up to $35,000	Deferred assistance for eligible occupations
Miami-Dade SHIP	Up to $100,000 in qualifying areas	County assistance loan
Palm Beach programs	Up to $100,000 in certain programs	Confirm current county or municipal terms

The chart is a starting point, not a promise. For example, Florida Housing explains that Florida Assist is generally a 0% deferred second mortgage, while the Florida Homeownership Loan Program may carry interest and require regular repayment. Hometown Heroes is designed for eligible workforce occupations and may provide up to 5% of the first mortgage amount, subject to program limits.

Miami-Dade’s Affordable Homeownership Program may offer up to $100,000 in designated vulnerability-ranked areas, with different amounts and terms elsewhere.

Palm Beach County and local municipalities may offer separate assistance programs. Because program rules and funding can change, confirm current terms with the relevant housing department before writing an offer.

5. What About Investors?

Not every buyer needs a first-time-homebuyer program. If you are purchasing a rental, second home, fix-and-flip property, or multifamily asset, ask about:

• Conventional investment-property financing
• Debt-service-coverage-ratio, or DSCR, loans
• Portfolio loans through local banks
• Commercial financing for larger multifamily properties
• Private or hard-money financing for time-sensitive acquisitions
• Partnerships and equity-based investment structures

Investor financing usually evaluates the property’s income, condition, projected expenses, reserves, and your experience, not simply your personal salary.

Pro Tip: Build a property scorecard

Before making an offer, compare each opportunity using the same categories:

1. Purchase price
2. Estimated repairs
3. Taxes and insurance
4. HOA or condominium fees
5. Expected rent
6. Vacancy allowance
7. Property management
8. Financing cost
9. Exit strategy
10. Cash reserves

A beautiful property can still be an appalling investment if the numbers do not work.

Your Next Step

Choose one action this week:

• Register for a buyer workshop.
• Contact a lender for a preliminary conversation.
• Request current program guidelines.
• Create a realistic monthly housing budget.
• Attend a networking event.
• Schedule a consultation about homes, rentals, or investment properties.

The path to ownership is not one giant leap. It is a series of informed decisions. Each one helping you build a personal treasury and, over time, potentially create generational wealth.

For guidance across Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties, connect with the Kohler Team through Jerome Smith’s Keller Williams website. We can help you compare neighborhoods, understand financing conversations, evaluate opportunities, and move forward with a strategy tailored to your goals.

Read next: Explore your local market, review current listings, and learn which buyer programs may fit your situation before you begin touring homes.

Attribution: The Kohler Team