Weekend Wrap: South Florida Real Estate Events & Buyer Programs — Sep 25–27
Weekend Wrap: South Florida Real Estate Events & Buyer Programs, Sep 25–27
Read Time: 7 minutes
By the Kohler Team
South Florida’s real estate calendar is full this weekend, and the weeks ahead are just as active.
Whether you are buying your first home, relocating to Broward or Miami-Dade, exploring Palm Beach County opportunities, or investing in residential and commercial property, the right workshop or networking event can help you move forward with better information.
This week’s Weekend Wrap covers upcoming events, buyer education, assistance programs, and investor financing options from Palm Beach County to Miami-Dade County.
Important: Event schedules, registration requirements, funding pools, income limits, and assistance caps may change. Always confirm details with the organizer, county housing department, lender, or program administrator before making financial decisions.
Part 1: The Weekend’s Most Timely Homebuyer Opportunity
Housing Foundation of America First-Time Homebuyer Workshop
Saturday, September 26, 2026, Fort Lauderdale
The Housing Foundation of America is scheduled to host a first-time homebuyer workshop in Fort Lauderdale this weekend. The workshop is expected to address the fundamentals of purchasing a home, including:
- Credit preparation
- Budgeting and mortgage readiness
- Down payment assistance
- Closing costs
- Home inspections and insurance
- The purchase contract and closing process
The event has been promoted as offering access to programs that may provide up to $90,000 toward a first home, depending on the buyer’s location, income, household size, purchase price, and eligibility.
That figure deserves a closer look. Does it represent one program, a combination of assistance sources, or a maximum available only to certain income-qualified buyers? Face fears with facts: ask the organizer for written program guidelines and confirm whether the funds are a grant, a deferred second mortgage, or another form of assistance.
Before attending, bring or gather:
- Recent pay stubs and bank statements
- A basic list of monthly debts
- Your approximate credit score
- Federal tax returns, if requested
- Questions about primary-residence requirements and repayment terms
If you are not ready to buy immediately, that is perfectly fine. A workshop can be the first brick in your personal treasury.
Part 2: South Florida Events to Add to Your Calendar
South Florida Build Expo
September 30–October 1, 2026
Broward County Convention Center, Hall A
1950 Eisenhower Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale
The South Florida Build Expo is designed for contractors, developers, architects, engineers, property managers, building owners, remodelers, and real estate professionals.
The official event page lists:
- More than 180 exhibitors
- Exhibit hours from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
- Classes beginning at 9:30 a.m. each day
- Educational sessions covering construction, property improvements, building products, and business services
For homeowners, this can be a useful place to learn about remodeling, impact windows, roofing, energy efficiency, inspections, and hurricane-resilient improvements. For investors, it is an opportunity to meet vendors who can help control renovation costs and improve property performance.
Pro Tip: If you own an investment property, bring a short list of upcoming repairs. A five-minute conversation with the right contractor may save you weeks of research.
South Florida Ultra-Luxury Home Summit
October 8, 2026, 8:00 a.m.
InterContinental Miami, 100 Chopin Plaza, Miami
The Bisnow South Florida Ultra-Luxury Home Summit will focus on the business of developing, selling, and servicing trophy homes across Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties.
Topics include:
- Waterfront land and entitlement challenges
- Custom construction and bespoke materials
- Hurricane resilience and insurance exposure
- Architecture, outdoor space, and neighborhood identity
- The changing expectations of ultra-high-net-worth buyers
- Concierge-level service after closing
The summit is especially relevant for luxury buyers, developers, architects, builders, designers, brokers, and residential service providers. The official agenda lists speakers from organizations including Douglas Elliman, Choeff Levy Fischman Architecture + Design, Kobi Karp Architecture, and Luxury Residential Management.
Additional Events Coming Up
Mark these dates, then confirm details and registration directly with each organizer:
- October 14–15: NHS Spanish-language homebuyer education workshop
- October 22: CREW Tri-County Networking Event
- October 26–27: Grant Cardone Real Estate Summit
- October 31: Oasis of Hope CDC first-time homebuyer workshop
The NHS and Oasis of Hope CDC events may be particularly helpful for buyers who prefer Spanish-language instruction or want community-focused guidance. The CREW and Grant Cardone events are more likely to appeal to professionals, investors, and business owners.
What should you attend? Ask yourself: Do I need education, financing, professional connections, or market intelligence most right now? Your answer should determine your calendar.
Part 3: Buyer Assistance Programs to Explore
Below is a simplified snapshot of the programs identified for this week. These are maximum advertised amounts, not guaranteed awards.
| Program | Potential Assistance | Common Use |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Assist | Up to $10,000 | Down payment and closing costs |
| Hometown Heroes | Up to $35,000 | Down payment and closing costs |
| Miami-Dade SHIP | Advertised up to $100,000 | Local purchase assistance |
| Palm Beach County programs | Advertised up to $100,000 | Down payment and closing costs |
| Palm Beach Homebuyer Match Pilot | Up to $50,000 match | Down payment, closing costs, repairs, or rate points |
Assistance Snapshot
Florida Assist $10,000 ██
Hometown Heroes $35,000 ████
Palm Beach Match Pilot $50,000 ██████
Miami-Dade SHIP* $100,000 ████████████
Palm Beach programs $100,000 ████████████*Local program availability and caps should be confirmed with Miami-Dade County or the applicable municipality.
FHA Loans and Florida Assist
An FHA loan may allow qualified buyers to purchase with a lower down payment than many conventional options. When paired with an assistance program, it can help reduce the cash needed at closing.
Florida Assist is commonly described as a deferred, zero-interest second mortgage of up to $10,000 for eligible borrowers. It is generally repaid when the home is sold, refinanced, or the first mortgage is paid off.
That repayment detail matters. Assistance is not always free money, and it should be included in your long-term budget.
Hometown Heroes
The Florida Housing Finance Corporation’s Hometown Heroes program provides eligible full-time workers with down payment and closing-cost assistance.
The 2026 program offers:
- Up to 5% of the first mortgage amount
- A maximum of $35,000
- A minimum of $10,000
- A 0% interest, non-amortizing, 30-year deferred second mortgage
- Potential compatibility with FHA, VA, USDA, and conventional first mortgages
Eligible occupations may include healthcare workers, school staff, first responders, public safety employees, court employees, childcare workers, servicemembers, and qualifying veterans.
Hometown Heroes funds are not forgivable and may become due if you sell, refinance, transfer the deed, or stop occupying the property as your primary residence.
Miami-Dade and Palm Beach County Assistance
Miami-Dade and Palm Beach County buyers may encounter SHIP, HOME, city, or county-specific programs. The exact assistance amount may depend on:
- Household income
- Household size
- Property location
- Purchase price
- First-time buyer status
- Required buyer contribution
- Available annual funding
Palm Beach County’s official Homebuyer Match Pilot Program describes up to $50,000 in dollar-for-dollar matching funds. The published pilot required a minimum buyer contribution and had a purchase-price limit, income categories, and a lottery process. The page currently states that the application period is closed, so buyers should contact Palm Beach County Housing and Economic Development for future rounds.
Part 4: Options for Seasoned Buyers and Investors
First-time buyers are not the only people who need a plan. Investors and experienced homeowners should also evaluate financing carefully.
Potential options include:
- DSCR loans: Underwriting based primarily on the property’s rental income rather than the borrower’s personal income.
- 1031 exchanges: A tax-deferred strategy that may allow an investor to exchange one qualifying investment property for another. Consult a qualified tax professional.
- Private lending: Flexible financing that may support acquisitions, renovations, bridge transactions, or time-sensitive purchases.
- Conventional investment loans: Traditional financing for rental properties, second homes, or multi-unit residential assets.
- Commercial financing: Options for mixed-use, multifamily, retail, office, and development opportunities.
Investors should compare more than the interest rate. Review loan-to-value requirements, reserves, prepayment penalties, appraisal standards, insurance costs, and the projected cash-on-cash return.
Your Weekend Action Plan
Use this simple checklist:
- Register or confirm the September 26 workshop details.
- Ask for written assistance guidelines, including repayment terms.
- Review your credit, income, debts, and available cash.
- Speak with a qualified lender about FHA, conventional, DSCR, or other financing.
- Choose one October event that matches your next milestone.
- Connect with a local real estate professional who understands your target area.
The South Florida market can feel fast, complicated, and occasionally appalling when costs stack up. But information turns pitter-patter worry into forward motion.
The Kohler Team helps buyers, sellers, renters, luxury clients, relocating families, and investors navigate opportunities across Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties.
Ready to turn a workshop, program, or event into a real estate plan? Reach out to the Kohler Team for a personalized conversation.
Read next: First-Time Buyer Hub, How to Build a South Florida Homebuying Budget That Works