Weekend Wrap: South Florida’s Biggest Real Estate Events and Buyer Programs This Week (Aug 10–16)

Read Time: 8 minutes
By the Kohler Team

This week is your launchpad for South Florida real estate connections, education, and opportunity.

From Palm Beach County to Miami-Dade County, buyers, investors, agents, builders, and business owners have several worthwhile events ahead. There are also down payment assistance programs that may help qualified buyers turn a little preparation into a much stronger purchasing position.

The key? Face fears with facts. Confirm eligibility, collect your documents, and speak with the right professionals before you fall in love with a property.

This Week’s Real Estate Snapshot

Here is the quick view:

Opportunity	Date or Availability	Best For
Florida Realtors Convention & Trade Expo	Aug. 19–20	Real estate professionals, investors, lenders
Greater Fort Lauderdale Multi-Industry Conference & Expo	Aug. 19	Business owners, contractors, developers
Lauderhill HUD-approved homebuyer resources	Ongoing; confirm schedule	First-time buyers
UF/IFAS virtual homebuyer class	Aug. 11 and 18	Buyers needing approved education
Fox’s Lounge real estate networking event	Aug. 24	Investors, builders, brokers, and vendors
FL Assist	Up to $10,000	Eligible Florida homebuyers
Hometown Heroes	$10,000–$35,000	Eligible full-time Florida workers
Miami-Dade SHIP	Up to $100,000 in qualifying areas	Income-qualified homebuyers
Palm Beach County SHIP/HOME	Up to $100,000 when available	Income-qualified first-time buyers

Program limits, funding, income requirements, and event details can change. Always verify current terms with the official administrator, lender, or event organizer.

---

Part One: Florida Realtors Convention & Trade Expo

Aug. 19–20 | Rosen Shingle Creek Resort, Orlando

The 2026 Florida Realtors Convention & Trade Expo is one of the largest real estate gatherings on the state calendar.

According to the event’s official FAQ, the convention brings together more than 3,000 industry colleagues for education, networking, continuing education, and business-building. The free two-day Trade Expo features more than 200 exhibitors offering tools and services for the real estate industry.

The event is especially relevant if you are:

• Building a real estate investment team.
• Comparing mortgage, insurance, title, or property management providers.
• Exploring commercial or residential investment opportunities.
• Interested in technology, artificial intelligence, marketing, or lead generation.
• Looking for a stronger professional network across Florida.

The 2026 program also introduces a Wealth Building Summit focused on turning real estate income into lasting financial security. That theme should resonate with investors and homeowners alike. A home can be more than four walls; over time, it may become part of your personal treasury and a foundation for generational wealth.

Pro Tip

Review the official schedule before attending. A packed conference can feel like a pitter-patter of conversations, presentations, and introductions. Choose three priorities, such as:

1. Meet one lender.
2. Learn one investment strategy.
3. Build three meaningful relationships.

The Trade Expo is free, but registration is required.

Part Two: Greater Fort Lauderdale Multi-Industry Conference & Expo

Aug. 19 | Greater Fort Lauderdale area

The Greater Fort Lauderdale Multi-Industry Conference & Expo is expected to bring together businesses, vendors, and decision-makers from multiple industries, including construction, finance, marketing, professional services, and real estate.

This is a useful event if your real estate goals extend beyond buying or selling a home. You may meet:

• General contractors and subcontractors.
• Developers and project managers.
• Architects, engineers, and designers.
• Commercial lenders and insurance professionals.
• Business owners seeking locations or expansion opportunities.
• Service providers who support residential and commercial property owners.

Public listings have shown differing venue information for the 2026 event, including Bahia Mar Fort Lauderdale Beach and the Fort Lauderdale Marriott Coral Springs Hotel & Convention Center. Confirm the final venue, hours, and registration details with the organizer before traveling.

You can review the available event listing here.

Why It Matters for Real Estate

Real estate is rarely a solo sport. A successful transaction may involve a lender, inspector, insurance agent, contractor, title company, attorney, appraiser, and property manager.

One introduction can jog your memory about a service you need today: or a partnership you may need five years from now.

---

Part Three: Homebuyer Workshops and Education

Lauderhill HUD-Approved Homebuyer Resources

First-time buyers often wonder where to begin. The answer is usually not scrolling through listings at midnight. It is education.

Lauderhill provides information about a HUD-approved first-time homebuyer class. A HUD-approved course may help you understand:

• Budgeting and credit preparation.
• Mortgage types and loan costs.
• Inspections and insurance.
• Closing procedures.
• Down payment assistance requirements.
• Responsibilities after purchasing a home.

Virtual Workshop Option

UF/IFAS Extension has promoted a HUD-approved virtual first-time homebuyer class on Aug. 11 and Aug. 18, 2026, from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. Eastern. The eight-hour course is delivered in two virtual sessions, and participants must attend both sessions to receive a certificate.

The course is listed at $10 for an individual or couple, with one registration covering a couple. Review the virtual class registration information.

Other South Florida organizations, including Neighborhood Housing Services of South Florida, Consolidated Credit, and the Urban League of Broward County, may also offer online or Zoom-based education.

Pro Tip

Ask your lender and assistance program administrator whether a specific certificate will be accepted before enrolling. Many programs require an education course from a HUD-approved provider, but program rules can vary.

---

Part Four: Real Estate and Construction Networking at Fox’s Lounge

Aug. 24 | 7:00–10:00 p.m. | South Miami

The Miami Real Estate & Construction Pitch & Networking Event is scheduled for Fox’s Lounge at 6030 South Dixie Highway in South Miami.

The event is designed for:

• Real estate investors and developers.
• Brokers and asset managers.
• Builders, contractors, and project managers.
• Architects and engineers.
• PropTech and ConTech founders.
• Legal, finance, insurance, and advisory professionals.

The format includes short pitches and open networking. In other words, come prepared to explain what you do in a clear sentence or two.

A strong introduction might sound like this:

“I help families and investors find residential opportunities across South Florida, with a focus on practical guidance, local market knowledge, and long-term value.”

The event is listed as 21-plus, and attendees should confirm final details with the organizer.

---

Part Five: Buyer Programs Worth Reviewing

The following programs may help qualified buyers reduce the cash needed for a purchase. They are not automatically stackable, and assistance is generally subject to income, credit, purchase-price, occupancy, education, and funding requirements.

FHA Loans

An FHA loan may allow an eligible buyer to purchase with as little as 3.5% down, typically when the borrower meets the applicable credit requirements.

FHA loans can be helpful for first-time buyers because they may offer more flexible underwriting than some conventional options. However, FHA loans include mortgage insurance:

• Upfront mortgage insurance premium: Generally 1.75% of the base loan amount.
• Annual mortgage insurance: Paid monthly and based on the loan structure.
• Owner occupancy: The property generally must be your primary residence.

Learn more through HUD’s home loan resources, and use our mortgage calculator to begin estimating your payment.

Florida Housing FL Assist: Up to $10,000

Florida Housing’s FL Assist program may provide up to $10,000 in down payment and closing-cost assistance when paired with an eligible Florida Housing first mortgage.

It is commonly structured as a deferred second mortgage. That means repayment may be postponed until a triggering event, such as selling, refinancing, paying off the first mortgage, or no longer occupying the home as your primary residence.

Review current details through Florida Housing Finance Corporation.

Hometown Heroes: Up to $35,000

The Hometown Heroes Housing Program is intended for eligible full-time Florida workers in qualifying occupations.

For the 2025–2026 program framework, assistance may range from $10,000 to 5% of the first mortgage amount, capped at $35,000. Eligibility can depend on occupation, income, county, purchase price, employment, and available funding.

The program is administered through Florida Housing and participating lenders. Read the official Florida Housing Hometown Heroes information and review the Florida statute governing the program.

Miami-Dade SHIP: Up to $100,000 in Qualifying Areas

Miami-Dade County’s SHIP framework allows purchase assistance of up to $100,000 in qualifying vulnerable areas. The maximum may be lower in other areas, and the actual award depends on the program strategy, household eligibility, and available funds.

Start with the Miami-Dade SHIP program information.

Palm Beach County SHIP and HOME Programs

Palm Beach County has published SHIP and HOME first-time homebuyer programs with assistance of up to $100,000. However, application windows are limited, and funding is subject to availability.

Before relying on a specific amount, check the current county notices for:

• Whether applications are open.
• Property location and price limits.
• Income limits.
• Required homebuyer education.
• Whether assistance is deferred, forgivable, or repayable.
• Primary-residence requirements.

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

Assistance Amount Snapshot

This simple comparison shows the commonly cited maximums: not guaranteed awards:

FL Assist             $10,000       ███
Hometown Heroes       $35,000       █████████
Miami-Dade SHIP      $100,000       █████████████████████████
Palm Beach SHIP/HOME $100,000       █████████████████████████

Important: Assistance programs may have separate funding pools and may not be combined. Your lender and the program administrator should determine what can be layered together.

---

Part Six: Investor Programs to Know

DSCR Loans

A Debt Service Coverage Ratio loan is designed for certain investment properties. Instead of focusing primarily on your personal W-2 income or tax returns, the lender evaluates whether the property’s rental income can cover its expenses and debt.

A common formula is:

DSCR = Gross monthly rent ÷ monthly property payment

For example, if a property produces $2,500 in monthly rent and its mortgage, taxes, insurance, and HOA total $2,000, the DSCR is 1.25.

A DSCR above 1.0 generally indicates that the property covers the payment. Many lenders prefer a higher cushion, such as 1.20 or 1.25. Terms vary widely, and DSCR loans may carry higher rates or down payment requirements than owner-occupied financing.

For a general explanation, review this DSCR overview from JPMorgan.

1031 Exchanges

A 1031 exchange may allow an investor to defer recognition of capital gains when exchanging qualifying investment or business real estate for like-kind real property.

The classic deadlines are strict:

• Identify replacement property within 45 days.
• Complete the exchange within 180 days, or by the applicable tax-return deadline if earlier.
• Use a qualified intermediary and avoid taking constructive receipt of sale proceeds.

Because tax treatment can be complicated, consult a qualified intermediary and tax professional before listing or closing. The IRS explains like-kind exchanges here.

---

Your Weekend Wrap Checklist

Before next week begins:

1. Register for a HUD-approved homebuyer class if you need education certification.
2. Gather income, asset, employment, and tax documents for a lender review.
3. Ask which assistance programs your lender participates in.
4. Confirm event venues and registration details before traveling.
5. Prepare a 30-second introduction for networking events.
6. Investors: calculate estimated rent, expenses, and DSCR before making an offer.
7. Owners considering a sale: speak with a tax professional before exploring a 1031 exchange.

South Florida real estate can feel complex, but the next step does not have to be appalling. With the right information and a thoughtful plan, you can move from uncertainty to action: and from browsing opportunities to building a home, portfolio, or personal treasury.

Ready to discuss your next move? Visit the Kohler Team at Jerome Smith, explore our first-time homebuyer guide, or connect with us for personalized guidance across Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach County.