Mortgage Loans in Hialeah, FL: FHA, Conventional, Investor and HomeTown Heroes
You can get a mortgage in Hialeah through William A. Ledesma at Bold Mortgage, a division of PRMG. He works with Hialeah buyers in Spanish or English by phone, video and e-sign, together with local agents. Your main options are FHA, conventional, investor and DSCR loans, FHA loans on a duplex you live in, and Florida HomeTown Heroes help for first-time buyers who qualify.
Buying a home in Hialeah: what to know
Hialeah is a working city in northwest Miami-Dade County, between Miami, Miami Lakes, Hialeah Gardens and Miami Springs. It is home to a large Cuban and Cuban American community, and Spanish is the everyday language in most stores, offices and homes. Many families have lived here for generations, and many buyers are children of Hialeah families who want to stay close.
The city's best-known landmark is Hialeah Park, the historic horse racing track with its flamingos, now Hialeah Park Racing and Casino. Amelia Earhart Park, a large county park, is close by. Westland Mall sits on West 49th Street, one of the main shopping strips, along with Palm Avenue and Okeechobee Road. The Leah Arts District has brought murals and new businesses to an older warehouse area. Tri-Rail and Metrorail stations make it easy to get to Downtown Miami, the airport and Broward.
Hialeah's economy runs on small business, manufacturing, warehouses and distribution, construction, retail and health care. Hialeah Hospital and Palmetto General Hospital are major employers, and many residents work at the nearby Miami International Airport.
Most homes on the east side and in the center of the city are concrete block houses from the 1950s through the 1970s, on small lots. Many have been expanded over the years, and some have an added "efficiency" or a converted garage. You will also find many duplexes and small multifamily buildings, plus townhomes and condos, with newer ones on the west side toward I-75.
FHA loans in Hialeah
FHA loans let you buy with 3.5% down with a credit score of 580 or higher. With a score from 500 to 579, FHA requires 10% down, and many lenders set higher minimums. The home must be your primary residence.
The 2026 FHA limit for a one-unit home in Miami-Dade County is $667,000. Limits are higher for 2 to 4 unit properties, which matters in Hialeah: you can buy a duplex, triplex or fourplex with 3.5% down if you live in one unit, and part of the rent from the other units can help you qualify. You pay an upfront mortgage insurance premium of 1.75% plus a monthly premium. With less than 10% down, the monthly premium stays for the life of the loan unless you refinance.
Older homes must meet FHA property standards. The appraiser will check the roof, electrical, and any additions. Work done without permits can cause delays. Condos must be in an FHA-approved project or qualify for single-unit approval.
Conventional loans in Hialeah
Conventional loans start at 3% down for qualifying first-time buyers and 5% down for others. With less than 20% down you pay private mortgage insurance, and you can ask to remove it once you reach 20% equity. The 2026 conforming limit in Miami-Dade County is $832,750. Above that you need a jumbo loan, which is rare here.
Conventional loans can also finance a 2 to 4 unit home you live in, and the conforming limits are higher for those. If your credit is strong, conventional may cost less over time than FHA, since PMI can go away. William prices both for you.
Investor and DSCR loans in Hialeah
A DSCR loan qualifies you on the property's rent instead of your personal income. Expect about 20 to 25% down. It works well for LLCs and the many self-employed buyers in Hialeah. You can also use a conventional investment property loan or a bank statement loan.
Rental demand is steady because many families want to stay in Hialeah, close to relatives, jobs and transit. Hospital workers, airport and warehouse staff and new arrivals to South Florida rent here too. Duplexes and small multifamily buildings are popular with investors. Check city zoning and licensing rules before you buy for short-term rental, and confirm that every rental unit is legal.
Florida HomeTown Heroes and down payment help in Miami-Dade County
Florida HomeTown Heroes is a Florida Housing Finance Corporation program for first-time buyers. In general, that means you have not owned a primary residence in the past 3 years, and you work full time for a Florida-based employer.
The program gives you 5% of the first mortgage, with a minimum of $10,000 and a maximum of $35,000. It is a 0% interest second mortgage with no monthly payment. You repay it when you sell, refinance, transfer the deed, pay off the first mortgage, or stop living in the home. You need a 640 minimum credit score and a homebuyer education course, and Miami-Dade County income limits apply. Funding is released in rounds and can run out, so William checks availability the day you are under contract. A fully signed contract is needed to reserve funds. Learn more at Florida Housing.
Every Florida county also receives SHIP (State Housing Initiatives Partnership) funds for local down payment help, and some cities run their own programs. Ask the Miami-Dade County housing office and the City of Hialeah what is open when you are ready.
Insurance, flood and condo rules that affect your loan in Hialeah
Hialeah is flat and low, with canals running through it, and parts of the city are in FEMA flood zones. If the home is in a high-risk zone and you have a federally backed loan, flood insurance is required. Check the flood zone for the exact address before you make an offer.
Most Hialeah homes are older, so a 4-point inspection is usually needed. An old roof, old electrical panel or old plumbing can make insurance hard to get. A wind mitigation inspection can lower your premium if the home has shutters, impact windows or a newer roof. If private carriers will not write a policy, Citizens Property Insurance is the state backstop.
For condos, Florida's post-Surfside laws require milestone inspections for buildings of three stories or more and structural integrity reserve studies. Buildings that have not done the work or funded reserves may not get conventional or FHA financing.
Your action plan
- Book a clarity call with William, in Spanish or English. No hard credit pull to start.
- Get pre-approved, for a house or a duplex.
- Pick the program: FHA, conventional or DSCR.
- Check HomeTown Heroes and local help.
- Shop with a local agent, and pull the city permit history on any addition or efficiency.
- Lock your rate and close.
Hialeah mortgage FAQs
Where can I get the best conventional loan rates in Hialeah?
Rates depend on your credit, down payment, property type and loan amount. Compare Loan Estimates from more than one lender on the same day. Bold Mortgage offers many loan programs, and William gives you a side-by-side comparison so you can see the real cost of each option.
How do I qualify for an FHA loan in Hialeah?
You need a 580 or higher score for 3.5% down, steady income you can document, and a home you will live in. The loan must fit the 2026 Miami-Dade FHA limit of $667,000 for one unit, or the higher limit for 2 to 4 units. The home must pass an FHA appraisal, so permits for additions matter.
Where can I apply for investor or DSCR mortgage programs in Hialeah?
You can apply with William at Bold Mortgage online and finish by phone and e-sign. He will run the rent numbers with you and compare DSCR, conventional investment and bank statement options. Approval depends on credit, assets, the property and its rent.
Can I use Florida HomeTown Heroes in Hialeah?
Yes, if you are a first-time buyer working full time for a Florida-based employer and you meet the Miami-Dade income limit and the 640 score minimum. Funds are limited, so William checks availability once you have a signed contract.
Can I buy a Hialeah home with an efficiency and count the rent?
It depends on whether the efficiency is legal. If it was built or converted without permits, the appraiser may not give it value and the lender usually cannot count its rent. A legal duplex is different: with FHA or conventional, part of the rent from the other unit can help you qualify. Check the city's permit records before you make an offer.
About William A. Ledesma
William A. Ledesma is a Florida licensed mortgage loan officer and Florida HomeTown Heroes specialist with Bold Mortgage, a division of PRMG. He helps buyers, homeowners and investors in Hialeah and across Florida, in English and Spanish. Every client gets a clear action plan from pre-approval to closing.
- Call or text: (786) 387-3676
- Email: will@williamledesma.com
- Office: 4960 SW 72nd Ave, Suite 400, Miami, FL 33155
- Client reviews: Read reviews from William's clients
More Florida mortgage guides: Miami, Doral, Miami Beach, Miami Gardens. Lea esta guía en español.
William A. Ledesma, NMLS #1232716. Bold Mortgage is a division of Paramount Residential Mortgage Group, Inc. (PRMG), NMLS #75243, Florida Mortgage Lender Servicer License MLD1608. Equal Housing Opportunity. This page is general information, not a commitment to lend. All loans are subject to credit approval, underwriting guidelines and property eligibility. Loan limits, program terms and down payment assistance funding can change without notice.
Hialeah
