Pinellas County says its Down Payment Assistance Program is accepting applications. Eligible buyers may qualify for an interest-free, deferred loan of up to $75,000 toward a down payment and closing costs. The County updated its program terms on August 1, 2026. Pinellas County Here’s the detail that can save a buyer time: the home’s address matters. This County program covers unincorporated Pinellas and eligible cities. St. Petersburg, Clearwater, and Largo have their own ass

By Karen Cascone, NMLS #2383341 What if your house started paying you for a change? If you're 62 or better and own your home, a HECM reverse mortgage might be the hardest-working houseguest you've ever had — one that brings cash instead of eating your snacks. Let's break it down, nice and easy. So what IS a HECM, anyway? HECM stands for Home Equity Conversion Mortgage. It's a special home loan insured by the FHA, designed just for homeowners age 62 and up. Instead of you send