09/30/2026
https://youtu.be/veEQ5v65e3o Can you buy a home without having 20% for a down payment? And how can buyers find down payment assistance programs that may help with the upfront cost of homeownership?
In this episode of the Randal Jenkins Real Estate Show, Randal Jenkins is joined by Eric Jenkins of Keller Williams for a practical discussion about down payment assistance, mortgage financing, and how buyers should prepare financially before they start shopping for a home.
Randal explains why one of the biggest mistakes prospective buyers make is searching for the house first and figuring out the financing later. Different financing programs—including FHA, VA, USDA, and conventional loans—can dramatically affect not only how much money a buyer needs, but also which properties may actually work with their financing.
The conversation explores how down payment assistance programs can work, including grants, deferred or repayable second mortgages, forgivable assistance, local programs, Florida Housing programs, SHIP funds, and the importance of working with participating lenders. Randal also discusses Down Payment Resource, which can identify potential assistance programs associated with individual MLS properties.
The key message: Don’t disqualify yourself before you know the facts. A buyer who assumes they need tens of thousands of dollars in cash may have financing or assistance possibilities they haven't investigated.
Randal and Eric also discuss why buyers should understand their complete mortgage picture—including closing costs, seller credits, inspections, appraisal expenses, loan estimates, credit considerations, and whether assistance funding is actually available.
Later in the show, the conversation turns to another important development: Stellar MLS Home Search, a new public-facing way for consumers to search MLS property information.
Randal explains the difference between simply looking at active listings online and actually watching the real estate market. Active listings show what sellers are asking. Pending and sold properties help reveal what buyers are actually willing to pay. The discussion also looks at how direct MLS information differs from consumer real estate portals and why accurate, current property data matters.
Topics discussed include:
• Why buyers don't automatically need 20% down
• FHA, VA, USDA and conventional financing
• How down payment assistance works
• Grants vs. loans vs. forgivable assistance
• Florida Housing and local assistance programs
• SHIP down payment assistance
• Down Payment Resource and property-specific programs
• Why assistance must be verified before you count on it
• Seller-paid closing costs and mortgage expenses
• Why buyers should shop for financing before shopping for houses
• The importance of reviewing a Loan Estimate
• Credit and mortgage qualification
• Stellar MLS Home Search
• Active vs. pending vs. sold properties
• Why sold properties tell you more about the market than asking prices
• MLS data compared with consumer real estate portals
The philosophy behind the show is simple: information is everywhere. Understanding what the information means—and what you should do about it—is where the value begins.
The Randal Jenkins Real Estate Show goes behind the scenes of real estate transactions by telling stories, making commentary, and asking questions you may not have thought to ask.
Whether you're buying your first home, selling a property, investing in real estate, or simply trying to understand mortgages, insurance, inspections, appraisals, contracts, property values and the changing real estate market, this show is designed to help you understand something you didn't understand before.
Randal Jenkins
Florida Real Estate Partners
Realtor | Mortgage Loan Officer
727-409-4663 / 409-HOME
NMLS #2053417
Real estate is changing. The conversation should change with it.
Can you buy a home without having 20% for a down payment? And how c...
