FHA Construction Loans in Palm Beach County — Build Anywhere with 3.5% Down
No eligibility map. No income cap. No military service required. The FHA One-Time Close builds a brand-new home at any address in Palm Beach County — inside West Palm Beach, where USDA can't reach, or out in the county's acreage country — with land, construction, and your permanent mortgage in one closing.
Jim Blackburn · NMLS #1072866 · 7× Scotsman Guide Top Producer · $500M+ closed · (954) 993-1625
Key facts about the FHA construction loan in Palm Beach County
- FHA financing works at every address in Palm Beach County — there is no eligibility map, no income limit, and no first-time buyer requirement. (HUD's 203(b) program)
- The 2026 FHA loan limit for a one-unit home in Palm Beach County is $645,000 — HUD sets limits county by county, and this figure is Palm Beach's. (HUD county loan limit lookup)
- Minimum down payment is 3.5% with qualifying credit — and 100% of it can be gift funds from family. (HUD Handbook 4000.1, down payment & gift rules)
- New construction is fully eligible through the FHA One-Time Close: land, site work, and construction in a single closing that converts to the permanent mortgage. (FDIC Affordable Mortgage Lending Guide)
- FHA's credit flexibility is the widest of the three government programs — qualifying is possible at scores conventional lending turns away. (HUD 4000.1 credit analysis guidelines)
- Palm Beach County permits, inspections, and septic approvals run through the county offices linked below — the same offices your builder will work with. (Palm Beach County permitting)
FHA builds in all of Palm Beach County — no map to check
This is FHA's superpower here: USDA's eligibility lines exclude the urban core, and VA requires service history. FHA asks neither. Every community below — urban, suburban, or rural — qualifies at the same 3.5% down.
Building outside West Palm Beach with a household income under the county limit? Compare the $0-down USDA construction loan in Palm Beach County before you commit — dual-qualified buyers should price both.
What 3.5% down looks like on a Palm Beach County build
Hypothetical acquisition costs (land + construction), the minimum investment beside each — all inside Palm Beach's $645,000 limit. Every scenario reviewed personally by Jim Blackburn, NMLS #1072866:
| Total project cost | 3.5% minimum down |
|---|---|
| $300,000 — starter build near Belle Glade | $10,500 |
| $400,000 — family home outside Boca Raton | $14,000 |
| $500,000 — custom build, Boynton Beach area | $17,500 |
Every dollar can be gift funds. Seller/builder credits up to 6% can cover closing costs on top. Hypothetical figures — your Loan Estimate is the real document. Full worksheet on the FHA Closing Cost Calculator.
Is FHA the right door for your Palm Beach build?
Palm Beach County builders have up to three government-backed paths. The honest comparison:
| Factor | FHA | USDA | VA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Down payment | 3.5% | $0 | $0 |
| Where in Palm Beach County | Anywhere — West Palm Beach included | Eligible areas only (address check) | Anywhere |
| Income cap | None | Yes — county household limit | None |
| Who can use it | Anyone who qualifies | Anyone within the income limit | Eligible service members, veterans & surviving spouses |
| 2026 loan ceiling | $645,000 (county limit) | No set maximum (income-driven) | No limit with full entitlement |
| Credit flexibility | Widest of the three | GUS ~640 marker, manual possible | No official minimum |
USDA in Palm Beach County
Under the income limit and outside the urban core? USDA builds with nothing down.
USDA construction loans →VA construction loans
Service-connected? Your benefit builds anywhere in the county with no down payment and no loan limit.
VA construction loans →USDA · FHA · VA compared
The full three-way comparison — fees, ratios, geography, and construction paths side by side.
Compare all three programs →Palm Beach County offices you'll actually use during a build
Building Department
Permits, inspections, and fees for a new-construction home in Palm Beach County.
discover.pbc.govPlanning Department
Setbacks, land use, and what your lot allows.
discover.pbc.govProperty Appraiser
Parcel search and property records for every lot in the county.
pbcpao.govHealth Department
OSTDS (septic) permitting for lots outside sewer service.
palmbeach.floridahealth.govUtilities Authority
Power and water service areas — or where well & septic take over.
discover.pbcgov.orgSettling into Palm Beach County — every office in one place
Beyond the build: the civic links every new Palm Beach County homeowner ends up needing.
County Government
The county's official site — commissioners, departments, services.
discover.pbc.govChamber of Commerce
The local business network — including builders and trades.
palmbeaches.orgWikipedia & County Facebook
History, demographics, and the official county feed.
en.wikipedia.orgPalm Beach County FHA construction loan FAQ — 61 answers from the guidelines
Sourced from HUD Handbook 4000.1 and the One-Time Close program guides, localized to Palm Beach County. Reviewed by Jim Blackburn, NMLS #1072866. Click any question.
Program Basics7 Q
What exactly is an FHA loan in Palm Beach County?
What section of FHA does a construction loan fall under in Palm Beach County?
Are FHA loans only for first-time buyers in Palm Beach County?
What property types can FHA finance in Palm Beach County?
What is FHA mortgage insurance (MIP) in Palm Beach County?
What loan terms are available on FHA construction loans in Palm Beach County?
What are the FHA loan limits in Palm Beach County?
Eligibility & Credit8 Q
Does my spouse have to be on the FHA loan in Palm Beach County?
I just started a new job — can I still qualify on a FHA construction loan in Palm Beach County?
What's the minimum credit score for an FHA loan in Palm Beach County?
Do collections or charge-offs disqualify me from FHA in Palm Beach County?
What's the maximum debt-to-income ratio for FHA in Palm Beach County?
How long after bankruptcy can I get an FHA loan in Palm Beach County?
Can I get an FHA loan with no credit score in Palm Beach County?
How does FHA count my student loans in Palm Beach County?
Property, Land & Site7 Q
Are condos eligible for FHA in Palm Beach County?
What road access does my building site need on a FHA construction loan in Palm Beach County?
What utilities does my site need for FHA in Palm Beach County?
Can I buy the land from a third party at closing on a FHA construction loan in Palm Beach County?
Can I build in a flood zone with FHA in Palm Beach County?
Are there restrictions on resale or deed-restricted communities on a FHA construction loan in Palm Beach County?
Is there a maximum acreage for FHA in Palm Beach County?
Construction & Builders18 Q
Can a family member be my builder on a FHA construction loan in Palm Beach County?
Who inspects the home during construction on a FHA construction loan in Palm Beach County?
What does builder registration involve on a FHA construction loan in Palm Beach County?
How long can construction take on an FHA One-Time Close in Palm Beach County?
Do FHA loan limits apply to construction loans in Palm Beach County?
What credit score do I need for an FHA construction loan in Palm Beach County?
How is a home that doesn't exist yet appraised on a FHA construction loan in Palm Beach County?
What paperwork does my builder need to provide on a FHA construction loan in Palm Beach County?
Can my builder get an advance of funds at closing to get started on a FHA construction loan in Palm Beach County?
Who pays the interest that accrues during construction on a FHA construction loan in Palm Beach County?
How does my builder get paid on a FHA construction loan in Palm Beach County?
How soon after completion can I move in on a FHA construction loan in Palm Beach County?
I already own my lot in Palm Beach County — does that help my down payment with a FHA construction loan?
Does my builder have to warranty the home on a FHA construction loan in Palm Beach County?
Can well, septic, and driveway costs be financed in the FHA loan in Palm Beach County?
How much do I need down for an FHA construction loan in Palm Beach County?
Can I include upgrades like solar in the construction budget on a FHA construction loan in Palm Beach County?
What if the appraisal comes in below my total project cost on a FHA construction loan in Palm Beach County?
Fees, Money & Timing8 Q
How much can the seller contribute toward my costs on a FHA construction loan in Palm Beach County?
Do I pay the upfront mortgage insurance in cash on a FHA construction loan in Palm Beach County?
Can I use down payment assistance with FHA in Palm Beach County?
Is an escrow account required on FHA loans in Palm Beach County?
How long does an FHA construction loan take to close in Palm Beach County?
Do I pay property taxes during construction on a FHA construction loan in Palm Beach County?
Do I need earnest money on a new build on a FHA construction loan in Palm Beach County?
Do construction fees eat into my 6% seller concession limit on a FHA construction loan in Palm Beach County?
Process, Docs & Underwriting8 Q
What's the difference between automated and manual underwriting on a FHA construction loan in Palm Beach County?
What documents do I need to apply for an FHA loan in Palm Beach County?
How is underwriting different for a FHA construction loan in Palm Beach County?
What most often slows down an FHA construction approval in Palm Beach County?
When does my permanent rate get locked on a FHA construction loan in Palm Beach County?
What has to be cleared before we can close on a FHA construction loan in Palm Beach County?
Do my documents expire during a long build on a FHA construction loan in Palm Beach County?
What does the appraiser need to value my future home on a FHA construction loan in Palm Beach County?
Comparisons5 Q
FHA One-Time Close vs FHA 203(k) — which do I need in Palm Beach County?
FHA vs VA construction — what's the difference in Palm Beach County?
Is building new with FHA smarter than buying an existing home in West Palm Beach?
FHA vs conventional for a new construction loan in Palm Beach County?
FHA vs USDA construction loan in Palm Beach County — which fits me?
What's happening in Palm Beach County
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Updated automatically — sources are original local publishers.
Ready to build anywhere in Palm Beach County?
Jim Blackburn (NMLS #1072866) — $500M+ closed, construction lending done daily. Straight answers on your lot, your budget, and which of the three programs actually fits.
FHA Construction Loans by Florida County
FHA loan limits are set by HUD and subject to change. Program guidelines and fees are subject to change. This page is educational and is not a commitment to lend or a guarantee of approval. Down payment shown is the program minimum with qualifying credit.