How conventional financing fits a move-up purchase
A conventional mortgage is not insured by the federal government. Its terms and qualification requirements can vary with the lender, loan amount, property, and borrower. Down payment requirements are not one-size-fits-all: your credit profile, loan structure, and other program requirements help determine the options available.
Some conventional loan structures require mortgage insurance when the borrower starts with less equity. Its cost and requirements depend on the specific loan and borrower; it is separate from homeowners insurance. A lender reviews more than the down payment alone, including income, credit, assets, debts, and the housing payment on your current home.
For a move-up purchase, distinguish your expected sale price from the net proceeds you may actually receive after the mortgage payoff, selling costs, and other adjustments. If you need those proceeds for the next down payment or closing costs, their timing and documentation matter. A pending sale does not necessarily mean the existing housing payment is excluded from qualification.
There is no single buy-and-sell sequence that works for everyone. Selling first may clarify available funds, while buying first may offer more control over the move but create an overlap in housing costs. Contingencies, bridge financing, and other approaches depend on the contracts, lender requirements, and your financial situation. Compare conservative and supportable sale estimates, keep reserves in view, and revisit the plan as dates and transaction details change. Approval and eligibility are subject to credit approval and applicable program guidelines.
Questions about your situation?
Talk it through with a loan officer who knows this market. No forms and no pressure.
Fort Lauderdale’s sale timeline deserves a place in your plan
Zillow Research reported an average of 68 days to pending in Fort Lauderdale in September 2026. That market-wide timing is a reason to plan for flexibility—not a prediction of how quickly your particular home will sell.
Use Fort Lauderdale’s home value as context, not as your sale estimate
Zillow Research reported a Fort Lauderdale home value of $509,743 in September 2026. Use it as broad market context when sketching a move-up budget, not as a valuation of your property or a promise about your sale proceeds. Condition, location, features, comparable sales, payoff, and selling costs all affect what you may have available for the next purchase. I review the purchase timeline alongside the planned sale and check early which documents or milestones could delay financing, so we can address them before they become urgent.
What I see in this market
If you're thinking about moving up in Fort Lauderdale, tapping into the equity from your current home can be a smart move. By putting 20% down on a conventional loan, you can steer clear of private mortgage insurance, which is a win for your wallet. This means lower monthly payments on your next home, giving you more breathing room in your budget. It’s a straightforward way to make your next step in the housing market a little easier and more affordable.
Check the loan amount against Broward County’s conforming limit
For a one-unit property, the 2026 conforming loan limit in Broward County is $832,750, according to FHFA Conforming Loan Limits. The limit applies to the loan amount, not the purchase price. If you are planning a Fort Lauderdale move-up purchase, your down payment and other financing details determine how your target price relates to that limit.
Build flexibility into both transaction timelines
Zillow Research reported 2,698 homes for sale in Fort Lauderdale in September 2026. That inventory is useful context as you coordinate a sale and purchase, but it cannot tell you how long a specific home will take to sell or how long a home you want will remain available. Put both transactions’ key dates on one calendar, and consider what happens if either closing moves or sale proceeds arrive later than expected.
Account for carrying costs while you move
The median property tax in Broward County was $3,610, according to Census ACS 5-Year data for 2023. Treat this as local context—not an estimate of the tax bill on either home—when reviewing whether your cash reserves can support a possible overlap. Your actual property taxes and total housing costs depend on the properties and your circumstances.
What is the conventional loan limit in my county?
For a one-unit home in Broward County, the 2026 conforming loan limit is $832,750, according to FHFA Conforming Loan Limits. In Fort Lauderdale, remember that this limit applies to the mortgage amount, not the home’s purchase price; the down payment affects how the two relate. A loan above the limit may require a different product or structure, depending on the lender and your situation.
Can I use money from my parents for my down payment?
Possibly. Conventional loan rules and lender requirements determine whether a family gift can be used and what documentation is needed, so confirm the details before relying on the funds. In Fort Lauderdale, Zillow Research reported a home value of $509,743 in September 2026; that broad market figure is not a valuation of the home you choose, but it illustrates why it is useful to discuss the gift alongside your actual purchase price, down payment, and closing costs.
In this series
The numbers behind this page
Every figure comes from public data on Fort Lauderdale, FL and Broward County. Each one names its source and the month it describes, so you can check it yourself.
