I attended training this week at the Realtor Association of Miami and The Beaches in Coral Gables, FL to learn more about the bond and grant monies available to home buyers.

It was so interesting to learn about government programs designed to help a wide range of people to become homeowners or to move into another property or even to purchase an income property of up to four units.

Federal, state, county and city programs are available which can be used individually or stacked for maximum funds to a buyer. These programs were previously available only to first time home buyers, but through 12/31/10 they are available to anyone in 13 counties (including Dade, Broward and Palm Beach) who qualifies regardless of whether it is a first home purchase or not.

Dade County has a program which gives up to $70,000 towards the purchase of new construction which I found absolutely unbelievable.

I was fortunate to participate in the first course of this kind being offered. I am now certified as a Housing Opportunities Specialist, which means that people came down to train us from Tallahassee, so that we could learn about the state programs, from Virginia, to train us on the Fannie Mae federal products, and from Dade County to train us on local programs.

Because of the decrease in property values and increase in subsidies it has opened the door for people who thought that their first home had to be a condo. Indeed, people who would have been able to afford only a 3 bedroom home 12-18 months ago, now may be able to easily purchase a 4 bedroom pool home with more square footage for less then they would have paid for that three bedroom home.

Many people are relocating to the South Florida area and will be looking to buy homes for sale. It is important to know all of the options that are available so that you can get the most for your money. With a large inventory of short sales and foreclosures, it is truly a buyers market and sellers have never been more willing to deal than right now!

Sitting on a bench under a palm tree, I am happy to report that all is well and opportunities abound in Sunny South Florida!

To learn more about these programs, visit www.miamihomeprograms.com. To learn more about the South Florida real estate market, please visit my website, www.homeinsouthflorida.com. You can get the latest listings, find your home's value, and much more!