After improving modestly in the overnight session, bonds contended with the Retail Sales data at 8:30am ET.  At first glance, it should have been helpful, given that the headline came in at 0.2 versus a forecast of 0.6, but the closely watched control group (which excludes cars, fuel, and building materials) was much higher than expected. With that, bonds briefly the overnight gains. They’ve been bouncing back ever since. Some of that bounce has to do with a glut of bond buying 10 minutes before the 9:30am NYSE open.  The rest may be down to the inability of stocks to sustain a rally in early trading.

Florida offers various programs to assist first-time homebuyers. Eligibility generally requires not owning a home in the past 3 years. The Florida Housing Finance Corporation (Florida Housing) is the primary agency. Key programs include:

* **Florida Assist:** Offers a deferred, non-interest-bearing second mortgage for down payment and closing cost assistance.
* **Florida Hometown Heroes Loan Program:** Provides reduced interest rates and down payment/closing cost assistance to eligible frontline workers.
* **Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC):** Reduces federal income tax liability, effectively lowering monthly mortgage payments.
* **First-Time Homebuyer Program:** Offers below-market interest rates on first mortgages.

Data points to note: Down payment assistance can range up to \$10,000 or more, depending on the program. Income and purchase price limits apply and vary by county. Credit score requirements also vary by program and lender, generally requiring a minimum score of 620-640. First-time homebuyers must complete a HUD-approved homebuyer education course. Florida Housing provided over \$278 million in assistance for affordable housing in 2022-2023.