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Buying your first home in Palmetto

The highest tax rate of any town we cover, yet one of only two places Manatee County's down payment loan reaches.

See your real monthly cost in Palmetto

What changes the math in Palmetto

Each fact links to the sources we checked it against.

  1. Property tax rate

    19.17 mills

    The highest of the towns we cover. On a $400,000 home with homestead, about $6,850 a year. Just outside the city (13.31), about $4,800.

    As of 2025 tax yearManatee Property Appraiser ↗Fla. Dept. of Revenue ↗Homestead amount (Fla. DOR) ↗Checked Oct 15, 2026

  2. Down payment help

    Homes up to $400,000

    Palmetto and unincorporated Manatee are the only areas that qualify. Manatee County's SHIP loan is 0% interest and forgiven after 20 years, through a county-certified lender.

    Limits effective May 2026Manatee County SHIP guidelines ↗Manatee County price limit ↗Checked Oct 15, 2026

  3. Recent median sale

    $305,000

    City of Palmetto, 97 recorded sales, all home types: houses $350,000, condos $335,000. The Census puts the typical owner's home value at $313,400 (2020-24). With so few sales, compare recent sales on the street. Manatee's records don't mark non-market sales, so sales under $50,000 are left out.

    As of Apr-Sep 2026Manatee County parcel records ↗U.S. Census ↗Checked Oct 18, 2026

  4. Title insurance

    Seller usually pays

    In Manatee County the seller customarily pays for the owner's title policy and usually picks the title company. It's custom, not law: Florida gives you the right to choose your own title agent, and who pays can be negotiated.

    Local customFla. Dept. of Financial Services ↗Barnes Walker ↗Checked Oct 15, 2026

  5. Public schools

    Manatee County: B

    The School District of Manatee kept its B grade; check the zoned schools for a specific address.

    As of 2025-26 school yearFla. Dept. of Education ↗Tampa Bay Beacons ↗Checked Oct 15, 2026

Down payment help

5 open programs for Palmetto

Checked against official sources this month. Income and price limits apply, and most can’t all be combined.

  • Manatee County HFA Home Ownership ProgramUp to $15,000, plus a yearly tax credit
  • Florida Hometown Heroes5% of your loan, $10,000 to $35,000
  • FL AssistUp to $10,000
  • FL HLP second mortgage$12,500
  • HFA Preferred PLUS3%, 4% or 5% of your loan
See who qualifies and how to apply

Found a home? Check the address itself

Flood zone, evacuation level and the exact tax bill change street by street. These official Manatee County tools give the answer for one address.

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