First time home buyer programs in all 50 states

Every state offers first time home buyer programs

So you’re planning to buy your first home. Congratulations! It’s a big step; one of the most important milestones in your life.

And you might be pleasantly surprised by the wide array of first time home buyer programs designed to help you.

From low- or zero-down loans, to down payment assistance and closing cost grants, there are tons of programs for first time home buyers.

The only question is, which one is right for you?

In this article (Skip to...)

• Low-down-payment loans for first time buyers
• Zero-down-payment loans for first time buyers
• Down payment assistance
• Closing cost assistance
• Getting home buying help from family
• First time home buyer programs by state

Low-down-payment loans for first time home buyers

Many mortgages come with low down payments: as little as 3% or 3.5% of a home’s purchase price.

Sometimes, this is possible because a loan is guaranteed by the federal government.

That includes mortgages backed by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA loans), Department of Veterans Affairs (VA loans), or U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA loans).

Or, a mortgage may come with a low down payment because it is eligible for purchase by the mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. These are called conventional loans.

FHA loans

The smallest down payment you can make with an FHA loan is 3.5%. But it’s easier to qualify for an FHA-backed mortgage than a Fannie or Freddie one.

Your application may be considered even if your credit score is as low as 580 (with a 3.5% down payment) or 500 (with a 10% down payment).

And your lender may not be as bothered if your existing debt burden (your “debt-to-income ratio” or DTI) is big.

For many types of loans, lenders want to see your debt-to-income ratio at 40% or below. FHA loans can allow yours to be as high as 50%.

So it’s easier to qualify for an FHA loan if you currently have a lot of monthly debt you’re paying off.

The downside? FHA loans do have a higher down payment (3.5%) than a conventional loan from Fannie or Freddie (3%).

Plus, your mortgage insurance costs are likely to be higher, at least over the long term. So you may end up wanting to refinance sooner.

FHA 203(k)

The FHA offers a specialist loan for those who want to buy “fixer-upper” homes, called the FHA 203(k) mortgage. This might be especially appealing to first time home buyers on a budget.

The problem with buying a fixer-upper is that you typically need a mortgage to buy the property and a separate loan to do the rehab work. Once the project’s finished you then refinance the two loans into one new mortgage. But that’s costly and cumbersome.

The FHA 203(k) lets you borrow the purchase and rehab costs in a single loan. You get the latter in stage payments or installments (“draws”) as the work reaches pre-set milestones.

Fannie and Freddie (conventional) loans

“Conventional” loans have two clear advantages over FHA ones.

The first is that your down payment can be as low as 3%.

And the second is that you can ask to stop paying for mortgage insurance as soon as your loan balance drops below 80% of the appraised value of your home.

A conventional loan is one that is not backed by the federal government, unlike FHA, VA or USDA.

Fannie Mae brands its 3%-down conventional loans as HomeReady™, while Freddie Mac calls its Home Possible®.

So why doesn’t everyone go for a Fannie or Freddie mortgage? Because you’ll need more robust finances and a higher credit score than with an FHA loan.

Expect your lender to require a score of 620 or higher and for your debt burden to be lighter than the FHA’s threshold allows.

Zero-down-payment loans for first time buyers

There are two prominent mortgage loans that don’t require any down payment at all: the VA loan and USDA loan.

But they both have special eligibility requirements, so not all first time home buyers will qualify.

VA loans

VA loans are backed by the US Department of Veterans Affairs. And you can get one only if you’re a veteran with an honorable discharge, a current service member or a member of a very small number of other, closely related groups.

VA loans are arguably the best mortgages out there. If you’re eligible, you’ll need zero down payment, and there’s no minimum credit score (though individual lenders can set their own).

And — after an affordable initial payment that can be added to your loan balance — you won’t have any mortgage insurance costs.

Better yet, VA loans typically come with lower rates than other mortgages.

USDA loans

USDA loans are backed by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and promote rural development. So you cannot get one in metropolitan areas, though a surprising number of suburbs are eligible.

You can look up whether a home you want is in an eligible area using a tool on the USDA’s website.

But you, as well as the home, have to be eligible. That means you’ll need a low or median income compared to your area’s averages. You’ll also need OK credit (a 640+ score) and easily manageable existing debts (a DTI of 41% or lower).

In exchange, you could get a zero down payment, a below-average mortgage rate, and reduced mortgage insurance premiums.

Down payment assistance programs

There are more than 2,000 down payment assistance programs operating across the nation. And many of them put first time buyers at the head of the line.

Many are run by state or local governments or by nonprofits. And a lot of mortgage lenders are happy for you to access them for help.

Each of these first time home buyer programs has its own rules:

• Some provide outright grants that never have to be repaid
• Some offer low-interest loans that are progressively forgiven the longer you live in the home until you owe nothing
• Others just provide low-interest loans that you repay in parallel with your mortgage

Which you get will depend on what’s available where you live.

>> Related: Down payment assistance programs in all 50 states

Closing cost assistance programs

Closing costs typically cost between 2% and 5% of a home’s appraised value. That’s $4,000-$10,000 on a $200,000 home loan.

As a result, closing costs may be a significant burden for first time home buyers with limited savings.

Luckily, some first time home buyer programs offer help with closing costs as well as down payments. And, if you hunt around, you may find other sources that will give you grants or loans.

For example, motivated sellers and even some lenders will occasionally help with closing costs, though the latter may require a slightly higher mortgage rate in return.

Getting home buying help from family

Typically, your lender won’t mind if you accept “gift money” toward your down payment from a family member or even sometimes a friend.

But you’ll have to prove that you really are accepting a gift, rather than a loan disguised as a present.

So your benefactor has to sign a document to that effect, and may need to show where the money came from.

>> Related: How to give and receive a cash down payment gift for a home

First time home buyer programs by state

Click on your state below to see some of its statewide first time home buyer programs.

Note that this list only includes a few key options for each state. There are usually others, including programs at a more local level.

So be sure to conduct your own online search for first time home buyer assistance in your area. Or speak to your state’s housing finance office for advice.

First time home buyer programs in Alabama

Step Up — Down payment assistance from the Alabama Housing Finance Authority

Mortgage Credit Certificates — Federal tax reduction for Alabama home buyers

HUD resources AL — More Alabama first time home buyer programs

First time home buyer programs in Alaska

First Home Limited — Low-rate home loans for Alaska first-time homebuyers

Closing cost assistance — Loans up to 4% of the purchase price for closing costs, funded by the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation

HUD resources AK — More programs for Alaska first time homebuyers

First time home buyer programs in Arizona

Home Plus — Down payment assistance for Arizona home buyers

Arizona first time home buyer loans — List of accessible loans by the AZ Department of Housing

HUD resources AZ — More programs for Arizona first time homebuyers

First time home buyer programs in Arkansas

FHA First Time Home Buyer Programs — Low-Interest Loans, Credit Assistance, and Expert Advice for first-time homebuyers

ADFA Programs — ADFA Homeownership and Down Payment Assistance Programs make purchasing a home more affordable

HUD resources AR — More programs for Arkansas first time homebuyers

First time home buyer programs in California

CalHFA — MyHome Assistance Program — Up to $10,000 in down payment assistance

First Home Mortgage Program — Grant for down payment and closing costs assistance, for borrowers in L.A. and Orange counties

HUD resources CA — More California first time home buyer programs

First time home buyer programs in Colorado

CHFA mortgage programs — A down payment assistance grant that can get you up to three percent of your first mortgage

Aurora’s Home Ownership Assistance Program — Offers first-time homebuyers up to $10,000 in financial assistance with zero interest

HUD resources CO — More programs for Colorado first-time homebuyers

First time home buyer programs in Connecticut

CHFA Loans — Offers a low fixed-rate 30-year mortgage and down payment assistance

Smartclose Program — Lets first-time home buyers borrow an additional $5,000 at 0% interest to be put toward closing costs

HUD resources CT — More programs for Connecticut first-time homebuyers

First time home buyer programs in Delaware

Delaware First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit — Claim a tax credit for up to 35% of the annual interest paid on your mortgage

Chenoa Down Payment Assistance Program — Offers help with down payment and closing costs for first-time homebuyers

HUD resources DE — More programs for Delaware first-time homebuyers

First time home buyer programs in Florida

Use the First Time Homebuyer program “Wizard tool” from the Florida Housing Finance Corporation to get you to your best program

Contact List for Florida state and city programs — Compare programs and grants for first time home buyers

HUD resources FL — More programs for Floria first-time home buyer

First time home buyer programs in Georgia

Georgia Dream Homeownership Program — Down payment assistance that is repaid when a property is sold or refinanced

Homestretch Down Payment Assistance Program — First-time homebuyers may receive up to $7,500 in multiple Georgia counties

HUD resources GA — More programs for Georgia first-time home buyers

First time home buyer programs in Hawaii

Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation — Offers low down payment options to first-time homebuyers

HawaiiUSA’s First-Time Homebuyer Program — One of several credit unions in Hawaii running programs for first-time buyers

HUD resources HI — More programs island-by-island for Hawaii first-time homebuyers

First time home buyer programs in Idaho

Idaho Housing And Finance Association First Loan Program — A loan with a lown payment and closing cost assistance, plus homebuyer tax credits

Homeownership vouchers — Help by county or city

HUD resources ID — More programs for Idaho first-time homebuyers

First time home buyer programs in Illinois

Downpayment Plus Program — First-time home buyers may be eligible for a grant of up to $6,000 from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago

1STHomeIllinois — Offers up to $7,500 in assistance for down payment and/or closing costs from the Illinois Housing Development Authority

HUD resources IL — More programs for Illinois first-time homebuyers

First time home buyer programs in Indiana

Indiana Home Solution — Down payment assistance of up to 6% from the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority

First Time Home Buyer Program — Up to $8,000 from FHLBank Indianapolis

HUD resources IN — More programs for Indiana first-time homebuyers

First time home buyer programs in Iowa

FirstHome program — Offers grants or loans to first-time homebuyers through the Iowa Finance Authority

First Time Home Buyer program — Save for your down payment in a tax-deductible account

HUD resources IA — More programs for Iowa first-time homebuyers

First time home buyer programs in Kansas

Kansas Housing’s First Time Homebuyer Program (PDF) — 0% interest loan to the value of up to 20% of the purchase price, which will be forgiven if the buyer lives in the home for over 10 years

HUD resources KS — More programs for Kansas first-time homebuyers

First time home buyer programs in Kentucky

Down payment assistance — Louisville residents can get a partially forgivable loan

Statewide down payment assistance — up to $6,000 from the Kentucky Housing Corp.

HUD resources KY — More programs for Kentucky first-time homebuyers

First time home buyer programs in Louisiana

Direct Homebuyer Assistance Program — Provides down payment and closing cost assistance to eligible first-time home buyers in New Orleans

First-time Homebuyers Assistance Program — Provides assistance to buyers purchasing a home in the city of Kenner

HUD resources LA — More programs for Louisiana first-time homebuyers inside and outside New Orleans and Kenner

First time home buyer programs in Maine

First Home Loan — Up to $3,500 toward down payment and closing costs

HUD resources ME — More programs for Maine first-time homebuyers

First time home buyer programs in Maryland

Housing Choice Voucher Homeownership Program — Federally funded and locally administered homeownership assistance program that helps eligible buyers to purchase decent and safe housing in Baltimore

Maryland Mortgage Program — Offers down payment assistance through the state’s Dept. of Housing and Community Development

HUD resources MD — More programs for Maryland first-time homebuyers

First time home buyer programs in Massachusetts

MassHousing — Down payment assistance for up to 5% of the purchase price or $15,000 (whichever is less) from MassHousing

HUD resources MA — More programs for Massachusetts first-time homebuyers

First time home buyer programs in Michigan

MI Home Loan program — Offers down payment assistance of up to $7,500

HUD resources MI — More programs for Michigan first-time homebuyers

First time home buyer programs in Minnesota

Deferred Payment Loan — For first-time home buyers: borrow up to $10,000 at 0% and pay nothing till you move or refinance

Minnesota Housing Start Up loan program — Repayable, low-interest loans for down payment and closing costs up to $17,000

HUD resources MN — More Minnesota first time home buyer programs

First time home buyer programs in Mississippi

Smart Solution — Mississippi Home Corp. offers up to 3% as a cash advance for down payment and closing costs

Mortgage credit certificate — Tax credit equal to 40% of the annual interest paid on the mortgage loan

Housing Assistance for Teachers — Grant funds up to $6,000 in eligible parts of the state

HUD resources MS — More Mississippi first time home buyer programs

First time home buyer programs in Missouri

Community Action Agency of St. Louis County — Deferred or forgivable loans for down payments from $3,000 to $5,000

Cash Assistance Loan — The Missouri Housing Development Commission offers up to 4% of the home price as a loan. Stay in residence more than five years and the loan will be progressively forgiven until you owe nothing in Year 10

HUD resources MO — More Missouri first time home buyer programs

First time home buyer programs in Montana

MBOH Plus 0% Deferred Down Payment Assistance Program — Up to 5% of sales price, maximum $6,500, available as a 0% APR loan that you only pay back when you move or refinance

80% Combined Program — A 30-year first-position mortgage loan at 80% loan-to-value plus a 20% second mortgage. Lets you escape mortgage insurance

HUD Resources MT — More Montana first time home buyer programs

First time home buyer programs in Nebraska

First Home Program — The Nebraska Investment Finance Authority enables you to buy a home with as little as $1,000 down. You get a 10-year second mortgage at 1% interest to cover the rest

HUD resources NE — More Nebraska first time home buyer programs

First time home buyer programs in Nevada

Mortgage Credit Certificate Program — The Nevada state government provides first-time home buyers a federal income tax of up to 30% of the interest paid on a mortgage loan each year

Home is Possible — First time home buyers can borrow up to 4% of the home price for down payment and closing costs. The loan is forgivable if you stay in the residence 15 years

HUD resources NV — More Nevada first time home buyer programs

First time home buyer programs in New Hampshire

Home Flex Plus (PDF) — Cash assistance available for down payment and closing costs. The loan is forgivable on its fourth anniversary. You can borrow 2% or 3% of the home price

HUD resources NH — More New Hampshire first time home buyer programs

First time home buyer programs in New Jersey

First-Time Homebuyer Mortgage Program — Up to $10,000 as an interest-free, five-year forgivable second loan with no monthly payment. You owe nothing after five years

First-Time Homebuyer Program — Special loans for Trenton residents

HUD resources NJ — More New Jersey first time home buyer programs

First time home buyer programs in New Mexico

FIRSTHome — The New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority says first-time buyers can put as little as $500 down with its loan programs

HUD resources NM — More New Mexico first time home buyer programs

First time home buyer programs in New York

State of New York Mortgage Agency (SONYMA) — Borrow up to 3% of the home purchase price with a 0% APR loan. No monthly payments and the loan’s forgiven after you remained in residence for 10 years

HomeFirst — NYC only: “up to $40,000 toward the down payment or closing costs on a 1-4 family home, a condominium, or a cooperative in one of the five boroughs of New York City”

HUD resources NY — More New York first time home buyer programs

First time home buyer programs in North Carolina

NC 1st Home Advantage Down Payment — A 0%, deferred second mortgage, which is forgiven at the end of 15 years. Lets you borrow up to $8,000

HUD resources NC — More North Carolina first time home buyer programs

First time home buyer programs in North Dakota

Down payment Assistance — First time home buyers in Fargo are eligible for down payment and closing cost assistance

FirstHome program — The North Dakota Housing Finance Agency says eligible borrowers need make only a minimum $500 out-of-pocket cash investment

HUD resources ND — More North Dakota first time home buyer programs

First time home buyer programs in Ohio

Your Choice! Down Payment Assistance — Borrow 2.5% or 5% of the home’s purchase price. Use for down payments or closing costs. “This assistance is forgiven after seven years. If you sell or refinance your home within seven years, you must repay all of the assistance provided"

HUD resources OH — More Ohio first time home buyer programs

First time home buyer programs in Oklahoma

OHFA Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance — At closing, offers 3.5% or 4% toward your total loan amount

HOME Investment Partnerships Program — Provides down payment and closing costs assistance to eligible buyers in Oklahoma City. The loan is forgivable after five years

HUD resources OK — More Oklahoma first time home buyer programs

First time home buyer programs in Oregon

Home Purchase Assistance Program — Down payment and closing costs assistance for first time home buyers in Portland

Down Payment Assistance Programs for First Time Homebuyers — First time home buyers may be eligible for up to $15,000 in down payment and/or closing costs. That link takes you to a list of organizations in the state that administer the funds

HUD resources OR — More Oregon first time home buyer programs

First time home buyer programs in Pennsylvania

First Time Home Buyer Program — Down payment and closing costs assistance for Centre County. Up to $10,000 as a loan, repayable when you move, sell, refinance, or finish paying your mortgage

PHFA Home loan — “Possible down payment and closing cost assistance,” according to the website

HUD resources PA — More Pennsylvania first time home buyer programs

First time home buyer programs in Rhode Island

Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance Program — Loans of $2,500-$20,000. Loans under $15,000 are forgiven after five years as long as you don’t move sell or refinance. It’s 10 years for higher amounts

HUD resources RI — More Rhode Island first time home buyer programs

First time home buyer programs in South Carolina

Homebuyer Assistance Program — Buyers in Lexington count can borrow up to $5,000. The loan should be forgiven if you don’t move, sell, or refinance within five years.

SC Housing Palmetto Home Advantage Program — 3%, 4% or 5% forgivable down payment assistance

HUD resources SC — More South Carolina first time home buyer programs

First time home buyer programs in South Dakota

South Dakota Housing Development Authority First-Time Homebuyer — Zero interest loan with no monthly payments. “Due-on-sale or satisfaction”

HUD resources SD — More South Dakota first time home buyer programs

First time home buyer programs in Tennessee

Great Choice Plus down payment assistance — From the Tennessee Housing Development Agency. Borrow up to 5% of the purchase price. No interest, no monthly payments. You’ll pay the loan back when you sell, move out of, or refinance your home

HUD resources TN — More Tennessee first time home buyer programs

First time home buyer programs in Texas

First Time Home Buyer Grants — A grant so you don’t have to repay this. Get up to 5% of the purchase price. Some forgivable loans within the program

My First Texas Home — Affordably borrow your down payment and closing costs to the value of 5% of the mortgage loan

HUD resources TX — More Texas first time home buyer programs

First time home buyer programs in Utah

Utah Housing Corporation (UHC) (PDF) — Borrow up to 6% of the purchase price as a 30-year loan (second mortgage) “with an interest rate of 2% higher than the First Loan interest rate”

Veteran First Time Homebuyer Grant Program — Gifts $2,500 to Veterans who purchase their first home in Utah

HUD resources UT — More Texas first time home buyer programs

First time home buyer programs in Vermont

Vermont Housing Finance Agency’s ASSIST program — Borrow up to $5,000 with no interest or monthly payments. Repay when you sell, refinance or pay your mortgage in full

HUD resources Vermont — More South Carolina first time home buyer programs

First time home buyer programs in Virginia

Virginia Housing Development Authority — Get an outright grant that doesn’t have to be repaid. You can receive up to 2%-2.5% of the home price

HOMEownership Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance program — Another grant with a condition that you have to live in the house for a certain period. Provided by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development

HUD resources VA — More Virginia first time home buyer programs

First time home buyer programs in Washington state

Washington State Housing Finance Commission (WSHFC) — A range of down payment assistance programs. Borrow up to $10,000 ($15,000 for buyers with a disability or disabled family member living with them). Most loans have low rates and are deferred, so you only pay them back when you move, sell, refinance, or finish paying your mortgage

City and county programs are listed on that WSHFC webpage and some of those may be more generous. For example, if you’re buying within that Seattle city limits, you could borrow up to $55,000

HUD resources WA — More Washington state first time home buyer programs

First time home buyer programs in West Virginia

West Virginia Housing Development Fund — Borrow $5,000-$10,000 toward your down payment as a 15-year loan with a 2% interest rate

HUD resources WV — More West Virginia first time home buyer programs

First time home buyer programs in Wisconsin

Capital Access Advantage — The Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority’s (WHEDA’s) standard down payment assistance program

First Time Home Buyer (FTHB) Advantage — Another WHEDA offering: a preferred, fixed-interest rate for qualified first-time home buyers

HUD resources WI — More Wisconsin first time home buyer programs

First time home buyer programs in Wyoming

Home$tretch DPA Loan Product from the Wyoming Community Development Authority (WCDA) — Offers up to $10,000 as an interest-free second loan. No monthly payments and due only when you sell or refinance. Forgiven after 30 years

Amortizing DPA Loan Product — Also from the WCDA, this provides a fixed-rate loan that you pay down over 10 years

HUD resources WY — More Wyoming first time home buyer programs