🏠 What Are First-Time Home Buyer Grants?
First-time home buyer grants are FREE MONEY from federal, state, and local governments to help you buy a home. Unlike loans, grants don't have to be repaid. They can be used for:
- ✓Down payment - Cover 3-20% of purchase price
- ✓Closing costs - Save $8,000-$15,000
- ✓Home repairs - Some programs cover renovations
- ✓Rate buydowns - Lower your interest rate
💡 Who Qualifies as a "First-Time Buyer"?
You're considered a first-time buyer if you haven't owned a home in the past 3 years. This means even if you owned a home before, you may still qualify!Check your eligibility now.
📋 Types of First-Time Buyer Assistance
🎁 Grants (FREE Money)
Never repaid. Typically $5,000-$25,000.
- • Federal grants (HUD, USDA)
- • State housing authority grants
- • City/county programs
- • Employer assistance programs
🔄 Forgivable Loans
Forgiven after 5-10 years if you stay in home.
- • 0% interest, no payments
- • Forgiven over time
- • Repaid only if you sell early
- • Often larger amounts ($10K-$50K)
📉 Deferred Loans
No payments until you sell, refinance, or pay off mortgage.
- • 0% or low interest
- • No monthly payments
- • Due when you sell
- • Good for cash flow
💳 Matched Savings (IDA)
Your savings matched 2:1 or 3:1.
- • Save $1, get $2-$3 matched
- • Requires saving period
- • Income limits apply
- • Can accumulate $10K+
🗺️ First-Time Buyer Grants by State (2026)
Every state has programs! Here are the TOP programs with the BIGGEST grants.Find lenders who work with these programs.
🌴 California
Up to $150,000- CalHFA Dream For All: Up to 20% of purchase price (shared appreciation)
- CalHFA MyHome: Up to 3.5% for down payment
- CalHFA ZIP: Up to 3% for closing costs
- Income Limit: Varies by county ($150K-$250K)
⭐ Texas
Up to $25,000- TDHCA My First Texas Home: Up to 5% for down payment
- Texas Mortgage Credit Certificate: $2,000/year tax credit
- TSAHC Homes for Texas Heroes: For teachers, police, firefighters
- Income Limit: $97,000-$128,000 depending on area
🌞 Florida
Up to $35,000- Florida Hometown Heroes: Up to 5% (0% interest, deferred)
- FL Assist: $10,000 second mortgage (0%, deferred)
- HFA Preferred: Up to 5% grant
- Income Limit: No income limit for Hometown Heroes!
🗽 New York
Up to $100,000- SONYMA Down Payment Assistance: Up to $15,000 (forgivable)
- HomeFirst Down Payment Assistance: Up to $100,000 (NYC)
- Achieving the Dream: Low-rate mortgages + DPA
- Income Limit: $112,505-$172,900 depending on area
🍑 Georgia
Up to $12,500- Georgia Dream: Up to $10,000 (0% interest, deferred)
- PEN + Choice: Additional $2,500 for public employees
- Standard DPA: $7,500 for most buyers
- Income Limit: $94,000-$114,000
🌲 Washington
Up to $55,000- Home Advantage DPA: Up to 5% (0% interest)
- House Key Opportunity: Up to 4% + $10,000
- Seattle DPA: Up to $55,000 (city program)
- Income Limit: $180,000 (Seattle area)
🏔️ Colorado
Up to $25,000- CHFA DPA Grant: 3% of loan amount (TRUE GRANT)
- CHFA Second Mortgage: Up to 4% (0% interest)
- Metro DPA: Up to $25,000 (Denver area)
- Income Limit: $152,000-$175,000
🌵 Arizona
Up to $20,000- Home Plus: Up to 5% (forgivable after 3 years)
- Pathway to Purchase: 10% of purchase price
- HOME in 5: Up to 5% (Phoenix area)
- Income Limit: $122,100
🦀 Maryland
Up to $30,000- Maryland Mortgage Program: Up to $20,000 DPA
- 1st Time Advantage: 6% of loan (deferred)
- SmartBuy 3.0: Up to $30,000 for student loan payoff!
- Income Limit: $154,420
🎰 Nevada
Up to $25,000- Home Is Possible: Up to 5% (forgivable after 3 years)
- Home Is Possible for Teachers: Additional benefits
- Clark County DPA: Up to $25,000 (Las Vegas)
- Income Limit: $105,000-$150,000
🎯 Find ALL Programs You Qualify For
Don't miss out on free money! Get pre-approved with a lender who specializes in down payment assistance programs. They'll find EVERY program you qualify for.
Find My Grant Programs →Get Pre-Approved in 2 Minutes
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🏛️ Federal First-Time Buyer Programs
These federal programs are available in ALL states and can be combined with state grants:
🏠 FHA Loans
Down Payment: 3.5% (with 580+ credit)
Credit Score: 500 minimum
Best For: Lower credit scores, smaller down payments
Gift Funds: 100% allowed
Seller Credits: Up to 6%
DPA Compatible: Yes!
🎖️ VA Loans (Veterans)
Down Payment: 0% (ZERO!)
Credit Score: No minimum (620 typical)
Best For: Veterans, active military, surviving spouses
PMI: None required
Seller Credits: Up to 4%
Rates: Typically lowest available
🌾 USDA Loans (Rural)
Down Payment: 0% (ZERO!)
Credit Score: 640 minimum
Best For: Rural and suburban areas
Income Limit: 115% of area median
Location: Must be USDA-eligible area
PMI: Lower than FHA
🏡 Good Neighbor Next Door (HUD)
Discount: 50% off list price!
Who Qualifies: Teachers, police, firefighters, EMTs
Requirement: Live in home 3 years
Down Payment: $100 with FHA
Location: HUD revitalization areas
Availability: Limited inventory
📝 How to Apply for Grants (Step-by-Step)
Get Pre-Approved First
Work with a lender who participates in DPA programs. They'll identify all programs you qualify for.
→ Find DPA-approved lendersComplete Homebuyer Education
Most programs require a HUD-approved homebuyer education course. These are often free and can be done online in 4-8 hours.
Gather Required Documents
Income verification, tax returns, bank statements, ID.See full document list.
Apply Through Your Lender
Your lender handles the DPA application as part of your mortgage. You don't apply separately—it's all bundled together.
Close on Your Home!
The grant/DPA funds are applied at closing. You'll see them on your Closing Disclosure reducing your cash needed.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to pay back first-time buyer grants?
True grants never have to be repaid. Forgivable loans are forgiven after 5-10 years if you stay in the home. Deferred loans are repaid when you sell or refinance.
What income limits apply?
Most programs have income limits of 80-150% of Area Median Income (AMI). This varies by location—high-cost areas have higher limits. Some programs like Florida Hometown Heroes have NO income limit.
Can I combine multiple programs?
Yes! You can often stack federal, state, and local programs. For example: FHA loan + state DPA grant + city closing cost assistance. Your lender can help maximize your benefits.
I owned a home before. Do I still qualify?
If you haven't owned a home in the past 3 years, you're considered a first-time buyer again! Some programs also have exceptions for displaced homemakers and single parents.
How do I find programs in my area?
The easiest way is to get pre-approved with a DPA-participating lender. They'll automatically search all available programs for your location and income.
💰 Don't Leave FREE Money on the Table!
Over $2.5 billion in grants goes unclaimed every year. Get pre-approved with a DPA-specialized lender who will find EVERY program you qualify for.