Lender Down Payment Assistance Programs

The biggest myth in homebuying is that you need twenty percent down. Eligible FHA borrowers can get in with a minimum of 3.5% down, conventional financing often starts at 3% — and down payment assistance can cover even that.

Down payment assistance comes in two main forms: grants, which never have to be paid back, and second liens, which sit quietly behind your first mortgage and are often forgiven over time. Many of these programs are offered directly through the lender, which is why buyers who shop only online rates never hear about them.

Qualification depends on the program — household income limits, purchase price caps, and sometimes a short homebuyer education course. First-time buyers qualify most widely, but many programs accept repeat buyers too, especially if you have not owned a home in the last three years.

Assistance can often be layered with the loan program itself, and Homes for Heroes savings sit on top for those who qualify. The key is asking before you make an offer — some programs require paperwork up front. Call me and I will tell you in one conversation what you might be eligible for.