Free Tool

Down Payment Assistance
by State

Find grants and second-mortgage help for first-time buyers. Pick your state — or drop in your ZIP — and see the live programs with grant amounts, eligibility, and direct apply links.

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Covered: 20 top states by population, plus federal programs (FHA / VA / USDA) nationwide

Applies in every state

FHA 203(b) — 3.5% down VA — 0% down USDA RD — 0% down (eligible areas) Fannie Mae HomeReady — 3% down Freddie Mac Home Possible — 3% down

If your state isn't in the lookup below, one of these federal programs almost certainly is. Pick a state to layer state-specific DPA on top of them.

Find programs in

Looking for a state that's not listed? See the blog for statewide roundups or message me.

Pick your state to begin

Choose a state from the dropdown — or type a 5-digit ZIP and we'll auto-detect the state from the prefixes. Your results update instantly.

Before you apply

Figure out how much home you can afford first

Run the numbers first. The mortgage calculator gives you monthly payments, total interest and a full amortization — so you know your target home price before applying for a grant.

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Common questions

Down payment assistance, answered

What is down payment assistance (DPA)?
Down payment assistance is help from a state or local housing agency that covers part — sometimes all — of what you need to bring to closing. It comes in three main flavors: a grant you don't repay as long as you live in the home for a set number of years; a silent-second mortgage at 0% interest that's forgiven after a retention period; or a deferred low-interest loan you repay over time. Many programs are stacked on top of an FHA, VA, USDA, or conventional first mortgage from the same agency.
Do down payment assistance grants need to be repaid?
Often no — but it depends on the specific program and how long you stay. Most DPA grants are pro-rated and forgiven if the buyer keeps the loan current for a defined period (commonly 3, 5, or 10 years). If you sell or refinance (a cash-out refi) before that retention period ends, some or all of the grant becomes repayable — usually the same percentage as your remaining time.
Can I combine down payment assistance with an FHA or VA loan?
In most cases, yes. State HFA first mortgages — Pennsylvania's PHFA Keystone, California's CalHFA, Texas HFA, etc. — are FHA/VA/Conventional first mortgages that explicitly allow a second loan (the DPA) on top. HUD/FHA itself does not prohibit DPA — it just requires the second lien to be from an approved source and to meet basic underwriting rules. USDA allows DPA from a government source.
Do I need PHFA / HFA approval if I already have a real estate agent?
No — and that's the most common misconception. State housing finance agencies (HFAs) provide the loan and the DPA money; they do not require you to use their affiliated real estate agents, listing services, or property portfolios. You pick your own buyer's agent, your own home, and your own settlement company.
What if my state is not listed?
Federal loan programs (FHA 203(b), VA, USDA Rural Development, Fannie Mae HomeReady, Freddie Mac Home Possible) work in all 50 states regardless of where you live. USDA in particular helps buyers in many rural and exurban counties who can qualify with 0% down. If you're in another state, you can also search your state's housing finance agency directly — most have a "Down Payment Assistance" link on their website.