The buyer who 'can't afford to buy' usually can, they just haven't met these programs yet. Down payment assistance is layered on top of a normal loan, and it's not just for first-time buyers.
Get My Free Game PlanFigures are typical 2026 guidelines and vary by borrower, property, and lender overlays; all loans subject to credit approval.
A DPA is a second loan or grant that covers some or all of your down payment and closing costs, layered on top of a normal FHA, conventional, or USDA first mortgage. Most are deferred (no monthly payment, repaid when you sell or refinance); some are forgivable. Stacked with a low-down loan, buyers can sometimes arrive at closing with little more than prepaids.
The Home Advantage DPA is the workhorse: a 0%-interest, no-payment second for up to 4% of the first mortgage, repaid at sale or refinance, with a generous ~$215K income cap and no first-time-buyer requirement (a free homebuyer-education class is required). Lower-income first-timers may do better with the Opportunity DPA (up to $15,000 at 1%), and the Covenant Homeownership Program offers a second that's forgivable after 5 years for eligible buyers at or below 80% of area median income.
Up to 5% of the purchase price toward down payment, closing costs, or a rate buydown, paired with a 30-year FHA or USDA first mortgage. No income limits, no first-time-buyer requirement, and no homebuyer-ed class, plus a Lock & Shop feature to secure your rate before you find the house.
Paired with an Idaho Housing first mortgage, buyers can receive up to 8% of the sales price for down payment and closing costs as a repayable second with small monthly payments. Household income must be under $170,000; homebuyer education required. Often enough to cover the entire down payment plus most closing costs.
Two things to know: funding cycles and terms change, so always verify current availability with Connor before counting on a program, and DPA is not just for first-time buyers, which is one of the biggest myths in the business.
No. That's one of the biggest myths. Washington's Home Advantage and Oregon's SmartBuy, for example, have no first-time-buyer requirement.
Up to 4% of the first mortgage in Washington (WSHFC), up to 5% of the price in Oregon (SmartBuy), and up to 8% of the sales price in Idaho (IHFA). Connor confirms current availability and your eligibility.
It depends on the program. Many are deferred with no monthly payment, repaid only when you sell or refinance; some are forgivable after a set time; others are a small repayable second.
Yes. Stacking DPA with programs like USDA or a low-down loan can bring you close to $0 out of pocket. Connor will build the combination that fits.
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