Down Payment Assistance Pricer
Live pricing for down payment assistance programs. Each section below is a distinct DPA offering with its own eligibility rules and pricing engine.
FHA Down Payment Assistance
Up to 5% assistance; repayable second at first rate + 2% over 10 years
▸Program details
- ✓Minimum credit score: 580
- ✓Non-traditional credit also possible
- ✓Assistance up to 2.5%, 3.5%, or 5% of the lesser of purchase price or appraised value
- ✓Assistance can be used for down payment, closing costs, or both
- ✓Second lien: 10-year fixed, repayable
- ✓Second lien rate is 2% higher than the first mortgage rate
- ✓No first-time homebuyer requirement
- ✓No income cap
- ✓Purchase of primary residence only
- ✓Eligible properties: 1-unit residences, PUD, 2-4 units, FHA-approved condos, manufactured (single/double-wide)
- ✓DTI per AUS and FHA manual underwriting guidelines
- ✓First lien: FHA 30-year fixed
Assistance amount
FHA Down Payment Assistance
Up to 5% assistance; 10-year repayable second at first rate + 2%. 600+ FICO, non-occupant co-borrowers allowed.
▸Program details
- ✓Minimum credit score: 600 (620 for manufactured homes)
- ✓Assistance: 3.5% or 5% of the lesser of purchase price or appraised value
- ✓High balance loan limits allowed for 3.5% and 5% repayable
- ✓Assistance can be used for down payment, closing costs, or both
- ✓Second lien: 10-year fully-amortizing, repayable
- ✓Second lien rate is 2% higher than the first mortgage rate
- ✓No first-time homebuyer requirement
- ✓No income cap on the repayable option
- ✓Purchase of primary residence only
- ✓Non-occupant co-borrowers allowed
- ✓Eligible properties: 1-2 units, PUD, condos, townhomes, modular, manufactured (double-wide only)
- ✓Minimum loan amount: $55,000
- ✓Minimum LTV/CLTV: 90%
- ✓DTI per AUS or FHA 4000.1 manual underwriting
- ✓First lien: FHA 30-year fixed (25-year option also available)
- ✓Buydowns not allowed on this program
- ✓Not eligible in New York
Assistance amount
Chenoa Fund DPA Edge (FHA, Forgivable)
3.5% forgivable soft second on FHA. Income up to 115% AMI. Forgiven after 36 months of on-time first-lien payments.
▸Program details
- ✓Public-domain national DPA program from CBC Mortgage Agency
- ✓Minimum credit score: 600
- ✓Assistance: 3.5% of lesser of purchase price or appraised value
- ✓Soft second mortgage: 0% interest, no payment, forgiven after 36 consecutive on-time payments on the first lien
- ✓Income cap: at or below 115% of Area Median Income (AMI)
- ✓Homebuyer education required (HUD-approved)
- ✓Purchase of primary residence only
- ✓Eligible properties: 1-unit residences, FHA-approved condos, PUDs, manufactured (with restrictions)
- ✓No first-time homebuyer requirement
- ✓First lien: FHA 30-year fixed
- ✓If you sell, refinance, or default during the 36-month forgiveness period, the second becomes due
Assistance amount
Chenoa Fund DPA (FHA, Repayable)
3.5% or 5% repayable second on FHA. No income cap. 10-year amortizing second at first rate + 2%.
▸Program details
- ✓Public-domain national DPA program from CBC Mortgage Agency
- ✓Minimum credit score: 620
- ✓Assistance: 3.5% or 5% of lesser of purchase price or appraised value
- ✓Repayable 10-year fully-amortizing second lien
- ✓Second lien rate is 2% higher than the first mortgage rate
- ✓No income cap on the repayable option
- ✓No first-time homebuyer requirement
- ✓Homebuyer education required (HUD-approved)
- ✓Purchase of primary residence only
- ✓Eligible properties: 1-unit residences, FHA-approved condos, PUDs, manufactured (with restrictions)
- ✓First lien: FHA 30-year fixed
Assistance amount
Chenoa Fund DPA (Conventional)
3% second mortgage on Conventional 97 / HomeReady / Home Possible. Pairs with reduced-MI conventional first liens.
▸Program details
- ✓Public-domain national DPA program from CBC Mortgage Agency
- ✓Pairs with HomeReady or Home Possible 97% LTV first lien
- ✓Minimum credit score: 640
- ✓Assistance: 3% of lesser of purchase price or appraised value
- ✓Repayable 10-year second lien at first rate + 2%
- ✓Income limit: 80% of Area Median Income (AMI) for HomeReady/Home Possible eligibility
- ✓Reduced mortgage insurance vs. standard Conv 97
- ✓Homebuyer education required
- ✓Primary residence only
- ✓First lien: Conventional 97% LTV (HomeReady or Home Possible 30-year fixed)
Assistance amount
Essex DPA Grant (FHA, No-Lien Grant)
Up to 3.5% or 5% non-repayable grant on FHA. No second lien. No repayment.
▸Program details
- ✓Public-domain DPA grant administered by Essex Mortgage
- ✓Minimum credit score: 600
- ✓Assistance: 3.5% or 5% of loan amount as a non-repayable grant
- ✓No second lien recorded against the property
- ✓No repayment if you sell, refinance, or move
- ✓No first-time homebuyer requirement
- ✓No income cap (varies by version)
- ✓Primary residence only
- ✓Eligible properties: 1-unit, FHA-approved condos, PUDs
- ✓First lien: FHA 30-year fixed (rate carries a small premium to fund the grant)
Assistance amount
Essex DPA Grant (Conventional)
Up to 3% non-repayable grant on Conventional 97. Pairs with HomeReady or Home Possible.
▸Program details
- ✓Public-domain DPA grant administered by Essex Mortgage
- ✓Pairs with HomeReady or Home Possible 97% LTV first lien
- ✓Minimum credit score: 620
- ✓Assistance: 3% of loan amount as a non-repayable grant
- ✓No second lien recorded; no repayment
- ✓Income limits per HomeReady / Home Possible (80% AMI)
- ✓Homebuyer education required
- ✓Primary residence only
- ✓First lien: Conventional 97% LTV with reduced MI
Assistance amount
National Homebuyers Fund Grant (FHA)
Up to 5% non-repayable grant on FHA. Administered by NHF, a 501(c)(3) public benefit corporation.
▸Program details
- ✓Public-domain national DPA grant from National Homebuyers Fund (501(c)(3))
- ✓Minimum credit score: 640 typical
- ✓Assistance: up to 5% of loan amount as a non-repayable grant
- ✓No second lien; no repayment
- ✓Income limit: 140% of Area Median Income (AMI) typical for government loans
- ✓Primary residence only
- ✓Eligible properties: 1-4 units (per FHA guidelines)
- ✓First lien: FHA 30-year fixed
- ✓Available in most states (limited availability in select markets)
Assistance amount
National Homebuyers Fund Grant (Conventional)
Up to 5% non-repayable grant on Conventional 97. Pairs with HomeReady or Home Possible.
▸Program details
- ✓Public-domain national DPA grant from National Homebuyers Fund (501(c)(3))
- ✓Pairs with HomeReady or Home Possible 97% LTV first lien
- ✓Minimum credit score: 640
- ✓Assistance: up to 5% of loan amount as a non-repayable grant
- ✓No second lien; no repayment
- ✓Income limit: 140% AMI typical (more restrictive HomeReady/Home Possible limits may apply)
- ✓Homebuyer education may be required
- ✓Primary residence only
- ✓First lien: Conventional 97% LTV with reduced MI
Assistance amount
HomeReady $2,500 Credit
$2,500 lender credit for HomeReady borrowers at or below 50% Area Median Income. Applied to down payment or closing costs.
▸Program details
- ✓Fannie Mae HomeReady program enhancement
- ✓$2,500 lender credit applied to down payment, closing costs, or both
- ✓Eligibility: borrower income at or below 50% of Area Median Income (AMI)
- ✓Minimum credit score: 620
- ✓Pairs with HomeReady 97% LTV Conventional first lien
- ✓Reduced mortgage insurance under HomeReady
- ✓Homebuyer education required (Fannie HomeView or HUD-approved counseling)
- ✓Primary residence, 1-unit only
- ✓No first-time homebuyer requirement on the underlying HomeReady product (though most VLIP buyers will be first-time)
Eligibility-based program
This program isn't a pre-priceable single-rate product. Eligibility, assistance amount, and pricing depend on your location and circumstances. Reach out and we'll check your specific eligibility and pair it with the best first-lien rate for your scenario.
BorrowSmart Access Credit (Home Possible)
$3,000 - $4,000 credit toward down payment for Home Possible buyers in eligible metro areas. ≤80% AMI.
▸Program details
- ✓Freddie Mac Home Possible program enhancement
- ✓Credit of $3,000 - $4,000 toward down payment
- ✓Eligibility: borrower income at or below 80% of Area Median Income (AMI)
- ✓Available in specific eligible metro areas (expanded in 2024-2025)
- ✓First-time homebuyer required
- ✓Minimum credit score: 620
- ✓Pairs with Home Possible 97% LTV Conventional first lien
- ✓Reduced mortgage insurance under Home Possible
- ✓Homebuyer education required (Freddie CreditSmart Homebuyer U)
- ✓Primary residence, 1-unit only
Eligibility-based program
This program isn't a pre-priceable single-rate product. Eligibility, assistance amount, and pricing depend on your location and circumstances. Reach out and we'll check your specific eligibility and pair it with the best first-lien rate for your scenario.
FHLB AHP Grant
$7,500 - $30,000 grant from regional Federal Home Loan Banks. Member-bank originated. 5-year retention with pro-rata recapture if sold early.
▸Program details
- ✓Grants from the 11 regional Federal Home Loan Banks (Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Cincinnati, Dallas, Des Moines, Indianapolis, New York, Pittsburgh, San Francisco, Topeka)
- ✓Grant amounts: $7,500 - $30,000 depending on FHLB district and program
- ✓Eligibility: typically 80% of Area Median Income (some districts allow up to 120%)
- ✓First-time homebuyer typically required
- ✓HUD-approved homebuyer counseling required
- ✓Must be originated through an FHLB member bank
- ✓5-year retention period - selling within 5 years triggers pro-rata recapture of the grant
- ✓Pairs with FHA, Conventional 97, VA, USDA
- ✓Primary residence only
- ✓Funding is limited and competitive - grants are typically reserved during specific funding rounds
Eligibility-based program
This program isn't a pre-priceable single-rate product. Eligibility, assistance amount, and pricing depend on your location and circumstances. Reach out and we'll check your specific eligibility and pair it with the best first-lien rate for your scenario.
FHLB WISH Grant (4:1 Match)
Up to $30,000 grant matching $4 for every $1 of buyer savings. Available in select FHLB districts including FHLB San Francisco and others.
▸Program details
- ✓Workforce Initiative Subsidy for Homeownership (WISH) - FHLB grant program
- ✓Match ratio: $4 of grant for every $1 of buyer-contributed funds
- ✓Maximum grant: up to $30,000 (varies by FHLB district)
- ✓First-time homebuyer required
- ✓Income at or below 80% of Area Median Income (AMI)
- ✓HUD-approved homebuyer counseling required
- ✓Must be originated through a participating FHLB member bank
- ✓5-year retention period with pro-rata recapture on sale or refinance
- ✓Pairs with FHA, Conventional 97, VA, USDA first liens
- ✓Primary residence, 1-4 unit
- ✓Available in select FHLB districts (varies by year and funding round)
Eligibility-based program
This program isn't a pre-priceable single-rate product. Eligibility, assistance amount, and pricing depend on your location and circumstances. Reach out and we'll check your specific eligibility and pair it with the best first-lien rate for your scenario.
Special Purpose Credit Programs (SPCPs)
$5,000 - $10,000 grants targeting historically underserved census tracts. Multiple participating lenders nationwide.
▸Program details
- ✓GSE-backed grants designed to expand homeownership in historically underserved areas
- ✓Grant amounts: typically $5,000 - $10,000 (varies by lender and program)
- ✓Eligibility: property located in a designated SPCP-eligible census tract OR borrower meets specific demographic criteria as defined by the SPCP
- ✓Pairs with Conventional 97, HomeReady, or Home Possible first liens
- ✓No repayment if all program conditions are met for the retention period
- ✓First-time homebuyer typically required
- ✓Homebuyer education required
- ✓Primary residence only
- ✓Multiple participating lenders nationwide - eligibility must be checked against current SPCP definitions
Eligibility-based program
This program isn't a pre-priceable single-rate product. Eligibility, assistance amount, and pricing depend on your location and circumstances. Reach out and we'll check your specific eligibility and pair it with the best first-lien rate for your scenario.
Community Seconds / Affordable Seconds
Subordinate-lien framework allowing non-profit, employer, or municipality second liens to layer on top of Conventional financing.
▸Program details
- ✓Underwriting framework that allows DPA from a wide range of sources to layer behind Conventional financing
- ✓Eligible DPA sources: non-profit organizations, municipalities, employers (employer-assisted housing), state/local government agencies
- ✓Often structured as deferred or forgivable second liens
- ✓CLTV may go up to 105% with Community/Affordable Seconds
- ✓Pairs with HomeReady, Home Possible, HFA Preferred, HFA Advantage, or Standard Conventional first liens
- ✓Eligibility and terms vary by the specific second-lien provider
- ✓Homebuyer education may be required (varies by program)
- ✓Primary residence only
- ✓Useful for stacking employer DPA, charitable DPA, or city/county silent seconds
Eligibility-based program
This program isn't a pre-priceable single-rate product. Eligibility, assistance amount, and pricing depend on your location and circumstances. Reach out and we'll check your specific eligibility and pair it with the best first-lien rate for your scenario.
State Housing Finance Agency Programs
Every state has its own HFA with DPA grants and second mortgages. We participate in HFA programs nationally - see the per-state DPA list.
▸Program details
- ✓Each US state operates a Housing Finance Agency (HFA) with its own DPA programs
- ✓Examples: Florida Hometown Heroes, CalHFA MyHome Assistance, TSAHC My Choice / My First Texas Home, NCHFA NC Home Advantage, NYS HOMES, MassHousing, IHDA, CHFA, MHDC, NJHMFA, and many more
- ✓Assistance amounts: typically $7,500 - $50,000+ depending on state and program
- ✓Forms vary: forgivable seconds, deferred seconds, repayable seconds, grants
- ✓Pairs with HFA Preferred (Fannie) or HFA Advantage (Freddie) first liens for reduced MI, plus FHA / VA / USDA
- ✓Often have profession-based programs (teachers, first responders, healthcare workers, military, etc.)
- ✓First-time homebuyer requirement common but not universal
- ✓Income limits apply (typically tied to AMI)
Eligibility-based program
This program isn't a pre-priceable single-rate product. Eligibility, assistance amount, and pricing depend on your location and circumstances. Reach out and we'll check your specific eligibility and pair it with the best first-lien rate for your scenario.
Want to know which DPA programs you qualify for?
Drop your email and we'll check eligibility across every national, state, and local program for your zip code.
Down Payment Assistance Basics
Quick answers to the questions that come up most. If you don't see yours, save your scenario above and we'll walk through it with you.
Common DPA pairings
FHA + 3.5% second
100% financing. The classic zero-down structure.
FHA 96.5% + Chenoa Standard / Edge 3.5% second
FHA + 3.5% grant
100% financing, no second lien on title.
FHA 96.5% + Essex Grant or NHF Sapphire 3.5%
Conventional 97 + 3% grant
100% LTV with reduced MI under HomeReady or Home Possible.
HomeReady or Home Possible 97% + Essex / NHF / Chenoa Conv 3%
HomeReady + $2,500 credit
Conventional 97 with a $2,500 credit if you are at or below 50% AMI.
HomeReady 97% + VLIP $2,500 credit
Home Possible + BorrowSmart Access
Conventional 97 plus a $3-4k credit in eligible metros.
Home Possible 97% + BorrowSmart Access $3,000-$4,000
VA / USDA + closing-cost grant
Already 100% financing. Grant covers closing costs and prepaids.
VA 100% (or USDA 100%) + Essex / NHF grant
State HFA stack
Often the largest dollar amounts - state-level grants and second mortgages stacked behind a national first.
HFA Preferred / HFA Advantage 97% + state HFA second