Washington Down Payment Assistance
Washington Down Payment Assistance Programs
A guide to current down payment assistance options in Washington, including the state Housing Finance Agency, well-known city and county programs, and live DPA mortgage pricing for Washington homebuyers.
Washington Housing Finance Agency
Washington State Housing Finance Commission (WSHFC)
www.wshfc.org800-767-4663
WSHFC administers the primary DPA programs for Washington. Program details below are current as of April 23, 2026 - confirm current terms directly with WSHFC before applying.
Statewide DPA Programs in Washington
Home Advantage
WSHFC
30-year fixed-rate first mortgage with competitive interest rates; foundational product eligible to be paired with Home Advantage DPA and other DPA overlays.
Paired with: FHA, VA, USDA, Conventional
- Primary residence only
- Minimum FICO: 620
- Maximum DTI: 50%
- Income: Household income limit set by WSHFC for the Home Advantage program.
- Homebuyer education required
Not restricted to first-time homebuyers. All borrowers must complete a WSHFC-sponsored homebuyer education class (Commission-sponsored or approved online).
Source: www.wshfc.org
Home Advantage Down Payment Assistance
WSHFC
Up to 5% of the first-mortgage loan amount as a 0% interest second mortgage with payments deferred for 30 years; due on sale, refinance, or payoff of the first mortgage.
Paired with: FHA, VA, USDA, Conventional
- Primary residence only
- Minimum FICO: 620
- Homebuyer education required
Must be paired with a WSHFC Home Advantage first mortgage.
Source: www.wshfc.org
House Key Opportunity
WSHFC
30-year fixed-rate first mortgage targeted to first-time homebuyers; unlocks pairing with Opportunity DPA and other targeted DPA programs.
Paired with: FHA, VA, USDA, Conventional
- First-time homebuyer: Required
- Primary residence only
- Income: WSHFC House Key income and purchase price limits apply (tighter than Home Advantage).
- Homebuyer education required
First-time homebuyer requirement waived in targeted areas. Used as the first-mortgage foundation for several WSHFC DPA overlays.
Source: www.wshfc.org
Opportunity Down Payment Assistance
WSHFC
Up to $10,000 as a 1% interest, deferred second mortgage with payments deferred for 30 years.
Paired with: FHA, VA, USDA, Conventional
- First-time homebuyer: Required
- Primary residence only
- Homebuyer education required
Must be paired with a House Key Opportunity first mortgage. Income limits more restrictive than Home Advantage DPA.
Source: www.wshfc.org
HomeChoice Down Payment Assistance
WSHFC
Up to $15,000 as a 1% interest deferred second mortgage; payments deferred for 30 years.
Paired with: FHA, VA, USDA, Conventional
- Primary residence only
- Homebuyer education required
For borrowers with a disability or who have a household member with a disability. Must be paired with a WSHFC first mortgage.
Source: wshfc.org
Veterans Down Payment Assistance
WSHFC
Up to $10,000 as a deferred second mortgage at 3% interest; payments deferred for 30 years.
Paired with: FHA, VA, USDA, Conventional
- Primary residence only
- Homebuyer education required
Available to honorably discharged veterans of the U.S. military. Must be paired with a WSHFC first mortgage.
Source: www.wshfc.org
Major City & County Programs in Washington
Seattle Office of Housing Down Payment Assistance
Seattle Office of Housing (partner nonprofits and lenders) · City of Seattle, WA
Up to $76,000 per household for down payment assistance on open-market or partner-developed homes; layered assistance from multiple sources may reach up to $110,000.
Limited to households at or below 80% area median income. Funded through Seattle Housing Levy and other subsidies. Requires pre-purchase homebuyer education and one-on-one counseling.
Source: www.seattle.gov
Washington Notes for Homebuyers
- Washington uses deeds of trust with non-judicial foreclosure; escrow companies typically handle closings.
2026 Loan Limits in Washington
Conforming (Conventional)
$806,500 baseline
Some Washington counties qualify as high-cost, with limits up to $1,209,750.
FHA
$524,225 floor
Higher-cost Washington counties can reach the FHA ceiling of $1,209,750.
Live DPA Pricing for Washington
Pricing below is sourced live from hundreds of wholesale lenders for a Washington scenario. Edit the inputs to match your situation.
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
Compare DPA options for Washington with live pricing
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