State by State – First Time Home Buyer Resources

Down Payment Assistance and Official Resources

Buying your first home can feel overwhelming, especially when you are trying to save for a down payment, estimate closing costs, compare mortgage options, and understand which assistance programs may be available. The good news is that state and local housing agencies offer resources that may help eligible buyers prepare for homeownership.

This guide brings together official state housing agency websites and trusted home-buying resources to help you research first-time home buyer programs, down payment assistance, closing cost support, and homebuyer education.

How to use this guide: Select your state from the directory below to visit its housing agency website. Review the available programs, eligibility requirements, income and purchase-price limits, application deadlines, and participating lenders. Then use the budgeting resources in this guide to estimate how much you may need before purchasing a home.

Important: Program availability, funding, and eligibility rules vary by state and individual program. Being a first-time buyer does not automatically qualify you for assistance, and some programs may be available to buyers who have not owned a primary residence within a specified period. Confirm current requirements directly with the program administrator or a participating lender before making financial decisions.

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What First-Time Home Buyer Assistance Can Help Cover

First-time home buyer assistance programs may help eligible buyers manage some of the upfront costs of purchasing a home. The type and amount of assistance depend on the program, the property, and the buyer’s qualifications.

Common forms of assistance include:

• Down payment assistance: Programs may provide grants, forgivable loans, deferred-payment loans, or other approved funding to help eligible buyers cover part of their down payment.
• Closing cost assistance: Certain programs may help pay eligible expenses associated with finalizing a mortgage and purchasing a home.
• Affordable mortgage options: Some state housing agencies offer mortgage programs through participating lenders, potentially with favorable terms for eligible borrowers.
• Homebuyer education: Courses and counseling can help buyers understand mortgage financing, budgeting, the closing process, and the responsibilities of homeownership.

Assistance is not always free money. Some programs require repayment when the property is sold, refinanced, or no longer used as a primary residence. Others have occupancy requirements or conditions for forgiveness. Review the terms carefully before applying.

For additional guidance, consult the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s home-buying resources and Freddie Mac’s down payment assistance guide.

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First-Time Home Buyer Programs by State

Use the directory below to find your state’s official housing agency and explore available first-time home buyer programs. These agencies are the best starting point for researching state-sponsored mortgage options, down payment assistance, closing cost support, and homebuyer education.

Select your state to review the official program information. Before applying, confirm whether applications are open, whether funding remains available, and whether you must work with a participating lender or complete a homebuyer education course.

1. Alabama  – Alabama Housing Finance Authority
2. Alaska  – Alaska Housing Finance Corporation
3. Arizona – Arizona Department of Housing
4. Arkansas – Arkansas Development Finance Authority
5. California – California Housing Finance Agency
6. Colorado – Colorado Housing and Finance Authority
7. Connecticut – Connecticut Housing Finance Authority
8. Delaware – Delaware State Housing Authority
9. District of Columbia – DC Housing Finance Agency
10. Florida – Florida Housing Finance Corporation
11. Georgia – Georgia Department of Community Affairs
12. Hawaii – Hawaiʻi Housing Finance & Development Corporation
13. Idaho – Idaho Housing and Finance
14. Illinois – ​Illinois Housing Development Authority​
15. Indiana – Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority
16. Iowa – Iowa Economic Development Authority | Iowa Finance Authority
17. Kansas – Kansas Housing Resources Corporation
18. Kentucky – Kentucky Housing Corporation
19. Louisiana – Louisiana Housing Corporation
20. Maine – Maine State Housing Authority
21. Maryland – Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development
22. Massachusetts – Mass Housing
23. Michigan – Michigan State Housing Development Authority
24. Minnesota – Minnesota Housing Finance Agency
25. Mississippi – Mississippi Home Corporation
26. Missouri – Missouri Housing Development Commission
27. Montana – Montana Department of Commerce
28. Nebraska – Nebraska Department of Economic Development
29. Nevada – Nevada Housing Division
30. New Hampshire – New Hampshire Housing
31. New Jersey – New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency
32. New Mexico – Housing New Mexico MFA
33. New York – Homes and Community Renewal
34. North Carolina – North Carolina Housing Finance Agency
35. North Dakota – North Dakota Housing Finance Agency
36. Ohio – The Ohio Housing Finance Agency
37. Oklahoma – Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency
38. Oregon – Oregon Housing and Community Services
39. Pennsylvania – Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency
40. Rhode Island – Rhode Island Housing
41. South Carolina – South Carolina Housing
42. South Dakota – South Dakota Housing
43. Tennessee – Tennessee Housing Development Agency
44. Texas – Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs
45. Utah – Utah Housing Corporation
46. Vermont – Vermont Housing Finance Agency
47. Virginia – Virginia Housing Development Authority
48. Washington – Washington State Housing Finance Commission
49. West Virginia – West Virginia Housing Development Fund
50. Wisconsin – Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority
51. Wyoming – Wyoming Community Development Authority

• Last reviewed: October 2026

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Pennsylvania First-Time Home Buyer Resources

Pennsylvania buyers can start with the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) to explore home purchase assistance, eligible mortgage programs, and participating lenders.

Visit the official PHFA website

Before applying, review current eligibility criteria, income and purchase-price limits, and program funding availability.

National Home Buying Resources

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) — Home buying resources and housing counseling. HUD helps consumers locate housing counseling resources and learn about home-buying programs.

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) — Home-buying tools and resources. This resource covers preparing to shop, comparing mortgage offers, and preparing for closing

Federal Resources

Freddie Mac — Down Payment Assistance Programs

Fannie Mae — Homebuyer Resources

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Estimate Your Home Buying Budget Before You Apply

Finding a down payment assistance program is only one part of preparing to buy a home. You also need to understand how the purchase may affect your monthly budget, available savings, and longer-term financial goals.

Before choosing a home price, consider:

• Down payment: How much cash can you contribute toward the purchase?
• Monthly mortgage payment: What might principal and interest cost at different loan amounts and interest rates?
• Property taxes and homeowners insurance: How will these recurring expenses affect your monthly housing budget?
• Mortgage insurance and HOA fees: Could additional monthly charges apply to your property or loan?
• Closing costs and moving expenses: How much cash may be needed beyond your down payment?
• Maintenance and emergency savings: Can you cover unexpected repairs without compromising other financial obligations?

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Use a Home Buying Calculator

An interactive home-buying calculator can help you compare purchase-price scenarios and evaluate how a potential home purchase fits your budget.

Use the InvestingTE Home Buying Calculator to explore your home-buying preparation options. Review the calculator’s available inputs to determine which costs and assumptions it includes, and verify the results against estimates from your lender.

Review Your Broader Financial Plan

A home purchase should fit within your overall financial picture, not just your mortgage approval amount. Consider using the InvestingTE Free Financial Planning Calculator to review your financial goals and evaluate how a major purchase may affect your broader plan.

Next step: Estimate your budget, research programs in your state, and speak with a participating lender or qualified housing counselor before committing to a purchase.

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First-Time Home Buyer Checklist: 7 Steps to Prepare

Use this checklist to organize your home-buying preparation before making an offer.

1. Review your finances. Evaluate your income, recurring expenses, existing debt, savings, and emergency reserves.
2. Check your credit. Review your credit reports and discuss your credit profile with prospective mortgage lenders.
3. Estimate your home-buying budget. Account for the down payment, monthly mortgage payment, taxes, insurance, closing costs, and maintenance.
4. Research assistance programs. Use the state directory above to identify programs that may fit your circumstances.
5. Compare mortgage options. Ask lenders about available loan programs, interest rates, fees, mortgage insurance, and repayment terms.
6. Obtain a mortgage preapproval when appropriate. A lender can review your finances and explain the conditions and documentation involved. Preapproval is not a guarantee of final loan approval.
7. Plan for ongoing homeownership costs. Set aside funds for utilities, repairs, maintenance, and unexpected expenses.

Completing these steps can help you make a more informed decision about when to buy and what price range may be financially manageable.

Explore 12 Steps to Home Buying for more details.

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First-Time Home Buyer Programs: Frequently Asked Questions

What programs are available for first-time home buyers?

Programs vary by state and location. Potential options include down payment assistance, closing cost assistance, affordable mortgage programs, and homebuyer education. Start with your state’s official housing finance agency and confirm current program requirements.

Do all first-time home buyers qualify for down payment assistance?

No. Eligibility depends on the specific program. Requirements may include income limits, purchase-price limits, credit or underwriting standards, occupancy rules, homebuyer education, and use of an approved lender. Some programs also have funding limits.

Can I qualify as a first-time home buyer if I previously owned a house?

Possibly. Some programs consider buyers who have not owned a primary residence within a specified period, often three years, to be first-time buyers. Other programs use different definitions or eligibility rules. Confirm the definition used by the specific program.

Does down payment assistance have to be repaid?

It depends on the program. Assistance may take the form of a grant, forgivable loan, deferred-payment loan, or repayable loan. Review repayment conditions, forgiveness requirements, and what happens if you sell or refinance the property.

How much money should I save before buying my first home?

There is no single amount that applies to everyone. Your savings target should account for the expected down payment, closing costs, moving expenses, initial repairs, and an emergency reserve. The required amount depends on the purchase price, loan program, and your financial circumstances.

Where can I find official first-time home buyer resources?

Start with your state’s housing finance agency, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. These resources can help you research programs, find housing counseling, and understand the mortgage process.

How can I determine whether I can afford my first home?

Estimate your monthly housing costs, including principal, interest, property taxes, homeowners insurance, applicable mortgage insurance, and HOA fees. Also account for maintenance, utilities, debt payments, and other financial goals. Use a home-buying calculator as an initial estimate and discuss your situation with a qualified mortgage lender.