Identify assistance programs available for the property location and buyer situation.
Down Payment Assistance Programs That Reduce Upfront Costs
Reduce the cash you may need at closing through available down payment assistance options, including grants, forgivable structures, deferred-payment assistance, and lender-provided programs. Availability, eligibility, and terms vary by program and borrower.
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Licensed in 7 States
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HOW DPA WORKS
How Does Down Payment Assistance Fit Into a Home Purchase?
Down payment assistance can help eligible homebuyers reduce the amount of cash needed upfront for a home purchase. Depending on the program, assistance may be used toward the down payment and, in some cases, closing costs.
The assistance program and the first mortgage need to work together. Not every assistance program can be paired with every mortgage option, so it is important to identify available programs and structure the financing before you shop for a home.
Find Available Programs
Review Eligibility
Review the program’s income, purchase price, occupancy, buyer-status, and other eligibility requirements.
Match the First Mortgage
Determine which mortgage options can be combined with the assistance program.
Compare the Full Structure
Review the assistance amount, repayment requirements, first-mortgage terms, and cash needed at closing before deciding.
ASSISTANCE TYPES
What Types of Down Payment Assistance May Be Available?
Down payment assistance is not one single type of program. The structure matters because different forms of assistance can have different repayment requirements and long-term considerations.
Grants
Grants provide funds toward eligible down payment or closing costs and generally do not need to be repaid. They can reduce the amount of cash needed upfront, with eligibility and availability determined by the specific program.
Repayment: Generally none.
Important to know: Eligibility and availability vary by program.
Forgivable Loans
Forgivable loans provide assistance through a subordinate loan that can be forgiven after specific program conditions are satisfied, such as occupying the home as a primary residence for a required period.
Repayment: May not be required if forgiveness conditions are met.
Important to know: Forgiveness depends on the program’s specific terms.
Deferred-Payment Loans
Deferred-payment loans provide assistance through a second mortgage with repayment postponed until a specified event under the program terms, such as selling or refinancing the home.
Repayment: Deferred until a specified event.
Important to know: Deferred does not mean forgiven.
Keep in mind: Program availability, requirements, and assistance amounts vary by location and change over time.
CHOOSING AN OPTION
Is Down Payment Assistance Right for You?
Down payment assistance can make buying a home more affordable by reducing the cash you need upfront.
Before choosing a program, it’s important to understand how it works and how it fits your long-term goals.
Think Beyond the Upfront Amount
How much help is available
Compare assistance amounts and what costs it can cover.
What comes next
Some programs must be repaid. Know the terms.
Which loan options work
Programs may have first-mortgage requirements.
What you need to qualify
Income limits, education, and other rules apply.
We compare your options across multiple lenders so you see the real numbers before you decide.
THE BROKER ADVANTAGE
One Broker. Many Down Payment Assistance Options.
Down payment assistance programs vary by location, eligibility, repayment terms, and the type of first mortgage they can be paired with. The amount of assistance is only one part of the decision.
We are independent. We compare eligible mortgage options across our lender network and help you review the down payment assistance programs available for your situation. Then we show you how the assistance, first mortgage, cash needed at closing, and long-term terms work together.
If a different loan structure or an option with less assistance makes more sense for your overall financing, we will tell you that too.
DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE FAQ
Questions Buyers Ask About Assistance Programs
What is down payment assistance?
Down payment assistance covers grants, forgivable loans, and deferred-payment second mortgages that reduce the cash you need at closing. Programs are offered by state housing agencies, local governments, and some lenders. Availability and terms vary by state and by program, and they change over time.
Do I have to pay down payment assistance back?
It depends on the program. Grants generally do not have to be repaid. Forgivable loans are written off after you live in the home for a set period. Deferred-payment second mortgages are repaid when you sell or refinance. Knowing which type you are taking is essential, and we make sure you do.
Who qualifies for down payment assistance?
Most programs set income limits by county and household size, and many require a homebuyer education course. Some are restricted to first-time buyers, though first-time is often defined as not having owned a home in the past three years, which includes more people than expected.
Can I use assistance with an FHA or conventional loan?
Yes. Assistance programs are designed to layer on top of a first mortgage, most commonly FHA, conventional, USDA, or VA. Not every assistance program pairs with every first mortgage, so the two have to be structured together from the start rather than added on later.
What down payment assistance is available in Oregon?
Down payment assistance availability in Oregon varies by program, location, funding, borrower eligibility, and first-mortgage requirements. We will review the options currently available through Mortgage Marketplace for your situation.
Does using assistance mean a higher interest rate?
Sometimes the first mortgage tied to an assistance program carries a slightly higher rate than a standard loan. Whether that trade is worth it depends on how long you plan to hold the loan and how much assistance you receive. We will show you both scenarios so the choice is yours.
Am I a first-time buyer if I owned a home years ago?
Very possibly. Many programs define a first-time buyer as someone who has not owned a principal residence in the past three years. Previous ownership does not automatically disqualify you. It is worth asking rather than assuming you are ineligible.
How do I apply for down payment assistance?
Start with a conversation, because the assistance program and the first mortgage have to be matched before you shop. Our licensed mortgage professionals will confirm which assistance options available through Mortgage Marketplace may fit your situation, what they require, and how they affect your cash needed at closing. We are licensed in Oregon, California, Washington, Idaho, Texas, Florida, and Montana, with offices in Salem and Eugene, Oregon.
Ready to Compare Down Payment Assistance Options?
We’ll compare the assistance programs and mortgage options available for your situation, then show you how the upfront costs, repayment terms, and first mortgage work together before you decide.