First-Time Home Buyer Programs by State

Down payment and closing cost assistance, special loans with reduced interest rates, and much more are available to first-timers. Learn about the resources and participating lenders in your area.

Exploring local and national first-time home buyer assistance programs is an important step in the journey to homeownership.

Many state housing authorities combine down payment grants — or no-down-payment mortgages — with favorable interest rates and even federal tax breaks. These first-time home buyer assistance programs boost buyers’ chances of owning homes in particular geographic areas, or help borrowers in certain professions, such as educators, first responders, or active-duty military and veterans.

» FIND: Best mortgage lenders for first-time home buyers

Buying a first home is a big deal, so it’s natural to feel a bit overwhelmed. See our tips for first-time home buyers to get an overview of what to do, mistakes to avoid and links to more resources.

Find first-time home buyer programs and lenders in your state

Northeast

First-time home buyer programs	Participating lenders
Connecticut	CHFA lenders
Maine	MaineHousing lenders
Massachusetts	MassHousing lenders
New Hampshire	New Hampshire Housing lenders
New Jersey	NJHMFA lenders
New York	SONYMA lenders
Pennsylvania	PHFA lenders
Rhode Island	Rhode Island Housing lenders
Vermont	VHFA lenders

Midwest

First-time home buyer programs	Participating lenders
Illinois	IHDA lenders
Indiana	IHCDA lenders
Iowa	Iowa Finance Authority lenders
Kansas	KHRC lenders
Michigan	MSHDA lenders
Minnesota	MHFA lenders
Missouri	MHDC lenders
Nebraska	NIFA lenders
North Dakota	NDHFA lenders
Ohio	Ohio Housing Finance Agency lenders
South Dakota	South Dakota Housing lenders
Wisconsin	WHEDA lenders

South

First-time home buyer programs	Participating lenders
Alabama	AHFA lenders
Arkansas	ADFA lenders
Delaware	Delaware State Housing Authority lenders
District of Columbia	DCHFA lenders
Florida	FHFC lenders
Georgia	Georgia Dream lenders
Kentucky	Kentucky Housing lenders
Louisiana	Louisiana Housing Corporation lenders
Maryland	Maryland DHCD lenders
Mississippi	Mississippi Home Corporation lenders
North Carolina	NCHFA lenders
Oklahoma	OHFA lenders
South Carolina	SC Housing lenders
Tennessee	THDA lenders
Texas	TDHCA lenders
Virginia	VHDA lenders
West Virginia	West Virginia Housing lenders

West

First-time home buyer programs	Participating lenders
Alaska	AHFC lenders
Arizona	Arizona Department of Housing lenders
California	CalHFA lenders
Colorado	CHFA lenders
Hawaii	HHFDC lenders
Idaho	Idaho Housing and Finance lenders
Montana	Montana Housing lenders
Nevada	Nevada Housing Division lenders
New Mexico	MFA New Mexico lenders
Oregon	OHCS lenders
Utah	Utah Housing Corp lenders
Washington	WSHFC lenders
Wyoming	Wyoming CDA lenders

Other first-time home buyer resources

In addition to exploring local and national first-time home buyer programs, you’ll also want to calculate how much home you can afford, prepare your credit and get to know the mortgage lending landscape, where hundreds of banks, credit unions and mortgage companies compete.

Lenders vary by loan offerings, customer service, credit requirements and fees. Understanding the options will help you get a foothold. See our 5 tips for finding the best mortgage lenders to learn more.

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