State-by-State: Where First-Time Buyers Get the Best Deals

• 3% down payment grant
• Plus $2,500 closing costs
• 640+ credit score

Hometown Heroes:

• For essential workers
• 5% down payment assistance
• Lower interest rates

Bonus: No state income tax saves thousands annually

6. Texas - Everything's Bigger

My First Texas Home:

• Up to 5% down payment grant
• 30-year fixed rates
• 620+ credit score

Texas Heroes Program:

• For teachers, police, veterans
• Up to $8,000 grant
• Below-market rates

TSAHC Programs:

• 5% total assistance available
• Home buyer education credit
• Additional $2,000 for completing course

Tax Benefits: No state income tax, but property taxes higher

7. Colorado - Mountain State Deals

CHFA Down Payment Assistance:

• Up to $25,000 grant
• Never needs repayment
• Combined with low rates

Metro Mortgage Assistance Plus:

• 4% down payment grant
• For metro Denver area
• Income limits generous

8. Pennsylvania - Keystone Advantages

HOMEstead Program:

• Up to $10,000 grant
• Never repay if stay 10 years
• Statewide availability

Keystone Advantage:

• Below-market rates
• $6,000 assistance loan
• 10-year forgiveness

9. Ohio - Midwest Value

Ohio Heroes Program:

• 2.5% down payment discount
• For military, medical, teachers
• 50% discount on PMI

Grants for Grads:

• 2.5% down payment
• 0.5% rate reduction
• For recent college graduates

10. Washington - West Coast Support

Home Advantage DPA:

• Up to $15,000 assistance
• Second mortgage option
• Deferred payment available

Opportunity Grant:

• Up to 4% down payment
• True grant in some areas
• Income based forgiveness

State-by-State Quick Reference Guide

Northeast Region

Connecticut:

• $15,000 down payment assistance
• Below-market rates through CHFA
• Time to Own program for millennials

Massachusetts:

• ONE Mortgage: No PMI ever
• Up to $25,000 assistance
• Buy cities program extra help

New Jersey:

• $10,000 down payment assistance
• Police/Fire extra $5,000
• Urban areas additional programs

Vermont:

• ASSIST program: $5,000 grant
• Rural areas extra benefits
• Energy efficiency credits

New Hampshire:

• Cash assistance up to 3%
• Tax credit certificates
• Home Flex Plus program

Rhode Island:

• Up to $15,000 assistance
• First Down program
• Extra for energy-efficient homes

Maine:

• $3,500 First Home loan
• Mobile home specific programs
• Island/rural extra assistance

Southeast Region

Virginia:

• Up to $12,000 grant
• Veterans extra benefits
• No first-time requirement some programs

North Carolina:

• NC 1st Home Advantage: 3% down
• Up to $8,000 assistance
• Heroes program for essential workers

South Carolina:

• $6,000 down payment help
• Palmetto Heroes for veterans
• Teachers/nurses extra benefits

Georgia:

• $7,500 down payment assistance
• GOAT program for recent grads
• PEN program for professionals

Tennessee:

• Great Choice Plus: $6,000 grant
• 100% financing available
• Hardest Hit Fund assistance

Alabama:

• $10,000 down payment help
• Step Up program
• Rural areas extra assistance

Mississippi:

• $6,000 Smart Solution grant
• Rural help extra $2,500
• Lower rates statewide

Louisiana:

• $55,000 Resilience program
• Soft second mortgages
• Delta 100 for rural parishes

Arkansas:

• $10,000 down payment assistance
• ADFA Move-Up program
• Extra for targeted areas

Kentucky:

• $6,000 down payment grant
• DAP second mortgage
• Teacher Next Door extra

West Virginia:

• $10,000 down payment loan
• Movin' Up program
• Federal workers priority

Midwest Region

Michigan:

• $10,000 down payment loan
• Step Forward program
• Detroit specific: $25,000

Indiana:

• 3.5% down payment help
• Next Home program
• Teachers extra 1% grant

Wisconsin:

• $3,500 Easy Close advantage
• Capital Access down payment
• Veterans extra benefits

Minnesota:

• $17,000 Start Up loan
• Step Up program rates
• Monthly Payment Loan option

Iowa:

• $2,500 grant program
• Military Homeownership
• Homes for Iowans rates

Missouri:

• $3,000 Cash Assistance
• Next Step program
• First Place loan benefits

North Dakota:

• $8,000 down payment grant
• Start program assistance
• Rural advantage extra

South Dakota:

• $5,000 down payment loan
• First-time buyer program
• Sweet Spot second mortgage

Nebraska:

• $10,000 down payment help
• First Home program
• Homebuyer Assistance extra

Kansas:

• $5,000 down payment grant
• First Time Homebuyer program
• Rural opportunities extra

Mountain West Region

Montana:

• $6,000 down payment help
• Veterans extra assistance
• Rural advantage programs

Idaho:

• $15,000 second mortgage
• Finally Home! program
• Good Credit Rewards rate

Wyoming:

• $10,000 down payment loan
• Spruce Up program
• Energy assistance extra

Utah:

• $20,000 FirstHome loan
• Score loan assistance
• NoMI program benefits

Nevada:

• $10,000 down payment grant
• Home at Last program
• Heroes assistance extra

Arizona:

• HOME Plus program: 4% grant
• $15,000 maximum assistance
• Heroes extra benefits

New Mexico:

• $8,000 down payment grant
• FirstDown program
• Homewise assistance extra

West Coast Region

Oregon:

• $15,000 cash advantage
• Rate Advantage program
• Flex Lending extra help

Alaska:

• Interest rate reduction
• Closing cost assistance
• Rural owner programs

Hawaii:

• 3% down payment loans
• HHFDC programs
• Hula Mae advantage rates

How to Maximize Your State's Programs

Step 1: Layer Programs

Combine multiple programs:

• State down payment assistance
• +County programs
• +City programs
• +Employer assistance
• =Maximum benefit

Step 2: Income Timing

Many programs have income limits. Time your application:

• Before raises or bonuses
• Use previous year's lower income
• Exclude one-time income

Calculate affordability with the 28/36 rule.

Step 3: Location Strategy

• Target areas get extra assistance
• Rural zones qualify for USDA
• Urban renewal areas have bonuses

Step 4: Occupation Advantages

Essential workers get extra in most states:

• Teachers: Extra 1-3%
• Healthcare: Special programs
• First responders: Rate discounts
• Veterans: Stack with VA benefits

Common Requirements Across States

First-Time Buyer Definition

• Haven't owned in 3 years, or
• Single parent, or
• Displaced homemaker

Education Requirements

• 8-hour online course typical
• Some states give extra money for completion
• Valid for 12 months usually

Occupancy Rules

• Must be primary residence
• Move in within 60 days
• Stay 3-10 years typically

Property Requirements

• Price limits vary by area
• Must pass inspection
• New or existing homes OK

Hidden Programs Most Miss

Employer Assistance

Many employers offer:

• $5,000-15,000 grants
• Forgivable loans
• Rate discounts

County/City Programs

Local programs often better than state:

• Higher income limits
• More money available
• Fewer applicants

Nonprofit Assistance

• NACA: No down payment, no fees
• Habitat for Humanity: Sweat equity
• Local housing nonprofits

Credit Union Programs

• Member-only benefits
• Lower rates
• Flexible qualifying

Application Strategy by State Type

High-Cost States (CA, NY, MA)

• Stack every program possible
• Target specific neighborhoods
• Consider nearby counties
• Look for workforce housing

Growth States (TX, FL, AZ)

• Apply early—funds run out
• New construction often excluded
• Builder incentives might be better

Midwest States (OH, MI, IN)

• Generous programs, less competition
• Urban areas get extra
• Stack with employer programs

Rural States (WY, MT, ND)

• USDA loans often best
• State programs supplement
• Energy efficiency bonuses

Combine with strategies from our USDA guide.

When Programs Run Out

Many state programs are first-come, first-served:

Best Times to Apply

• January: New funding cycles
• July: Mid-year refunding
• October: End-of-year push

Worst Times

• March-June: Spring rush
• August-September: Back-to-school
• December: Funds depleted

Time purchases using our Best Months analysis.

Your State Program Action Plan

1. Research all programs: State, county, city, employer
2. Check income limits: Apply before exceeding
3. Complete education: Required for most programs
4. Get pre-approved: Through approved lenders only
5. Apply early: Before funds exhausted
6. Stack programs: Combine for maximum benefit
7. Target areas: Extra assistance zones
8. Use your occupation: Heroes programs everywhere

The Bottom Line on State Programs

Your state likely offers thousands—possibly tens of thousands—in assistance you're not aware of. California buyers can get $40,000+. Maryland pays off student loans. Illinois offers true grants.

The difference between states is dramatic. California offers 10x what some states provide. But every state has something, and most buyers never claim it.

Don't be one of them. These programs exist to help you buy a home. Use them.

Start with our First-Time Buyer Guide for preparation, calculate what you can afford with the 28/36 rule, and use our Mortgage Calculator to see how assistance affects your payment.

Your state wants you to become a homeowner. Take the money they're offering and make it happen.