Down Payment Assistance (DPA)
Combine grants/credits with FHA/Conventional to reduce or eliminate upfront down payment.
0–3%+ with grants/credits down
Program Details
Minimum Down0–3%+ with grants/credits
Credit ScoreVaries by program and agency
DTI RatioVaries
PMI/MIPDepends on selected program
Rate CapsIncome/price caps may apply
Key Benefits
- Grants and credits
- Lower monthly costs
- Paths to 0% with VA/USDA (eligibility required)
Program Tags
first-timedpa
Who It's Best For
- First‑time buyers
- Grant/DPA eligible buyers
Advantages
- Lower down payment
- Potential grants/credits
- Reduced MI options
Considerations
- •Income or property restrictions may apply
- •Education requirements
Eligibility Requirements
- No homeownership in the past 3 years (exceptions may apply)
- Income/price caps may apply
- Homebuyer education often required
Additional Requirements
- Underwrite to chosen program
- Complete required education course
- Verify grant/DPA eligibility
Pro Tips
- Compare Conventional 3% vs. FHA 3.5%
- Ask about state and local DPA grants
Also Known As
FTHB
Generally if you haven’t owned a home in 3 years (some exceptions apply).
Often yes; rules vary by program.
Calculate Your Payment
Use our interactive calculators to estimate your monthly payment and see how much you could save.
Payment Example
Loan amount
$475,000
Est. P&I
$3,160/mo
Estimate only. Taxes, insurance, HOA, MI/MIP, and points/credits not included. Not a commitment to lend.
Scenario Snapshot
Down payment
$60,000
Loan amount
$540,000
Typical Documents
- Last 30 days of pay stubs or income docs
- Last 2 years W-2s or 1099s (as applicable)
- Most recent 2 months of bank statements
- Government-issued ID
Exact items vary by program and scenario.
Loan Limits (Estimate)
Use your ZIP to check your state and review baseline limits. County limits may be higher.
Enter a ZIP to detect your state. County-specific limits vary.
Conforming baseline (1‑unit)$766,550
FHA floor (1‑unit)$498,257
FHA ceiling (1‑unit)$1,149,825
Actual county/metro limits vary. See official resources at FHFA and HUD.
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