Down payment assistance · All 50 states
Down Payment Assistance: Every Way to Get Help Buying a Home
The down payment is the biggest hurdle. There are more ways over it than most people know.
Assistance programs, grants, gift funds, seller credits, $0-down loans, buydowns and tax credits can each cover part of what you'd otherwise bring to closing. Learn how they work in six short lessons, earn your Down Payment Ready certificate, and we'll match you to the programs you may qualify for.
What is down payment assistance? Down payment assistance (DPA) is money that helps homebuyers cover the down payment or closing costs. It usually comes from a state housing finance agency, a county or city program, or a lender grant, and it's most often structured as a second mortgage that's deferred, forgiven over time, or repaid when you sell or refinance. Most programs have income limits, purchase price limits, credit requirements and homebuyer education, and many are for first-time buyers, generally meaning you haven't owned a home in the last three years. The Galli Team at Novus Home Mortgage helps buyers combine assistance with FHA, VA, USDA and conventional loans in all 50 states.
Types of help
Seven ways to cover your down payment.
Assistance second mortgages
A second loan for your down payment or closing costs. Many have 0% interest and no monthly payment, and are repaid when you sell, refinance or move out. Some are forgiven over time.
Grants
Help you generally don't repay, offered by some housing agencies and lenders. Often smaller and tied to income limits.
Gift funds
Family members can usually gift money toward your down payment with a signed gift letter. Some programs allow other donors too.
Seller credits
The seller pays part of your closing costs, prepaid taxes and insurance. Each loan type caps how much they can contribute. Buydowns →
$0-down loans
VA loans for eligible veterans and USDA loans in eligible areas require no down payment at all. USDA →
Low-down loans
Conventional loans from 3% down and FHA from 3.5% down shrink the amount you need in the first place.
Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC)
Where offered, an MCC gives an annual federal tax credit for part of the mortgage interest you pay, which can help you qualify and save each year.
Compare
How the main options stack up.
| Option | Do you repay it? | Typical limits | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deferred 0% second | Yes, when you sell, refinance or move out | Income, price, first-time buyer | No monthly payment |
| Forgivable second | Only if you leave before it's forgiven | Income, price, occupancy | Forgiven over a set number of years |
| Grant | Generally no | Income limits | Often paired with a specific first mortgage |
| Gift funds | No | Donor rules by loan type | Needs a gift letter and paper trail |
| Seller credit | No | FHA up to 6%; VA 4% concessions; conventional 3–9% | Negotiated in your offer |
| VA / USDA | No down payment to repay | Eligibility or location and income | $0 down |
Conventional seller credit limits depend on down payment and occupancy. Program terms change; we confirm current rules when you apply.
Down Payment Academy
Six lessons. One certificate.
Each lesson takes about a minute and ends with one question. Finish all six to earn your Down Payment Ready certificate, then we'll match you to the programs that fit.
By state & county
Find programs where you're buying.
Florida
Statewide Florida Housing programs plus county help in Sarasota, Manatee and beyond. Florida programs →
Manatee County
Local down payment assistance for eligible buyers purchasing in Manatee County. Manatee program →
Buying somewhere else? We're licensed in all 50 states and will check your state and county programs.
"Most buyers are closer than they think. Stack a low-down loan with assistance, a seller credit or a family gift, and the number you need at closing can shrink fast."Chris Galli · Region Manager · Novus Home Mortgage · NMLS #13152
Get matched · No hard credit pull
Let's find the help you qualify for.
Tell us where you're buying. We'll check state, county and lender programs and show you how much you may be able to save at closing.
Rather talk now? Call (941) 529-1040 or book a call.
Quick answers
Down payment assistance FAQ.
What is down payment assistance?
Do I have to pay back down payment assistance?
Who qualifies for down payment assistance?
Can I combine down payment assistance with other help?
Can family gift me money for a down payment?
Is there down payment assistance for veterans?
What is the Down Payment Ready certificate?
Ready when you are
One call. A real answer.
Fifteen minutes with Chris or the team, no hard credit pull, and you'll know which programs you may qualify for and what to do next.