08/20/2026
You do not need 20 percent down to buy a home. And if that number has been the reason you have been waiting, this is worth reading.
Most renters assume they need to save somewhere around $70,000 before they can even think about buying. But a 3.5 percent down payment on a $350,000 home is $12,250. That is a very different number. And thousands of down payment assistance programs running through state, county, and city housing agencies can cover part or all of that smaller number plus closing costs.
Many of these programs are grants or forgivable loans. And plenty of them are open to buyers who have owned a home before. First-time buyer often just means you have not owned in the last three years.
Here is what assistance can pay for: your down payment, closing costs and lender fees, and prepaid taxes and insurance. Awards range from a few thousand dollars to a set percentage of the purchase price depending on the program.
Who usually qualifies: household income under the program limit, purchase price under the program cap, credit score near 620 or above, and you plan to live in the home yourself.
What it costs you later depends entirely on the program. Some assistance is a grant you never repay. Some is a second loan forgiven after you stay in the home a set number of years. Some is only repaid when you sell or refinance. The program sets those terms, not the lender.
Three steps to get started. Check your numbers because your income, credit, and the county you are buying in determine which programs are open to you. Get pre-approved because assistance layers on top of a regular FHA, VA, USDA, or conventional loan. And take the required buyer course which is usually free, online, and finished in a few hours.
Find out what you qualify for. Reach out to Jet Timmons at Jet Mortgage for a free eligibility check.
Program funds, terms, and eligibility rules change without notice and are not guaranteed. This is for general information only and is not a commitment to lend. Equal Housing Opportunity.