Could down payment assistance help me?
Down payment assistance may help solve one of the biggest challenges of buying a home: the money needed upfront.
Keep some savings
You may be able to avoid using every available dollar to complete the purchase.
Use less cash upfront
Assistance may help with eligible down payment or closing costs.
Move forward sooner
If upfront cash is the obstacle, assistance may help you become ready sooner.
But assistance isn’t automatically free—and the amount offered is only part of the story.
What’s the catch?
Assistance can reduce the money you need upfront, but it usually comes with another set of terms. Depending on the program, it may affect your mortgage options, what you pay over time, or when the assistance must be repaid.
Repayable
Pay it back over time.
Monthly payments begin according to the loan terms.
Deferred
Pay it back later.
No monthly payment, but repayment is generally triggered by selling, refinancing, paying off the mortgage, or moving.
Forgivable
You may not have to repay it.
The balance may be forgiven over time if you meet the program’s requirements.
Every program has its own interest rate, repayment triggers, and occupancy rules—so the label alone doesn’t tell the whole story.
Can I actually get free money?
Sometimes—but it’s less common than the advertisements make it sound.
Forgivable programs do exist, but they’re usually designed for a narrower group of buyers and come with specific requirements. Many broadly available assistance programs are loans—even when they have no monthly payment.
How is eligibility determined?
You generally need to qualify for two things: the mortgage and the assistance program.
Mortgage eligibility
A lender reviews your income, employment, credit, debts, available funds, and the payment you’re taking on.
Program eligibility
Requirements may include household income, home price, property location, occupancy, homebuyer education, or first-time buyer status.
The amount of assistance you can receive depends on your mortgage, the program rules, and the total monthly payment.
What programs could help me?
Most Washington state assistance begins with one of two mortgage programs. From there, additional options may be available based on your income, background, location, disability, or military service.
Where does Washington assistance begin?
Home Advantage
A broad statewide option. You don’t have to be a first-time buyer, but income and loan requirements apply.
Specialized assistance
Covenant Homeownership, HomeChoice, and Veterans DPA serve buyers who meet additional eligibility requirements.
House Key Opportunity
Designed for first-time buyers with lower incomes. Limits vary by county and household size.
Local assistance
Programs such as ARCH (East King County) and Bellingham DPA may be available when the home is in a participating area.
Washington’s state assistance options are payment-deferred loans paired with an eligible state mortgage program. Program details and availability can change.
