Explore Down Payment Assistance Programs: Find Help for Your Home Purchase

For many people, the biggest question isn't whether they want to own a home. It's whether they can actually afford one. The down payment can be a major obstacle, but the monthly mortgage payment can feel just as intimidating.

What if I told you there are down payment assistance programs that can provide up to 20% in assistance for eligible buyers?

I've personally had a client receive just under $100,000 in down payment assistance, and we were also able to negotiate a lower purchase price with the seller and have roughly $10,000 in closing costs covered.

That experience is one of the reasons I encourage buyers to explore their options before assuming homeownership is out of reach.

The tricky part is figuring out which programs are out there and whether you might qualify.

That’s why I’m sharing a tool I use with my buyers called Down Payment Connect.

Taking Some of the Guesswork Out of DPA

There are a lot of down payment assistance programs available, and they can have very different requirements. Some are based on income, some on location, some on household size, and others may have specific requirements for the type of buyer or property.

It can be a lot to sort through.

Down Payment Connect gives you a place to start. You answer a few questions about your household and financial circumstances, and the tool identifies programs that may be worth exploring.

I've actually tried it myself.

One feature I found especially helpful was that it doesn't just show you individual programs. It can also show you which programs may be used together, depending on their individual requirements.

That can be important because sometimes assistance programs can be layered or combined, potentially creating more options for an eligible buyer.

Of course, seeing a program listed doesn't mean you're automatically approved. Each program has its own guidelines, and your lender will need to verify eligibility and determine what works with your particular loan.

This Is a Tool I Use With My Buyers

I’m sharing it because I believe homeownership should be an option worth exploring for everyone, regardless of whether you're a first-time buyer, have a large amount saved, or are still trying to figure out how you're going to make the numbers work.

Sometimes the biggest hurdle is simply not knowing what options exist.

This tool can help you start that conversation.

And once you have an idea of what programs may be available, that's where having the right lending guidance becomes important.

My Lending Partners Know These Programs

I work with lending partners who are well-versed in down payment assistance programs

and understand how these programs work alongside different types of financing.

Some of my lending partners are also preferred lenders with Riverside County, which can be especially helpful for buyers looking at properties within the county.

They can help determine whether you actually qualify, explain the requirements, and walk through how the assistance would work with your specific loan.

Start With the Information, Not the Assumptions

You may qualify for assistance.

You may not.

You may qualify for one program, or potentially more than one that can be combined.

The point is that you won't know until you look.

I added the Down Payment Connect tool to my website so you can explore your options without having to figure out every program on your own.

Explore Down Payment Assistance Programs →

The link will take you to a third-party website where you'll answer a few questions and receive information about programs that may be available to you. Eligibility and program availability vary, and the results are not a guarantee of approval.

For me, this is really about education. Buying a home is a big decision, and I want my buyers to understand their options before deciding that homeownership isn't possible.

Don't count yourself out before you know what's available.

TL;DR

Down payment and monthly mortgage costs can make homeownership feel out of reach, but there may be assistance programs that can help. I use Down Payment Connect with my buyers to help take the guesswork out of finding programs they may qualify for, including programs that can potentially be combined.

I’ve personally had a client receive nearly $100,000 in down payment assistance, along with a lower negotiated purchase price and about $10,000 in closing costs covered. The bottom line: don’t assume you can’t afford to buy until you know what options are available to you.