A little help can go a long way when it comes to buying your first home. Applying for a mortgage and saving up for a down payment can feel intimidating at best, impossible at worst. Fortunately, there are first time home buyer programs designed to make the process a little less stressful — you just need to know what they are and where to look.

With the help of Joseph Baylis, a top agent and first-time homebuyer extraordinaire based in Trenton, New Jersey, we’re giving you a rundown of the best first-time buyer programs that are available as of October 2021.

Now that we’ve covered the basics and disclaimers, let’s take a closer look at actual first-time homebuyer programs.

  • FHA loans
  • USDA rural housing loans
  • VA loans
  • HUD homes
  • Good Neighbor Next Door
  • Section 184 Indian Home Loan Guarantee
  • VA Native American Direct Loan
  • FHA Section 203(k)
  • Fannie Mae HomePath and HomeReady
  • Freddie Mac HomeOne
  • Freddie Mac Home Possible
  • Down payment assistance grants
  • Down payment assistance loans
  • Homeownership vouchers
  • State housing agencies
  • Local housing authorities
  • Conventional loans

As Cash Offers Rise, Here's How First-Time and Financed Buyers Can Compete
Provided by 16 First Time Home Buyer Programs to Help With the Down Payment, Mortgage, and More