Down Payment Assistance

Explore programs that may help you buy a home

Saving for a down payment can feel like one of the biggest obstacles to homeownership. Down payment assistance programs may help qualified homebuyers reduce upfront costs and make buying a home more affordable.

Our mortgage lenders can help you explore available programs, determine eligibility, and guide you through the process.

Contact a Mortgage Lender

Available Programs

Several down payment assistance programs may be available depending on your financial situation, where you're purchasing a home, and other eligibility requirements. Select a program to learn more.

Home$tart®

Grant funding to help with upfront homebuying costs

Home$tart® provides grant funds to eligible homebuyers that can be used toward a down payment and eligible closing costs. When program requirements are met, the funds do not need to be repaid.

Program Features

Grant funds for eligible homebuyers
Can be used toward a down payment and closing costs
Available through participating lenders
Household income guidelines apply

FirstHome Program

Assistance designed for first-time homebuyers

FirstHome helps eligible first-time homebuyers reduce the upfront costs of purchasing a home through financial assistance.

Program Features

Designed for first-time homebuyers
Helps reduce upfront homebuying costs
Income and purchase price guidelines apply
Primary residence required

Homes for Iowans

Affordable financing for Iowa homebuyers

Homes for Iowans offers affordable mortgage financing and may provide down payment assistance for eligible Iowa homebuyers.

Program Features

Iowa Finance Authority program
Affordable mortgage financing
Down payment assistance opportunities
Eligibility requirements apply

HomeReady®

Flexible financing with a lower down payment

HomeReady® is a conventional mortgage program that offers flexible qualifying guidelines and low down payment options for eligible borrowers.

Program Features

Low down payment options
Flexible qualifying guidelines
Conventional mortgage financing
Income guidelines may apply

Military Homeownership Assistance Program

Financial assistance for eligible military members and veterans

This program helps eligible service members and veterans with the costs of purchasing a home.

Program Features

Available to eligible military members and veterans
Assistance with home purchase costs
May help with down payment or closing costs
Program eligibility requirements apply

Local Housing Assistance Programs

Community programs that may help make homeownership more affordable

Some communities offer local assistance programs to help eligible homebuyers with down payment or closing costs.

Program Features

Available in select communities
Programs vary by location
Assistance amounts vary

Grant funding to help with upfront homebuying costs

Home$tart® provides grant funds to eligible homebuyers that can be used toward a down payment and eligible closing costs. When program requirements are met, the funds do not need to be repaid.

Program Features

Grant funds for eligible homebuyers
Can be used toward a down payment and closing costs
Available through participating lenders
Household income guidelines apply

Assistance designed for first-time homebuyers

FirstHome helps eligible first-time homebuyers reduce the upfront costs of purchasing a home through financial assistance.

Program Features

Designed for first-time homebuyers
Helps reduce upfront homebuying costs
Income and purchase price guidelines apply
Primary residence required

Affordable financing for Iowa homebuyers

Homes for Iowans offers affordable mortgage financing and may provide down payment assistance for eligible Iowa homebuyers.

Program Features

Iowa Finance Authority program
Affordable mortgage financing
Down payment assistance opportunities
Eligibility requirements apply

Flexible financing with a lower down payment

HomeReady® is a conventional mortgage program that offers flexible qualifying guidelines and low down payment options for eligible borrowers.

Program Features

Low down payment options
Flexible qualifying guidelines
Conventional mortgage financing
Income guidelines may apply

Financial assistance for eligible military members and veterans

This program helps eligible service members and veterans with the costs of purchasing a home.

Program Features

Available to eligible military members and veterans
Assistance with home purchase costs
May help with down payment or closing costs
Program eligibility requirements apply

Community programs that may help make homeownership more affordable

Some communities offer local assistance programs to help eligible homebuyers with down payment or closing costs.

Program Features

Available in select communities
Programs vary by location
Assistance amounts vary

Need Help Finding the Right Program?

Every home buyer’s situation is unique. Our mortgage lenders can help you compare available programs, determine which opportunities you may qualify for, and answer your questions along the way.

Contact a Mortgage Lender

Schedule an Appointment

First National Bank is a registered mortgage lender. NMLS# 447068.