Virginia Down Payment Help: How to Get Money for Your First Home

When you're trying to buy your first home in Virginia, the biggest roadblock isn't your credit score or your job—it's the down payment. Most lenders want 3% to 20% of the home’s price upfront, and for a $300,000 house, that’s $9,000 to $60,000. That’s not something most people have sitting in a savings account. But here’s the good news: Virginia down payment help, state-backed programs that give money or low-interest loans to first-time buyers to cover part or all of their down payment. Also known as homebuyer assistance programs, these aren’t just myths—they’re real, active, and available to people who qualify. You don’t need to be rich. You don’t need a trust fund. You just need to know where to look.

These programs are run by the Virginia Housing Development Authority, the state agency that offers low-cost mortgages, down payment grants, and homebuyer education to Virginia residents. They work with local lenders and nonprofits to get money into the hands of teachers, nurses, police officers, and others who live and work in the community. Some programs give you cash that doesn’t have to be paid back. Others offer low-interest second mortgages that kick in only when you sell or refinance. There are even programs for people who earn too much for traditional aid but still can’t afford a 20% down payment. And yes, they work for condos, townhomes, and single-family homes—not just new builds.

You might be thinking, "Do I qualify?" The answer is probably yes—if you haven’t owned a home in the last three years, you’re likely eligible. Income limits vary by county, but in most places, a single person making under $90,000 or a family of four making under $110,000 qualifies. Some programs even let you combine help from Virginia Housing with FHA loans, which only need 3.5% down. That means you could buy a home with as little as $1,000 out of pocket if you get the right grant. And unlike private gifts from family, these programs don’t require you to pay it back unless you sell within five years.

There’s no magic trick. No secret website. Just a few steps: check your income, pick a home in an eligible area, take a free homebuyer class (yes, it’s required), and work with a lender who knows the Virginia programs inside and out. Most buyers don’t even know these options exist until they’re already rejected by a bank. Don’t let that be you. The money is there. The rules are clear. And the help is real.

Below, you’ll find real advice from people who’ve been there—how to apply, which programs are easiest to get, what documents you actually need, and how to avoid the common mistakes that delay approval. No fluff. No sales pitch. Just what works in Virginia right now.