Virginia Homebuyer Assistance

When you're trying to buy your first home in Virginia homebuyer assistance, state-sponsored programs designed to help low- and moderate-income buyers overcome down payment and closing cost barriers. Also known as Virginia housing grants, these programs don't just give money—they connect you with lower interest rates, counseling, and flexible loan options that banks won't always offer. This isn't about handouts. It's about leveling the playing field so someone earning $50,000 a year in Richmond or $60,000 in Norfolk can actually afford a three-bedroom townhouse without needing a family loan or selling a kidney.

Most of these programs are run by the Virginia Housing Development Authority, the state’s official housing finance agency that offers loans, grants, and education to first-time buyers. It’s the same agency behind the NCHFA model you might’ve heard about in North Carolina—but tailored for Virginia’s market. They work with local lenders, so you don’t need to jump through hoops with five different banks. You just pick a participating lender, get pre-approved, and see what assistance you qualify for. Some programs cover up to 5% of your down payment. Others reduce your interest rate by 0.25% to 0.5%, which can save you over $100 a month on a $250,000 mortgage.

Eligibility isn’t based on being perfect. It’s based on being real. Your credit score doesn’t need to be 800—many programs accept scores as low as 620. Your income doesn’t need to be six figures. In most counties, if you’re under $100,000 for a family of four, you’re in the running. And yes, you can still qualify if you’ve owned a home before—if it was in a rural area, you lost it to foreclosure, or you’re buying in a targeted neighborhood. There are even special programs for teachers, nurses, and first responders. The key? You have to use the home as your primary residence. No investment properties. No vacation homes. Just your place.

What you won’t find is a single website that tells you everything. That’s why the best way to start is by talking to a lender who works with Virginia Housing. They’ll run your numbers, check your credit, and tell you exactly which programs you qualify for—no guessing. You might get a grant that doesn’t need to be paid back, a second loan that kicks in after your first mortgage, or just a lower rate that makes the difference between "maybe" and "yes."

What’s Covered in the Posts Below

The articles below don’t just repeat what you’ll hear from a brochure. They show you how shared ownership works in Virginia, what lenders really look for when you’re on a $70,000 salary, and how to avoid the hidden fees that eat into your assistance. You’ll see real examples of people who used these programs, what went wrong for others, and how to talk to an agent without getting pushed into something you can’t afford. This isn’t theory. It’s what actually happens on the ground in Virginia—whether you’re looking at a fixer-upper in Roanoke or a new build in Fredericksburg.