Buying your first home in Washington is more achievable than most people think, even with a statewide median price north of $600,000. Between assistance from the Washington State Housing Finance Commission, veteran-specific benefits, and city-level grants, qualifying buyers can access tens of thousands of dollars in support before they even step foot in a home.
This guide breaks down the major programs available to first-time homebuyers in Washington in 2026, including options specifically for veterans, so you know exactly where to start.
What Counts as a “First-Time Homebuyer” in Washington?
You do not have to be a literal first-time buyer to qualify for most of these programs. In Washington, you are generally considered a first-time homebuyer if you have not owned and occupied a home as your primary residence in the past three years. That means if you sold a home years ago and have been renting since, you likely still qualify.
The three-year requirement is typically waived for buyers purchasing in a federally designated target area, and veterans are often exempt from the first-time buyer requirement entirely.
Statewide Programs
Home Advantage (WSHFC)
Run by the Washington State Housing Finance Commission, Home Advantage is the state’s primary first-time buyer program. It pairs a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage, often priced below market rate, with a down payment assistance second mortgage of roughly 4% of the loan amount at 0% interest, deferred for up to 30 years. The first mortgage supports FHA, VA, USDA, and conventional financing.
To qualify:
- Must be a first-time buyer (exceptions apply for veterans and target-area purchases)
- Meet household income limits, which vary by county and household size, with higher limits in King, Snohomish, and Pierce counties. Check the current limit for your county on WSHFC’s income limits page.
- Purchase price limits also vary by county: see the same WSHFC limits page for current figures in your area.
- Credit score of 620 or higher
- Complete a WSHFC-approved homebuyer education course
House Key Opportunity / Opportunity DPA (WSHFC)
This program pairs the House Key Opportunity first mortgage with the Opportunity Downpayment Assistance loan, offering up to $15,000 toward down payment and closing costs at 1% interest, deferred for 30 years. Income limits are generally lower than Home Advantage, and it’s a solid option for buyers who need help getting into a lower price point.
Covenant Homeownership Program (WSHFC)
One of the more significant programs available in the country, this initiative addresses Washington’s documented history of racially restrictive housing covenants. It provides 0% interest down payment assistance of up to $150,000 or 20% of the home’s purchase price, whichever is less, for eligible buyers from historically excluded communities.
Eligibility generally requires that the buyer, a parent, or a grandparent lived in Washington before 1968. If household income is at or below 80% of area median income (AMI) at the time of the loan, the assistance can be fully forgiven after five years of homeownership. It can be layered with Home Advantage or House Key Opportunity.
HomeChoice DPA (WSHFC)
Designed for buyers with a disability, or those with a disabled family member in the household, HomeChoice offers up to $15,000 in down payment assistance at 0% interest with no monthly payments, paired with either Home Advantage or House Key Opportunity.
EnergySpark
Buyers purchasing or building an energy-efficient home may qualify for an interest rate reduction on top of a WSHFC first mortgage. It’s a smaller benefit but stacks with the programs above.
Note: Program availability, income limits, and assistance amounts change regularly and are administered through participating lenders, so confirm current terms with a WSHFC-approved lender before applying.
Veteran-Specific Programs
Washington offers substantial homebuying benefits for its nearly 500,000 veterans, on top of the federal VA loan.
VA Loan (Federal)
The VA loan is one of the most powerful tools available to eligible veterans, active-duty service members, and surviving spouses. Key advantages:
- No down payment required
- No private mortgage insurance (PMI)
- Competitive interest rates, generally below conventional financing
- Flexible credit requirements
Veterans with a VA service-connected disability rating are exempt from the VA funding fee, which otherwise applies as a percentage of the loan amount. That’s a meaningful upfront savings on any purchase.
Veterans Downpayment Assistance Loan Program (WSHFC)
This WSHFC program pairs with the Home Advantage first mortgage to provide additional down payment assistance specifically for eligible veterans, at a low deferred interest rate. It’s designed to work alongside, not replace, federal VA loan benefits.
Disabled Veteran Property Tax Exemption
Washington provides a property tax exemption for veterans rated 80% or more disabled by the VA. The reduction is based on the veteran’s income, the property’s assessed value, and local levy rates. A related Property Tax Assistance Program is available for surviving spouses of veterans.
Veterans Innovation Program (VIP) and County Veteran Funds
For veterans facing homelessness or financial hardship, the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) administers additional assistance programs, alongside county-level veteran relief funds.
Eligibility across these programs generally requires Washington residency and meeting a service criterion, such as active-duty status, Washington National Guard membership, qualifying reserve service, or veteran status with a qualifying discharge. Contact WDVA directly to confirm current eligibility and funding availability.
City and County-Level Assistance Programs
Beyond state programs, several Washington cities and counties offer their own down payment and closing cost assistance. Amounts and terms change as funding cycles open and close, so treat the figures below as a starting point and verify current availability directly with each program.
| City/County | Assistance | Notes |
| Seattle | Down payment assistance through the Office of Housing, often deferred 30 years or structured with shared appreciation | For income-eligible first-time buyers within city limits; also partners with nonprofits like HomeSight and Habitat for Humanity |
| Tacoma | Up to $60,000 | No-interest, 25-year deferred loan for first-time buyers within Tacoma city limits |
| Bellingham | Up to $40,000 | Deferred loan, paired with WSHFC first mortgage |
| King County | Assistance for buyers in Auburn, Federal Way, Tukwila, and unincorporated areas | Low-interest, 30-year deferred loan; income at or below 80% AMI |
| Snohomish County / Everett | Assistance for first-time buyers countywide | Deferred loan; homebuyer education required |
| Clark County / Vancouver | Down payment assistance re-launched with limited annual funding | Contact Clark County or WSHFC for current availability |
| Spokane | No dedicated city DPA program | Spokane Neighborhood Action Partners (SNAP) offers homebuyer counseling and can identify which county, state, or nonprofit assistance a buyer may qualify for |
Most city and county programs require a homebuyer education course and income within a set percentage of the area median income. Availability is subject to annual funding, so applying early in a funding cycle matters.
Can You Stack Multiple Programs?
Yes, and in many cases you should. Veterans in particular can layer benefits effectively. For example, a veteran buying a home in Tacoma could combine a VA loan (no down payment), the WSHFC Veterans Downpayment Assistance Loan Program, and a city-level grant, potentially closing with very little out of pocket.
Just make sure your lender is experienced with program layering. Not all lenders are WSHFC-approved or know how to combine local and state assistance with VA financing, and using the wrong one can delay or complicate closing.
Where to Start
1. Check your VA eligibility and obtain your Certificate of Eligibility (COE) at va.gov or through your PJMC lender
2. For Washington veteran benefits, visit the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs at dva.wa.gov
3. Find a WSHFC-approved lender to explore Home Advantage, Opportunity, Covenant, and HomeChoice options at wshfc.org
4. Look up your city or county’s housing department for local assistance programs
5. Complete a WSHFC-approved homebuyer education course, which is required by most programs and available through heretohome.org
Washington has a lot to offer first-time buyers, and the programs above are a strong place to start. If you have questions about how these programs might work with your mortgage, reach out to a Perry Johnson Mortgage Company loan specialist. We work with buyers across Washington every day and can help you figure out which combination of benefits makes the most sense for your situation.
Information current as of July 2026. Program terms, income limits, assistance amounts, and funding availability are subject to change. Always verify details with a licensed lender or program administrator before applying.