Buying your first home in Ohio is more achievable than most people think, especially compared to many other states. Between statewide assistance from the Ohio Housing Finance Agency, rate discounts for public servants and veterans, and city-level grants in Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, and beyond, qualifying buyers can access 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 Ohio, including options specifically for veterans, so you know exactly where to start.
What Counts as a “First-Time Homebuyer” in Ohio?
You do not have to be a literal first-time buyer to qualify for most of these programs. In Ohio, 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 an OHFA-designated target area, and veterans are exempt from the first-time buyer requirement entirely across most programs.
Statewide Programs
Your Choice! Down Payment Assistance (OHFA)
Run by the Ohio Housing Finance Agency, Your Choice! is the state’s primary down payment assistance program. Buyers select either 2.5% or 5% of the purchase price as assistance, structured as a 0% interest, non-amortizing second mortgage. Choosing the smaller 2.5% option typically comes paired with a slightly lower first mortgage rate, while the 5% option provides more upfront help at a marginally higher rate. Either way, the assistance is forgiven in full after seven years of continuous owner-occupancy. If you sell or refinance before then, the remaining balance comes due.
To qualify:
- Must be a first-time buyer (exceptions apply for veterans and target-area purchases)
- Meet OHFA income limits, which vary by county and household size, with higher limits in counties like Franklin (Columbus) and Cuyahoga (Cleveland)
- Purchase price limits also vary by county
- Credit score of 640 or higher for conventional, USDA, or VA loans, or 650 or higher for FHA
- Complete OHFA-approved homebuyer education, either online or through a HUD-approved counseling agency
Ohio Heroes (OHFA)
Ohio Heroes offers a discounted mortgage interest rate to residents who serve their communities, including teachers, nurses and other healthcare workers, firefighters, police officers, and active-duty or veteran service members. Buyers using Ohio Heroes can layer on Your Choice! down payment assistance at the same 2.5% or 5% options, with the same seven-year forgiveness structure.
Grants for Grads (OHFA)
Designed for recent college graduates, this program offers the same 2.5% or 5% down payment assistance as Your Choice!, but with a shorter five-year forgiveness window instead of seven. It is available to buyers who completed an associate’s, bachelor’s, or graduate degree within the past four years.
Next Home (OHFA)
Unlike the programs above, Next Home is not limited to first-time buyers. It pairs a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage with the same down payment assistance structure, making it a solid option for repeat buyers who do not qualify for the other programs but still want help getting to the closing table.
Ohio Mortgage Tax Credit (MTC)
The Ohio MTC is a federal tax credit that lets qualifying buyers claim a portion of their annual mortgage interest, generally in the 20% to 40% range depending on the loan amount, as a credit against their federal tax liability. It runs for the life of the loan and stacks with the down payment assistance programs above, though it is often overlooked because the benefit shows up at tax time rather than at closing.
Note: Program availability, income limits, and assistance amounts change regularly and are administered through participating lenders, so confirm current terms with an OHFA-approved lender before applying.
Veteran-Specific Programs
Ohio is home to roughly 700,000 veterans, and the state offers meaningful benefits 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 is a meaningful upfront savings on any purchase.
Ohio Heroes for Veterans (OHFA)
Veterans and active or reserve service members qualify for the Ohio Heroes rate discount described above, and they are exempt from the standard three-year first-time buyer requirement. Surviving spouses of eligible veterans and service members may also qualify.
Disabled Veterans Enhanced Homestead Exemption
Ohio offers one of the more generous property tax benefits in the country for veterans with a 100% service-connected disability rating. The enhanced homestead exemption removes the first $50,000 or more of a home’s assessed value from property taxation (the exact figure adjusts periodically), which can mean a substantial reduction in annual housing costs. A surviving spouse of a qualifying veteran may also remain eligible. Applications are filed with your county auditor using Ohio Department of Taxation form DTE 105I.
County Veterans Service Offices
Ohio maintains veterans service offices in all 88 counties, offering assistance with benefits applications, emergency financial help, and referrals to local homeownership resources. Contact your county’s office directly to confirm current programs and eligibility.
Eligibility across these programs generally requires an honorable discharge and meeting a qualifying service criterion, such as active-duty status, Ohio National Guard membership, or qualifying reserve service. Confirm current requirements with your county auditor or the Ohio Department of Veterans Services.
City and County-Level Assistance Programs
Beyond state programs, several Ohio cities and counties offer their own down payment and closing cost assistance, typically funded through federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnership dollars. Amounts and availability 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 |
| Columbus | Up to $15,000 | HOME-funded; targets households below 80% AMI purchasing within Franklin County |
| Cleveland | Up to $17,000 | Down payment assistance plus a forgivable exterior improvement grant in designated neighborhoods |
| Cincinnati | Up to $10,000 | Funded through CDBG and HOME; the Port of Greater Cincinnati also runs neighborhood-specific incentives |
| Dayton | Up to 10% of purchase price | Zero-interest deferred second mortgage through the Dayton Down Payment Assistance Program |
| Toledo | Varies by household size and income | For eligible first-time buyers purchasing within city limits |
| Akron | Up to $7,500 | New HUD-funded program; funds and forgiveness terms still being finalized, so confirm current status with the city |
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 and public-service workers in particular can layer benefits effectively. For example, a teacher buying a home in Columbus could combine the Ohio Heroes rate discount, Your Choice! down payment assistance, and the city’s own homebuyer assistance program, potentially closing with very little out of pocket.
Just make sure your lender is experienced with program layering. Not all lenders are OHFA-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
- Get your Certificate of Eligibility (COE). More information can be found on PJMC’s VA Loan page.
- Find an OHFA-approved lender to explore Your Choice!, Ohio Heroes, Grants for Grads, and the Mortgage Tax Credit at myohiohome.org
- Complete OHFA-approved homebuyer education, which is required by most programs
Ohio 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 Ohio every day and can help you figure out which combination of benefits makes the most sense for your situation.
Information current as of publication. 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.