First-Time Homebuyer Programs
First-Time Homebuyer Programs in Delaware (2026)
Delaware offers 2 first-time homebuyer programs that can reduce your upfront costs on a $368,400 home. The state's loan programs start with as little as 3% down — $11,052 — and the DSHA Preferred Plus Down Payment Assistance can cover up to $15,000 of that.
Max DPA assistance
$15,000
The largest grant or low-interest loan a state DPA program will put toward your down paymentHow much could these programs actually save you?
Delaware has 2 first-time buyer programs to choose from — the DSHA Preferred Plus Down Payment Assistance alone can put up to $15,000 toward your down payment.
New to this? Quick definitions
- First-time buyer —
- despite the name, this usually just means you haven't owned a primary residence in the past 3 years. You can qualify even if you owned a home before.
- DPA (down payment assistance) —
- a grant or low-interest loan that covers some or all of your down payment, so you don't have to save the whole amount yourself.
- FHA / USDA / VA loan —
- government-backed loan types with lower down payment and credit score requirements than a typical conventional loan. FHA is open to most buyers; USDA covers eligible rural areas; VA is for veterans and active military.
- Income limit —
- the maximum household income allowed to qualify for a program, usually set relative to the area's median income. Earn above it and you're not eligible, regardless of the home price.
- Homebuyer education requirement —
- a short course (often 6-8 hours, sometimes online) many programs require you to finish before closing. It's a checklist item, not a test you can fail out of.
- PMI / MIP —
- private mortgage insurance (conventional loans) or mortgage insurance premium (FHA loans) — an extra monthly cost required when your down payment is below 20%, protecting the lender, not you.
Delaware First-Time Buyer Programs at a Glance
2 state-administered programs currently available
Delaware State Housing Authority First-Time Homebuyer Loan
Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA)
Max Loan
$832,750
Min Down Payment
3% ($11,052)
Income limit: Up to $128,900–$185,200 depending on household size and county
First-time requirement: Must not have owned a primary residence in the past 3 years; minimum 620 credit score
Available through DSHA-approved lenders statewide; homebuyer education required
DSHA Preferred Plus Down Payment Assistance
Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA)
Max Assistance
$15,000
Repayment
Deferred — due on sale, refinance, or payoff of first mortgage
Income limit: Same as DSHA first mortgage income limits
First-time requirement: Must use DSHA first mortgage
Up to $15,000 for down payment and closing costs
Mistakes first-time buyers make
- Assuming "first-time buyer" means literally never having owned — most programs only require not owning in the past 3 years, so you may already qualify.
- Leaving the homebuyer education course until the last minute; it can take days to weeks to schedule and complete, and some programs won't let you close without it.
- Missing an application deadline or income-limit recheck because the DPA program is processed separately from the mortgage itself.
- Never comparing the state program against a plain FHA or conventional loan — sometimes the state option isn't actually the cheapest path.
Pro tips
- Find a lender approved for Delaware's specific state programs before you start shopping — not every mortgage lender participates.
- Ask whether you can combine a down payment assistance program with the first-time buyer mortgage program; many are designed to stack.
- Start the homebuyer education course as soon as you decide to buy, so it's already done by the time you're under contract.
- Double check the income limit against your household's gross income before falling in love with a program — limits are strict cutoffs, not guidelines.
Down Payment Scenarios at Delaware's Median Price
Based on $368,400 median home price
| Loan Type | Down % | Down Amount | Loan Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| State Program (Delaware State Housing Authority First-Time Homebuyer Loan)state program | 3% | $11,052 | $357,348 |
| FHA Loan | 3.5% | $12,894 | $355,506 |
| Conventional (3%) | 3% | $11,052 | $357,348 |
| Conventional (5%) | 5% | $18,420 | $349,980 |
| Conventional (20%) | 20% | $73,680 | $294,720 |
| DPA offset: DSHA Preferred Plus Down Payment Assistance can cover up to $15,000 of your down payment — reducing your 3% out-of-pocket from $11,052 to as low as $0. | |||
FHA vs. Conventional Payment Calculator
Pre-loaded with Delaware's median price of $368,400 and current rate of 6.4%
Mortgage Estimator
Delaware rates pre-loaded
Monthly Payment
$2,819
estimated all-in payment (PITI)
Tax and insurance estimates use national averages. For Delaware-specific numbers, see the full breakdown below.
Excludes HOA fees. Rates and costs are estimates; actual costs vary.
Full Calculator →Delaware Conforming Loan Limits (2026)
Loans above these limits require jumbo financing with stricter credit and reserve requirements
Standard Limit
$832,750
Most counties in Delaware
High-Cost Areas Limit
N/A
No FHFA high-cost designations in Delaware
How Much Home Can You Afford in Delaware?
Most programs require a debt-to-income ratio under 45%. Enter your income to see what you qualify for at 6.4%.
Mortgage Affordability Calculator
See what you can comfortably afford — not just what a lender will approve — at 6.4% with your income and debts.
Open Calculator →Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) in Delaware
Required on conventional loans with less than 20% down — typically 0.5%–1.5% of the loan per year until you reach 20% equity
At 5% Down
$292/mo
est. PMI at 1% rate
At 10% Down
$193/mo
est. PMI at 0.7% rate
PMI cancels automatically when your loan balance reaches 80% of original home value (78% per law). FHA loans carry MIP for the life of the loan unless you put 10%+ down.
PMI Calculator
Calculate your monthly private mortgage insurance cost and when it cancels — pre-loaded with Delaware's median home price of $368,400.
Open Calculator →How to Apply for Delaware First-Time Buyer Programs
- 1
Check your credit and DTI
Most Delaware programs require a minimum 620 credit score and DTI under 45%. Pull your free credit report at AnnualCreditReport.com and calculate your debt-to-income ratio before shopping lenders.
- 2
Find an approved lender
Delaware's state programs are only available through lenders approved by Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA). Visit the program website for the lender directory — not all mortgage lenders participate.
- 3
Complete homebuyer education
Many Delaware programs require a HUD-approved homebuyer education course before closing. These take 6-8 hours and can be completed online for $25-$75. Complete this early to avoid closing delays.
- 4
Get pre-approved
Pre-approval locks in your rate and confirms program eligibility. For Delaware programs, bring 2 years of tax returns, 2 months of bank statements, recent pay stubs, and photo ID. The lender handles the state program paperwork.
- 5
Apply for down payment assistance (if using DPA)
Apply for the DSHA Preferred Plus Down Payment Assistance at the same time as your mortgage — they must be coordinated. The Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA) processes DPA separately from the primary lender. Deferred — due on sale, refinance, or payoff of first mortgage.
- 6
Close and record
At closing, your DPA funds are applied directly to your down payment and closing costs. Budget 45-60 days from application to keys. Closings in Delaware do not require an attorney.
FHA Loan Payment Calculator — Delaware
Pre-loaded with Delaware median price and current rate at 3.5% FHA minimum down.
Mortgage Estimator
Delaware rates pre-loaded
Monthly Payment
$2,986
estimated all-in payment (PITI)
Tax and insurance estimates use national averages. For Delaware-specific numbers, see the full breakdown below.
Excludes HOA fees. Rates and costs are estimates; actual costs vary.
Full Calculator →Down Payment Savings Calculator
How long to save for a Delaware home at $368,400
Down Payment Planner
Delaware median pre-loaded
Your Savings Plan
Timeline
12.3 yrs
saving $500/mo
No PMI at 20% down
20% or more avoids private mortgage insurance entirely.
Estimate only — does not include investment returns on savings.
Full Calculator →Frequently Asked Questions
- Who qualifies as a first-time homebuyer in Delaware?
- Most Delaware programs define first-time buyers as those who have not owned a primary residence in the past 3 years. Must not have owned a primary residence in the past 3 years; minimum 620 credit score. This means you can qualify even if you previously owned a home.
- What is the minimum down payment for first-time buyers in Delaware?
- Delaware's state mortgage programs allow down payments as low as 3% — that's $11,052 on a $368,400 home. FHA loans also allow 3.5% down ($12,894). Conventional loans (loans not backed by a government agency) with less than 20% down typically start at 3-5% but require private mortgage insurance (PMI).
- How much down payment assistance is available in Delaware?
- Delaware's DSHA Preferred Plus Down Payment Assistance offers up to $15,000 in down payment assistance. Repayment terms: Deferred — due on sale, refinance, or payoff of first mortgage. Income limits apply: Same as DSHA first mortgage income limits.
- Can I use Delaware programs with an FHA loan?
- Many Delaware first-time buyer programs are compatible with FHA loans. FHA allows 3.5% down with credit scores as low as 580, making them attractive for buyers with limited savings. At the current Delaware median price of $368,400, FHA's 3.5% down is $12,894. Confirm compatibility with your specific state program administrator.
- What credit score do I need for Delaware first-time buyer programs?
- Most state mortgage programs require a minimum credit score of 620–640. FHA loans allow scores as low as 580 for 3.5% down, or 500–579 for 10% down. Higher credit scores (680+) typically unlock the best rates under Delaware's program. Your DTI ratio (total monthly debt ÷ gross income) generally must be below 45-50%.
- How long does the Delaware homebuyer program process take?
- State-backed programs add 2-4 weeks to a standard 30-day closing because they require income verification and approval from the state agency, not just the lender. Plan for 45-60 days from application to close. Working with a lender approved by Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA) speeds this process significantly.
- Are Delaware first-time buyer programs available statewide?
- Available through DSHA-approved lenders statewide; homebuyer education required Income and purchase price limits vary by county, so buyers in high-cost areas may face tighter eligibility. Some programs may have waitlists — apply early.
Related Calculators
FHA Loan Calculator
See your full FHA payment with MIP for a $368,400 Delaware home
Down Payment Savings Calculator
How long to save your down payment at different monthly savings rates
DTI Calculator
Check if your debt-to-income ratio qualifies for state programs
PMI Calculator
Estimate your private mortgage insurance cost and when it drops off
Mortgage Payments by Price
Full PITI breakdown for 8 home prices in Delaware, from $200K to $750K
What to do next
You've seen the programs, the numbers, and the process — here's where to go depending on where you're stuck.
Not sure you qualify?
Check the income limit and first-time requirement listed for each program above — most only require not owning a home in the past 3 years.
Need help with the down payment too?
See down payment assistance programs in Delaware — many can be combined with the first-time buyer programs above.
Ready to apply?
Find an approved lender through the program's administrator website and start homebuyer education early — it can take weeks.