Down Payment Assistance
Down Payment Assistance in Ohio (2026)
Ohio homebuyers can access up to $11,000 in down payment assistance through the Ohio Housing Finance Agency (OHFA). On the state's $225,614 median home price, that covers roughly 24% of a standard 20% down payment.
Max Assistance
$11,000
Max Ohio Heroes / Your Choice! DPA award, per Ohio Housing Finance Agency (OHFA)New to this? Quick definitions
- DPA —
- down payment assistance. Money — as a grant or loan — that helps cover the upfront cash you'd otherwise need to buy a home.
- Grant vs. loan —
- a grant is money you never repay. A loan (forgivable, deferred, or repayable) can come with strings attached, even at 0% interest.
- Forgivable loan —
- the balance is wiped out over time if you stay in the home — but it's still a real loan until then, and selling or refinancing early can trigger repayment.
- Deferred loan (silent second) —
- a second loan on your home with no monthly payments, often called a "silent second" because you won't notice it until you sell, refinance, or pay off your first mortgage — that's when it comes due.
- AMI —
- Area Median Income. The midpoint household income for your county, used to set eligibility — programs list limits as a percentage of AMI (e.g. 80% of AMI).
- Income limit —
- the maximum household income you can earn and still qualify, based on where you live and how many people are in your household.
- Purchase price cap —
- the maximum home price a program will help you buy — homes priced above the cap don't qualify, even if your income does.
Do you likely qualify?
The Ohio Heroes / Your Choice! DPA requires household income at or below 80% of Area Median Income for your county — many buyers qualify without realizing it, since this is often higher than expected.
Primary Program: Ohio Heroes / Your Choice! DPA
maximum assistance
Forgiven after 7 years if you remain in the home as your primary residence (the home you actually live in, not a rental or second home). Sell, move out, or refinance before then, and you may owe the balance back.
- Administering Agency
- Ohio Housing Finance Agency (OHFA)
- Income Limit
- 80% of Area Median Income
- Purchase Price Cap
- $481,176
- Forgiveness Term
- 7 years
How Down Payment Assistance Works
Most state DPA programs are layered on top of a first mortgage — you apply through an approved lender who originates both the primary loan and the DPA second lien at the same closing. The DPA funds reduce the cash you need upfront.
Grants
Free money — no repayment ever. Typically the smallest amounts but highest value.
Forgivable Loans
Balance forgiven after a set period (usually 3–15 years) if you stay in the home. Selling early triggers repayment.
Deferred Loans
No monthly payments. Balance due when you sell, refinance, or pay off your mortgage.
Mistakes first-time buyers make
- Assuming you don't qualify without actually checking the income limit for your county and household size.
- Treating a "forgivable" loan as free money — it can still come due in full if you sell or refinance before the forgiveness term ends.
- Stacking programs incorrectly, or assuming state and local programs combine automatically without confirming with your lender.
- Skipping the required homebuyer education course, which can delay or disqualify your application at closing.
Pro tips
- Talk to a HUD-approved housing counselor first — it's free and they know every program you may qualify for, not just the state's.
- Apply for mortgage pre-approval alongside your DPA program application; most DPA funds are disbursed through an approved lender at the same closing.
- Check local city and county programs in addition to the state program above — many are stackable and cover different costs.
- Ask exactly what triggers repayment on any loan-based assistance before you sign, not after.
Down Payment Calculator
Down Payment Planner
Ohio median pre-loaded
Your Savings Plan
Timeline
7.6 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 →What the Assistance Does on a $225,614 Ohio Home
A worked example at Ohio's median home price (Zillow Home Value Index, April 2026), using the same payment model as the Ohio salary page: a 7.03% 30-year fixed rate (Freddie Mac PMMS, week of September 24, 2026), PMI from the National MI rate card on the 10%-down case, the state's effective property-tax rate and homeowners premium, and principal, interest, tax and insurance held to 28% of gross income.
How much of the down payment it covers
A 10% down payment on a $225,614 home is $22,561, and 20% is $45,123. The $11,000 Ohio Heroes / Your Choice! DPA maximum covers 49% of the first and 24% of the second, leaving $11,561 of a 10% down payment to come from savings, before any closing costs.
Whether a household under the income limit can carry it
Carrying the median home takes $69,643 a year with 20% down, or $79,457 with 10% down and PMI. The first-mortgage income limit at Ohio Housing Finance Agency (OHFA) is $98,800 (Maximum non-target income limit, households of 1-2 persons, Government/Conventional/MTC programs, many counties (e.g., Adams, Allen); varies by county up to $111,500 (e.g., Franklin); 3+ persons $113,620-$128,225. Effective July 1, 2026.). (Ohio Housing Finance Agency, retrieved 2026-09-14) A household at that limit clears both figures, so the median home sits inside the programme's range: incomes from $79,457 up to $98,800 can carry it with 10% down. At exactly $98,800, the same model supports a price of about $328,417, $102,803 above the median.
The First Mortgage and Closing Taxes This Assistance Has to Cover in Ohio
Conveyance fee (county auditor fee under R.C. 319.54(G)(3)) plus permissive county real property transfer tax (R.C. 322.02)
Ohio charges a statewide conveyance fee of 10 cents per $100 of value (0.1%) paid by the grantor, and counties may add up to 30 cents per $100 more, also paid by the grantor. (Ohio Rev. Code § 319.54(G)(3), § 319.202(D), § 322.02). (Ohio Legislative Service Commission (codes.ohio.gov), retrieved 2026-09-14) Under that schedule a $225,614 sale owes $226, which the statute puts on the seller.
Any Ohio county may levy a permissive real property transfer tax by resolution of the board of county commissioners at a rate not to exceed 30 cents per $100 of value (R.C. 322.02). (Ohio Legislative Service Commission (codes.ohio.gov), retrieved 2026-09-14)
Recording fees
Statewide under R.C. 317.32(A)(1): $17 base fee plus $17 housing trust fund fee for the first two pages ($34), and $4 base fee plus $4 housing trust fund fee for each subsequent page ($8), for instruments recorded by photocopying or similar process (8.5 x 14 inch pages). (Ohio Legislative Service Commission (codes.ohio.gov), retrieved 2026-09-14)
Ohio Housing Finance Agency (OHFA): First-Time Homebuyer program (30-year fixed-rate FHA, VA, USDA-RD and conventional loans)
First-Time Homebuyer program (30-year fixed-rate FHA, VA, USDA-RD and conventional loans) is the first-mortgage programme run by Ohio Housing Finance Agency (OHFA). (Ohio Housing Finance Agency, retrieved 2026-09-14) Its purchase-price limit is $566,355 (Non-target areas, 1-family, all counties except the Columbus-area counties (Delaware, Fairfield, Franklin, Hocking, Licking, Madison, Morrow, Perry, Pickaway, Union), where the non-target 1-family limit is $618,475; target-area limits are $692,211 / $755,913. As of July 2026.), so a $225,614 home is within it. (Ohio Housing Finance Agency, retrieved 2026-09-14) The income limit is $98,800 (Maximum non-target income limit, households of 1-2 persons, Government/Conventional/MTC programs, many counties (e.g., Adams, Allen); varies by county up to $111,500 (e.g., Franklin); 3+ persons $113,620-$128,225. Effective July 1, 2026.). (Ohio Housing Finance Agency, retrieved 2026-09-14) Down payment help comes through OHFA Down Payment Assistance: 3% (conventional) or 3.5% (government) of the purchase price; seven-year forgivable second mortgage. (Ohio Housing Finance Agency, retrieved 2026-09-14) Minimum credit score: 640. (Ohio Housing Finance Agency, retrieved 2026-09-14)
Frequently Asked Questions
What down payment assistance is available in Ohio?
Ohio's primary DPA program is the Ohio Heroes / Your Choice! DPA, administered by the Ohio Housing Finance Agency (OHFA). It provides up to $11,000 as a forgivable loan. Forgiven after 7 years if you remain in the home as your primary residence (the home you actually live in, not a rental or second home). Sell, move out, or refinance before then, and you may owe the balance back.
How much down payment do I need in Ohio after using DPA?
On a $225,614 home (Ohio median), a 20% down payment is $45,123. With the Ohio Heroes / Your Choice! DPA covering $11,000, your remaining gap would be $34,123. Many buyers combine DPA with a 3–5% conventional or FHA loan to reduce their cash needed further.
Do I have to repay Ohio down payment assistance?
Forgiven after 7 years if you remain in the home as your primary residence (the home you actually live in, not a rental or second home). Sell, move out, or refinance before then, and you may owe the balance back.
Can I combine Ohio DPA with other assistance programs?
Yes — Ohio's DPA programs can generally be combined ("stacked") with local city and county assistance programs, employer homebuyer benefits, and federal programs. Check with an approved lender or HUD-approved counselor to identify all programs you qualify for.
What are the income limits for Ohio down payment assistance?
The Ohio Heroes / Your Choice! DPA requires income at or below 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI) for your county. AMI limits vary by location and household size. Your lender or the Ohio Housing Finance Agency (OHFA) can confirm the exact limit for your area.
Related Calculators
Home Affordability Calculator
See how much home you can afford in Ohio
PMI Calculator
Estimate private mortgage insurance on lower down payments
Ohio First-Time Buyer Programs
State mortgage programs with low rates and low down payments
Mortgage Payments by Price
See full PITI costs for 8 home prices in Ohio, from $200K to $750K
What to do next
Down payment assistance is one piece of the puzzle. Here's where to go depending on where you are in the process.
Not sure if you qualify?
Check the Ohio Housing Finance Agency (OHFA) income limits above before ruling yourself out — many buyers qualify without realizing it.
Want the full true cost picture?
DPA covers the down payment, not your ongoing costs. See the true cost of owning a home in Ohio for the full monthly picture.
Ready to apply?
Most DPA funds are disbursed through an approved lender at closing — get pre-approved and ask specifically about Ohio Heroes / Your Choice! DPA when you apply.