Down Payment Assistance
Down Payment Assistance in Virginia (2026)
Virginia homebuyers can access up to $9,625 in down payment assistance through the Virginia Housing (formerly VHDA). On the state's $421,882 median home price, that covers roughly 11% of a standard 20% down payment. Virginia has 2 state DPA programs total.
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 Virginia Housing Down Payment Assistance Grant 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: Virginia Housing Down Payment Assistance Grant
maximum assistance
True grant — no repayment ever. This money does not need to be paid back under any circumstances.
- Administering Agency
- Virginia Housing (formerly VHDA)
- Income Limit
- 80% of Area Median Income
- Purchase Price Cap
- $726,200
- Repayment Required
- N/A — this is a true grant.
Additional Virginia DPA Programs
Community Heroes Grant
Grant$3,850
True grant — no repayment ever. This money does not need to be paid back under any circumstances.
Apply / Learn MoreHow 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
Virginia median pre-loaded
Your Savings Plan
Timeline
14.1 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 $421,882 Virginia Home
A worked example at Virginia's median home price (Zillow Home Value Index, April 2026), using the same payment model as the Virginia 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 $421,882 home is $42,188, and 20% is $84,376. The $9,625 Virginia Housing Down Payment Assistance Grant maximum covers 23% of the first and 11% of the second, leaving $32,563 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 $114,257 a year with 20% down, or $132,557 with 10% down and PMI. The first-mortgage income limit at Virginia Housing (Virginia Housing Development Authority) is $112,000 (Standard/bond programs, households of 2 or fewer, All Other Areas of Virginia (3+ persons $129,000; DPA/CCA grant programs $90,000/$103,000; Washington-Arlington-Alexandria standard $186,000/$217,000); effective 8/1/2026). (Virginia Housing, retrieved 2026-09-14) No household under that limit can carry the median home at a 28% ratio, even with 20% down. At exactly $112,000, the same model supports a price of about $413,215, $8,667 below the median — the realistic ceiling for a buyer using this programme.
The First Mortgage and Closing Taxes This Assistance Has to Cover in Virginia
State recordation tax on deeds (Va. Code § 58.1-801) and grantor tax (Va. Code § 58.1-802)
Virginia charges a 0.25% state recordation tax on deeds plus a 0.10% grantor tax that the statute assigns to the seller (grantor). The deed recordation tax statute does not name a payer; localities may add one-third of the state recordation tax, and Northern Virginia adds regional fees. (Va. Code §§ 58.1-801, 58.1-802). (Virginia General Assembly (Code of Virginia, LIS), retrieved 2026-09-14) Under that schedule a $421,882 sale owes $1,477.
City or county recordation tax up to one-third of the state recordation tax (§ 58.1-814). Regional WMATA capital fee of $0.10 per $100 on sales of realty in counties/cities that are members of the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (§ 58.1-802.3), and regional congestion relief fee of $0.10 per $100 in qualifying planning districts (Planning District 8) (§ 58.1-802.4); both fees are paid by the grantor unless the parties arrange otherwise. (Virginia General Assembly (Code of Virginia, LIS), retrieved 2026-09-14)
Recordation tax on deeds of trust or mortgages
Virginia imposes a recordation tax of $0.25 per $100 (0.25%) of the amount secured when a deed of trust or mortgage is recorded, with a reduced rate for qualifying refinances; localities may add one-third of the state tax. (Va. Code § 58.1-803). (Virginia General Assembly (Code of Virginia, LIS), retrieved 2026-09-14) On the $337,506 loan that comes with 20% down on this home, that is $844; with 10% down the loan is $379,694 and the tax is $949. It is paid once, at recording, and is not part of the monthly payment above.
Recording fees
Circuit court clerk recording and indexing fee: $18 for a document of 10 or fewer pages, $32 for 11-30 pages, $52 for 31+ pages (statewide, § 17.1-275(A)(2)); other statutory fees may apply (Virginia General Assembly (Code of Virginia, LIS), retrieved 2026-09-14)
Virginia Housing (Virginia Housing Development Authority): Virginia Housing first-time homebuyer loans (Conventional, FHA, VA, USDA; bond and non-bond)
Virginia Housing first-time homebuyer loans (Conventional, FHA, VA, USDA; bond and non-bond) is the first-mortgage programme run by Virginia Housing (Virginia Housing Development Authority). (Virginia Housing, retrieved 2026-09-14) Its purchase-price limit is $500,000 (Standard/bond and DPA/CCA grant programs, 'All Other Areas of Virginia'; varies by area: Richmond and Charlottesville $550,000, Norfolk-Virginia Beach-Newport News $575,000, Culpeper $675,000, Washington-Arlington-Alexandria $800,000; effective 8/1/2026), so a $421,882 home is within it. (Virginia Housing, retrieved 2026-09-14) The income limit is $112,000 (Standard/bond programs, households of 2 or fewer, All Other Areas of Virginia (3+ persons $129,000; DPA/CCA grant programs $90,000/$103,000; Washington-Arlington-Alexandria standard $186,000/$217,000); effective 8/1/2026). (Virginia Housing, retrieved 2026-09-14) Minimum credit score: 620. (Virginia Housing, retrieved 2026-09-14)
Frequently Asked Questions
What down payment assistance is available in Virginia?
Virginia's primary DPA program is the Virginia Housing Down Payment Assistance Grant, administered by the Virginia Housing (formerly VHDA). It provides up to $9,625 as a grant. True grant — no repayment ever. This money does not need to be paid back under any circumstances. Additional programs include Community Heroes Grant.
How much down payment do I need in Virginia after using DPA?
On a $421,882 home (Virginia median), a 20% down payment is $84,376. With the Virginia Housing Down Payment Assistance Grant covering $9,625, your remaining gap would be $74,751. Many buyers combine DPA with a 3–5% conventional or FHA loan to reduce their cash needed further.
Do I have to repay Virginia down payment assistance?
True grant — no repayment ever. This money does not need to be paid back under any circumstances.
Can I combine Virginia DPA with other assistance programs?
Yes — Virginia'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 Virginia down payment assistance?
The Virginia Housing Down Payment Assistance Grant 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 Virginia Housing (formerly VHDA) can confirm the exact limit for your area.
Related Calculators
Home Affordability Calculator
See how much home you can afford in Virginia
PMI Calculator
Estimate private mortgage insurance on lower down payments
Virginia 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 Virginia, 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 Virginia Housing (formerly VHDA) 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 Virginia 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 Virginia Housing Down Payment Assistance Grant when you apply.