Down Payment Assistance
Down Payment Assistance in West Virginia (2026)
West Virginia homebuyers can access up to $8,000 in down payment assistance through the West Virginia Housing Development Fund (WVHDF). On the state's $156,800 median home price, that covers roughly 26% of a standard 20% down payment.
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 Movin' Up Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance requires household income at or below 100% of Area Median Income for your county — many buyers qualify without realizing it, since this is often higher than expected.
Primary Program: Movin' Up Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance
maximum assistance
True grant — no repayment ever. This money does not need to be paid back under any circumstances.
- Administering Agency
- West Virginia Housing Development Fund (WVHDF)
- Income Limit
- 100% of Area Median Income
- Purchase Price Cap
- $481,176
- Repayment Required
- N/A — this is a true grant.
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
West Virginia median pre-loaded
Your Savings Plan
Timeline
5.3 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 →What the Assistance Does on a $156,800 West Virginia Home
A worked example at West Virginia's median home price (Zillow Home Value Index, April 2026), using the same payment model as the West 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 $156,800 home is $15,680, and 20% is $31,360. The $8,000 Movin' Up Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance maximum covers 51% of the first and 26% of the second, leaving $7,680 of a 10% down payment to come from savings, before any closing costs.
The First Mortgage and Closing Taxes This Assistance Has to Cover in West Virginia
Excise tax on the privilege of transferring real property
West Virginia imposes a real estate transfer excise tax of $1.10 per $500 plus a county tax of at least 55 cents per $500 (0.33% combined at base rates, up to 0.55% where counties raise it), paid by the grantor, plus a $20 Affordable Housing Fund fee. (W. Va. Code § 11-22-2). (West Virginia Legislature, retrieved 2026-09-14) Under that schedule a $156,800 sale owes $517, which the statute puts on the seller.
Each county collects the additional county excise tax of 55 cents per $500, which a county commission may increase up to $1.65 per $500 (§ 11-22-2(b)). (West Virginia Legislature, retrieved 2026-09-14)
Recording fees
$30 per deed of conveyance or trust deed recorded by the county clerk (statewide, § 59-1-10(a)(1)); separate $20 transfer fee to the Affordable Housing Fund under § 11-22-2 (West Virginia Legislature, retrieved 2026-09-14)
West Virginia Housing Development Fund (WVHDF): Homeownership Program
Homeownership Program is the first-mortgage programme run by West Virginia Housing Development Fund (WVHDF). (West Virginia Housing Development Fund, retrieved 2026-09-14) Its purchase-price limit is $300,000 (Homeownership Program, most counties; $350,000 in Berkeley and Jefferson counties; Movin' Up $350,000 all counties; locks on or after January 2, 2026), so a $156,800 home is within it. (West Virginia Housing Development Fund, retrieved 2026-09-14) Income limits: Homeownership Program income limits vary by county, up to $102,100 in Jefferson County; Movin' Up $171,120 in all counties. (West Virginia Housing Development Fund, retrieved 2026-09-14) Down payment help comes through Low Down Home Loan: Up to $12,000 for down payment and closing costs as a 15-year, 2% fixed-rate second loan (when LTV is at or above 80%); only with Homeownership or Movin' Up first mortgages. (West Virginia Housing Development Fund, retrieved 2026-09-14)
Frequently Asked Questions
What down payment assistance is available in West Virginia?
West Virginia's primary DPA program is the Movin' Up Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance, administered by the West Virginia Housing Development Fund (WVHDF). It provides up to $8,000 as a grant. True grant — no repayment ever. This money does not need to be paid back under any circumstances.
How much down payment do I need in West Virginia after using DPA?
On a $156,800 home (West Virginia median), a 20% down payment is $31,360. With the Movin' Up Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance covering $8,000, your remaining gap would be $23,360. Many buyers combine DPA with a 3–5% conventional or FHA loan to reduce their cash needed further.
Do I have to repay West Virginia down payment assistance?
True grant — no repayment ever. This money does not need to be paid back under any circumstances.
Can I combine West Virginia DPA with other assistance programs?
Yes — West 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 West Virginia down payment assistance?
The Movin' Up Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance requires income at or below 100% of the Area Median Income (AMI) for your county. AMI limits vary by location and household size. Your lender or the West Virginia Housing Development Fund (WVHDF) can confirm the exact limit for your area.
Related Calculators
Home Affordability Calculator
See how much home you can afford in West Virginia
PMI Calculator
Estimate private mortgage insurance on lower down payments
West 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 West 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 West Virginia Housing Development Fund (WVHDF) 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 West 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 Movin' Up Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance when you apply.