See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated April 21, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Ballwin, MO (2026)
Ballwin is a well-established West County suburb of St. Louis in St. Louis County with a population of roughly 30,800 and a current median home price near $410,000. Home prices here run higher than the St. Louis County average, which makes stacking assistance especially useful: the St. Louis County 1st HOME Down Payment Loan Program offers up to $10,000 as a zero-interest forgivable second mortgage, Beyond Housing administers an additional forgivable DPA loan for St. Louis County residents, and the CAASTLC Individual Development Account program matches savings up to $4,000 toward down payment and closing costs. At the state level, the MHDC First Place and Next Step programs provide below-market fixed-rate first mortgages paired with Cash Assistance Loans of up to 4% of the loan amount. Layering a county DPA loan, a Beyond Housing loan, and MHDC Cash Assistance can meaningfully offset the larger down payment that Ballwin's price point requires.
County Programs in St. Louis County
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Louis County 1st HOME Down Payment Loan Program | Forgivable Loan | Up to $10,000 zero-interest forgivable loan for down payment and closing costs | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $10,000 zero-interest forgivable loan for down payment and closing costs
- First-time only:
- Yes
State Programs in Missouri
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MHDC First Place Loan Program | Forgivable Loan | 4% of the total first mortgage amount as a 0% interest, 100% forgivable second loan (Cash Assistance Loan) for down payment and closing costs, paired with a below-market 30-year fixed-rate first mortgage (FHA, VA, USDA-RD, Fannie Mae HFA Preferred or Freddie Mac HFA Advantage). Buyers who skip the assistance typically get a rate 0.25%-0.50% lower. | Yes | View → |
| MHDC Next Step Loan Program | Forgivable Loan | Up to 4% of the loan amount via the Cash Assistance Loan (CAL) for down payment and closing costs, paired with a fixed-rate first mortgage (Conventional, FHA, VA, or USDA). | No | View → |
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- 4% of the total first mortgage amount as a 0% interest, 100% forgivable second loan (Cash Assistance Loan) for down payment and closing costs, paired with a below-market 30-year fixed-rate first mortgage (FHA, VA, USDA-RD, Fannie Mae HFA Preferred or Freddie Mac HFA Advantage). Buyers who skip the assistance typically get a rate 0.25%-0.50% lower.
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to 4% of the loan amount via the Cash Assistance Loan (CAL) for down payment and closing costs, paired with a fixed-rate first mortgage (Conventional, FHA, VA, or USDA).
- First-time only:
- No
Federal Programs
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FHA Loans | Government-Insured Mortgage | Up to FHA county loan limits ($541,287 floor to $1,249,125 ceiling for single-family in 2026) | No | View → |
| Good Neighbor Next Door (HUD) | Government Property Sale Program | 50% discount off the list price of HUD-owned homes | Yes | View → |
| Home Possible Mortgage (Freddie Mac) | Government-Guaranteed Mortgage | Up to conforming loan limits ($832,750 standard / $1,249,125 high-cost in 2026); 3% minimum down payment | No | View → |
| HomeReady Mortgage (Fannie Mae) | Government-Guaranteed Mortgage | Up to conforming loan limits ($832,750 standard / $1,249,125 high-cost in 2026); 3% minimum down payment | No | View → |
| HUD $100 Down Program | FHA-Financed HUD REO Purchase | Only $100 down payment required (vs. standard 3.5% FHA down payment). HUD may also pay up to 3% of buyer's closing costs. | No | View → |
| USDA Rural Development Loans | Government-Guaranteed Mortgage | 100% financing (no down payment required); loan amount up to appraised value | No | View → |
| VA Loans | Government-Guaranteed Mortgage | No loan limit for veterans with full entitlement (0% down at any price); partial entitlement subject to conforming limits ($832,750 standard in 2026) | No | View → |
- Type:
- Government-Insured Mortgage
- Amount:
- Up to FHA county loan limits ($541,287 floor to $1,249,125 ceiling for single-family in 2026)
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Government Property Sale Program
- Amount:
- 50% discount off the list price of HUD-owned homes
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Government-Guaranteed Mortgage
- Amount:
- Up to conforming loan limits ($832,750 standard / $1,249,125 high-cost in 2026); 3% minimum down payment
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Government-Guaranteed Mortgage
- Amount:
- Up to conforming loan limits ($832,750 standard / $1,249,125 high-cost in 2026); 3% minimum down payment
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- FHA-Financed HUD REO Purchase
- Amount:
- Only $100 down payment required (vs. standard 3.5% FHA down payment). HUD may also pay up to 3% of buyer's closing costs.
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Government-Guaranteed Mortgage
- Amount:
- 100% financing (no down payment required); loan amount up to appraised value
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Government-Guaranteed Mortgage
- Amount:
- No loan limit for veterans with full entitlement (0% down at any price); partial entitlement subject to conforming limits ($832,750 standard in 2026)
- First-time only:
- No
Nonprofit Programs
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beyond Housing Down Payment Assistance | Forgivable Loan | Up to $10,000 | No | View → |
| CAASTLC Individual Development Account (IDA) Program | Grant | Matched savings grant: every $1 deposited is matched with $1 or $2 (depending on enrollment), up to $2,000 per year in match funds for two years (up to $4,000 in match) toward down payment and closing costs. | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $10,000
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Matched savings grant: every $1 deposited is matched with $1 or $2 (depending on enrollment), up to $2,000 per year in match funds for two years (up to $4,000 in match) toward down payment and closing costs.
- First-time only:
- Yes
How to Apply
Step 1: Check your eligibility. Most local St. Louis County DPA programs require household income at or below 80% of area median income and first-time homebuyer status, defined as not having owned a home in the past three years. Because Ballwin home prices run higher, verify that your target purchase price falls within each program's HUD HOME purchase price cap.
Step 2: Complete HUD-approved homebuyer education. Beyond Housing is the largest HUD-approved counseling agency in the St. Louis metro area and is the required counselor for most local DPA programs serving Ballwin. Call Beyond Housing at 314-533-0600 to enroll.
Step 3: Contact Beyond Housing to apply for DPA. Beyond Housing administers down payment assistance on behalf of St. Louis County, so a single application opens the door to both the St. Louis County 1st HOME program and Beyond Housing's own DPA loan.
Step 4: Consider the CAASTLC Individual Development Account if you can save toward closing over 1-2 years. The Community Action Agency of St. Louis County matches $1 or $2 for every $1 deposited, up to $2,000 per year in match funds, for a maximum of $4,000 toward down payment and closing costs. Call CAASTLC at 314-863-0015.
Step 5: Get pre-approved with an MHDC-participating lender. The MHDC First Place and Next Step programs are delivered through approved lenders who can layer in a Cash Assistance Loan of up to 4% of the loan amount. Local Ballwin-area branches, including UMB Bank at 15400 Clayton Road, can originate MHDC loans.
Step 6: Find a home in Ballwin that meets program purchase price limits and pass a HUD housing quality inspection. Most DPA programs require the home to be your primary residence.
Step 7: Close and receive DPA funds at closing. Beyond Housing and St. Louis County DPA loans are generally forgiven after five years of owner-occupancy; MHDC Cash Assistance Loans forgive over 10 years.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much down payment assistance can I get in Ballwin, MO?+−
Is there a Ballwin-specific down payment assistance program?+−
Does the median home price in Ballwin disqualify me from DPA programs?+−
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer?+−
What homebuyer education is required?+−
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