See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated April 21, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Maryland Heights, MO (2026)
Maryland Heights is a West St. Louis County suburb of roughly 27,575 residents with a median home price near $280,000 and a fast-moving market where homes often sell within two weeks. Buyers here can combine the state's MHDC First Place or Next Step loans (up to 4% of the first mortgage as forgivable down payment/closing cost assistance) with the St. Louis County 1st HOME Down Payment Loan Program, Beyond Housing's down payment and closing cost assistance, and CAASTLC's Individual Development Account (IDA) matched-savings program. Layered together, these programs can meaningfully cut the out-of-pocket cost of buying in Maryland Heights, especially for first-time buyers at or below 80% of Area Median Income.
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 | Up to 4% of the loan amount via the Cash Assistance Loan (CAL) for down payment and closing costs, paired with a below-market fixed-rate first mortgage (Conventional, FHA, VA, or USDA). | 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:
- Up to 4% of the loan amount via the Cash Assistance Loan (CAL) for down payment and closing costs, paired with a below-market fixed-rate first mortgage (Conventional, FHA, VA, or USDA).
- 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 → |
| FHLBA Community Partners Product | Forgivable Loan | Up to $20,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs | No | View → |
| FHLBA First Time Homebuyer Product | Forgivable Loan | Up to $17,500 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs | Yes | View → |
| FHLBA Workforce Housing Plus+ | Forgivable Loan | Up to $15,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs | 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:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $20,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $17,500 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $15,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
- 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
Check your eligibility. MHDC First Place and Next Step programs require a credit score of 640 or higher and income within MHDC's non-targeted St. Louis County limits. St. Louis County 1st HOME, Beyond Housing DPA, and CAASTLC IDA each require income at or below 80% Area Median Income for St. Louis County.
Complete a HUD-approved homebuyer education course. Beyond Housing is the largest HUD-approved housing counseling agency in the St. Louis metro and offers both in-person and online courses. You can reach Beyond Housing through homebuyerhelpstl.com to register. Completion is required for all the St. Louis County and state programs.
Contact the St. Louis County Office of Community Development. The 1st HOME Down Payment Loan Program provides a zero-interest deferred loan to income-eligible first-time buyers. Call (314) 615-4444 or email clamar@stlouiscountymo.gov to confirm current funding availability and application steps.
Apply to Beyond Housing for down payment and closing cost assistance. Beyond Housing administers a DPA loan program on behalf of St. Louis County and several other jurisdictions. Buyers must contribute at least $1,000 of their own funds. Contact Beyond Housing early because assistance is awarded in the order applications are completed.
Consider CAASTLC's Individual Development Account (IDA). The Community Action Agency of St. Louis County (CAASTLC) matches savings 2-to-1 (up to $2,000 of your savings matched with $4,000 for a $6,000 total) when used for a down payment. Enrollment requires income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level and participation in financial education.
Get pre-approved with an MHDC-approved lender. MHDC First Place and Next Step loans are only available through certified lenders. Ask the lender to run both options so you can compare the First Place Cash Assistance Loan (forgiven 1/60th per month beginning in year 5) against the Next Step 4% assistance (fully forgiven after 10 years of owner-occupancy).
Find a home in Maryland Heights and submit your application. Confirm the purchase price fits MHDC's statewide non-targeted limits and the St. Louis County 1st HOME purchase price cap. Your lender and Beyond Housing will coordinate the stacking of assistance at the closing table.