Does the City of Wildwood offer a down payment assistance program?

No. The City of Wildwood does not operate a municipal DPA program. Wildwood buyers rely on state and county programs: Missouri Housing Development Commission (MHDC) First Place and Next Step at the state level, and the St. Louis County 1st HOME Down Payment Loan Program at the county level (administered through CAASTLC). Federal mortgage programs like FHA, VA, USDA, HomeReady, and Home Possible also apply.

Can I actually use a DPA program in Wildwood given the high home prices?

It depends on what you buy. Most DPA programs have purchase price limits well below Wildwood's $500,000 median single-family price. For condos in the $145,000–$160,000 range (Victoria Crossing and similar) and new-construction townhomes starting around $324,900, MHDC First Place, MHDC Next Step, and the St. Louis County 1st HOME program all work. For single-family homes above roughly $450,000, DPA typically does not apply — plan on conventional financing with 3%–5% down through HomeReady or Home Possible instead.

What are the income limits for St. Louis County DPA programs?

The St. Louis County 1st HOME program generally requires household income at or below 80% of the area median income (AMI) for the St. Louis MSA, updated annually by HUD. MHDC First Place uses its own county-level income limits (typically higher than 80% AMI) that are posted on mhdc.com. MHDC Next Step uses even higher limits and is open to both first-time and repeat buyers. USDA Rural Development has a separate cap — most of Wildwood's more rural western sections may qualify geographically for USDA, so ask your lender to check the USDA eligibility map by property address.

What are typical closing costs on a Wildwood home?

Missouri buyer closing costs generally run 2%–3% of the purchase price. On a $500,000 Wildwood home, expect roughly $10,000–$15,000 in closing costs. On a $300,000 townhome, expect $6,000–$9,000. These cover lender origination, appraisal, title insurance, recording fees, and prepaid taxes and insurance, and sit on top of your down payment. Wildwood's effective property tax rate is about 1.32%, which means prepaid property tax at closing is meaningfully higher here than in lower-tax Missouri cities.

Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer to use these programs?

It varies. MHDC First Place and the St. Louis County 1st HOME program generally require first-time homebuyer status (defined as no ownership of a principal residence in the previous three years), with exceptions for qualified veterans and buyers in designated federal target areas. MHDC Next Step is open to both first-time and repeat buyers. Habitat for Humanity, when available, does not require first-time status but prioritizes lower-income households. FHA, VA, USDA, HomeReady, and Home Possible mortgages have no first-time buyer requirement.

Can I use USDA Rural Development financing in Wildwood?

Parts of western Wildwood near Glencoe and the Meramec River valley historically qualify for USDA Rural Development zero-down financing — but eligibility is parcel-specific and changes over time. Most of eastern and central Wildwood (the higher-density subdivisions) does not qualify. If you're open to western Wildwood and your income falls within USDA limits, this can be a strong zero-down option with lower fees than FHA. Ask your lender to run the USDA eligibility map by street address before writing an offer.

What homebuyer education does Wildwood require?

The Community Action Agency of St. Louis County (CAASTLC) provides free HUD-certified homebuyer education. The certificate of completion satisfies the education requirement for MHDC First Place, MHDC Next Step, and the St. Louis County 1st HOME program. Complete it early in the process — it is often the rate-limiting step before closing, and missing the requirement can delay your close by weeks.

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By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated April 20, 2026

Homebuyer Programs in Wildwood, MO (2026)

Q: How much down payment assistance can I get stacking programs?

The most common stack for Wildwood buyers on a townhome or condo is MHDC First Place (4% of the loan amount in cash assistance for down payment and closing costs) plus the St. Louis County 1st HOME Down Payment Loan Program (up to $10,000 as a forgivable second mortgage). On a $300,000 townhome, that is roughly $12,000 + $10,000 = $22,000 in combined assistance. If you qualify for the CAASTLC IDA and save for 12–24 months in advance, you can add up to another $4,000 in matched savings.

Population: 35,200 | Median home price: $500,000 | Est. closing costs: $10,000–$15,000

Wildwood is an affluent western St. Louis County suburb of roughly 35,200 residents, consistently ranked among the top St. Louis suburbs for families and served entirely by the Rockwood School District. Median home values sit around $500,000 — with single-family listings regularly running $675,000+ — which places most Wildwood homes well above the purchase price limits built into first-time buyer down payment assistance programs.

That does not mean Wildwood is off the table for first-time buyers. The realistic entry point is Wildwood's condo and townhome inventory: condos in communities like Victoria Crossing run roughly $145,000–$160,000, and new-construction townhomes start around $324,900. At those price points, state and federal programs work well. Missouri Housing Development Commission (MHDC) First Place offers a below-market 30-year mortgage with 4% cash assistance for down payment and closing costs, and MHDC Next Step provides up to 4% as a forgivable second mortgage (forgiven after 10 years of owner-occupancy). St. Louis County's 1st HOME Down Payment Loan Program offers up to $10,000 as a forgivable second mortgage for income-eligible buyers countywide, and CAASTLC's Individual Development Account program matches savings 2:1 up to $4,000 for first-time homebuyers.

The City of Wildwood does not operate a municipal down payment assistance program. For single-family homes priced above roughly $400,000–$450,000, most DPA programs will not apply due to purchase price caps and income limits — but conventional financing, Fannie Mae HomeReady, and Freddie Mac Home Possible all offer 3%-down paths without requiring DPA. This page focuses on the programs that actually apply to Wildwood buyers and the price segments where each one makes sense.

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 →

St. Louis County 1st HOME Down Payment Loan Program

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 →

MHDC First Place Loan Program

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

MHDC Next Step Loan Program

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 →

FHA Loans

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

FHLBA Community Partners Product

Type:: Forgivable Loan
Amount:: Up to $20,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
First-time only:: No

FHLBA First Time Homebuyer Product

Type:: Forgivable Loan
Amount:: Up to $17,500 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
First-time only:: Yes

FHLBA Workforce Housing Plus+

Type:: Forgivable Loan
Amount:: Up to $15,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
First-time only:: No

Good Neighbor Next Door (HUD)

Type:: Government Property Sale Program
Amount:: 50% discount off the list price of HUD-owned homes
First-time only:: Yes

Home Possible Mortgage (Freddie Mac)

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

HomeReady Mortgage (Fannie Mae)

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

HUD $100 Down Program

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

USDA Rural Development Loans

Type:: Government-Guaranteed Mortgage
Amount:: 100% financing (no down payment required); loan amount up to appraised value
First-time only:: No

VA Loans

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
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 →

CAASTLC Individual Development Account (IDA) Program

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

Work this list in order — each step unlocks the next.

Step 1:

Pull your credit. MHDC First Place and Next Step require a minimum credit score of 640. Conventional HomeReady/Home Possible loans require 620. FHA goes lower (580 with 3.5% down). If you're below 620, focus on on-time payments and paying down credit card balances for 60–90 days.

Step 2:

Confirm your price target. Wildwood's median is around $500,000, but DPA programs typically cap eligible purchase prices well below that. Most first-time buyer programs work for condos in the $145K–$160K range (Victoria Crossing and similar communities) and new-construction townhomes starting around $324,900. For homes above ~$450K, plan on conventional financing without DPA.

Step 3:

Complete HUD-approved homebuyer education. CAASTLC (Community Action Agency of St. Louis County) provides free HUD-certified counseling and is the administering agency for the St. Louis County 1st HOME program. Call CAASTLC or visit caastlc.org to register. The education certificate satisfies requirements for MHDC First Place, MHDC Next Step, and the St. Louis County 1st HOME program.

Step 4:

Get pre-approved with an MHDC-participating lender. MHDC approves a specific lender list for First Place and Next Step. Ask for a pre-approval that shows the full stack — MHDC cash assistance plus the 1st HOME county program layered on top, if your income qualifies.

Step 5:

If your income is below 80% AMI for St. Louis County, apply for the St. Louis County 1st HOME Down Payment Loan Program (up to $10,000 as a forgivable second mortgage). Application runs through CAASTLC. Verify current funding availability before making an offer — county DPA funds are allocated annually and can run out mid-year.

Step 6:

Consider the CAASTLC IDA if you have 12–24 months before purchase. The Individual Development Account matches savings 2

Step 7:

Shop inside your pre-approval. Target Wildwood's condo and townhome communities (Victoria Crossing, West County, Mid County, Glencoe) where DPA programs actually apply to most inventory. For single-family above $450K, expect to bring your full down payment from savings.

Step 8:

Coordinate closing with your attorney. If you're stacking MHDC + 1st HOME, make sure your closing attorney has all final DPA documents 5 business days before closing so the second and third deeds of trust record correctly in order.

Frequently Asked Questions

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