See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated April 8, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Marion, OH (2026)
Marion is a city in north-central Ohio and the county seat of Marion County, home to approximately 35,531 residents. With a median home price around $170,000, Marion offers some of the most affordable housing in Ohio, making homeownership accessible for many buyers. Marion County offers the HOME Down Payment Assistance Program providing up to $125,000 in assistance for income-eligible first-time buyers purchasing in Marion County. Buckeye Ridge Habitat for Humanity also serves the area with affordable homeownership opportunities. At the state level, the OHFA Your Choice! Down Payment Assistance program provides 3% to 3.5% of the purchase price as a forgivable loan, and the FHLB Cincinnati Welcome Home Program offers grants of $10,000 to $20,000. With Marion's affordable prices and strong program availability, buyers here can often cover most or all of their upfront costs through assistance programs.
County Programs in Marion County
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marion County HOME Down Payment Assistance Program | Forgivable Loan | Down payment and closing cost assistance (exact amount varies; contact county for current limits) | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Down payment and closing cost assistance (exact amount varies; contact county for current limits)
- First-time only:
- Yes
State Programs in Ohio
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Communities First Ohio Down Payment Assistance (The Port) | Grant | 3%, 4%, or 5% of the purchase price as a grant toward down payment and closing costs | No | View → |
| FHLB Cincinnati Welcome Home Program | Grant | Grants of $10,000 to $20,000; up to $25,000 for veterans, active-duty military, and surviving spouses | Yes | View → |
| OHFA Grants for Grads | Forgivable Loan | 3% for Conventional loans or 3.5% for Government loans (FHA, VA, USDA) of the purchase price, plus a discounted mortgage interest rate | Yes | View → |
| OHFA Mortgage Tax Credit | Tax Credit | Federal tax credit of 40% of annual mortgage interest paid, up to $2,000 per year (with OHFA loan). 15-20% with other lenders. | Yes | View → |
| OHFA Ohio Heroes | Forgivable Loan | 3% for Conventional loans or 3.5% for Government loans (FHA, VA, USDA) of the purchase price, plus a discounted mortgage interest rate | Yes | View → |
| OHFA Your Choice! Down Payment Assistance | Forgivable Loan | 3% for Conventional loans or 3.5% for Government loans (FHA, VA, USDA) of the purchase price | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- 3%, 4%, or 5% of the purchase price as a grant toward down payment and closing costs
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Grants of $10,000 to $20,000; up to $25,000 for veterans, active-duty military, and surviving spouses
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- 3% for Conventional loans or 3.5% for Government loans (FHA, VA, USDA) of the purchase price, plus a discounted mortgage interest rate
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Tax Credit
- Amount:
- Federal tax credit of 40% of annual mortgage interest paid, up to $2,000 per year (with OHFA loan). 15-20% with other lenders.
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- 3% for Conventional loans or 3.5% for Government loans (FHA, VA, USDA) of the purchase price, plus a discounted mortgage interest rate
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- 3% for Conventional loans or 3.5% for Government loans (FHA, VA, USDA) of the purchase price
- First-time only:
- Yes
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Habitat for Humanity of Marion County Homeownership Program | Zero-Interest Loan | Affordable home purchase with below-market mortgage; payments capped at 30% of gross monthly income | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Affordable home purchase with below-market mortgage; payments capped at 30% of gross monthly income
- First-time only:
- Yes
How to Apply
Step 1: Check your eligibility. The Marion County HOME program requires household income at or below 80% of the area median income for Marion County. You must be a first-time homebuyer or not have owned a home in the past three years.
Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. The Marion County HOME program requires completion of a HUD-approved homebuyer education course. Buckeye Ridge Habitat for Humanity also offers homebuyer education for adults 18 and older.
Step 3: Contact Marion County Community Services to apply for the HOME Down Payment Assistance Program. This program offers significant assistance for qualifying buyers purchasing in Marion County.
Step 4: Get pre-approved for a mortgage through an OHFA-approved lender. This ensures you can access state programs like Your Choice! Down Payment Assistance, Grants for Grads, or Ohio Heroes simultaneously.
Step 5: Apply for the FHLB Cincinnati Welcome Home Program through a participating member bank or credit union. Grants of up to $20,000 are available on a first-come, first-served basis each year.
Step 6: If you are interested in a Habitat home, contact Buckeye Ridge Habitat for Humanity at (740) 383-2007 to learn about their homeownership program and application process.
Step 7: Find a home in Marion within program guidelines. The property must be in Marion County for the HOME program. Submit your applications and coordinate timing with your lender.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much down payment assistance can I get in Marion?+−
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer to qualify?+−
What is the Marion County HOME program and how does it work?+−
What homebuyer education is required?+−
Is Habitat for Humanity active in Marion?+−
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