Homebuyer Programs in Virginia Beach, VA (2026)

Last updated March 28, 2026 | Population: 454,000 | Median home price: $390,000 | Est. closing costs: $8,000 - $11,500

Skyline of Virginia Beach, VA

Virginia Beach is the most populous city in Virginia, located along the Atlantic coast in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area. With a median home price of around $390,000, buyers here benefit from several state-level assistance programs. The Virginia Housing Down Payment Assistance Grant provides 2% to 2.5% of the purchase price as a free grant for first-time buyers using conventional or FHA loans, while the Closing Cost Assistance Grant covers up to 2% for VA and USDA borrowers. The DHCD HOMEownership DPA program can provide up to 10% to 15% of the sales price for income-eligible buyers, and the Virginia Down Payment Assistance Pilot Program offers up to $50,000 for households at or below 60% AMI. Habitat for Humanity of South Hampton Roads also serves the area with affordable homeownership opportunities. By combining state and federal programs, buyers in Virginia Beach can potentially stack thousands of dollars in assistance.

Top Homebuyer Programs in Virginia Beach

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
Habitat for Humanity of South Hampton Roads Homeownership Program
Type:
Zero-Interest Loan
Amount:
Affordable home purchase with 30-year fixed-rate mortgage capped at 30% of household income
First-time only:
No
DHCD HOMEownership Down Payment Assistance Program
Type:
Deferred Loan
Amount:
Up to 10% to 15% of the sales price plus up to $2,500 for closing costs. Maximum assistance of $40,000.
First-time only:
Yes
Virginia Down Payment Assistance Pilot Program
Type:
Deferred Loan
Amount:
Up to $50,000
First-time only:
Yes
Virginia Housing Closing Cost Assistance Grant
Type:
Grant
Amount:
Up to 2% of the purchase price
First-time only:
Yes
Virginia Housing Down Payment Assistance Grant
Type:
Grant
Amount:
2% to 2.5% of the purchase price
First-time only:
Yes
Virginia Housing SPARC Program
Type:
Zero-Interest Loan
Amount:
1 percentage point reduction on Virginia Housing first mortgage interest rate
First-time only:
Yes

How to Apply

  1. Step 1:

    Check your eligibility. Review income limits for Virginia Beach, which vary by household size. The DHCD HOMEownership DPA requires income at or below 80% AMI, and the Pilot Program requires income at or below 60% AMI.

  2. Step 2:

    Complete homebuyer education. Virginia Housing requires an approved homebuyer education course. Contact the Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Eastern Virginia (CCEVA) at 757-622-7000 for HUD-approved counseling in the Hampton Roads area.

  3. Step 3:

    Contact a Virginia Housing-approved lender. A participating lender can help you access the DPA Grant (2% to 2.5% of purchase price) and determine which Virginia Housing loan product fits your situation.

  4. Step 4:

    Explore additional assistance. Contact a DHCD-approved local DPA provider to apply for the HOMEownership DPA (up to $40,000) or Pilot Program (up to $50,000) if you meet income requirements.

  5. Step 5:

    Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Your lender will confirm how much home you can afford and which programs you qualify for.

  6. Step 6:

    Find a home and submit your application. Work with your real estate agent to find a home within any applicable purchase price limits, then complete the formal application process with your lender and DPA provider.

Frequently Asked Questions

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