See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated April 24, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Bellevue, WA (2026)
Bellevue is one of the most expensive housing markets in Washington, with a typical home value around $1.3 million. Despite high prices, first-time buyers have meaningful options. The ARCH East King County Down Payment Assistance Loan provides up to $30,000 at 4% simple interest, deferred until sale or refinance, and pairs with Washington State Housing Finance Commission first mortgages like Home Advantage and House Key Opportunity. The ARCH Affordable Homeownership Program maintains 900+ resale-restricted, below-market homes in Bellevue and neighboring East King County cities, typically priced well below market for buyers at or below 80% of Area Median Income. Nonprofit partners Habitat for Humanity Seattle-King & Kittitas Counties and Homestead Community Land Trust also build and sell permanently affordable homes to income-qualified buyers in King County. Stacking ARCH DPA with state programs like Home Advantage DPA (up to 5%), HomeChoice ($15,000), or Opportunity DPA ($15,000) can bring total assistance above $45,000.
City Programs in Bellevue
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ARCH Affordable Homeownership Program | Grant | Below-market home purchase; subsidy value varies by property (typically tens of thousands to $100,000+ off comparable market-rate homes). | Yes | View → |
| ARCH East King County Down Payment Assistance Loan | Deferred Loan | Up to $30,000 | No | View → |
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Below-market home purchase; subsidy value varies by property (typically tens of thousands to $100,000+ off comparable market-rate homes).
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $30,000
- First-time only:
- No
State Programs in Washington
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Covenant Homeownership Program | Forgivable Loan | Up to 20% of the purchase price (or appraised value, if lower), capped at $150,000, plus buyer-paid closing costs | Yes | View → |
| Home Advantage DPA | Deferred Loan | Up to 5% of the first mortgage loan amount | No | View → |
| Home Advantage Needs-Based DPA | Deferred Loan | Up to $10,000 | No | View → |
| HomeChoice Down Payment Assistance | Deferred Loan | Up to $15,000 | Yes | View → |
| Opportunity Down Payment Assistance | Deferred Loan | Up to $15,000 | Yes | View → |
| Veterans Down Payment Assistance | Repayable Loan | Up to $10,000 | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to 20% of the purchase price (or appraised value, if lower), capped at $150,000, plus buyer-paid closing costs
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to 5% of the first mortgage loan amount
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $10,000
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $15,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $15,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Repayable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $10,000
- 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 Seattle-King and Kittitas Counties Homeownership Program | Zero-Interest Loan | Below-market home sale with zero percent interest mortgage | Yes | View → |
| Homestead Community Land Trust Homeownership | Silent Second Mortgage | Homes sold 30-50% below market through community land trust model | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Below-market home sale with zero percent interest mortgage
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Silent Second Mortgage
- Amount:
- Homes sold 30-50% below market through community land trust model
- First-time only:
- Yes
How to Apply
Step 1: Check your eligibility. Most East King County programs require income at or below 80% of King County Area Median Income. Household income limits are generally higher than most US markets because King County AMI is elevated.
Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. Take the free WSHFC Homebuyer Education Seminar online or in person. ARCH DPA also requires a one-on-one pre-purchase counseling session.
Step 3: Get pre-approved with a WSHFC-participating lender. Your lender will help layer the ARCH DPA with state DPA programs (Home Advantage, HomeChoice, Opportunity) for maximum assistance.
Step 4: Explore ARCH Affordable Homeownership listings. Visit archhousing.org for current below-market resale-restricted homes in Bellevue and neighboring ARCH cities.
Step 5: Contact local nonprofits if you may qualify. Habitat for Humanity Seattle-King & Kittitas Counties (habitatskc.org) builds new homes across King County. Homestead Community Land Trust (homesteadclt.org) offers community-land-trust homes at 30-50% below market.
Step 6: Find a home in an ARCH member city if using ARCH DPA. Eligible cities: Beaux Arts Village, Bellevue, Bothell, Clyde Hill, Hunts Point, Issaquah, Kenmore, Kirkland, Medina, Mercer Island, Newcastle, Redmond, Sammamish, Woodinville, or Yarrow Point.
Step 7: Close on your home. Your lender submits DPA reservations to WSHFC and ARCH and coordinates closing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much down payment assistance can I get in Bellevue, WA?+−
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer?+−
What are the income limits for Bellevue homebuyer programs?+−
Which cities qualify for the ARCH DPA program?+−
What homebuyer education is required in Bellevue?+−
How do community land trusts work in King County?+−
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