See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated April 28, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Des Moines, WA (2026)
Des Moines is a small waterfront city in King County, Washington, sitting on Puget Sound between Seattle and Tacoma. The typical home here runs about $560,000, putting estimated closing costs in the $11,000 to $17,000 range. While Des Moines does not operate its own city-funded down payment assistance program, buyers can stack meaningful help from state and regional sources — Washington's Home Advantage DPA covers up to 5% of the loan amount, the Covenant Homeownership Program offers up to $150,000 for eligible buyers, and Opportunity DPA and HomeChoice each provide up to $15,000. Layered with federal options like FHA, VA, and USDA loans, plus regional nonprofit programs through Habitat for Humanity Seattle-King & Kittitas Counties and the Homestead Community Land Trust, qualifying buyers can often eliminate the cash hurdle that keeps them out of homeownership.
County Programs in King County
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| King County Housing Authority Homeownership Voucher Program | Government-Guaranteed Mortgage | Monthly Housing Choice Voucher subsidy applied to mortgage payment in place of rent. | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Government-Guaranteed Mortgage
- Amount:
- Monthly Housing Choice Voucher subsidy applied to mortgage payment in place of rent.
- First-time only:
- Yes
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BECU First-Time Homebuyer Grant | Grant | Up to $8,000 (the lesser of 3% of purchase price, 3% of appraised value, or $8,000) | Yes | View → |
| 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 → |
| WSECU Welcome Home Grant | Grant | Up to 5% of the home sale price, not to exceed $10,000 | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Up to $8,000 (the lesser of 3% of purchase price, 3% of appraised value, or $8,000)
- First-time only:
- Yes
- 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
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Up to 5% of the home sale price, not to exceed $10,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
How to Apply
Step 1: Check your eligibility. Most Washington state DPA programs require household income at or below the King County limit (currently around $147,400), a minimum credit score of 620, and first-time buyer status — meaning no homeownership in the past three years.
Step 2: Complete the required homebuyer education. The Washington State Housing Finance Commission requires a free five-hour homebuyer education seminar from an approved provider. Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle and HomeSight both offer the qualifying course either online or in person.
Step 3: Get pre-approved through a participating lender. WSHFC maintains a list of approved Home Advantage and House Key lenders. Your loan officer will determine which combination of state and federal programs fits your profile.
Step 4: Find a home within program limits. The Home Advantage program currently caps purchase prices at $1,000,000 in King County, which covers most homes in Des Moines.
Step 5: Layer your assistance. Combine the Home Advantage first mortgage with a Home Advantage DPA second loan or the Opportunity DPA program for stacked benefits. Veterans should ask their lender about the Veterans Down Payment Assistance program.
Step 6: Submit your application through your lender. State DPA applications process alongside the first mortgage, typically within 30 to 45 days.
Step 7: Close on your home. DPA funds are disbursed at closing along with your first mortgage.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much down payment assistance can I get in Des Moines, WA?+−
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer?+−
What is the maximum home price?+−
What homebuyer education is required?+−
Does Des Moines qualify for HomeSight's King County program?+−
Can I use a credit union grant in Des Moines?+−
Free eligibility check
Buying a home in Des Moines? 18 programs could help.
How soon are you looking to buy?