See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated April 28, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Moses Lake, WA (2026)
Moses Lake is a Grant County city of about 26,300, sitting in the Columbia Basin of central Washington roughly 180 miles east of Seattle. The typical home here runs about $365,000 — well below the Washington average — putting estimated closing costs in a manageable $7,500 to $11,000 range. Neither the City of Moses Lake nor Grant County operates a homebuyer down payment assistance program, but Moses Lake buyers benefit from one of the state's most affordable housing markets and broad eligibility for Washington State Housing Finance Commission programs (Home Advantage DPA up to 5%, Opportunity DPA up to $15,000, Covenant Homeownership up to $150,000) plus federal options. Importantly, much of the area surrounding Moses Lake qualifies for USDA Rural Development zero-down loans, and Habitat for Humanity of Greater Moses Lake offers below-market homeownership opportunities directly in the city.
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 of Greater Moses Lake Homeownership Program | Zero-Interest Loan | Below-market home sale paired with an affordable, zero-interest Habitat mortgage; effective subsidy typically tens of thousands of dollars | 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 paired with an affordable, zero-interest Habitat mortgage; effective subsidy typically tens of thousands of dollars
- 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 Grant County limit, a minimum credit score of 620, and first-time buyer status — meaning no homeownership in the past three years. USDA loans require household income at or below $119,850 for 1-4 person households in Grant County.
Step 2: Check USDA eligibility for the property. Many properties in and around Moses Lake qualify for USDA Rural Development Single Family Housing loans, which require zero down payment. Use the USDA eligibility map at eligibility.sc.egov.usda.gov to check a specific address.
Step 3: Complete the required homebuyer education. The Washington State Housing Finance Commission requires a free five-hour homebuyer education seminar. The Washington Homeownership Resource Center hotline (1-877-894-4663) can connect you with HUD-approved providers serving Grant County.
Step 4: Get pre-approved through a participating lender. WSHFC publishes a list of approved Home Advantage and House Key lenders. Local credit unions like Gesa Credit Union (721 S. Pioneer Way) and Horizon Credit Union (S. Clover Dr.) also offer first-time buyer mortgage products in Moses Lake.
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 about the Veterans Down Payment Assistance program. USDA loan borrowers can still layer some state DPA on top.
Step 6: For Habitat homes, contact Habitat for Humanity of Greater Moses Lake separately. Habitat applications go through their family selection committee and require evidence of need, ability to repay, and sweat equity participation.
Step 7: Submit your application through your lender. State DPA applications process alongside the first mortgage, typically within 30 to 45 days.
Step 8: 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 Moses Lake, WA?+−
Does Moses Lake qualify for USDA loans?+−
Is there a Grant County or Moses Lake DPA program?+−
Can I get a Habitat for Humanity home in Moses Lake?+−
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer?+−
Can I use a credit union grant in Moses Lake?+−
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