See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated April 28, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Mount Vernon, WA (2026)
Mount Vernon is the Skagit County seat in the Skagit Valley about 60 miles north of Seattle, with a median home price near $560,000. The City of Mount Vernon runs the Mount Vernon HOME Homebuyer Assistance Program, providing federal HOME-funded down payment and closing cost assistance for households purchasing inside city limits. Stack with the Washington State Housing Finance Commission Home Advantage DPA up to 5% of the loan, HomeChoice up to $15,000 for buyers with disabilities, Veterans DPA up to $10,000, Opportunity DPA up to $15,000, and the Covenant Homeownership Program up to $150,000 for eligible historically excluded buyers. Skagit Habitat for Humanity, headquartered in Mount Vernon, builds affordable homes for families at 30%-80% of Skagit County AMI with no-profit, no-interest mortgages — recently completing the Kendall Court project in Mount Vernon. Credit union grants from BECU (up to $8,000) and WSECU (up to $10,000) reduce closing-day costs.
City Programs in Mount Vernon
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Vernon HOME Homebuyer Assistance Program | Deferred Loan | Varies (down payment and closing cost assistance using federal HOME funds) | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Varies (down payment and closing cost assistance using federal HOME funds)
- 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 → |
| Skagit Habitat for Humanity Homebuyer Program | Zero-Interest Loan | Below-market home purchase with no-profit, no-interest mortgage from Habitat | 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 purchase with no-profit, no-interest mortgage from Habitat
- 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: Confirm your eligibility. Most local programs require household income at or below 80% of Skagit County AMI. The City of Mount Vernon HOME program targets the same income band. Pull a recent pay stub and tax return to verify.
Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. The Washington Homeownership Resource Center, Skagit Habitat, and HomeSight all offer HUD-approved courses. Most state, city, and credit union programs require a certificate.
Step 3: Contact the City of Mount Vernon for HOME homebuyer assistance details. Visit mountvernonwa.gov or contact the Community and Economic Development Department to verify current funding cycle and application requirements.
Step 4: For Habitat homeownership, contact Skagit Habitat for Humanity at 360-428-9402 ext. 113 or visit 204 W Montgomery in Mount Vernon. Approved partner families complete 150 sweat equity hours and homebuyer education before purchase.
Step 5: Get pre-approved through a participating WSHFC lender. The Washington State Housing Finance Commission has a network of lenders trained on Home Advantage, HomeChoice, Opportunity, Veterans DPA, and Covenant Homeownership programs. Call the Washington Homeownership Hotline at 1-877-894-4663 to find one. WSECU and BECU originate WSHFC loans alongside their own grants.
Step 6: Find a home within Mount Vernon city limits if you want City HOME assistance. The Mount Vernon HOME program is restricted to homes inside the city boundary. WSHFC and credit union programs work countywide.
Step 7: Submit your loan and DPA application. City HOME and state DPA process alongside your mortgage application. Habitat applications follow Habitat intake cycles.
Step 8: Close on your home. City HOME and WSHFC DPA loans record as deferred subordinate mortgages. Credit union grants apply as a credit on your closing disclosure.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much down payment assistance can I get in Mount Vernon?+−
Do I have to buy inside Mount Vernon city limits?+−
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer?+−
What is the maximum home price?+−
What homebuyer education is required?+−
What was the Kendall Court project?+−
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