See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated April 28, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Pullman, WA (2026)
Pullman is the Whitman County home of Washington State University, with about 32,863 residents and a median home price near $435,000. Although the City of Pullman does not run its own homebuyer down payment assistance program, buyers stack help from 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). Palouse Habitat for Humanity has built homes in Pullman, Colfax, Palouse, Uniontown, and Albion and recently received a $900,000 Washington State Housing Trust Fund grant in early 2026 to provide down payment assistance to qualifying buyers in rural Whitman County. Credit union grants from BECU (up to $8,000) and WSECU (up to $10,000) reduce closing-day costs.
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 → |
| Palouse Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program | Zero-Interest Loan | Below-market home purchase paired with affordable Habitat mortgage; effective subsidy typically tens of thousands of dollars. Down payment assistance loans up to a per-buyer cap drawn from a $900,000 Washington State Housing Trust Fund grant (2026) | 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 paired with affordable Habitat mortgage; effective subsidy typically tens of thousands of dollars. Down payment assistance loans up to a per-buyer cap drawn from a $900,000 Washington State Housing Trust Fund grant (2026)
- 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 Whitman County AMI. Pull a recent pay stub and tax return to verify.
Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. The Washington Homeownership Resource Center, Palouse Habitat, and HomeSight all offer HUD-approved courses. Most state and credit union programs require a certificate.
Step 3: Contact a local nonprofit. For Habitat homeownership, call Palouse Habitat for Humanity at (208) 883-8502 or visit palousehabitat.org. Approved partner families must currently live in Whitman or Latah County, complete 300-500 sweat equity hours, save $1,000 toward down payment, and complete homeownership and financial management classes.
Step 4: 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 5: Find a home within program price limits. WSHFC sales price limits in Whitman County align with the conventional loan limit (well above $700,000 for 2026). Habitat homes are pre-priced below market and inventory is limited.
Step 6: Submit your loan and DPA application. State DPA is processed alongside your mortgage. Habitat applications follow Habitat intake cycles.
Step 7: Close on your home. WSHFC DPA records as a deferred second mortgage. Credit union grants apply as a credit on your closing disclosure. Palouse Habitat DPA loans are 0% interest and repaid when the home is sold.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much down payment assistance can I get in Pullman?+−
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer?+−
I am a WSU student or recent graduate. Can I qualify?+−
What is the maximum home price?+−
What homebuyer education is required?+−
What about Palouse Habitat homes outside Pullman?+−
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