See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated April 28, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Wenatchee, WA (2026)
Wenatchee is the Chelan County seat in north central Washington, surrounded by orchards and the Cascade Mountains, with a median home price near $510,000. Although the City of Wenatchee 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). Habitat for Humanity of the Greater Wenatchee Area has been building affordable homes in Chelan and Douglas counties for over 35 years and serves families at 30%-80% AMI with 0% interest mortgages. 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 → |
| Habitat for Humanity of the Greater Wenatchee Area Homeownership Program | Zero-Interest Loan | Below-market home purchase paired with affordable 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 purchase paired with affordable 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: Confirm your eligibility. Most local programs require household income at or below 80% of Chelan County AMI. Pull a recent pay stub and tax return to verify.
Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. The Washington Homeownership Resource Center, Habitat Greater Wenatchee, 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 in Wenatchee, contact Habitat for Humanity of the Greater Wenatchee Area at (509) 663-1889 or wenatcheehfh.org.
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 Chelan 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 their own intake cycles, so plan ahead.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much down payment assistance can I get in Wenatchee?+−
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer?+−
What is the maximum home price?+−
What homebuyer education is required?+−
Are there local programs targeting orchard, agricultural, or farm workers?+−
Does Habitat Greater Wenatchee currently have homes available?+−
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