See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated April 10, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Fitchburg, WI (2026)
Fitchburg is a growing city just south of Madison in Dane County with a population of roughly 31,467 residents. The median home price sits around $474,000, reflecting the strong demand in the greater Madison metro area. First-time homebuyers in Fitchburg have access to a solid mix of federal, state, county, city, and nonprofit programs that can significantly reduce the upfront cost of purchasing a home. Between grants, deferred loans, and tax credits, qualified buyers may be able to cover most or all of their down payment and closing costs.
City Programs in Fitchburg
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City of Fitchburg Homebuyer Assistance Program | Grant | Up to $10,000 in grants and low-interest loans | Yes | View → |
| Home-Buy the American Dream (HBAD) | Deferred Loan | Up to $35,000 | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Up to $10,000 in grants and low-interest loans
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $35,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
County Programs in Dane County
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dane County Momentum Homebuyer Program | Deferred Loan | Deferred loan up to $30,316 at 0% interest | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Deferred loan up to $30,316 at 0% interest
- First-time only:
- Yes
State Programs in Wisconsin
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WHEDA Advantage Conventional Loan | Government-Insured Mortgage | Low down payment first mortgage (as low as 3% down) | Yes | View → |
| WHEDA Advantage FHA Loan | Government-Insured Mortgage | Low down payment first mortgage (3.5% down) | Yes | View → |
| WHEDA Capital Access DPA | Deferred Loan | $7,500 (0% interest, deferred second mortgage) | No | View → |
| WHEDA Easy Close DPA | Repayable Loan | Up to 6% of purchase price | Yes | View → |
| WHEDA Tax Advantage (Mortgage Credit Certificate) | Tax Credit | Up to $2,000 per year in federal tax credits | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Government-Insured Mortgage
- Amount:
- Low down payment first mortgage (as low as 3% down)
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Government-Insured Mortgage
- Amount:
- Low down payment first mortgage (3.5% down)
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- $7,500 (0% interest, deferred second mortgage)
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Repayable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to 6% of purchase price
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Tax Credit
- Amount:
- Up to $2,000 per year in federal tax credits
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Downpayment Plus Program (FHLBank Chicago) | Grant | Up to $6,000 (3:1 match of buyer contribution, max $6,000) | No | View → |
| Habitat for Humanity of Dane County Homeownership Program | Zero-Interest Loan | Affordable new-construction home with zero-interest mortgage | Yes | View → |
| Movin' Out Down Payment Assistance (Madison) | Deferred Loan | Up to $40,000 in City of Madison (up to $35,000 in other Dane County areas) | Yes | View → |
| RASCW Housing Foundation Home Start Program | Deferred Loan | Up to $4,000 or 3% of purchase price (whichever is less) | Yes | View → |
| Wintrust Mortgage Down Payment Assistance | Grant | $2,000 | No | View → |
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Up to $6,000 (3:1 match of buyer contribution, max $6,000)
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Affordable new-construction home with zero-interest mortgage
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $40,000 in City of Madison (up to $35,000 in other Dane County areas)
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $4,000 or 3% of purchase price (whichever is less)
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- $2,000
- First-time only:
- No
How to Apply
Step 1: Determine your eligibility by reviewing income limits for the programs you are interested in. Most Fitchburg-area programs require household income at or below 80% of the county median income.
Step 2: Complete a HUD-approved homebuyer education course. Programs such as the Dane County Momentum Homebuyer Program, RASCW Home Start, and the City of Fitchburg Homebuyer Assistance Program all require this step.
Step 3: Connect with a participating lender who is familiar with Wisconsin down payment assistance programs. Your lender can help you apply for multiple programs simultaneously.
Step 4: Get pre-approved for your mortgage and identify which programs you qualify for. Your lender will help you layer assistance from county, city, and nonprofit sources.
Step 5: Find a home within Fitchburg city limits (required for the city program) or Dane County (for county and nonprofit programs) that meets any applicable purchase price limits.
Step 6: Submit your program applications along with your purchase contract. Processing times vary, so apply as early as possible.
Step 7: Close on your home. Approved assistance funds are typically applied directly at closing to reduce your out-of-pocket costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What down payment assistance programs are available in Fitchburg, WI?+−
Do I need to be a first-time homebuyer to qualify?+−
What are the income limits for Fitchburg homebuyer programs?+−
Can I combine multiple assistance programs?+−
What are estimated closing costs for buying a home in Fitchburg?+−
Is homebuyer education required?+−
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