See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated April 9, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Wauwatosa, WI (2026)
Wauwatosa is a desirable suburban city in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, known for its strong schools, walkable neighborhoods, and proximity to downtown Milwaukee, with a median home price around $350,000. While Wauwatosa does not currently offer a city-funded down payment assistance program, buyers here can take advantage of several county-level and statewide options. The WORTH Down Payment Assistance Program provides grants up to $8,000 for first-time buyers purchasing in Milwaukee County. The Downpayment Plus Program through FHLBank Chicago offers up to $10,000 in forgivable grant assistance. At the state level, WHEDA offers the Capital Access DPA with up to $7,500 and the Easy Close DPA with up to 6% of the purchase price. By stacking county and state programs, Wauwatosa buyers can access meaningful assistance toward their down payment and closing costs.
County Programs in Milwaukee County
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WORTH Down Payment Assistance Program | Grant | Up to $8,000 | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Up to $8,000
- 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 → |
| NACA Purchase Program | Zero-Interest Loan | No down payment, no closing costs, no PMI, no fees, and below-market fixed interest rate | 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:
- No down payment, no closing costs, no PMI, no fees, and below-market fixed interest rate
- First-time only:
- No
How to Apply
Step 1: Check your eligibility. Review income limits for the WORTH Down Payment Assistance Program, which serves first-time buyers purchasing in Milwaukee County at or below 60% or 100% of HUD Area Median Income depending on funding tier. WHEDA state programs have separate income and purchase price limits.
Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. The WORTH program requires 8 hours of homebuyer counseling with a HUD-certified agency based in Milwaukee. Contact Housing Resources Inc at 414-461-6330 or ACTS Housing at 414-933-2215 to enroll.
Step 3: Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Work with a WHEDA-approved lender to explore state loan products like the WHEDA Advantage Conventional or FHA Loan. Ask your lender about the Downpayment Plus Program through FHLBank Chicago, which is accessed through participating lenders.
Step 4: Find a home in Wauwatosa. The WORTH program and WHEDA programs allow purchases throughout Milwaukee County, including Wauwatosa. Homes must be single-family, duplex, or condo for WORTH eligibility.
Step 5: Submit your applications. Apply for the WORTH program through your HUD-certified counseling agency. Your lender can help you apply for the Downpayment Plus Program and WHEDA assistance simultaneously. Gather proof of income, a signed purchase agreement, and your homebuyer education certificate.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much down payment assistance can I get in Wauwatosa?+−
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer to qualify?+−
Why does Wauwatosa not have its own city DPA program?+−
What homebuyer education is required?+−
Are homes in Wauwatosa affordable enough to qualify for these programs?+−
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