See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated April 10, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in West Bend, WI (2026)
West Bend is a growing city of roughly 31,700 residents in Washington County, about 40 miles northwest of Milwaukee. With a median home price around $320,000, buyers here can tap into several assistance programs to reduce upfront costs. The HOME Consortium Down Payment Assistance program offers up to $10,000 as a forgivable loan for Washington County buyers, while the statewide WHEDA Easy Close DPA provides up to 6% of the purchase price and the WHEDA Capital Access DPA offers up to $7,500. The Downpayment Plus Program through FHLBank Chicago adds up to $10,000 in forgivable grant funds. By stacking county, state, and federal programs, West Bend buyers can potentially secure over $25,000 in combined down payment and closing cost assistance.
County Programs in Washington County
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HOME Consortium Down Payment Assistance (Washington County) | Forgivable Loan | Up to $10,000 | No | View → |
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $10,000
- First-time only:
- No
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 Washington and Dodge Counties Homeownership Program | Zero-Interest Loan | Affordable mortgage with 0% interest | 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 mortgage with 0% interest
- First-time only:
- No
How to Apply
Step 1: Check your eligibility. Most programs require household income at or below 80% of the area median income for Washington County. Review the income limits for the HOME Consortium DPA and WHEDA programs to see which ones you qualify for.
Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. All major programs require a HUD-approved homebuyer education course. Contact the Washington County Community Development Department for information on the HOME Consortium counseling program, or visit WHEDA's Housing Counseling Resource Program page to find a certified counselor near you.
Step 3: Contact Washington County Community Development. They administer the HOME Consortium Down Payment Assistance program for Washington County residents. Ask about current funding availability and application requirements.
Step 4: Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Work with a WHEDA-approved lender who can package your first mortgage with the WHEDA Easy Close DPA or Capital Access DPA. Ask your lender about the Downpayment Plus Program through FHLBank Chicago as well.
Step 5: Find a home within program limits. Your home must meet HUD purchase price limits for Washington County and pass the HOME Consortium code requirements inspection if using that program.
Step 6: Submit your applications and close. Your lender will coordinate the DPA programs alongside your mortgage. The HOME Consortium DPA loan is applied at closing for down payment and closing costs. Plan for a typical closing timeline of 30 to 45 days after offer acceptance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much down payment assistance can I get in West Bend?+−
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer to qualify?+−
What is the maximum home price I can pay?+−
What homebuyer education is required?+−
Is the HOME Consortium DPA really forgivable?+−
Are there nonprofit programs available in West Bend?+−
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