Minimum down payment
As low as 0% when assistance covers the full down payment, or 3.5% with an FHA loan. The actual number depends on the program you qualify for and the underlying loan.
Loan Program · Down Payment Assistance · NMLS #278947
Down payment assistance: get in with less cash out of pocket.
Oregon and Washington both run state and local programs, and there are more options than most buyers realize. I have guided buyers through DPA programs across Southwest Washington and the Portland metro, and I will show you which ones your income and purchase price qualify for.
Down payment
As low as 0%
FHA limit (1-unit)
$701,500
Conforming limit (1-unit)
$832,750
2026 Loan Limits
The 2026 numbers, county by county.
Down payment assistance rides on top of the underlying loan, so the 2026 limits that matter are the FHA and conforming limits for your county. Every county we serve shares the same numbers:
County 2026 Limit
Clark County, WA $701,500 / $832,750
Multnomah County, OR $701,500 / $832,750
Washington County, OR $701,500 / $832,750
Clackamas County, OR $701,500 / $832,750
Each row shows the 2026 FHA limit and the 2026 conforming limit for a one-unit home: FHA at $701,500, conforming at $832,750. DPA programs set their own income and purchase price caps, which are usually lower than the loan limits, and I verify the current program rules against your file.
Minimum Credit Score & Down Payment
What it takes to qualify.
Minimum credit score
The credit requirement follows the underlying loan: around 580 for FHA, and for conventional a credit score at 620 or above is preferred, though scores under 620 can be approved case by case. DPA programs rarely add their own minimum on top.
Grants
Money you do not have to repay, usually tied to income limits and first-time buyer status. The best kind of assistance when you qualify.
Second loans
Deferred or forgivable seconds that cover the down payment and are paid back when you sell or refinance, or forgiven after you live there long enough.
Income limits
Most programs cap household income and purchase price, and the caps vary by county and program. I check your numbers before we go down the list.
FAQ · DPA
Questions buyers ask.
The questions people type into Google and AI before they call. If yours is not here, that is what the first call is for.
01 How much down payment assistance can I get?
How much down payment assistance can I get?
It varies by program, but assistance can cover part or all of your down payment and closing costs, depending on the state and county program you qualify for.
02 Do I have to pay back down payment assistance?
Do I have to pay back down payment assistance?
Grants do not need to be repaid. Some programs use forgivable second loans that are wiped out after you live in the home for a set number of years, and others are repaid when you sell or refinance. I explain the terms before you commit.
03 What credit score do I need for down payment assistance?
What credit score do I need for down payment assistance?
The requirement follows the underlying loan, around 580 for FHA. For conventional, a credit score at 620 or above is preferred, but scores under 620 can be approved case by case. The assistance program itself rarely adds a separate minimum.
04 What are the income limits for down payment assistance?
What are the income limits for down payment assistance?
Most programs cap household income and purchase price, and the caps vary by county and program. I check your numbers against the current program rules.
05 Can I combine down payment assistance with an FHA loan?
Can I combine down payment assistance with an FHA loan?
Yes. FHA plus DPA is one of the most common combinations for first-time buyers. The assistance covers the 3.5% down payment and often the closing costs too.
Let's check your numbers.
The money to get in is out there if you know where to look. Book a call and we will run your DPA options.
Loan limits, credit requirements, and program guidelines are set by the agencies and by each lender, and they change every year. The numbers on this page are the 2026 figures as published. Jeff verifies the current limits and requirements against your exact situation before you build a plan.