How Down Payment Assistance Helps First-Time Home Buyers.
Why First-Time Home Buyers Should Apply for Down Payment Assistance.
Down payment assistance programs can significantly lower the amount of cash needed at closing. These programs may offer grants, forgivable loans, or low-interest second loans that help cover part—or sometimes all—of the down payment and, in some cases, closing costs.
Key Benefits of Down Payment Assistance
- Lower upfront costs when purchasing a home
- Faster path to homeownership without years of saving
- More buying power, allowing you to consider better locations or homes
- Flexible program options for different income levels and buyer profiles
For many first-time buyers, down payment assistance can be the difference between continuing to rent and owning a home.
How Guild Mortgage Provides the Most Effective Down Payment Assistance Options
Guild Mortgage stands out by offering a wide range of down payment assistance programs, including local, state, and national options. Our loan experts take the time to understand your financial situation and guide you toward programs that align with your short‑ and long‑term goals.
Why Buyers Choose Guild Mortgage
- Access to multiple down payment assistance programs
- Loan options compatible with FHA, Conventional, VA, and specialty loans
- Personalized guidance from experienced mortgage professionals
- Solutions for first-time buyers, repeat buyers, and professionals
We focus on education, transparency, and long-term affordability—not just getting you to the closing table.
Learn More
Typical Requirements May Include:
- First-time home buyer status (often defined as not owning a home in the last 3 years)
- Minimum credit score, depending on the loan type
- Income limits, based on household size and location
- Primary residence requirement (the home must be owner‑occupied)
- Completion of a homebuyer education course
- Use of an approved loan type (FHA, Conventional, etc.)
Some programs assist with the down payment only, others help with closing costs, and certain options may offer help with both.
Down Payment Assistance Options
Zero Down 100% FHA Loan
600+ credit scores: Guild’s Zero Down program (also known as the Chenoa Fund) pairs an FHA first mortgage with a down payment assistance (DPA) second mortgage. Together, they are structured so that the borrower’s minimum required investment (3.5% for FHA) is provided by the second mortgage rather than the borrower’s own funds.
Up to 100% financing on the home purchase when combined with the Chenoa Fund DPA / Guild Zeo Down -second mortgage; DPA second is 3.5% or 5% of the sales price or appraised value.
Primary residence only; 1–2 units, PUDs and eligible condos (FHA approved or SUA) are allowed.BONUS: 👉 Manufactured homes (multi‑width and singlewide) may be permitted with an approved exception.
Forgivable second option (Service‑Released only): 3.5% DPA, 0% interest, 30‑year deferred and forgivable after 36 consecutive on‑time payments on the first mortgage; if conditions are not met earlier, forgiveness may still be available at the end of 30 years at borrower request and payment of the lien‑release processing cost.
Guild Mortgage has every down payment assistance loan product at our finger tips.
Scheduale a time to talk to a Team Member at Guild Mortgage to see if a down payment assistance loan is right for you.
Georgia Dream Down Payment Assistance
e Your Homeownership Dreams Come True with Georgia Dream Down Payment Assistance!
Are you a first-time homebuyer looking to make your dream of owning a home a reality? The Georgia Dream Down Payment Assistance Program is here to help you every step of the way. With up to $10,000 in assistance for eligible buyers, and up to $12,500 for public protectors, educators, healthcare providers, and those with family members living with a disability, our program is designed to make homeownership more accessible and affordable.
Compare loan products."
👉 USDA - Rural property 100% financing + 10K to $12,500 assistance
👉 VA Borrower: 100% financing + Rates below 5%
In most cases, same-day pre-approvals
Looking for more information specifically about your county? - Check out the blog page
Invest Atlanta Down Payment Assistance
Unlock Your Dream Home with Atlanta Housing's Down Payment Assistance Program!
Are you a first-time homebuyer eager to step into homeownership? Atlanta Housing's Down Payment Assistance (DPA) Program is here to make your dream a reality. With up to $20,000 in assistance for eligible buyers, and up to $25,000 for public safety, healthcare, education professionals, military personnel, and voucher participants, our program is designed to help you overcome the biggest hurdle in buying a home – the down payment
Purchase a Home or Condo up to $375,000 within the City Limits of Atlanta, with up to $20,000-$25,000 in Purchasing Assistance. Certain restrictions apply.
- Income cannot exceed 80% of the current HUDS MSA Area Median Income - 👉 Enter Property Address Here
- Primary residence only ( Single Family, Condo, Townhomes)
Scheduale a time to talk to a local adviser to see if an Atlanta Housing down payment assistance loan is right for you.
👉 CLICK HERE TO SCHEDUALE A CALL
Atlanta Housing DPA
Guild Mortgage has been approved to lend up to 1.250 million in 2025!
Guild Mortgage is seeking homebuyers in need of financial assistance, whether you're a first-time homebuyer or have owned a property within the last three years. Our homebuyer assistance program provides a soft-second mortgage at zero percent interest, with all payments deferred. This program helps reduce housing costs by increasing your down payment and lowering your mortgage amount, without adding any extra expense to your monthly mortgage payment.
This loan program is available to qualifying homebuyers purchasing homes located in the 29-county Atlanta MSA area. Georgia counties include Barrow, Bartow, Butts, Carroll, Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, Dawson, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Haralson, Heard, Henry, Jasper, Lamar, Meriwether, Morgan, Newton, Paulding, Pickens, Pike, Rockdale, Spalding, and Walton.
We offer two down payment and closing costs programs:
- The down payment assistance ranges from $17,500 to $20,000. assistance if the household Income does not exceed 80% of the current HUDS MSA county area median income. ( AMI )
- $15,000 DPA Assistance if household income is 80%.01 or more and less than 120% AMI. ( as of 04/14/2025) Out of funding until further notice. We may have additional funding for this loan product at a later date.
Enter Property Address or County Here to locate the total house hold income limit.
- Primary residence only ( Single Family, Condo, Townhomes, Manufactured housing)
How do I apply or get more information? Contact 404-276-4268 for more information or click on the registration button below.
* Credit scores under 640 do require additional compensating factors for financing. Not all borrowers will be eligible for this or any home financing.
Conventional Financing with a 1% Down payment
HomeReady or Home Possible 3% Down Payment
Buy a Home With Just 1% Down Payment required*
Guild Mortgage may contribute a grant of up to $5,000 toward your down payment
Homeownership may be more attainable than you think. With Guild Mortgage’s Conventional Down Payment Assistance option, qualified buyers can purchase a home with only 1% of their own funds, while Guild contributes up to $5,000 as a grant toward the required 3% minimum down payment on a conventional loan.
This program is designed to help reduce upfront cash requirements while maintaining the flexibility and benefits of a conventional mortgage.
✅ As little as 1% buyer contribution with 620 credit scores
✅ Grant funds from Guild applied toward down payment
✅ No repayment required on the grant (subject to program terms)
✅ Available for primary residence purchases
✅ Works with a 97% loan‑to‑value conventional loan
Program availability, borrower eligibility, and grant amounts are subject to guidelines and may vary by location.
Grant Contribution
- Guild Mortgage may contribute a grant of up to $5,000
- Grant is applied toward:
- Down payment only
(unless program specifics allow otherwise)
- Down payment only
- Grant funds:
- Do not require repayment
- Are subject to program guidelines
- Must be disclosed on the Closing Disclosure and Loan Estimate
Grant amount may be limited based on loan size, property location, income limits, or other eligibility requirements.
Borrower Eligibility (Typical Parameters)
(Actual eligibility subject to underwriting)
- Income limits may apply depending on market or grant structure
- Standard conventional credit requirements
- First‑time homebuyer status may or may not be required (varies by program design)
- At least one borrower may be required to complete homebuyer education
Eligible Properties
- 1‑unit single‑family residences
- Condominiums (if otherwise eligible under conventional guidelines)
- Primary residences only
❌ No second homes or investment properties
* Depends on the purchase price.
- Payment‑sensitive buyers
- Renters ready to buy now
- Actively conversion‑read
APPLY HERE -Conventional loan Grant funds
Scheduale a time to talk to a local adviser to see if an HomeReady/ Home Possible 1% Down Payment is right for you.
👉 CLICK HERE TO SCHEDUALE A CALL
1% down conventional loan with grant.”