Kansas First-Time Home Buyer Programs and Assistance
Kansas Housing Resources Corporation (KHRC) currently lists 2 programs for Kansas buyers, with down payment help up to 20% of the price (about $60,460 on a median-priced home) through First Time Homebuyer (FTHB) Program. Figures below were read from the agency's own pages on September 11, 2026.
Kansas first-time buyer programs open now
Kansas Housing Resources Corporation (KHRC) is the state's housing finance agency (homebuyer programs page). It runs 2 down payment or closing-cost assistance programs. Not published as an explicit numeric-year definition on the pages reviewed;
| Program | Type | Amount | First-time only | Min. credit | Income limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Time Homebuyer (FTHB) Program source | Forgivable second loan | 0% interest loan of 15% or 20% of the home's purchase price | Yes | n/a | At or below 80% of Area Median Income (AMI) for the buyer's area |
| Home Loan Guarantee for Rural Kansas source | Program | Not a direct down payment grant/loan; a loan guarantee product for lenders to reduce risk on rural home loans | Check | n/a | Not itemized on the pages fetched within budget |
- First Time Homebuyer (FTHB) Program. Terms: 0% interest second mortgage; forgiven if the buyer remains in the home 10 years (program documents distinguish a 5-year forgiveness note for amounts under $15,000 and a 10-year note for amounts over $15,000) Purchase price limit: Set by KHRC's published Maximum Purchase Price Limits (not itemized as a county range on the pages fetched) Must pair with: A KHRC-network participating lender Homebuyer education: required Where: Statewide, EXCLUDING Johnson County and the city limits of Kansas City, Lawrence, Topeka, and Wichita, which administer their own federal HOME/CDBG funds separately Program page
- Home Loan Guarantee for Rural Kansas. Terms: Not itemized on the pages fetched within budget Purchase price limit: Not itemized on the pages fetched within budget Must pair with: A participating lender in a qualifying rural Kansas area Where: Rural Kansas (specific county list not confirmed within budget) Program page
How little you can put down
You do not need 20% down. Conventional loans go as low as 3% (through programs like Fannie Mae HomeReady and Freddie Mac Home Possible), FHA loans start at 3.5%, and VA and USDA loans can require nothing down. On Kansas's median-priced home (about $302,300), 3% down is roughly $9,069. Putting 20% down lets you skip private mortgage insurance, but most first-time buyers put down far less.
Who counts as a first-time buyer
For most programs, a first-time buyer is anyone who has not owned a primary residence in the last three years, so many repeat buyers qualify again. Kansas programs often add income and purchase-price limits, which is another reason to confirm the details with Kansas Housing Resources Corporation.
Other ways to save in Kansas
Buyer commission rebates are not available to most buyers in Kansas, so beyond Kansas Housing Resources Corporation assistance, your best levers are comparing lenders on rate and fees, shopping title and settlement services, and asking the seller for a closing-cost concession. See our Kansas closing-costs guide for the full picture.
Frequently asked questions
What first-time home buyer programs are available in Kansas?
Kansas Housing Resources Corporation (KHRC) lists 2 programs: First Time Homebuyer (FTHB) Program, Home Loan Guarantee for Rural Kansas. Down payment help runs up to 20% of the price (about $60,460 on a median-priced home).
How much down payment assistance can you get in Kansas?
Up to 20% of the price (about $60,460 on a median-priced home) through First Time Homebuyer (FTHB) Program (forgivable second loan). Other Kansas programs offer different amounts; see the table on this page for each one.
Do you have to be a first-time buyer to qualify in Kansas?
Not published as an explicit numeric-year definition on the pages reviewed; the First Time Homebuyer Program is a federal HOME-funded program aimed at income-eligible households purchasing their first home (source: kshousingcorp.org/homeownership/first-time-homebuyer/).
How much down payment do you need in Kansas?
As little as 3% on a conventional loan, 3.5% on an FHA loan, and 0% on VA or USDA loans. On Kansas's median-priced home (about $302,300), 3% is roughly $9,069. You do not need 20% down, though 20% lets you avoid mortgage insurance.
Who counts as a first-time home buyer?
For most programs, a first-time buyer is anyone who has not owned a primary residence in the last three years. Some Kansas programs also have income and purchase-price limits, so check with Kansas Housing Resources Corporation.
Can I combine assistance with a buyer rebate in Kansas?
Kansas does not permit buyer commission rebates, so first-time buyers here should focus on Kansas Housing Resources Corporation assistance programs and negotiating the buyer's-agent commission instead.
Official sources
- Kansas Housing Resources Corporation (KHRC)
- Home Loan Guarantee for Rural Kansas - Kansas Housing Resources Corporation
- Kansas Housing Resources Corporation | Unlocking Home
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: down payment options and how to prepare
Kansas program details last verified against Kansas Housing Resources Corporation on September 11, 2026.
Read the full guide to the cash you need to buy →
This is general information, not financial advice. Program details, limits, and loan terms change; confirm the current rules with Kansas Housing Resources Corporation and your lender before you rely on them.
See first-time buyer programs in all states