West Virginia First-Time Home Buyer Programs and Assistance
West Virginia Housing Development Fund (WVHDF) currently lists 3 programs for West Virginia buyers, with down payment help up to $12,000 through Low Down Home Loan. Figures below were read from the agency's own pages on September 11, 2026.
West Virginia first-time buyer programs open now
West Virginia Housing Development Fund (WVHDF) is the state's housing finance agency (homebuyer programs page). It runs 1 down payment or closing-cost assistance program alongside 2 below-market first mortgages. Borrower must not have had an ownership interest in their principal residence at any time during the three-year period ending on the date the Homeownership Program loan closes, if purchasing in a non-targeted county (waived in targeted counties). The Movin' Up Program has no first-time homebuyer requirement.
| Program | Type | Amount | First-time only | Min. credit | Income limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Homeownership Program source | First mortgage | See program page | Yes | n/a | Gross household income must not exceed the county income limit published in WVHDF's Homeownership Program Income and House Price Limits sheet; |
| Movin' Up Program source | First mortgage | See program page | No | n/a | Moderate-income limit, higher than the Homeownership Program limit; |
| Low Down Home Loan source | Second mortgage | Up to $12,000 in down payment and/or closing cost assistance | No | n/a | Borrower must meet the minimum qualifications of the WVHDF Homeownership Program or Movin' Up Program used with it. |
- Homeownership Program. Terms: 30-year fixed-rate loan, can finance up to 100% of purchase price. Posted rate as of this page read: 5.790% / 6.395% APR. Purchase price limit: $300,000 in most WV counties; $350,000 in Berkeley and Jefferson counties (non-targeted); targeted-county limits shown at $300,000 statewide in the same table. Where: statewide, limits vary by county Program page
- Movin' Up Program. Terms: 30-year fixed-rate loan. Posted rates as of this page read: standard 7.250% / 7.889% APR; Movin' Up (Special) 7.125% / 7.834% APR. Purchase price limit: Set by the same county price-limit table used for the Homeownership Program (see that program's price_limit field). Where: statewide, limits vary by county Program page
- Low Down Home Loan. Terms: 15-year fixed-rate loan at 2% interest; available when loan-to-value ratio is at or above 80% Must pair with: WVHDF Homeownership Program or Movin' Up Program (first mortgage must also be a WVHDF loan) Program page
City and county programs in West Virginia
Local governments run their own down payment funds on top of the state programs. These can be combined with a state loan in most cases; each has its own income limit and area.
- City of Charleston / Kanawha County: Home Blend (HOME Investment Partnerships Program down payment and closing cost assistance). Up to $25,000 for down payment plus up to $2,000 for closing costs ($27,000 total maximum). Forgivable second loan. Income limit: Household income must not exceed (per the program brochure on file): 1 person $35,850; 2 persons $41,000;. First-time buyers only. Official 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 West Virginia's median-priced home (about $253,300), 3% down is roughly $7,599. 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. West Virginia programs often add income and purchase-price limits, which is another reason to confirm the details with West Virginia Housing Development Fund.
Stack a buyer rebate on top in West Virginia
Down-payment assistance and a buyer commission rebate are two different things, and in West Virginia you can use both. Assistance from West Virginia Housing Development Fund helps with your down payment and closing costs; a buyer rebate returns about 2% of the price to you at closing (roughly $5,066 on a median-priced home), which can cover much of your closing bill.
See West Virginia buyer rebates → See West Virginia closing costs →
Frequently asked questions
What first-time home buyer programs are available in West Virginia?
West Virginia Housing Development Fund (WVHDF) lists 3 programs: Homeownership Program, Movin' Up Program, Low Down Home Loan. Down payment help runs up to $12,000. City of Charleston / Kanawha County also run local down payment programs.
How much down payment assistance can you get in West Virginia?
Up to $12,000 through Low Down Home Loan (second mortgage). Other West Virginia 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 West Virginia?
Not for every program. 2 of 3 West Virginia programs are open to repeat buyers. Borrower must not have had an ownership interest in their principal residence at any time during the three-year period ending on the date the Homeownership Program loan closes, if purchasing in a non-targeted county (waived in targeted counties). The Movin' Up Program has no first-time homebuyer requirement.
How much down payment do you need in West Virginia?
As little as 3% on a conventional loan, 3.5% on an FHA loan, and 0% on VA or USDA loans. On West Virginia's median-priced home (about $253,300), 3% is roughly $7,599. 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 West Virginia programs also have income and purchase-price limits, so check with West Virginia Housing Development Fund.
Can I combine assistance with a buyer rebate in West Virginia?
Yes. A buyer commission rebate is separate from down-payment assistance and is legal in West Virginia. Assistance helps with your down payment and closing costs up front; a rebate returns about 2% of the price at closing, which you can put toward closing costs. You can use both.
Official sources
- West Virginia Housing Development Fund (WVHDF)
- WVHDF Homeownership Program page
- WVHDF Movin' Up Program page
- WVHDF Low Down Home Loan page
- West Virginia Housing Development Fund (WVHDF) homepage
- WVHDF Programs Income and House Price Limits (PDF)
- City of Charleston Home Blend brochure (PDF)
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: down payment options and how to prepare
West Virginia program details last verified against West Virginia Housing Development Fund 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 West Virginia Housing Development Fund and your lender before you rely on them.
See first-time buyer programs in all states