Wisconsin First-Time Home Buyer Programs and Assistance
Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) currently lists 6 programs for Wisconsin buyers, with down payment help up to 6% of the price (about $20,292 on a median-priced home) through WHEDA Easy Close Advantage DPA. Figures below were read from the agency's own pages on September 11, 2026.
Wisconsin first-time buyer programs open now
Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) is the state's housing finance agency (homebuyer programs page). It runs 2 down payment or closing-cost assistance programs alongside 4 below-market first mortgages. WHEDA's Advantage Conventional and Advantage FHA first mortgages do not require the borrower to be a first-time home buyer.
| Program | Type | Amount | First-time only | Min. credit | Income limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WHEDA Advantage Conventional source | First mortgage | See program page | No | 620 | Must be under the Total Household Compliance Income limit, which varies by county and whether the property is in a designated target area; |
| WHEDA Advantage FHA source | First mortgage | See program page | No | 640 | Same Total Household Compliance Income limits as WHEDA Advantage Conventional (varies by county/target area). |
| WHEDA Easy Close Advantage DPA source | Second mortgage | Minimum $1,000; maximum 6% of the purchase price | No | n/a | Total Household Compliance Income limits apply, based on the WHEDA first mortgage program (Advantage Conventional or Advantage FHA) it is paired with. |
| WHEDA Capital Access DPA source | Deferred second loan | $7,500 loan amount (Conventional or FHA) | No | n/a | Has separate (generally lower) Total Household Compliance Income limits than Easy Close, set per county; |
| WHEDA Advantage Home Improvement Loan Program (HILP) source | First mortgage | $10,000-$50,000 loan amount (up to 125% combined loan-to-value) | No | n/a | Total Household Income limits apply. |
| WHEDA Advantage Conventional HomeStyle Renovation source | First mortgage | See program page | No | 620 | Same limits as WHEDA Advantage Conventional (see that entry). |
- WHEDA Advantage Conventional. Terms: 30-year fixed; purchase or WHEDA-to-WHEDA refinance; property must be in Wisconsin and owner-occupied for the life of the loan Purchase price limit: $541,287 (1 unit, non-target) statewide for most counties, $552,000 in Pierce and St. Croix counties; Homebuyer education: required Where: statewide, limits vary by county and target-area status Program page
- WHEDA Advantage FHA. Terms: 30-year fixed; purchase only; property must be in Wisconsin and owner-occupied for the life of the loan Purchase price limit: FHA loan limit of $725,146 statewide as published in WHEDA's income/loan-limits document, effective January 1, 2026. Homebuyer education: required Where: statewide, income limits vary by county and target-area status Program page
- WHEDA Easy Close Advantage DPA. Terms: 10-year fixed rate second mortgage with monthly payment; interest rate is the same as the first mortgage Must pair with: WHEDA Advantage Conventional or WHEDA Advantage FHA first mortgage Homebuyer education: required Program page
- WHEDA Capital Access DPA. Terms: 30-year fixed rate second mortgage, 0% interest, no monthly payments Purchase price limit: $541,287 (1 unit) / $693,050 (2+ unit) in most counties; $552,000 (1 unit) / $706,650 (2+ unit) in Pierce and St. Croix counties, effective January 15, 2026. Must pair with: WHEDA Advantage Conventional or WHEDA Advantage FHA first mortgage Homebuyer education: required Where: statewide, income limits vary by county (see county_limits) Program page
- WHEDA Advantage Home Improvement Loan Program (HILP). Terms: 15-year fixed rate mortgage; closing cost credit up to $500 paid by WHEDA; up to 6 months to complete renovations Program page
- WHEDA Advantage Conventional HomeStyle Renovation. Terms: Extension of the WHEDA Advantage Conventional first mortgage; combines purchase and renovation costs into one loan; up to 100% financing when combined with a WHEDA down payment assistance loan Purchase price limit: Same limits as WHEDA Advantage Conventional (see that entry). Homebuyer education: required Program page
Income and price limits by county
Limits shown are for the WHEDA capital access program, by household size and units.
| County | Income limit | Price limit |
|---|---|---|
| Waukesha | 1 person: $60,700; 2 person: $69,400; 3 person: $78,050; 4 person: $86,700 | 1 unit: $541,287; 2+ unit: $693,050 |
| Racine | 1 person: $58,450; 2 person: $66,800; 3 person: $75,150; 4 person: $83,450 | 1 unit: $541,287; 2+ unit: $693,050 |
| Kenosha | 1 person: $65,700; 2 person: $75,100; 3 person: $84,500; 4 person: $93,850 | 1 unit: $541,287; 2+ unit: $693,050 |
| Dane | 1 person: $74,800; 2 person: $85,450; 3 person: $96,150; 4 person: $106,800 | 1 unit: $541,287; 2+ unit: $693,050 |
| Milwaukee | 1 person: $60,700; 2 person: $69,400; 3 person: $78,050; 4 person: $86,700 | 1 unit: $541,287; 2+ unit: $693,050 |
Mortgage credit certificate in Wisconsin
Wisconsin offers a mortgage credit certificate (WHEDA Tax Advantage Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC)), a federal tax credit worth 25% of the mortgage interest you pay each year, for as long as you live in the home. MCC program page
City and county programs in Wisconsin
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 Milwaukee: Milwaukee Home Down Payment Assistance Program. Up to $5,000 for a home purchase anywhere in the City of Milwaukee, or up to $7,000 if purchasing within the City's Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Area. Forgivable second loan. Income limit: Total household income must not exceed: 1 person $60,700; 2 persons $69,400; 3 persons $78,050; 4 persons $86,700;. First-time buyers only. Official page
- City of Madison: Home-Buy the American Dream (HBAD). Qualified homebuyers may be eligible for up to $35,000. Forgivable second loan. Income limit: Income limits are set in the program's underwriting manual (not published in plain numeric form on the program's public page as of this read); low-to-moderate income homebuyers are eligible.. 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 Wisconsin's median-priced home (about $338,200), 3% down is roughly $10,146. 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. Wisconsin programs often add income and purchase-price limits, which is another reason to confirm the details with Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA).
Stack a buyer rebate on top in Wisconsin
Down-payment assistance and a buyer commission rebate are two different things, and in Wisconsin you can use both. Assistance from Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) helps with your down payment and closing costs; a buyer rebate returns about 2% of the price to you at closing (roughly $6,764 on a median-priced home), which can cover much of your closing bill.
You may qualify for more help in your county
City and county governments in Wisconsin run their own down payment programs on top of the state ones, and most can be combined with a state loan. Each county page lists the local programs, income limits and local closing costs alongside the state programs:
- Dane County: local help up to $35,000
- Milwaukee County: local help up to $35,000
- Waukesha County: local help up to $10,000
Frequently asked questions
What first-time home buyer programs are available in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) lists 6 programs: WHEDA Advantage Conventional, WHEDA Advantage FHA, WHEDA Easy Close Advantage DPA, WHEDA Capital Access DPA, WHEDA Advantage Home Improvement Loan Program (HILP), WHEDA Advantage Conventional HomeStyle Renovation. Down payment help runs up to 6% of the price (about $20,292 on a median-priced home). City of Milwaukee, City of Madison also run local down payment programs.
How much down payment assistance can you get in Wisconsin?
Up to 6% of the price (about $20,292 on a median-priced home) through WHEDA Easy Close Advantage DPA (second mortgage). Other Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin?
Not for every program. 6 of 6 Wisconsin programs are open to repeat buyers. WHEDA's Advantage Conventional and Advantage FHA first mortgages do not require the borrower to be a first-time home buyer. First-time-buyer status only affects Home Buyer Education requirements and Federal Recapture Tax exposure, and is required for the WHEDA Tax Advantage MCC program (federal definition: no ownership interest in a primary residence in the last 3 years, waived in target areas).
How much down payment do you need in Wisconsin?
As little as 3% on a conventional loan, 3.5% on an FHA loan, and 0% on VA or USDA loans. On Wisconsin's median-priced home (about $338,200), 3% is roughly $10,146. 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 Wisconsin programs also have income and purchase-price limits, so check with Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA).
Can I combine assistance with a buyer rebate in Wisconsin?
Yes. A buyer commission rebate is separate from down-payment assistance and is legal in Wisconsin. 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
- Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA)
- WHEDA Capital Access Income and Purchase Price Limits (PDF)
- WHEDA homepage
- WHEDA Home Buyers page
- WHEDA (FNMA AMI and) Income & Loan Limits - current (PDF)
- WHEDA Tax Advantage MCC Program Guide (PDF)
- City of Milwaukee - Milwaukee Home Down Payment Assistance Program
- City of Madison - Down Payment Assistance for First Time Homebuyers (HBAD)
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: down payment options and how to prepare
Wisconsin program details last verified against Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) 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 Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) and your lender before you rely on them.
See first-time buyer programs in all states