West Virginia First-Time Home Buying Assistance Programs & Grants for 2024
By Susan Guillory
(Last Updated – 03/2024)
With its proximity to Washington, D.C., Baltimore, and Pittsburgh, West Virginia is a popular place to live. The Mountain State also has some of the lowest home values in the nation.
The housing market in West Virginia, however, has heated up: From January 2023 to January 2024, the number of homes sold rose almost 8% and the median sale price rose 4.5%, to $297,600, according to Redfin, a real estate brokerage that analyzes housing market data across the country.
If you’re a first-time homebuyer in West Virginia, know that city, state, and federal programs may be able to help you purchase your first home. With luck you’ve crunched numbers on a mortgage calculator, know your credit score, understand mortgage basics, and you’re ready to go.
Who Is Considered a First-Time Homebuyer in West Virginia?
Understanding the definition of a first-time homebuyer in West Virginia can help you determine if you’re eligible for assistance. At first glance, you might assume it means never having owned a house ever, but in most counties, and nationwide, it also means you haven’t owned a primary home in the past three years.
With most state assistance programs, veterans also qualify, and buyers in “targeted areas” do not have to be first-time homebuyers.
Recommended: First-Time Home Buyer Guide
6 West Virginia Programs for First-Time Homebuyers
Most first-time homebuyers will need a home mortgage loan. Let’s start by looking at state programs for first-time and repeat buyers in West Virginia. These programs generally are designed for people with low to moderate incomes or who are in certain demographic groups..
- West Virginia Housing Development Fund: The Homeownership Program
- West Virginia Housing Development Fund: Movin’ Up Program
- West Virginia Housing Development Down Payment Assistance
- Charleston Homebuyer Assistance Program
- Martinsburg Homebuyer Assistance Program
- Wood County First-Time Homebuyer Program
1. West Virginia Housing Development Fund: The Homeownership Program
This program provides lower-interest fixed-rate loans with 30-year terms for first-time buyers. Up to 100% of the home can be financed. Some first-time homebuyers in West Virginia may also qualify for the down payment and closing cost assistance program. Borrowers may be required to participate in homebuyer education.
You can get current rates for the program, as well as household income and house price limits here .
2. West Virginia Housing Development Fund: Movin’ Up Program
Another program offered by the West Virginia Housing Development Fund is the Movin’ Up Program, which helps first-time or repeat buyers purchase a new home. Income must be $130,560 or under for a one- or two-person household, and $152,320 or under for households with three or more members. Home purchase price limits apply, as above.
View current rates and income and house price limits for Movin’ Up here .
3. West Virginia Housing Development Down Payment Assistance
Down payment and closing cost assistance loans up to $8,000 are available with the Homeownership and Movin’ Up programs in the form of a 15-year loan with a current rate of 2%.
4. Charleston Homebuyer Assistance Program
Lower-income first-time buyers looking to purchase a house in Charleston or Kanawha County may want to look into the Home Blend program , which offers forgivable loans of up to $128,000 with a 10-year repayment term at 0%. The borrower takes out a mortgage from a participating lender for 80% of the purchase price; the additional 20% is provided as the 0% loan forgiven monthly.
Borrowers are required to invest a minimum of $500, have “acceptable” credit, and complete a homebuyer education workshop.
5. Martinsburg Homebuyer Assistance Program
If you’re a first-time homebuyer looking at a home in Martinsburg or Berkeley, Jefferson, or Morgan counties, you might want to look into deferred no-interest loans that can be used for a down payment and closing costs. The loan may be forgiven if you live in the home for the five-year loan period.
To qualify, you must meet income limits, prequalify for a mortgage, and invest a minimum of $500 toward the purchase of a home.
6. Wood County First-Time Homebuyer Program
The city of Parkersburg may provide up to $15,000 as a forgivable loan to eligible and approved homebuyers to cover the costs of a down payment and closing cost expenses.
How to Apply to West Virginia Programs for First-Time Homebuyers
To apply for the West Virginia Housing Development Fund Homeownership or Movin’ Up programs, contact participating lenders . You may want to compare fees and offerings to find the best fit. Applications for other programs are on program websites, and often include a phone number you can call with questions. Prepare to apply by gathering your financial documents, including your most recent tax return.
Make sure you only apply for a mortgage for a home you can afford. This home affordability calculator helps you figure out how much home you can afford, based on your income and expenses.
Federal Programs for First-Time Homebuyers
Several federal government programs are designed for people who have low credit scores or limited cash for a down payment. Although most of these programs are available to repeat homeowners, like state programs, they can be especially helpful to people who are buying a first home or who haven’t owned a home in several years.
The mortgages are generally for single-family homes, two- to four-unit properties that will be owner occupied, approved condos, townhomes, planned unit developments, and some manufactured homes.
Federal Housing Administration (FHA) Loans
The FHA, which is part of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), insures mortgages for borrowers with lower credit scores. Homebuyers choose from a list of approved lenders that participate in the FHA loan program. Loans have competitive interest rates and require a down payment of 3.5% of the purchase price for borrowers, who typically need FICO® credit scores of 580 or higher. Those with scores as low as 500 must put at least 10% down.
In addition to examining your credit score, lenders will look at your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio (your monthly debt payments compared with your monthly gross income). FHA loans allow a DTI ratio of up to 50% in some cases, vs. a typical 45% maximum for a conventional loan.
Gift money for the down payment is allowed from certain donors and will be documented in a gift letter for the mortgage.
FHA loans always require mortgage insurance: a 1.75% upfront fee and annual premiums for the life of the loan, unless you make a down payment of at least 10%, which allows the removal of mortgage insurance after 11 years. For a $300,000 mortgage balance, upfront MIP would be around $5,250 and monthly MIP, at a rate of 0.55%, would be around $137. You can learn more about these loans, including FHA loans for refinance and rehab of properties, by reading up on FHA requirements, loan limits, and rates.
Freddie Mac Home Possible Mortgages
Very low- and low-income borrowers may make a 3% down payment on a Home Possible® mortgage. These loans allow various sources for down payments, including co-borrowers, family gifts, employer assistance, secondary financing, and sweat equity.
The Home Possible mortgage is for buyers who have a credit score of at least 660.
Once you pay 20% of your loan, the Home Possible mortgage insurance will be canceled, which will lower your mortgage payments.
Fannie Mae HomeReady Mortgages
Fannie Mae HomeReady® Mortgages allow down payments as low as 3% for low-income borrowers. Applicants generally need a credit score of at least 620; pricing may be better for credit scores of 680 and above. Like the Freddie Mac program, HomeReady loans allow flexibility for down payment financing, such as gifts and grants.
For income limits, a comparison to an FHA loan, and other information, go to this Fannie Mae site .
Fannie Mae Standard 97 LTV Loan
The conventional 97 LTV loan is for first-time homebuyers of any income level who have a credit score of at least 620 and meet debt-to-income criteria. The 97% loan-to-value mortgage requires 3% down. Borrowers can get down payment and closing cost assistance from third-party sources.
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Loans
Active-duty members of the military, veterans, and eligible family members may apply for loans backed by the Department of Veterans Affairs. VA loans, which can be used to buy, build, or improve homes, have lower interest rates than most other mortgages and don’t require a down payment. Most borrowers pay a one-time funding fee that can be rolled into the mortgage.
Another benefit of VA loans is that they do not require private mortgage insurance (PMI) for borrowers who make a down payment of less than 20%. And they have more flexible credit score requirements. In some cases, even those who have previously been in foreclosure or bankruptcy can qualify.
Borrowers applying for a VA loan will need a Certificate of Eligibility from the VA so make sure to review a guide to qualifying for a VA loan as a first step in the process.
Native American Veteran Direct Loans (NADLs)
Eligible Native American veterans and their spouses may use these no-down-payment loans to buy, improve, or build a home on federal trust land. Unlike VA loans above, the Department of Veterans Affairs is the mortgage lender on NADLs. The VA requires no mortgage insurance, but it does charge a funding fee.
Regional loan centers are closed to the public, but you can contact the Department of Veterans Affairs for West Virginia at [email protected].
US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Loans
No down payment is required on these loans to moderate-income borrowers that are guaranteed by the USDA in specified rural areas. Borrowers pay an upfront guarantee fee and an annual fee that serves as mortgage insurance.
The USDA also directly issues loans to low- and very low-income people. For loan basics and income and property eligibility, visit this USDA site .
HUD Good Neighbor Next Door Program
This program helps police officers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians, and teachers qualify for mortgages in the areas they serve. Borrowers can receive 50% off a home in what HUD calls a “revitalization area.” They must live in the home for at least three years. West Virginians can reach the regional HUD office at 304-347-7000.
First-Time Homebuyer Stats for 2024
• Percentage of buyers nationwide who are first-time buyers: 32%
• Median age of first-time homebuyers: 35
• Median home sales price in West Virginia: $297,600
• 3% down payment: $8,928
• 20% down payment: $59,520
• Average credit score in West Virginia: 703
Financing Tips for First-Time Homebuyers
In addition to federal and state government-sponsored lending programs, there are other financial strategies that may help you become a homeowner. Some examples:
• Traditional IRA withdrawals. The IRS allows qualifying first-time homebuyers a one-time, penalty-free withdrawal of up to $10,000 from their IRA if the money is used to buy, build, or rebuild a home. The IRS considers anyone who has not owned a primary residence in the past three years a first-time homebuyer. You will still owe income tax on the IRA withdrawal. If you’re married and your spouse has an IRA, they may also make a penalty-free withdrawal of $10,000 to purchase a home. The downside, of course, is that large withdrawals may jeopardize your retirement savings.
• Roth IRA withdrawals. Because Roth IRA contributions are made with after-tax money, the IRS allows tax- and penalty-free withdrawals of contributions for any reason as long as you’ve held the account for five years. You may also withdraw up to $10,000 in earnings from your Roth IRA without paying taxes or penalties if you are a qualifying first-time homebuyer and you have had the account for five years. With accounts held for less than five years, homebuyers will pay income tax on earnings withdrawn.
• 401(k) loans. If your employer allows borrowing from the 401(k) plan that it sponsors, you may consider taking a loan against the 401(k) account to help finance your home purchase. With most plans, you can borrow up to 50% of your 401(k) balance, up to $50,000, without incurring taxes or penalties. You pay interest on the loan, which is paid into your 401(k) account. You usually have to pay back the loan within five years, but if you’re using the money to buy a house, you may have up to 15 years to repay.
• State and local down payment assistance programs. Usually offered at the regional or county level, these programs provide flexible second mortgages for first-time buyers looking into how to afford a down payment.
• The mortgage credit certificate program. First-time homeowners and those who buy in targeted areas can claim a portion of their mortgage interest as a tax credit, up to $2,000. Any additional interest paid can still be used as an itemized deduction. To qualify for the credit, you must be a first-time homebuyer, live in the home, and meet income and purchase price requirements, which vary by state. If you refinance, the credit disappears, and if you sell the house before nine years, you may have to pay some of the tax credit back. There are fees associated with applying for and receiving the mortgage credit certificate that vary by state. Often the savings from the lifetime of the credit can outweigh these fees.
• Your employer. Your employer may offer access to lower-cost lenders and real estate agents in your area, as well as home buying education courses.
• Your lender. Always ask your lender about any first-time homebuyer grant or down payment assistance programs available from government, nonprofit, and community organizations in your area.
The Takeaway
West Virginia city and state programs can help low- to moderate-income first-time homebuyers get a leg up in the Mountain State. Other first-time buyers may be able to find opportunities among government and conventional loans on their own.
Looking for an affordable option for a home mortgage loan? SoFi can help: We offer low down payments (as little as 3% - 5%*) with our competitive and flexible home mortgage loans. Plus, applying is extra convenient: It's online, with access to one-on-one help.FAQ
Should I take first-time homebuyer classes?
Homebuying classes can be beneficial to anyone who is new to the real estate market. And for some first-time homebuyers applying for government-sponsored loans, a class is required.
Do first-time homebuyers with bad credit qualify for homeownership assistance?
Often they do. Many government and nonprofit homeowner assistance programs are available to people with low credit scores. And often, interest rates and other loan pricing are competitive with those of loans available to borrowers with higher credit scores. That said, almost any lending program has credit qualifications.
Is there a first-time homebuyer tax credit in West Virginia?
The West Virginia Housing Development Fund does not offer one. Ask your homebuyer education and counseling agency if a mortgage credit certificate is available in your area.
Is there a first-time veteran homebuyer assistance program in West Virginia?
A VA-backed loan is an option in West Virginia and may require no down payment or can be paired with down payment assistance.
What credit score do I need for first-time homebuyer assistance in West Virginia?
The West Virginia Housing Development Fund Homeownership Program generally requires a score of 640 or above. The upshot: The minimum credit score usually depends on the lender.
What is the average age of first-time homebuyers?
The median age of U.S. first-time homebuyers is 35.
Photo credit: iStock/LawrenceSawyer
*SoFi requires Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) for conforming home loans with a loan-to-value (LTV) ratio greater than 80%. As little as 3% down payments are for qualifying first-time homebuyers only. 5% minimum applies to other borrowers. Other loan types may require different fees or insurance (e.g., VA funding fee, FHA Mortgage Insurance Premiums, etc.). Loan requirements may vary depending on your down payment amount, and minimum down payment varies by loan type.
¹FHA loans are subject to unique terms and conditions established by FHA and SoFi. Ask your SoFi loan officer for details about eligibility, documentation, and other requirements. FHA loans require an Upfront Mortgage Insurance Premium (UFMIP), which may be financed or paid at closing, in addition to monthly Mortgage Insurance Premiums (MIP). Maximum loan amounts vary by county. The minimum FHA mortgage down payment is 3.5% for those who qualify financially for a primary purchase. SoFi is not affiliated with any government agency.
†Veterans, Service members, and members of the National Guard or Reserve may be eligible for a loan guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. VA loans are subject to unique terms and conditions established by VA and SoFi. Ask your SoFi loan officer for details about eligibility, documentation, and other requirements. VA loans typically require a one-time funding fee except as may be exempted by VA guidelines. The fee may be financed or paid at closing. The amount of the fee depends on the type of loan, the total amount of the loan, and, depending on loan type, prior use of VA eligibility and down payment amount. The VA funding fee is typically non-refundable. SoFi is not affiliated with any government agency.
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