How much house can you afford in Delaware with down payment assistance?

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The short answer: In Delaware, the DSHA First State Home Loan DPA Program (0%-interest soft second mortgage) provides 3% of your first mortgage loan amount toward your down payment or closing costs, with no monthly payments. Paired with the FHA 31%/43% debt-to-income guidelines lenders use, this calculator shows how much house you can afford in Delaware — with that assistance factored in.

Delaware down payment assistance program

DSHA First State Home Loan DPA Program
0%-interest soft second mortgage · Delaware
3% of first mortgage loan amount — 0% interest, no monthly payments

The DSHA First State Home Loan DPA Program is Delaware's flagship statewide down payment assistance, administered by the Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA) as a 0%-interest soft second mortgage worth 3% of your first mortgage loan amount, with no monthly payments due. Current amounts, income limits and credit requirements are set by the agency — confirm them on the official program page. Cities and counties in Delaware often add their own programs on top.

Official Delaware program page →
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Delaware DPA — common questions

What down payment assistance is available in Delaware?

Delaware's main statewide option is the DSHA First State Home Loan DPA Program — second loan / grant administered by the Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA), providing 3% of your first mortgage loan amount as a 0%-interest soft second mortgage with no monthly payments. Many cities and counties in Delaware add their own programs on top, so it is worth checking all three levels.

How much house can I afford in Delaware with assistance?

It depends on your income, debts and credit. The calculator applies the FHA 31%/43% debt-to-income rule to estimate your price, then shows how much of your down-payment gap Delaware assistance could cover. Most buyers pair it with a 3% conventional or 3.5% FHA down payment.

What credit score do I need for Delaware down payment assistance?

Many state programs set a 620 minimum credit score alongside income limits based on area median income. Exact requirements are set by the agency — verify current terms on the official DSHA First State Home Loan DPA Program page before applying.

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