Illinois First-Time Home Buyer Programs and Assistance
In Illinois, first-time buyers can get down-payment help and below-market loans through Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA). You can buy with as little as 3% down, or 0% with a VA or USDA loan.
Down-payment help in Illinois
The main source of first-time buyer assistance in Illinois is Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA), the state's housing finance agency. HFAs typically offer below-market-rate mortgages paired with down-payment and closing-cost assistance, sometimes as a grant and sometimes as a second loan that is forgiven over time. The specific programs, amounts, and income limits change, so check the agency for what is currently open.
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 Illinois's median-priced home (about $314,200), 3% down is roughly $9,426. 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. Illinois programs often add income and purchase-price limits, which is another reason to confirm the details with Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA).
Stack a buyer rebate on top in Illinois
Down-payment assistance and a buyer commission rebate are two different things, and in Illinois you can use both. Assistance from Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) helps with your down payment and closing costs; a buyer rebate returns about 2% of the price to you at closing (roughly $6,284 on a median-priced home), which can cover much of your closing bill.
Frequently asked questions
What first-time home buyer programs are available in Illinois?
Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) is the state's housing finance agency and the main source of first-time buyer help in Illinois, typically including below-market-rate mortgages and down-payment or closing-cost assistance. Programs and amounts change, so check the agency for what is open now.
How much down payment do you need in Illinois?
As little as 3% on a conventional loan, 3.5% on an FHA loan, and 0% on VA or USDA loans. On Illinois's median-priced home (about $314,200), 3% is roughly $9,426. 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 Illinois programs also have income and purchase-price limits, so check with Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA).
Can I combine assistance with a buyer rebate in Illinois?
Yes. A buyer commission rebate is separate from down-payment assistance and is legal in Illinois. 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
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 Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) and your lender before you rely on them.
See first-time buyer programs in all states