Wayne County, MI First-Time Home Buyer Programs and Down Payment Help
Wayne County buyers can apply to 2 local down payment programs, with help up to $25,000 through Detroit Down Payment Assistance Program, on top of Michigan's statewide programs. Figures below were read from the administering agencies' own pages on September 11, 2026.
Local programs in Wayne County
These are run by City of Detroit, Michigan (statewide), separate from the state housing finance agency, and can usually be combined with a state loan. Check the program page for current funding before you apply.
| Program | Type | Amount | Income limit | First-time only | Where |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit Down Payment Assistance Program City of Detroit (City of Detroit Housing and Revitalization Department (HRD)) · source | grant for down payment, prepaid costs, and closing costs (repayable if you sell, refinance or transfer the home within 3 years) | Up to $25,000 | Household income must be less than 80% of Area Median Income, adjusted for household size, as issued annually by HUD | Yes | Inside Detroit city limits |
| MI 10K DPA Loan Michigan (statewide) (Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA)) · source | deferred, interest-free second mortgage | Up to $10,000 | Varies by county and household size under MSHDA's published income limit tables. | No | Statewide, including Wayne County; must be combined with a MSHDA MI Home Loan |
- Detroit Down Payment Assistance Program. Round 3 (announced by Mayor Sheffield) is funded with $1.7 million in HUD CDBG funds and $8.77 million in CDBG-Disaster Recovery funds and targets up to 450 additional first-time homeowners, with priority for households affected by the August 2023 flooding.
- MI 10K DPA Loan. No monthly payments; repayment is deferred until the first mortgage is paid off, the home is sold or refinanced, or the home is no longer owner-occupied.
Income limits in Wayne County
Down payment programs here are keyed to HUD's income limits for Detroit-Warren-Livonia, MI HUD Metro FMR Area (fiscal year 2026): the area median family income is $104,800 and the 80% limit that most programs use is $83,850 for a four-person household. Limits scale with household size; each program page has the full table. HUD income limits
Michigan statewide programs you can also use in Wayne County
Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) (homebuyer programs page) runs 2 statewide programs open to buyers anywhere in Michigan, with down payment help up to $10,000 through MI 10K DPA Loan. Most local programs above can be combined with a state first mortgage; check each program's pairing rule.
| Program | Type | Amount | First-time only | Min. credit | Income limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MI Home Loan source | First mortgage | See program page | Yes | 640 | Household income limits apply, vary by family size and property location; |
| MI 10K DPA Loan source | Second mortgage | Up to $10,000 toward down payment, closing costs, and prepaid expenses | No | n/a | Low and moderate incomes (standard MI Home Loan income limits apply) |
Michigan also offers a mortgage credit certificate (MSHDA Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC) Program), a federal tax credit worth 20% of your mortgage interest each year. MCC program page
Wayne County closing costs that differ from the rest of Michigan
Transfer tax: Michigan levies a state real estate transfer tax of $3.75 per $500 of value (or fraction thereof), and Wayne County levies a county transfer tax of $0.55 per $500 of value, for a combined rate of $8.60 per $1,000 of the sale price. The seller customarily pays both. A Real Estate Transfer Valuation Affidavit must accompany any deed transferring property for consideration. Source
Owner's title policy: seller (customary in Wayne County)
The $3.75 per $500 state and $0.55 per $500 county transfer tax rates are well documented. Michigan's standard statutory recording fee structure (MCL 600. Confirm the current recording fee with the Wayne County Register of Deeds at waynecountymi.gov.
Frequently asked questions
What down payment assistance is available in Wayne County, MI?
Detroit Down Payment Assistance Program (City of Detroit, up to $25,000); MI 10K DPA Loan (Michigan (statewide), up to $10,000). Michigan statewide programs can be used here too.
What is the income limit for first-time buyer programs in Wayne County?
Most programs cap income at 80% of HUD's area median, which is $83,850 for a four-person household in Detroit-Warren-Livonia, MI HUD Metro FMR Area (FY2026). Some programs allow up to 120% or 150% of median; each program page lists its own table by household size.
Is there a transfer tax in Wayne County?
Michigan levies a state real estate transfer tax of $3.75 per $500 of value (or fraction thereof), and Wayne County levies a county transfer tax of $0.55 per $500 of value, for a combined rate of $8.60 per $1,000 of the sale price. The seller customarily pays both. A Real Estate Transfer Valuation Affidavit must accompany any deed transferring property for consideration.
Official sources
- City of Detroit: Detroit Down Payment Assistance Program
- Michigan (statewide): MI 10K DPA Loan
- HUD income limits
- Wayne County transfer tax
- Wayne County recording fees
Wayne County figures last verified against official sources on September 11, 2026.
This is general information, not financial advice. Program funding, limits and terms change; confirm the current rules with the administering agency and your lender before you rely on them.
See down payment help in all covered counties