Waukesha County, WI First-Time Home Buyer Programs and Down Payment Help
Waukesha County buyers can apply to 1 local down payment program, with help up to $10,000 through Downpayment Assistance (DPA) for Homebuyers, on top of Wisconsin's statewide programs. Figures below were read from the administering agencies' own pages on September 11, 2026.
Local programs in Waukesha County
These are run by Waukesha County, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Downpayment Assistance (DPA) for Homebuyers Waukesha County (Waukesha County Community Development, through the HOME Consortium) · source | 5-year forgivable second mortgage | Up to $10,000 for down payment and/or closing costs | At or below 80% of the area county median income | Check | Waukesha County |
- Downpayment Assistance (DPA) for Homebuyers. Loan forgiven 20% per full year of owner-occupancy as a primary residence; fully forgiven after 5 years (no repayment due if the buyer stays). Total household debt-to-income ratio capped at 50%; housing debt-to-income ratio must be at least 18%.
Income limits in Waukesha County
Down payment programs here are keyed to HUD's income limits for Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI MSA (Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Washington, Waukesha counties) (fiscal year 2026): the area median family income is $108,400 and the 80% limit that most programs use is $86,700 for a four-person household. Limits scale with household size; each program page has the full table. HUD income limits
Wisconsin statewide programs you can also use in Waukesha County
Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) (homebuyer programs page) runs 6 statewide programs open to buyers anywhere in Wisconsin, with down payment help up to 6% of the price (about $20,292 on a median-priced home) through WHEDA Easy Close Advantage DPA. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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). |
Wisconsin also offers a mortgage credit certificate (WHEDA Tax Advantage Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC)), a federal tax credit worth 25% of your mortgage interest each year. MCC program page
Waukesha County closing costs that differ from the rest of Wisconsin
Transfer tax: Wisconsin's real estate transfer fee is $0.30 per $100 of value (equivalent to $3.00 per $1,000, or 0.3%), customarily paid by the seller/grantor. The fee is set uniformly by state statute; Waukesha County has no authority to add a local surtax on top of it. Of the fee collected, 80% goes to the State of Wisconsin and 20% is retained by Waukesha County. Source
Wisconsin Department of Revenue's Real Estate Transfer Fee report confirms the statewide rate and state/county split.
Frequently asked questions
What down payment assistance is available in Waukesha County, WI?
Downpayment Assistance (DPA) for Homebuyers (Waukesha County, up to $10,000). Wisconsin statewide programs can be used here too.
What is the income limit for first-time buyer programs in Waukesha County?
Most programs cap income at 80% of HUD's area median, which is $86,700 for a four-person household in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI MSA (Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Washington, Waukesha counties) (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 Waukesha County?
Wisconsin's real estate transfer fee is $0.30 per $100 of value (equivalent to $3.00 per $1,000, or 0.3%), customarily paid by the seller/grantor. The fee is set uniformly by state statute; Waukesha County has no authority to add a local surtax on top of it. Of the fee collected, 80% goes to the State of Wisconsin and 20% is retained by Waukesha County.
What is the median home price in Waukesha County?
About $398,200, per U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts, Waukesha County, Wisconsin - Median value of owner-occupied housing units, 2020-2024 (ACS 5-Year). Down payment help of up to $10,000 covers roughly 3% of that price.
Official sources
- Waukesha County: Downpayment Assistance (DPA) for Homebuyers
- HUD income limits
- Waukesha County transfer tax
- U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts, Waukesha County, Wisconsin - Median value of owner-occupied housing units, 2020-2024 (ACS 5-Year)
Waukesha County figures last verified against official sources on September 11, 2026.
Other Wisconsin counties
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