Find the money to buy your home
Over $500 million in down payment assistance goes unclaimed every year. We help you find down payment assistance for your situation — in seconds.
Free to use · No account required · 1,126+ programs
$27,500
Maximum down payment assistance for eligible homebuyers across the US
Explore programs →Why homebuyers trust Steadworth
Simple Process
How It Works
Three steps to finding money you didn't know was available.
Enter Your ZIP Code
Tell us where you're buying
Compare Programs
See what fits your situation
Get Matched With a Lender
Take the next step
Enter Your ZIP Code
Start with just your ZIP code — no account, no personal information required. We'll instantly search our database of 1,126+ programs across 50 states and DC to find every down payment assistance option available in your area. Results appear in seconds.
Learn
Types of Assistance
Down payment help comes in many forms. Understanding your options is the first step.
Grants
Free money that doesn't need to be repaid. Often provided by state housing finance agencies for first-time buyers.
Forgivable Loans
Second mortgages forgiven after a set period — typically 5 to 15 years — as long as you stay in the home.
Deferred Loans
Interest-free or low-interest loans with no monthly payments. Repayment deferred until you sell or refinance.
Shared Appreciation
A partner contributes toward your down payment in exchange for a share of your home's future appreciation.
Featured Program
Steadworth HomeWealth Share
Our shared appreciation program provides 10–15% of your down payment, helping you reach 20% down with no PMI required.
- ✓10–15% down payment contribution
- ✓No monthly PMI payments
- ✓5-year or 7-year flexible terms
- ✓Keep the majority of your appreciation
No commitment required
$147K
Your projected Steadworth
Find Your Steadworth
Your Steadworth is your true home equity — property value minus all obligations. We're building a personalized dashboard to help you understand and grow your net homeownership wealth.
FAQ
Common Questions
Everything you need to know about down payment assistance and how Steadworth works.
Down payment assistance (DPA) programs help homebuyers cover the upfront cost of purchasing a home. They come in many forms including grants, forgivable loans, deferred loans, and shared appreciation programs. Many are funded by state housing finance agencies and are available to both first-time and repeat buyers.
Eligibility varies by program. Common factors include income level, household size, credit score, property location, and first-time buyer status. Many programs define "first-time buyer" as someone who hasn't owned a home in the past three years.
Amounts vary widely — from a few thousand dollars to 10–15% of the purchase price. Steadworth helps you find the programs that maximize your assistance based on where you're buying.
It depends on the program. Grants are free. Forgivable loans are forgiven after a set period if you stay in the home. Deferred loans are repaid when you sell or refinance. Shared appreciation programs share a portion of future home value growth.
HomeWealth Share is Steadworth's shared appreciation program. We contribute 10–15% of your down payment, helping you reach 20% down and avoid PMI. In return, we share in a portion of your home's future appreciation when you sell or at the end of a 5 or 7-year term.
No. Steadworth is a home finance advisor that helps you discover assistance programs and get matched with qualified lenders. We also offer our own HomeWealth Share program as an alternative option.