First-time buyer Loans in Chicago, IL
First-time buyer programs stack down-payment assistance with FHA, HomeReady, Home Possible, and state/county programs.
About First-time buyer loans
What this loan type means for Chicago buyers.
Down-payment assistance, FHA, HomeReady, Home Possible, and state/county programs stacked together.
Borrowers in Chicago, Illinois can use First-time buyer financing for primary residences in most cases, subject to the 2026 loan limit applicable to Illinois. Talk to a licensed loan officer to confirm eligibility for your situation — credit, debt-to-income ratio, and property type all factor into approval.
Before reaching out, verify any loan officer's current licensing through NMLS Consumer Access. MLO Finder shows source-linked review snapshots where available but is not a lender and does not originate loans.
Borrower fit
Who First-time buyer loans are for in Chicago.
First-time buyer financing combines low-down-payment loan programs (FHA, HomeReady, Home Possible) with state, county, and city down-payment-assistance (DPA) programs. The label 'first-time buyer' technically means someone who hasn't owned a primary residence in the past three years — you don't have to be buying your literally first home to qualify for most programs.
