Whether you’re a parent considering helping your young adult purchase their first home or you’re in your twenties wondering if family assistance is even allowed, gift funds can dramatically accelerate your path to homeownership. The good news? Lenders not only allow but actively encourage properly documented gift money—when you follow the rules.
Whether you’re a young adult navigating your first home purchase or a parent helping guide the process, knowing who to turn to and where to find help transforms an overwhelming journey into a manageable one. The difference between buyers who succeed and those who struggle isn’t luck—it’s having the right team and resources.
Across the country, hundreds of down payment assistance (DPA) programs offer grants, forgivable loans, and zero-interest second mortgages to qualified first-time buyers. Some provide thousands of dollars. Others cover entire down payments. Yet most buyers never discover them because they don’t advertise on TV and many lenders won’t mention them.
Whether you’re a parent helping your teen navigate the path to homeownership or a young adult researching your options, first time home buyer programs represent thousands of dollars in assistance that most people never discover. If you’re wondering how to afford a down payment