Grants and State Assistance Programs that actually paid our entry costs

Most first-time buyers think they need 20% down. That is a myth! We thought we had to wait 5 more years. We ended up qualifying for a local State Housing Finance Agency (HFA) second-lien grant which covered our 3.5% down payment and half of our closing costs. We walked away from the closing table only paying $1,800 out of pocket. Look up your state's 'Down Payment Assistance' (DPA) program. It is tedious paperwork, but it literally unlocks the door.