Missouri First-Time Home Buyer: 2022 Programs and Grants

What to know about buying a house in Missouri

The good news for a Missouri first–time home buyer is that home prices and home price inflation are lower in this state than nationwide. But saving for a down payment and closing costs can still feel like a challenge.

Luckily, the Missouri government offers cash assistance to qualified home buyers. And that can help bridge the gap between your savings and your down payment. It also offers special mortgages and mortgage credit certificates that could save you money in the long run. So it’s worth exploring these programs before you jump in.

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Missouri home buyer overview

Home prices in Missouri rose 9.8% in the year ending in January 2022, according to Redfin. The median list price hit $239,900 that month. For first–time home buyers, the good news is that average home prices and home price growth are significantly lower in Missouri than in most other states.

Missouri home buyer stats

Average Home Listing Price in MO	$239,900
Minimum Down Payment in MO (3%)	$7,197
20% Down Payment in MO	$47,980
Average Credit Score in MO1	707
Maximum MO Home Buyer Grant2	Up to 4% of the purchase price as a forgivable second mortgage with no monthly payments. Statewide from MHDC

Down payment amounts are based on the state’s most recently available average home sale price. “Minimum” down payment assumes 3% down on a conventional mortgage with a minimum credit score of 620.

If you’re eligible for a VA loan (backed by the Department of Veterans Affairs) or a USDA loan (backed by the US Department of Agriculture), you may not need any down payment at all.

First–time home buyer loans in Missouri

If you’re a first–time home buyer in Missouri with a 20% down payment, you can get a conventional loan with a low interest rate. And you never have to pay for private mortgage insurance (PMI).

Of course, few first–time buyers have saved enough for 20 percent down. But the good news is, you don’t need that much. Not by a long shot.

Borrowers can often get into a new home with as little as 3% or even 0% down using one of these low–down–payment mortgage programs:

• Conventional 97 – From Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae. 3% down payment and 620 minimum FICO score. You can usually stop paying mortgage insurance after a few years once you reach 20% home equity
• FHA loan – Backed by the Federal Housing Administration. 3.5% down and a 580 minimum credit score. But you’re on the hook for mortgage insurance until you refinance to a different type of mortgage, move, or pay off your loan
• VA loan – Only for veterans and service members. Zero down payment is required. Minimum credit score varies by lender but often 620. No ongoing mortgage insurance after closing. These are arguably the best mortgages available, so apply if you’re eligible
• USDA loan – For those on low–to–moderate incomes buying in designated rural areas. Zero down payment required. Credit score requirements vary by lender but often 640. Low mortgage insurance rates
• MHDC loans – May include below–market rates, mortgage credit certificates, and down payment assistance. More information below

Note that government loan programs (including the FHA, VA, and USDA home loans) require you to buy a primary residence. That means you can’t use these loans for a vacation home or investment property.

Depending on the mortgage loan you choose, you could potentially get into your new house with minimal cash out of pocket.

These programs even let you use gifted money or down payment assistance (DPA) to cover the down payment and closing costs.

If you’re not sure which program to choose for your first mortgage, your lender can help you find the right match based on your finances and home buying goals.

Missouri first–time home buyer programs

The Missouri Housing Development Commission (MHDC) runs a mortgage program called First Place Loans. You can download a brochure for the program details and prequalify online.

First Place lets you choose between two options. You can get:

1. A down payment assistance forgivable loan (details below); or
2. A discount on your mortgage interest rate

Whichever you choose, you could be in line for a mortgage credit certificate (MCC) as well. Depending on your circumstances, one of these could deliver worthwhile savings on your annual federal tax bill.

Inevitably, these programs come with plenty of rules. Among other things, you must:

• Buy a home within local home price caps
• Have an income within local household income limits
• Be a Missouri first–time home buyer*
• Meet minimum credit score requirements
• Use one of MHDC’s certified lenders

*Generally, you must be a first-time home buyer to use the MHDC loan program. However, there are two exceptions. If you’re buying in a targeted area or are a veteran or service member, you might be able to use the MDHC program even as a repeat home buyer.

Some of those rules are pretty vague. So you should use the MHDC’s online prequalification process or contact one of its certified lenders to see whether you qualify.

Missouri first–time home buyer grants

To get down payment assistance from the MHDC, you’ll need to use one of its mortgage loans. And that means you’ll have to be within income limits and purchase price limits, among other criteria.

The MHDC doesn’t offer outright grants. But it does provide the next best thing, which is a forgivable loan. MHDC calls these Cash Assistance Loans (CALs).

Via the CAL program, you can receive up to 4% of the home’s purchase price to help with your down payment and closing costs. You’ll have to repay some or all that if you move out, sell, or refinance in less than 10 years. But, at the end of year 5, MHDC begins to forgive the loan at the rate of one–sixtieth of its value each month. So, by the end of year 10, you’ll owe nothing.

Many home buyers would like that deal. They hope that, even if they sell before the 10 years are up, home price inflation might allow them to repay the loan and still make a handsome profit. Although home prices fall occasionally, they do so relatively rarely and usually briefly.

Buying a home in Missouri’s major cities

Housing is generally more affordable in Missouri’s three biggest cities than elsewhere in the state.

Even so, saving thousands for a down payment and closing costs is a major challenge for many first–time home buyers. So check whether your city or county has a down payment assistance program. And compare it to the statewide one run by the MHDC.

Kansas City first–time home buyers

In December 2021, the median list price of homes in Kansas City was $219,900. That was an increase of 2.3% year–over–year according to Realtor.com.

If you want to buy a home at that median price, your down payment options might fall between:

• $6,600 for 3% down payment
• $43,980 for 20% down payment

Kansas City doesn’t appear to have any active down payment assistance programs. We did find references to them in policy documents but nothing more.

The city includes portions of four counties: Jackson, Clay, Cass, and Platte. And you could see if those have their own programs. Just ask the one in which you are buying. Or you could call the city government at (816) 513–3600 to see if there’s a program we missed. Otherwise, the statewide MHDC program is a good alternative.

St. Louis first–time home buyers

In January 2022, the typical value of homes in St. Louis was $166,529. That was an increase of 13.4% year–over–year according to Zillow.

If you want to buy a home at that price, your down payment options might fall between:

• $5,000 for 3% down payment
• $33,300 for 20% down payment

Again, we cannot find a down payment assistance program run by the City of St. Louis. But you could call City Hall at (314) 622–4800 to check whether we missed something. If that doesn’t work, fall back on the MHDC’s program. The city’s website says, “Since 1876, St. Louis has been an independent city, meaning it is not part of any county.”

Springfield first–time home buyers

In December 2021, the median list price of homes in Springfield was $198,000. That was an increase of 16.5% year–over–year according to Realtor.com.

If you want to buy a home at that average price, your down payment options might fall between:

• $5,940 for 3% down payment
• $39,600 for 20% down payment

The City of Springfield does have a down payment assistance program. And you can download the brochure for annual income caps, which seem quite low: $36,050 for a single buyer, up to $59,750 for a six–person household.

If you’re eligible, you can borrow up to $9,000 as a silent second mortgage. And that means a 0% interest rate and no monthly payments. But you have to repay the entire sum you borrowed when the home stops being your primary residence, no matter how long you live there.

By all means, check this out. But the MHDC’s statewide down payment assistance may suit you better.

Where to find home buying help in Missouri

In addition to our selection, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) provides lists for statewide, regional, and local resources:

Statewide and regional Missouri first-time home buyer programs

• Community Action Agency of St. Louis County – Available only in St. Louis County
• Community contacts – Find out if your community offers homeownership assistance
• Delta Area Economic Opportunity Corporation – Down payment assistance for lower–income families in Dunklin, Mississippi, New Madrid, Pemiscot, Scott and Stoddard counties
• Homeowner education programs – Learn how to purchase and maintain a home of your own
• Missouri Affiliates of Habitat for Humanity – Through volunteer labor, builds and rehabilitates houses for families in need
• Ozark Action, Inc. – Douglas, Howell, Oregon, Ozark, Texas and Wright counties
• Regional Planning Commissions – Some of Missouri’s Regional Planning Commissions administer State–funded homebuyer or home repair assistance programs
• Statewide Home Buyer Programs – First Place home loans, HERO Loans and MO–AID disaster relief loans
• U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Housing – Homebuyer programs in rural communities

Missouri first-time home buyer programs by city/town

What are today’s mortgage rates in Missouri?

You can see today’s live mortgage rates in Missouri here.

When you’re ready to start the home buying process, make sure you get personalized rate quotes from at least three mortgage lenders.

And don’t just look at advertised rates online; actually apply for preapproval and compare the interest rates and fees you’re offered. Because that’s the only way to know you’re getting the best deal possible on your new home loan.

¹ Source: Experian.com 2021 study of 2020 data

²Based on a review of the state’s available DPA grants at the time this was written