STL Home Buyer Journey
George Kindler
13 Years Of Real Estate Experience At Your Fingertips
Most programs run out of funds before the year ends. Down payment assistance, grants, and loans that actually exist in St. Louis -- and how to qualify before they are gone.
Most programs define "first-time buyer" as someone who has not owned a primary residence in the past three years -- not someone who has never owned. If you owned a home more than three years ago and have been renting since, you likely qualify. This means more buyers are eligible than commonly assumed.
Missouri Housing Development Commission's First Place program offers below-market interest rates and down payment assistance to first-time buyers who meet income and purchase price limits. In 2025-2026, the program offers:
First Place funds are allocated annually and can run out before year end. Applications are processed through MHDC-approved lenders -- not directly through MHDC. Ask any participating lender about current availability.
MHDC's Next Step program is similar to First Place but available to any buyer who meets income and purchase price limits -- not just first-time buyers. This is significant: if you owned a home previously and do not meet the first-time buyer definition, you may still access MHDC assistance through Next Step if the property is in a targeted area or you meet other criteria.
The City of St. Louis offers several homeownership assistance programs through the SLDC and related agencies:
St. Louis County Community Development administers homebuyer assistance programs funded through federal HOME and CDBG grants. These include:
County assistance programs have limited annual funding and are often depleted by mid-year. Contact St. Louis County Community Development early in the year or early in your homebuying timeline.
If you are interested in using any of these programs:
What first-time buyer programs are available in St. Louis?
The primary programs available to St. Louis first-time buyers are MHDC's First Place loan program (below-market rate plus down payment assistance up to 4%), St. Louis County down payment assistance (up to $5,000 for income-qualifying buyers), St. Louis City SLDC programs, and federal loan programs including FHA (3.5% down), VA (0% down for veterans), and USDA (0% down in eligible areas).
How do I qualify for MHDC first-time buyer programs in Missouri?
MHDC First Place requires that you have not owned a primary residence in the past 3 years, meet income limits (approximately $85,000 to $95,000 for a 1-2 person household in St. Louis), purchase within price limits (approximately $349,000 in St. Louis County and City), and have a minimum 640 to 660 credit score depending on loan type. Applications go through MHDC-approved lenders, not MHDC directly.
Do first-time buyer programs in St. Louis run out?
Yes. MHDC First Place funds are allocated annually and can be exhausted before year end. St. Louis County assistance programs are also funding-dependent. The earlier in the calendar year you apply, the better your chances of accessing these funds. Waiting until fall significantly increases the risk that funds have been depleted.
Can I use a first-time buyer program and an FHA loan together?
Yes. MHDC's First Place program is compatible with FHA loans and provides the below-market rate plus down payment assistance on top of the FHA structure. This combination is one of the most common configurations for first-time buyers in St. Louis who do not have VA or USDA eligibility.
This is one piece of the St. Louis home buying process. See how it all fits together:
📚 Complete St. Louis Buyer Guide →
Grew up in South St. Louis, lived in Dogtown for 6 years, now in South County. You'll find us at White Flag Church on Sundays. This is my city, and I know it well.
Questions about what you are reading? I answer personally -- no team, no handoff.