VHFA MOVE, $15,000 ASSIST Down Payment Loan and First-Generation Grants in 2026 — Green Mountain Gist
Updated October 2026
A Vermont buyer who can manage a monthly payment may still struggle with the cash required at closing. VHFA’s MOVE mortgage programs, ASSIST financing, and First-Generation Homebuyer grant address different pieces of that problem. Start by separating the first mortgage from any additional loan or grant attached to it.
Understand what each program provides
MOVE is a VHFA mortgage option offered through participating lenders. MOVE MCC pairs qualifying mortgage financing with a Mortgage Credit Certificate feature, subject to current program availability and eligibility. An MCC concerns federal income taxes; it is not a cash discount automatically deducted from each mortgage payment.
| Program | Type of support | Key question |
|---|---|---|
| MOVE | First-mortgage financing | Does my income and proposed home qualify? |
| MOVE MCC | Mortgage financing with an MCC feature | How would the certificate apply to my tax situation? |
| ASSIST | Up to $15,000 in down-payment and closing-cost assistance | What events trigger repayment? |
| First-Generation Homebuyer | $15,000 grant | Do I meet the first-generation and other eligibility rules? |
ASSIST is a 0%-interest deferred loan, not forgiven cash simply because no monthly payment is due. Review the repayment terms for selling, refinancing, or paying off the first mortgage. The first-generation grant has different terms; do not assume every first-time buyer qualifies as first-generation.
Build a combined cash-to-close estimate
Ask a participating lender to confirm household income limits, purchase-price limits, required education, available funding, and whether assistance can be combined. The Vermont Housing Finance Agency is the starting point for current program requirements and lender information.
A qualifying VHFA-financed principal-residence purchase also receives a 0.00% Vermont transfer-tax tier on the first $250,000, with 1.47% above that threshold. That benefit is separate from ASSIST and can materially change the settlement budget. Explore the transfer-tax guide and verify treatment through the Vermont Department of Taxes.
Compare the whole financing package
Request estimates for both assisted and unassisted financing using the same purchase price and closing date. Compare interest rate, mortgage insurance, lender charges, upfront cash, and future assistance repayment together.
Use the closing-cost estimator to organize expenses, then replace estimates with lender and attorney figures. Keep some cash available for inspections, moving, fuel deliveries, and repairs. Assistance can make the purchase possible, but a workable first-year budget should not depend on spending every remaining dollar at closing.
Compare Current Mortgage Rates
Compare current APRs, points, fees, and estimated monthly payments from participating lenders below.
Loan Program Comparison: 2026 Benchmarks
VHFA MOVE, $15,000 ASSIST Down Payment Loan and First Generation Grants in 2026 — Compare Vermont state housing finance agency (HFA) and municipal down payment assistance options; verify household income limits, purchase-price caps, homebuyer education rules, and repayment or forgiveness terms.
Historical 2025 one-unit comparison: conforming $832,750; FHA floor $541,287. County and unit-count limits can differ.
| Loan program | Down payment / equity | 2026 one-unit baseline | Costs and page-specific comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conventional | 3%–5% subject to eligibility | $832,750 | PMI generally below 20% down |
| FHA | 3.5% at 580+; 10% at 500–579 | $541,287 floor | 1.75% upfront MIP; 0.55% annual for >95% LTV, base loan ≤$726,200, term >15 years |
| VA | 0% for eligible borrowers | No VA limit with full entitlement | No monthly PMI; funding fee unless exempt |
| USDA | 0% for eligible borrowers | Income, address and repayment eligibility | Guarantee and annual fees; confirm current schedule |
| Jumbo | Lender-specific cash and reserves | Above applicable conforming limit | Lender-specific pricing and insurance |
| Home Equity / Refinance | Equity and underwriting dependent | Property and lender dependent | Compare closing costs, term and break-even |
Sources: FHFA limits; HUD FHA limits.
Editorial Methodology & Primary Sources
Verification date: Not recorded; check the primary source and lender timestamp before relying on an estimate.
Rate comparisons use participating lender feeds, not a whole-market survey or guaranteed offers. Freddie Mac PMMS is a market benchmark, not a personalized quote. Calculator models rely on published regulatory formulas and disclosed assumptions rather than fabricated first-person loan testing.
Monthly principal and interest use the amortization formula P × r / (1 − (1 + r)−n), where r is the monthly note rate and n is the number of payments; at zero interest use P / n. PITI adds monthly property taxes and homeowners insurance; PMI is separate. APR includes applicable finance charges under Regulation Z and is not the note rate used for payments. Compare lender Loan Estimates for actual APR and fees.
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) — Loan Estimates, APR and borrower disclosures; Regulation Z.
- U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD / FHA) — FHA program guidance.
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) — VA loan eligibility and benefits.
- Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS) — published rate benchmarks.
- U.S. Census state tax collections — state property tax benchmarks; confirm parcel-specific assessments and exemptions with the state revenue department and local assessor.
- Vermont Housing Finance Agency — state housing finance and property tax authority.
- Vermont Department of Taxes — state housing finance and property tax authority.
The payment snapshot uses illustrative annual taxes of 1% of home price, $1,200 insurance and 0.5% PMI below 20% down, not verified local quotes. Other calculators disclose their inputs and assumptions. Published guidance and lender feeds may change independently; confirm current program rules, taxes and offers before a decision.