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If you want to buy your first home in Peach State, you may feel at ease learning that Georgia is well below the national average in terms of housing costs. According to Redfin, the median selling prices for homes in the state was $367,000 as of February 2025, while the national median was $425,061.
But regardless of the cost of your home, it could be the biggest purchase you’ve ever made. Georgia offers many paths First home ownershipespecially through Georgia Regional Affairs Bureau‘Georgia Adream Mortgage Products.
Georgia’s first home buyer program
George Dream
Georgia Adream is a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage program First-time home buyer Use traditional FHA, VA, or USDA loans.
Like many housing programs, first-time buyers are people who have not owned a home for the past three years. Buyers who own homes these days are eligible for Georgia Dream by purchasing in the Target area.
George Dream Peach Plus
If you do not meet the requirements of the Georgia Dream Program but are eligible for an FHA loan, you may be eligible for a Peach Plus program with higher income and home price restrictions.
Georgia Dream Peach chooses to support veterans
Veterans who plan to purchase on a VA loan can qualify for this program. The program currently offers 30-year fixed loans at under-market rates of less than 5%. You don’t have to be a first-time buyer to qualify for this program. Most VA borrowers do not need to pay a down payment.
Georgia down payment support and grants
Georgia Dream Down Payment Loan
The Georgia Adream Program includes down payment assistance equivalent to up to $10,000 or 5% of the purchase price, whichever is lower, in the form of a zero-profit second loan that requires no monthly payments. A loan only occurs if your home is no longer your primary residence, or if a refinance is no longer the cause. Certain borrowers, including some public service professionals, active military personnel, or people with disabilities, can receive up to $12,500 in support or 6% of the purchase price.
City-specific Home Buyer Support Program
Atlanta: Invest Atlanta Vine City Renaissance Initiative (VCRI)
The program offers up to $20,000 in the form of permitted loans to future home buyers in Vine City, Atlanta. You must qualify for a traditional FHA or VA loan through a lender affiliated with Atlanta. To receive a loan forgiveness, you will need to stay home for five years. This program is open to repeat buyers, but may not currently own property.
Atlanta: Invest in the Atlanta Intown Mortgage Assistance Program
The program also offers up to $20,000 as an authorized loan for Atlanta home buyers. Like the Vine City program, you can receive forgiveness after living in the home for five years and qualify for a traditional FHA or VA loan obtained through Atlanta lenders. You may have owned other properties in the past, but you did not own them at the time of application. Other program requirements vary slightly.
Atlanta: Atlanta is an affordable homeownership program
The program offers up to $20,000 ($25,000 for professionals in certain areas) to first-time home buyers within city of Atlanta restrictions. The funds are profit-free loans that are completely permissible if the home remains your primary residence for 10 years. Borrowers must qualify for a traditional FHA or VA loan with a fixed interest rate and a 15 or 30-year term. Many programs require a period of at least 30 years.
Savannah: DreamMaker Home Purchase Support
Savannah’s Dreammaker program features a deferred 30-year loan with 2% interest to offset down payments and closing costs, providing gap funding. If your home is being developed in collaboration with the City of Savannah, you can qualify for up to $50,000. Otherwise, you can qualify for up to $30,000.
Augusta: Homeownership Support Program
Augusta’s down payment assistance program offers up to $5,000 to eligible home buyers who will be used for down payments or closing costs. If you have lived in the house for at least five years, assistance is permitted.
Other Georgia First Home Buyer Loans
In addition to examining Georgia’s dreams and local programs, you can consider these national programs that help first-time buyers.
- FHA loan: Loans insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) have more generous financial requirements than other loans. If you have a credit score of at least 580, you will qualify for just 3.5% down on your FHA loan.
- VA loan: For qualified active duty veterans, veterans and surviving spouses, loans guaranteed by the U.S. Veteran Affairs Agency (VA) are a great option. These loans have lower interest rates than traditional loans and do not usually require a down payment.
- USDA loan: The USDA-guaranteed loans do not require a down payment either, but they must be purchased in designated rural areas to meet your income requirements.
- Possible Home Ready and Home loans: HomeReady and Home are loan programs created by government sponsored companies Fannie May and Freddie Mac. They are especially for first-time home buyers, requiring only 3% and have more flexible income requirements.
Let’s get started
Line up support is just a step towards buying a home. You too want to:
- I’ll study at Georgia housing market: This will help you understand where you live now, or what you can understand if you have moved.
- Improve or maintain your credit score: When you’re ready to buy a house, Your Credit Score It affects the type of mortgage and the fees you can access.
- Find out more about what that means Buy a house in Georgia: Before committing to your home, find out more about the nation and its climate. Living expensesproperty taxes and other factors may affect you. Qualified local real estate agents are also important.
- Compare mortgage lenders: Read reviews from local mortgage lenders to find out what ideas you specialize in the type of mortgage you are looking for, and what you can expect in terms of customer service and fees.
- Shop mortgage fees: Before you commit to a loan, it can be rewarded to shop for the best mortgage fees.
- Buy homeowner insurance in Georgia: Mortgage lenders must have homeowner insurance. Shopping also helps you find the best compensation for the lowest rate.
