Is there down payment assistance for first-time buyers in Nashville, TN?

Yes — Tennessee buyers can use THDA statewide programs, and Nashville/Davidson County buyers may also qualify for local assistance, which can often be combined.

How much down payment do I need to buy in Nashville?

As little as 0–3.5% with common loan programs (and ~2% with Ownify's fractional path) — and assistance can cover much of that cash.

Do I have to repay down payment assistance in Tennessee?

It depends on the program: grants and forgivable second mortgages may never need to be repaid if you meet the terms, while deferred seconds are repaid when you sell or refinance.

What credit score do I need for DPA in Nashville?

Most programs require a minimum score (commonly around 620–640), though FHA-backed paths can be more flexible. Owen shows the specific thresholds for the programs you match.

Can I combine THDA assistance with a local Nashville program?

Often yes — stacking state and local programs is one of the most effective ways to reduce upfront cash. Eligibility rules apply to each.

Down Payment Assistance in Nashville, TN (2026)

You may not need anywhere near 20% down to buy a home in Nashville. Between statewide THDA programs and local Davidson County assistance, many Nashville-area buyers qualify for grants and low-cost help they never knew existed — often enough to cover most or all of a down payment.

This guide maps the down-payment-assistance (DPA) programs available to Nashville buyers, who qualifies, and how to instantly see the ones that fit your situation.

Statewide programs (Tennessee Housing Development Agency)

Buyers across Tennessee — including Nashville — can tap programs from the Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA):

Great Choice Home Loan — THDA's affordable 30-year first mortgage (FHA/VA/USDA/conventional) for eligible buyers.
Great Choice Plus Down Payment Assistance — down payment and closing-cost assistance offered alongside a Great Choice Home Loan.
Homeownership for the Brave — discounted-rate THDA loans and assistance for active military, veterans, and surviving spouses.
THDA Take Credit (MCC) — a mortgage credit certificate providing a federal tax credit on a portion of mortgage interest.

These statewide programs usually stack with a low-down-payment loan (Conventional 3%, FHA 3.5%, or VA/USDA 0%), so the loan sets your minimum down and THDA helps cover the cash.

Local programs in Nashville & Davidson County

On top of statewide help, Nashville-area buyers may qualify for local assistance:

The Housing Fund — Open Doors Down Payment Assistance — deferred down payment assistance for eligible buyers across the Nashville area.
MDHA homebuyer programs — Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency assistance and education for Davidson County buyers.

Local programs are often the most overlooked — and they can be combined with state programs for buyers who qualify.

Who qualifies for DPA in Nashville?

Eligibility varies by program, but the common factors are:

First-time buyer status — frequently defined as not having owned a home in the last 3 years (so many repeat buyers re-qualify).
Income limits — usually tied to the area median income (AMI) for Davidson County; many programs serve moderate- and middle-income buyers, not just low-income.
Purchase-price limits — the home must fall under a program cap.
Credit & loan type — a minimum score and an approved first mortgage.
Homebuyer education — a short course is often required.
Primary residence — the home must be where you live.

How much do you need to buy in Nashville?

This guide covers Nashville and its neighborhoods — East Nashville, Germantown, The Gulch, 12 South, SoBro, Edgehill, WeHo, The Nations, Music Row, Berry Hill, Melrose — plus the Antioch and Madison communities, which fall under Metro Nashville–Davidson County programs. Record appreciation has made down-payment help essential for many local renters. Pair a low-down loan with THDA and local assistance, and your out-of-pocket cash can drop to a fraction of the sticker price. Run your numbers to see what you can afford.

Find every Nashville program you qualify for — in minutes

Checking each Tennessee and Davidson County program by hand is slow and easy to get wrong. Answer a few questions and let Owen scan THDA statewide programs, Davidson County local programs, federal options, and employer benefits at once — then match them to your situation and build a personalized homeownership plan, including the loan and any alternative-financing paths that pair with assistance.

See the Nashville down payment assistance you qualify for

Your results come back as a personalized Homeownership Plan, reviewed by a licensed concierge. Free, no credit pull.

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Equal Housing Opportunity. Educational only; not a commitment to lend or a guarantee of program eligibility. Program names and terms current as of 2026 and subject to change.

Frequently asked questions

Is there down payment assistance for first-time buyers in Nashville, TN?: Yes — Tennessee buyers can use THDA statewide programs, and Nashville/Davidson County buyers may also qualify for local assistance, which can often be combined.
How much down payment do I need to buy in Nashville?: As little as 0–3.5% with common loan programs (and ~2% with Ownify's fractional path) — and assistance can cover much of that cash.
Do I have to repay down payment assistance in Tennessee?: It depends on the program: grants and forgivable second mortgages may never need to be repaid if you meet the terms, while deferred seconds are repaid when you sell or refinance.
What credit score do I need for DPA in Nashville?: Most programs require a minimum score (commonly around 620–640), though FHA-backed paths can be more flexible. Owen shows the specific thresholds for the programs you match.
Can I combine THDA assistance with a local Nashville program?: Often yes — stacking state and local programs is one of the most effective ways to reduce upfront cash. Eligibility rules apply to each.

Down payment assistance in Nashville, Tennessee