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One page, every way to buy

Buying a home in Dane County does not have to mean 20% down. There are more loan programs than most buyers realize, and several of them are built specifically to lower the cash you need up front. The trick is matching the right program to your situation, and that is where a local Realtor who knows these programs cold makes the difference.

Below is every buyer loan program we help with, what makes each one useful, and a link to the full breakdown. Not sure where to start? Jump to how to choose, or just call or text John and talk it through.

Check What You Qualify For

Your personal program matcher

Answer a few quick questions about your credit, household, income, and where you want to buy. We will show you which loan and down payment assistance programs you may qualify for, and link you straight to the full guide for each one.

Check Your Qualification

Learn About Available Programs

Complete the qualification form to see which programs you qualify for, or browse all available loan programs and assistance options below.

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Looking for FHA loans?

FHA has its own dedicated guide with the full 2026 limits, credit and down payment requirements, and Dane County details. We cover it in depth on a separate page.

Read the full FHA guide
All Programs

Explore each loan program

Tap any program to see the full page: real 2026 numbers, who qualifies, charts, and the local details that matter in Madison and Dane County.

Conventional

Conventional Loans

As little as 3% down with a 620+ credit score, no upfront mortgage insurance, and PMI that cancels at 20% equity. The go-to for buyers with solid credit.

See conventional loans FHA

FHA Loans

3.5% down with credit scores as low as 580, and flexible qualifying. A strong first door in while your credit is still building.

See FHA loans VA

VA Loans

$0 down and no monthly mortgage insurance for eligible veterans, active-duty service members, and surviving spouses. One of the strongest benefits out there.

See VA loans USDA

USDA Loans

$0 down for eligible rural and suburban areas around Dane County, with no PMI and income limits. More neighborhoods qualify than you might expect.

See USDA loans WHEDA

WHEDA Loans

Wisconsin's own first-time buyer loans paired with down payment assistance through Capital Access and Easy Close. Made for buyers right here in the state.

See WHEDA loans DPP Grant

Downpayment Plus

Up to $10,000 in forgivable funds toward your down payment and closing costs, forgiven over five years. Real money that lowers what you bring to close.

See the DPP grant Movin' Out

Movin' Out

Home buying help for Wisconsin buyers who have a disability, or whose family member does, including down payment and closing-cost support.

See Movin' Out CDBG & HOME

CDBG & HOME

Federal housing assistance for income-eligible buyers, offering down payment and closing-cost help through local programs across Dane County.

See CDBG & HOME
Compare Down Payments

How little can you put down?

Down payment is the number most buyers get stuck on. Here is the minimum by loan type, using the June 2026 Dane County median sale price of $495,000 (SCWMLS) so you can see it in real dollars. Assistance programs like DPP, WHEDA, Movin' Out, and CDBG can reduce these numbers even further.

Minimum down payment by loan type

On a $495,000 Dane County home. Assistance programs can lower these further.

VA $0 down · eligible veterans & military USDA $0 down · eligible rural & suburban areas Conventional 3% · about $14,850 FHA 3.5% · about $17,325 DPP / WHEDA assistance can cover much of the above Lower down = buy sooner · Assistance = even less cash to close

Example based on the June 2026 Dane County median sale price of $495,000 (SCWMLS). VA and USDA have eligibility rules. Your actual numbers depend on the home, your lender, and the programs you qualify for.

Homes Are Moving Fast

Dane County homes sell in a
median of 8 days. Get ready first.

With about 2.1 months of supply, this is still a seller's market. Getting pre-approved and knowing your program before you shop is the difference between winning the home and watching it go.

8-day median on market
2.13 months of supply
$0-3.5% down options
Call or text 608-669-4226 Search Dane County homes
How to Choose

Which program is right for you?

Start with these questions

  • ✓Credit score. Strong credit leans conventional; building credit often leans FHA or WHEDA.
  • ✓Cash on hand. Little saved? Look at VA, USDA, and down payment assistance.
  • ✓Service history. Veteran, active duty, or spouse? VA is usually hard to beat.
  • ✓Where you are buying. Some Dane County suburbs and rural areas qualify for USDA.
  • ✓Household income. Assistance programs have income limits that many buyers still fit.

You can often combine help

  • ✓A first mortgage (conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, or WHEDA) plus a down payment grant.
  • ✓DPP funds up to $10,000 layered onto a qualifying loan.
  • ✓WHEDA down payment assistance stacked with a WHEDA first mortgage.
  • ✓Movin' Out support for buyers affected by disability.
  • ✓CDBG and HOME help for income-eligible buyers.

The right stack depends on your numbers. That is exactly what John and a trusted local lender sort out before you write an offer.

Your Local Realtor

How John helps you choose

Local, hands-on, and lender-agnostic

John Reuter has helped hundreds of Dane County families buy across every one of these programs. He is not tied to any single lender, so he can point you to the ones who price well and close on time, then help you weigh conventional against FHA, or a $0 down VA loan against a WHEDA loan with down payment assistance. He knows which suburbs qualify for USDA, how to layer the DPP grant, and how to structure an offer that wins in a low-inventory market across Madison, Sun Prairie, Waunakee, DeForest, Verona, and Middleton. New to all of this? Start with the First-Time Homebuyer Guide.

Questions

Buyer loan program FAQ

Which home loan is best for a first-time buyer in Madison?
There is no single best loan. Conventional with 3% down works well for buyers with solid credit, FHA is flexible for credit in the 580 to 640 range, and WHEDA adds Wisconsin down payment assistance for first-time buyers. VA and USDA can offer $0 down if you are eligible. The right fit depends on your credit, income, and the home, and John helps Dane County buyers compare them side by side.
Can I buy a home in Dane County with no money down?
Yes, if you qualify. VA loans offer $0 down for eligible veterans, active duty, and spouses, and USDA loans offer $0 down in eligible rural and suburban areas. Programs like the DPP grant, WHEDA, and CDBG can also cover much of your down payment and closing costs.
What down payment assistance is available in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin buyers can stack help from several programs: the Downpayment Plus (DPP) grant offers up to $10,000 in forgivable funds, WHEDA offers down payment assistance loans, Movin' Out helps buyers affected by disability, and CDBG and HOME programs provide help for income-eligible buyers. Eligibility varies, and John can help you find what you qualify for.
Do I need to pick a loan before I look at homes?
It helps to get pre-approved first so you know your price range and can make a credible offer in a fast market. You do not have to lock in a single program right away. John and a trusted local lender can compare a few options and pre-approve you before you shop.
Do you only work with buyers in Madison?
No. John works with buyers across Dane County and south-central Wisconsin, including Sun Prairie, Middleton, Verona, Waunakee, DeForest, and the surrounding communities. Every program on this page is available to qualified buyers throughout the area.
Ready When You Are

Not sure which loan
is right for you?

That is the most common question we get, and the easiest to answer with a quick conversation. Tell John your situation and he will point you to the programs that actually fit, then get you pre-approved and ready to buy.

Call or text 608-669-4226 Search homes for sale First-time buyer guide