First-time home buyer programs in Taylor, Michigan — down payment assistance

Taylor Down Payment Assistance

First-Time Home Buyer Programs & Down Payment Assistance in Taylor, Michigan

A Taylor, MI buyer using the first-time home buyer programs on this page can cover the FHA minimum down payment with assistance — some with nothing to repay — and, on the larger option, closing costs and prepaids as well, at credit floors that start in the low six hundreds and with no income limit on the second-lien options.

Check My Assistance Options Size My Down Payment

Current Program Snapshot

Current down payment assistance guidelines, updated from one source.

One source feeds every down payment assistance page Lendmire publishes; the Taylor, MI figures below refresh when the program sheets are updated.

Down Payment Help

Up to 5%

Of the purchase price

Assistance is sized as a share of the price, never a fixed sum: the biggest option covers the down payment and reaches closing costs, the smaller ones cover the 3.5% FHA minimum down payment.

Nothing to Repay

3.5%

Covers the whole FHA down payment

This covers the entire 3.5% FHA minimum down payment and is forgiven at closing: no lien on the home, no monthly payment, no interest. It opens on the area income limit or on a qualifying category.

Income Limit

None

On the forgivable and repayable options

The forgivable and repayable options have no income limit at all — one of the biggest advantages of this program. Only the nothing-to-repay option asks for income at or below 140% of the area median, or a qualifying category.

Credit

620

Credit score to start

This is the lowest score that opens an option here — the nothing-to-repay option; the forgivable second liens start a little higher and the repayable options higher still, so a stronger score opens more choices.

Assistance options offered in Michigan — how much, what it costs to carry, and the credit it takes
Option	Assistance	What you repay	Credit · mortgage · units
Grant-style assistance — nothing to repay	2% or 3.5% of the price	Nothing — released at closing	620+ · FHA 203(b), FHA repair escrow, FHA Limited 203(k), FHA Standard 203(k) · 1–4 units
Forgivable second lien — three-year	3.5% of the price	Nothing after 36 on-time mortgage payments	640+ · FHA 203(b), FHA Limited 203(k), HUD-184, USDA · 1–2 units
Forgivable second lien — five-year	3.5% of the price	Nothing after 60 on-time mortgage payments	640+ · FHA 203(b), FHA Limited 203(k), HUD-184, USDA · 1–2 units
Repayable second lien — thirty-year amortization, ten-year balloon	3.5% or 5% of the price	Second lien, 30-year amortization, balloon in year 10	660+ · FHA 203(b), FHA Limited 203(k), HUD-184, USDA · 1–2 units
Closing-cost repayable second lien	3.5% or 5% of the price	Second lien, 30-year amortization, balloon in year 10	660+ · FHA 203(b) · 1–2 units
Refinance-cost second lien (repayable)	1% to 3.5% of the balance	Second lien, repaid	660+ · FHA 203(b) · 1–4 units

Current down payment assistance snapshot · updated September 7, 2026 · six options offered in Michigan · no option requires a first-time buyer · no option combines with another assistance program · owner-occupied primary residences only.

Program Notice

Down payment assistance options are consumer mortgage programs arranged through select wholesale lenders, licensed in sixteen states, paired with FHA, USDA, or HUD-184 first liens. Assistance is stated as a percentage of price or value, never as a dollar figure a specific borrower would receive; the forgivable and repayable options are second liens with their own disclosures. Eligibility depends on the first lien’s approval, the option’s rules, the property, and full underwriting, subject to lender program eligibility. The calculator’s rate is an editable market benchmark, not a quote, and its payment is an illustrative estimate; no fee or lender identity appears on this page. Lendmire is a mortgage broker and never the lender, and is not affiliated with or acting on behalf of FHA, VA, USDA, HUD, or the federal government.

Taylor Down Payment Assistance Guide

What down payment assistance is — and how the options differ.

First-time home buyer programs are not one program; they are a family of down payment assistance options paired with a government-backed first lien, and the right one for a Taylor, MI buyer depends on credit, the first lien, the property, and whether the help needs to reach closing costs.

For the program overview, see Lendmire’s down payment assistance program, or the statewide guide at Down Payment Assistance in Michigan.

01.

Assistance covers the FHA down payment

An FHA purchase asks for a minimum investment from the buyer; the assistance covers it, measured as a percentage of the lesser of price or value, and the largest option carries a further share for closing costs and prepaids.

02.

Four shapes: grant, forgivable, repayable, refinance

Nothing to repay, forgiven over time, or repaid with a balloon: the three purchase shapes in Taylor, MI cover the same minimum investment and differ in what the buyer owes afterward.

03.

Credit floors, mortgage programs, and unit counts

Credit decides which options are open; the first lien decides which options attach; the property’s unit count and type decide which option carries it. The options table shows all three side by side.

04.

Eligibility without a first-time-buyer rule

In Taylor, MI, the question is not whether this is a first home; it is which option fits the credit, the first lien, and the property — and, for the nothing-to-repay option, which qualifying category applies.

The Core Calculation

Purchase price × the FHA minimum down payment = your down payment; assistance covers it, and the larger option covers closing costs too

This is the whole test: the price sets the minimum investment, the option covers it, and the larger option leaves room for closing costs. The tool below applies it to your numbers and adds the FHA payment estimate.

Size My Down Payment Request a Scenario Review

Taylor Market Context

Where Taylor’s first-time and moderate-income buyers shop — and how the assistance fits.

Where Taylor, MI’s renters live, what a median home costs, and what a median household earns — Census estimates give the backdrop for a down payment assistance file.

Citywide figures provide general market context, not an appraisal or an income calculation. The higher the median value, the larger the minimum investment in dollars; that is why the assistance is sized as a percentage of the price rather than a fixed sum, and why the larger option matters more in expensive markets.

62,081Population (ACS 2020–2024)

$152,600Median owner-occupied home value (ACS 2020–2024)

33.3%Households that rent (ACS 2020–2024)

$61,081Median household income (ACS 2020–2024)

Data sources: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-Year (2024) housing and population estimates, including tenure, home values, gross rents, and household income.

Taylor Submarkets

Distinct Taylor submarkets, distinct property rules.

A down payment assistance file in Taylor reads differently by submarket — condominium approval, association packages, unit counts, and USDA eligibility all shift from one to the next.

01.

Two-to-four-unit homes, owner-occupied

The duplexes and small multi-unit homes of Taylor pair with the assistance on the first lien, up to the option’s unit limit. On a home at Taylor’s median value, the FHA minimum investment comes to about $5,300 — the figure the assistance is built to cover.

Live in one unit, rent the others

Market data: U.S. Census Bureau — Taylor.

02.

Manufactured homes on owned land

For Taylor buyers choosing manufactured housing, the assistance is available on owned land, with the option set by the home’s width. About 33% of Taylor’s households rent — roughly 8,404 renter households, the pool the program exists for.

Width and title decide the option

Market data: U.S. Census Bureau — Taylor.

03.

USDA-eligible areas

On Taylor’s rural edges, the USDA first lien and the second-lien options fit together, keeping cash to close near zero for buyers who qualify. Median gross rent in Taylor is about $1,101 a month — the payment many renters already carry.

Zero-down first lien, assistance for costs

Market data: U.S. Census Bureau — Taylor.

04.

New construction

New construction in and around Taylor works with the program; the appraisal and the builder’s timeline set the pace, and the assistance closes with the first lien. Median household income in Taylor sits near $61,081 on the latest Census estimate.

Builder timelines and appraisal

Market data: U.S. Census Bureau — Taylor.

05.

Established neighborhoods

Buyers in Taylor’s core neighborhoods use the assistance to close the gap between qualifying for the payment and having the cash to close. The median owner-occupied home value in Taylor runs near $152,600 on the latest Census estimate.

Moderate prices, deep FHA history

Market data: U.S. Census Bureau — Taylor.

06.

Homes that need work

The older stock in Taylor pairs with a renovation first lien and the assistance together: the help is figured on the purchase price, and the loan covers price plus repairs. Taylor counts a population near 62K.

Renovation first lien with assistance

Market data: U.S. Census Bureau — Taylor.

These are patterns, not promises: each Taylor purchase is underwritten on its own appraisal, its own credit, and its own option.

How Taylor Buyers Use the Program

Four ways Taylor buyers put down payment assistance to work.

Down payment assistance in Taylor, MI is used for more than a first purchase; these are the structures Taylor buyers ask about most.

Renovation

Buy a home that needs work with a renovation mortgage

Renovation purchases in Taylor, MI qualify for the assistance on the price before repairs, so the down payment help and the repair budget close together.

Government mortgages

Pair the assistance with a USDA or HUD-184 mortgage

Where the first lien is USDA or HUD-184, the second-lien assistance options carry the file in Taylor, forgivable or repayable by the buyer’s choice and credit.

Closing costs

Cover closing costs too on the larger option

A Taylor buyer who needs more than the minimum investment uses the repayable option that covers down payment, closing costs, and prepaid items, including costs paid outside closing.

Small multi-unit

Buy a two-to-four-unit home and live in one unit

House-hacking in Taylor, MI pairs with the program when the buyer occupies a unit; the unit count decides which option applies, and the first lien carries the building.

Assistance Sizer

Size the assistance on a Taylor price before requesting a quote.

The calculator does what a loan officer’s first pass does for a Taylor file — sizes the minimum investment, applies the option, builds the FHA loan with mortgage insurance, and estimates the payment — using the current program figures and an editable benchmark rate.

Editable FHA scenario with assistance

Taylor FHA payment with assistance

Starting assumptions reflect Taylor’s home values; change any field and the loan, the mortgage insurance, and the payment are recalculated.

Purchase price

Assistance option

Your own cash toward the down payment (% of price)

Term

Rate (%) — editable benchmark

Editable benchmark: 6.71% as of September 3, 2026 · Freddie Mac 30-year average via FRED®. A conventional market reference, not an FHA loan quote.

Property taxes (per year)

Homeowners insurance (per year)

Association dues (per month)

Gross monthly household income (optional)

Other monthly debt payments

—FHA minimum investment on this price.

—Annual mortgage insurance rate applied, and for how long.

Illustrative starting assumptions: a $155,000 price near Taylor’s median owner-occupied home value (kept where an FHA first lien is realistic), the strongest assistance option offered in Michigan applied against the FHA minimum investment, a thirty-year term at the current Freddie Mac benchmark, property taxes and insurance estimated for Michigan (U.S. Census Bureau). Every field is editable.

Estimated total monthly housing payment

—

Principal and interest, FHA mortgage insurance, taxes, insurance and dues, on the total loan with the upfront premium financed.

—Total down payment (your cash plus assistance)

—Assistance applied to the down payment

—Assistance left toward closing costs and prepaids

—Your cash toward the down payment

—Base loan amount

—Upfront mortgage insurance premium, financed

—Total loan amount

—Principal and interest

—Monthly FHA mortgage insurance

—Taxes, insurance and dues

—Housing and total debt ratios (with income entered)

—Where the file lands

Review My Assistance Scenario Call 828-256-2183

Illustrative estimate only — not a Loan Estimate, approval, quote, or commitment to lend. The rate field carries the weekly Freddie Mac thirty-year conventional benchmark, a market reference and not an FHA loan quote; your rate is set by the lender at lock. FHA mortgage insurance follows HUD’s published schedule for the term, leverage and loan size entered; taxes, insurance and dues are editable estimates; closing costs are not included; a repayable second lien adds its own payment, which is not shown here. Consumer mortgage lending licensed in sixteen states. Lendmire is not affiliated with or acting on behalf of FHA, USDA, HUD, or the federal government.

Down Payment Assistance vs. the Alternatives

Same buyer, four very different closings.

The right structure for a Taylor, MI buyer depends on savings, credit, the first lien, and whether the help needs to reach closing costs.

Structure Comparison

Assistance on a government loan, saving the minimum, or a gift.

FHA with down payment assistance

Assistance paired with the first lien at closing: the minimum investment covered, the shape chosen by credit, first lien, and eligibility category, and the second-lien options open to repeat buyers with no income limit.

FHA with your own minimum investment

Paying the minimum investment yourself keeps the closing simplest — no second lien, no category, no course; the trade is the months or years of saving that the assistance replaces. For the first lien itself, see Lendmire’s FHA loan program.

USDA or HUD-184 with assistance

On a USDA or HUD-184 first lien, the assistance shifts to the second-lien options and to the closing costs; the nothing-to-repay option pairs only with FHA. For the USDA first lien, see the USDA loan program.

Where each one fits

Assistance fits the buyer short of cash to close; the plain purchase fits the buyer with savings; the USDA and HUD-184 pairing fits eligible properties and borrowers; a documented gift fits when family can help — Lendmire places the Taylor, MI file where it reads best.

Typical File Components

What to prepare for a Taylor scenario review.

The documents a lender reads first on an assistance file.

Assistance (second-lien) disclosuresOn the forgivable and repayable options, the second lien is a separate loan with its own loan number and disclosures; the repayable option carries a balloon disclosure.

Assets and reservesStatements showing the buyer’s own funds for anything the assistance does not cover, plus any reserves the first lien requires.

Eligibility categoryFor the nothing-to-repay option: proof of a qualifying occupation, first-time-buyer status, the property’s census tract, or income inside the area limit, plus the signed assistance application.

Property detailUnit count, condominium approval status, manufactured-home width and title, USDA eligibility, and any association documents.

Mortgage programFHA, USDA, or HUD-184 — with the county loan limit checked against the price, since only the repayable options carry a high-balance first lien.

Seasoned fundsAny gift or savings used alongside the assistance, documented the way the first lien requires.

This is a general preparation guide, not a universal checklist. The selected lender may request additional information based on the mortgage, the assistance option, the property, and the eligibility category. Nothing here is legal or tax advice.

Taylor File Considerations

Local details that can change the loan.

A down payment assistance file in Taylor, MI is won or lost on details a plain purchase never meets: the eligibility category, the forgiveness clock, the balloon on the repayable option, the county loan limit, the property type.

Before You Move Forward

Use these checks to keep the Taylor file clean and fundable.

A clean Taylor file starts with the option chosen, the first lien matched to the property, and the homebuyer education course completed where it is required.

Know the option: read the second lien as the loan it is.
Confirm the category: complete the homebuyer education course where required.
Handle small repairs: escrow more than the estimated cost.

The option decides what you owe afterward

The same minimum investment can be covered three ways in Taylor, MI, and the difference is entirely in what happens after closing: nothing, nothing if the first lien stays current, or a second loan that comes due; the options table shows what is offered.

ii.

The eligibility category for the nothing-to-repay option

For a Taylor buyer, the category question is worth answering early: a buyer inside the income limit or in a qualifying occupation reaches the nothing-to-repay option; a buyer outside every category uses the forgivable or repayable second liens, which carry no income limit.

iii.

Escrow holdbacks for minor repairs

On the second-lien options, minor, non-structural repairs can be escrowed at closing: the repairs must not affect health, safety, or livability, and the work is completed and inspected within a set period after closing.

iv.

Blended scores for two-borrower files

A Taylor, MI couple where one score is strong and the other is not may reach an option through the blended score; the rule is that the higher earner carries the higher score, and manual underwriting is off the table when blending.

The mortgage and the county loan limit

In Taylor, MI, the first-lien program is chosen with the property: USDA where the address is eligible, HUD-184 where the buyer qualifies, FHA everywhere. The county loan limit then decides whether a larger first lien can still carry an assistance option.

A Clear Process

From a Taylor pre-approval to keys with the assistance in place.

Lendmire runs a Taylor assistance file in a set order: pick the option, match the first lien, clear the property, close both liens together.

Pick the option

The first step is the option: which ones the credit opens, which the first lien allows, and which costs the least to carry for a Taylor, MI buyer — settled before anything is ordered.

ii.

Get the mortgage approved

The first lien’s approval carries the file; the assistance is arranged alongside it, with the eligibility category and the education certificate in hand where they apply.

iii.

Clear the property

Property review runs in parallel with the first lien; the Taylor home is checked against the option’s rules and the first lien’s, from the unit count to the association package.

iv.

Close both loans together

The Taylor closing carries both instruments: the first lien and the assistance, each documented on its own and closed together, with the education certificate in the file where it applies.

Why Lendmire

A brokerage that pairs the assistance to the loan.

An assistance file rewards preparation, and preparation is what a brokerage built for first-time and moderate-income buyers provides.

The option, matched to the buyer

A Taylor scenario is placed on the right option first — the credit tier, the first lien, and the category — and the rest of the file is then built to fit it, before anything is ordered.

ii.

The mortgage, matched to the property

USDA where the address is eligible, HUD-184 where the buyer qualifies, FHA everywhere; the Taylor, MI first lien is the foundation the assistance stands on.

iii.

The right wholesale program

A Taylor file is matched to the wholesale program whose option fits the buyer, and Lendmire manages the first lien and the assistance together through closing.

Client Experiences

Trusted by first-time buyers & families alike.

Verified Google Reviews

    
 
 
          Joseph Edwards 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Highly recommend, Cori was awesome to work with and had great communication. She was very helpful and got us through everything to close.
  
 
         K Star Real Estate LLC 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Cori on the Lendmire team was phenomenal! She was two steps ahead through the entire process of purchasing an investment property.  She was solving problems before anyone knew there could have been a problem.  Great communication,  great availability,  all around a great person to work with.  She is the reason our deal closed.  We look forward to working with her again in the very near future!
  
 
         Tristen Mosley 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Alayna Pack is very knowledgeable, helpful, communicative, and transparent. Highly recommend.
  
 
         J Mills 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Leigh is absolutely the best! Professional yet personable, diligent, and incredibly responsive. She was with us throughout the process and helped us secure a competitive rate. Leigh went above and beyond to make sure all of our questions were answered, and offered deep explanations for questions that arose. We felt supported through the entire process and trust her expertise completely. 5 stars!
  
 
         Tyjuana Atkinson 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Awesome experience!!!!!!! Leigh had our best interest at heart from beginning to the end.
  
 
         Anna Hernandez 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Curt Galbraith was a Great Loan Originator and goes above and beyond for his clients, working with him on this transaction was so easy. I would recommend him for any Buyers looking to Buyer or Refinance. Great Service all around
  
 
         RustynKelli Shelton 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Brenda is absolutely one of the most professional hardworking lenders we have ever dealt with; she’s helped clients of ours and now us personally. Her communication is top notch, you never feel like you’re forgotten or left to figure things out on your own, great to answer questions and explain each step. Definitely recommend Brenda to walk along beside you in your purchase process!
  
 
         Isaac Alonzo 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. As a first time home buyer Curt Galbraith was a wonderful man, he explained everything i had questions about and took time out of his day to meet up late at nights after my night shift, to explain things to me .Over all  Curt was really helpful all through closing and always there when you needed him. Thank you so much Curt for helping me through out the whole process.
  
 
         Jason Fleck 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Brenda, Samantha and the Lendmire team were absolutely fantastic to work with. We had to jump through some major hurdles to get this home done, which most lenders would have gave up, they kept pushing to get this home done for us. I would absolutely recommend Brenda and team to anybody. Thank you so much for your commitment, communication, perseverance through the whole process. Jason & Brooke

Questions Taylor Buyers Ask

Taylor down payment assistance FAQs

The questions a Taylor, MI buyer asks before requesting an assistance review, answered plainly.

Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer?

No option requires it. A Taylor buyer who has owned before qualifies for the second-lien options on credit, first lien, and property alone, and for the nothing-to-repay option through any of the other categories.

Is there an income limit?

The second-lien options have none; the nothing-to-repay option has an area income limit that a qualifying occupation, a first purchase, or an underserved tract can substitute for.

What first-time home buyer programs are available in Taylor?

Four shapes paired with a government first lien: a nothing-to-repay option released at closing; forgivable second liens with no interest and no payment, released after an on-time payment period; a repayable second lien with a balloon that also reaches closing costs and prepaids; and a refinance-cost option for an existing FHA loan. The options table on this page shows what is offered in Michigan.

Do I have to pay the assistance back?

A nothing-to-repay option is released at closing with no lien and no payment. The forgivable second liens also cost nothing — no interest, no payment — as long as the first lien stays current through the forgiveness period, and they pair with USDA and HUD-184 first liens as well as FHA.

What credit score do I need?

It depends on the option. The lowest floor belongs to the nothing-to-repay option; the second-lien options start higher, and the first lien’s own rules apply on top.

Can I combine this with another assistance program?

One option, one first lien, one closing — no combination with other assistance.

What is the rate on the mortgage and on the assistance?

It depends on the first lien, the option, and the file; the rate shown in the calculator is an editable market benchmark, not a quote, and the payment it produces is an illustrative estimate. A scenario review produces the terms.

Can I use the assistance on a second home or a rental?

No. Every option is for an owner-occupied primary residence; on the forgivable and repayable options the home must stay the primary residence for the term of the second lien.

Is there an option for refinancing?

For an existing FHA loan, yes — a repayable option sized on the balance, for a full refinance rather than a streamline.

Which mortgages can the assistance be used with?

FHA on every option, including the repair-escrow and renovation programs; USDA and HUD-184 on the forgivable and repayable second liens. Conventional first liens are outside the program.

Get Started

Place your Taylor purchase on the right option today.

Request a scenario review with the price and the first lien in mind; Lendmire answers with the option, the floor, and what the file will need.

Check My Assistance Options Size My Down Payment

Continue Exploring

This guide covers Taylor — for the statewide options, categories, and property rules, see Down Payment Assistance in Michigan, part of Lendmire’s down payment assistance program.

Also in Michigan: Jackson · Livonia · Munising · St. Clair Shores · FHA Loans · USDA Loans