Lower Rates for Many Homebuyers, Plus Help with the Downpayment

The House Key Opportunity Program is a great choice for homebuyers with lower incomes, especially those buying in certain areas. Plus, every loan comes with downpayment assistance.

The House Key Opportunity Program is a great choice for homebuyers with lower incomes, especially those buying in certain areas. Plus, every loan comes with downpayment assistance.

Am I eligible for House Key Opportunity?

I'm a first-time homebuyer or have not owned a home in the last three years

I’m not a first time homebuyer, but can buy in a Target Area

My income is under the eligible limit for my location and family size

How to get started

Our free homebuyer education seminars answer your questions and help you prepare you for homeownership, with no commitment and at no cost. You can also connect with a loan officer first, and find out how to qualify for a home loan.

 

The House Key Opportunity Program is only available to applicants using the following downpayment assistance:

1. Take a Free Homebuyer Class!

This free class gives you a great foundation of knowledge about buying and owning a home. (Plus, it’s required for all Commission loans.) You will receive a certificate upon completion of the class, valid for two years. 

2. Contact a Commission-Trained Loan Officer.

They can find the right loan type that will work with our programs to see if you qualify. They also know the income limits we require. 

3. Once you know how much you qualify for, it is time to look for a home.

Your lender and real estate professional will work with you to locate and finance a home.

These Participating Lenders have a proven track record of closing our loans.

1st Security Bank of Washington

American Pacific Mortgage

Axia Home Loans

Banner Bank

Bay Equity LLC

Canopy Mortgage

Cardinal Financial

Churchill Mortgage

CMG Mortgage

Community First Mortgage

Cornerstone Home Lending

CrossCountry Mortgage

DAS Acquisition

DHI Mortgage

Diamond Residential Mortgage

Directors Mortgage

Envoy Mortgage

Everett Financial

Evergreen Home Loans

Fairway Independent Mortgage

Guaranteed Rate

Global Federal Credit Union

Guild Mortgage

Highlands Residential Mortgage

HomeBridge Financial Services

HomeSight

HomeStreet Bank

International City Mortgage

Ixonia Bank

LeaderOne Financial

  LoanDepot

Lower LLC

Luminate Home Loans

Mann Mortgage

Movement Mortgage

Mutual of Omaha Mortgage

New American Funding

NewRez

NFM Lending

Northpointe Bank

Nova Financial

On Q Financial

Paramount Residential Mortgage Group

Premier Lending

Premier Mortgage Resources

Primary Residential Mortgage

Prime Lending

Priority Home Lending

Revolution Mortgage

Summit Funding

Summit Mortgage

Sunflower Bank

Synergy One Lending

T2 Financial

The Money Store

Umpqua Bank

US Bank

Wallick & Volk

Wheatland Bank

Willamette Valley Bank

 

 

Questions Regarding Participating Lenders

The Commission welcomes new Participating Lenders into our programs.  Please visit our New Lender Application page or contact Corinna Obar at corinna.obar@wshfc.org or 206-287-4414
Federal Subsidy Recapture Tax

The Opportunity Program uses the proceeds of tax-exempt bonds to provide first-time homebuyers the benefit of a lower interest rate.  Should the home financed using the Opportunity Program be sold or otherwise disposed of within nine years of purchase, this benefit may be “recaptured”.   Please review this important information.

When will these funds become available?

Funding for the House Key Opportunity Program comes from the sale of tax-exempt bonds. Funds will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. If you have questions, please call us at 800.767.4663 or email info@heretohome.org.

1. Freddie Mac HFA Advantage program – High Balance Loans not available.

2. FHA, USDA, VA and FANNIE programs – High Balance loans above $766,500 and up to $977,500 are allowed in High Cost Areas. No additional fees apply.

Click here to see 2023 80% AMI Limits – Conventional Loans

*Current loan amount may not exceed $766,500 in any county for Freddie Mac HFA Advantage.

Fannie Mae “HFA Preferred” and Freddie Mac “HFA Advantage” Pricing Has Changed

Beginning February 12, 2020, Freddie Mac has made changes to HFA Advantage that mirrors the changes Fannie Mae made to HFA Preferred on September 5, 2019. . Pricing benefits are limited to borrowers with incomes at or below 80% AMI. Our rate sheets reflect this change with higher pricing for borrowers above 80% AMI for both Fannie and Freddie. For more details, see our November 21, 2019 Program Announcement.

**Rates subject to change without notice. Homebuyers interested in applying for financing should contact one of the Commission’s Participating Lenders. The Commission does not lend money directly to consumers. Participating Lenders pre-qualify consumers and originate all mortgage loans. This is not an advertisement for credit as defined in Regulation Z. Contact a Commission Participating Lender for Annual Percentage Rate (APR). This is not a commitment to lend. Visit heretohome.org for more information.

***Further fees may apply. Contact your participating loan officer for further information.

Maximum Annual Household Income Limits

House Key Opportunity serves people whose maximum annual household income is under the following limits. In target areas, those limits are higher.

See our Target Areas Map to learn more.

Effective 09/02/2022

COUNTY

NON-TARGET AREA (1-2 PERSONS)

NON-TARGET AREA (3+ PERSONS)

TARGET AREA (1-2 PERSONS)

TARGET AREA (3+ PERSONS)

Clark/Skamania
$110,000
$125,000
$120,000
$140,000
King/Snohomish
$150,000
$175,000
$150,000
$175,000
Kitsap
$100,000
$115,000
$120,000
$140,000
Pierce
$115,000
$135,000
$115,000
$135,000
All other counties
$100,000
$115,000
$120,000
$140,000

Am I in a Target Area ?

Maximum Acquisition Cost Limits

Borrowers purchasing in Target areas are encouraged as the Borrower does not need to be a first-time homebuyer. See Target Areas for more information and maps. 

Effective 05/31/2022

COUNTY

NON-TARGET AREA

TARGET AREA

Clark/Skamania
$495,000
$550,000
Island
$400,000
$475,000
King/Pierce/Snohomish
$675,000
$750,000
Kitsap
$410,000
$500,000
San Juan
$410,000
$480,000
Whatcom
$425,000
$500,000
Skagit/Thurston
$390,000
$475,000
All Other Counties
$345,000
$400,000

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Frequently Asked Questions

DISCLAIMER: The sponsorship by the Commission of a homebuyer education seminar does not endorse a person, business practice, product or service other than those of the Commission.

Disclaimer: The Commission does not endorse a person, business practice, product or service other than those of the Commission.