First-time buyers in Connecticut can pair a standard mortgage with programs offered by the state housing finance agency and, in some areas, by local governments or nonprofits. These programs may include down payment or closing cost assistance and homebuyer education, with rules on income, price and occupancy. Choose your city below to learn about the first-purchase process and connect with a licensed lender who can explain which programs you may be eligible for.
Call to talk with a licensed loan officer. Programs vary by borrower, property and investor.
Connecticut's state housing finance agency is Connecticut Housing Finance Authority (CHFA). Its homebuyer programs include HFA Advantage Loan Program, HFA Preferred Loan Program, Government Insured Mortgage Program. These programs work through participating lenders and have their own eligibility rules. See our Connecticut first-time buyer programs guide.
Where first-time home buyer loans activity is highest in Connecticut
| County | loans originated (2024 HMDA) |
|---|---|
| the Capitol Planning Region | 9,409 |
| the Western Connecticut Planning Region | 4,906 |
| the South Central Connecticut Planning Region | 4,596 |
| the Naugatuck Valley Planning Region | 4,430 |
| the Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region | 2,701 |
| the Greater Bridgeport Planning Region | 2,362 |
| the Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region | 1,723 |
| the Northwest Hills Planning Region | 1,203 |
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Prefer to talk first? Call (888) 912-6746. Applying is not a loan approval or commitment to lend; programs vary by borrower, property and investor. ClearPoint Mortgage Advisors, NMLS #173855. Properties in FL, NY, NJ, PA, CT and VA only.
First-Time Home Buyer Loans by city in Connecticut
- Ansonia
- Branford Center
- Bridgeport
- Bristol
- Cheshire Village
- Conning Towers Nautilus Park
- Cos Cob
- Danbury
- Derby
- Glastonbury Center
- Hartford
- Jewett City
- Kensington
- Meriden
- Middletown
- Milford
- Milford city
- Naugatuck
- New Britain
- New Haven
- New London
- Norwalk
- Norwich
- Oakville
- Old Greenwich
- Pawcatuck
- Riverside
- Rockville
- Shelton
- Sherwood Manor
- Simsbury Center
- Southwood Acres
- Stafford Springs
- Stamford
- Storrs
- Terryville
- Thompsonville
- Torrington
- Wallingford Center
- Waterbury
- West Haven
- Willimantic
- Winsted
Common questions
What is down payment assistance?
Down payment assistance is help from a state housing finance agency, local government or nonprofit toward your down payment or closing costs. It may be a grant, a forgivable loan or a deferred loan repaid later. Programs usually carry income limits, price caps and education requirements, and funding can be limited. Ask a participating lender which programs you may be eligible for and how each one is repaid.
Who counts as a first-time home buyer?
Definitions vary by program. Many state and federal programs treat you as a first-time buyer if you have not owned a principal residence within a recent multi-year window, so former owners may qualify again. Some programs also include single parents or displaced homemakers who previously owned only with a spouse. Check the definition each program uses, since it can differ from the everyday meaning of the phrase.
What closing costs should a first-time buyer expect?
Closing costs can include lender charges, appraisal and credit report fees, title insurance, recording fees, prepaid interest and initial deposits for property taxes and homeowners insurance. Your Loan Estimate lists them within days of applying, and your Closing Disclosure confirms the final figures before you sign. Some assistance programs and seller concessions can help cover these costs, depending on the program and your contract.
Related guides
- How Mortgage Preapproval Works
- Documents Needed for a Mortgage
- Closing Costs Explained
- First-Time Home Buyer Programs in Connecticut
First-Time Home Buyer Loans overview · Connecticut mortgage overview
- 2024 Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) data; U.S. Census Bureau Building Permits Survey 2025