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First-time home buyer programs in Seattle, WA

Quick answer

First-time buyers in Seattle, WA can use 3%-down conventional loans (up to the $1,063,750 King County conforming limit), 3.5%-down FHA, or VA and USDA where eligible, plus 1 verified city, county or statewide assistance program. On the $912,100 median home, 3% down is about $27,363 and the estimated payment is $7,103/month at 7.18%.

By Purchase Mortgage Loan Editorial Team Checked against official sources per our editorial standardsData last updated

Median household income: $121,984; value-to-income ratio 7.48. Seattle ranks 16 by home value and 1 by population among 131 places in our WA dataset.

What does a first-time buyer loan cost on a typical Seattle home?

ItemSeattle
Median home value (Census ACS)$912,100
Washington median home value$519,800
Down payment (3%)$27,363
Loan amount$884,737
Estimated monthly payment (PITI + MI)$7,103
Income needed (28% / 36%)$305,000 / $237,000
King County 2026 conforming limit (1 unit)$1,063,750
Max purchase price at the limit$1,096,000

Rate assumption: 7.18% (Freddie Mac PMMS 30-year fixed average, week of November 5, 2026). Change it in the payment calculator.

Payment includes Washington's 0.84% effective property tax rate (Census ACS), $1,232/yr homeowners insurance (NAIC state average) and an estimated 0.5% PMI.

What is the 2026 conforming loan limit in Seattle?

Seattle is in King County. Conventional 3%-down loans go up to the $1,063,750 conforming limit (price ≈ $1,096,000); FHA loans go up to $1,063,750.

The Seattle median home value of $912,100 is 75% above the Washington median, and within what the county limit supports.

Which down payment assistance programs can Seattle buyers use?

First-time buyer loans in nearby cities

Mercer IslandBainbridge IslandWhite CenterKirklandBellevueShoreline

First-time buyer loan FAQs for Seattle

On the $912,100 median: 3% conventional ≈ $27,363, 3.5% FHA ≈ $31,924, and 0% for eligible VA or USDA buyers. Conventional loans above $1,063,750 in King County become jumbo loans.

At the $912,100 median value (above the Washington median of $519,800), the estimated payment of $7,103/month at 7.18% needs about $305,000 a year under the 28% housing guideline, or $237,000 if your total debts stay under 36%.

1 city-level, 0 county-level and 0 statewide programs are verified for this city (1 total). Check each official administrator's eligibility rules and available funds.

Sources

Data last updated October 23, 2026.

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Figures on this page are estimates for educational purposes only and are not a loan offer or commitment to lend. Rates, loan limits, fees and assistance programs change frequently and vary by lender, location and borrower profile. Confirm current terms with a licensed loan officer.