7 Mistakes First-Time Homebuyers Make and How to Avoid Them

Buying your first home is exciting but full of potential pitfalls. Learn the most common mistakes first-time buyers make and how to steer clear of them.

By Tyler Thompson · May 25, 2026 · 3 min read

Programs by State

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Click a state to view down payment assistance programs by city.

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Programs by Level

City35
County6
Nonprofit52
State10
Federal7

Total active110

LocalStateFederal

Editorial Standards

How We Source Our Data

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Official sources only
Every program cites the administering agency — HUD, state housing finance authorities, city housing departments, and nonprofit lenders.
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Last verified dates
Each program listing shows when the eligibility, funding status, and assistance amount were last confirmed.
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Updated by a licensed agent
The directory is maintained by Tyler Thompson, a licensed North Carolina real estate agent who works with first-time buyers.
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No fees, no lead-gen
DirectoryDPA does not sell visitor information, collect leads, or take referral fees from program administrators.

Editor’s Note

Built by a licensed real estate agent, not a marketing company.

I started DirectoryDPA after watching first-time buyers struggle to find the down payment assistance programs they qualified for. Most directories are pay-to-list. This one is a public record of every program I’ve verified, with links straight to the agency that runs it.

— Tyler Thompson, Editor & Licensed NC Real Estate Agent

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