Fannie Mae HomePath Ready Buyer Closing Cost Assistance
Up to 3% of the purchase price toward closing costs on a Fannie Mae HomePath home
When Fannie Mae sells one of its own foreclosed homes through HomePath, a first-time buyer who completes Fannie Mae's free HomeView course and will live in the home can receive up to 3% of the price toward closing costs from Fannie Mae as the seller. It is a seller credit, not a loan, and there is nothing to repay.
Funding was available the last time we checked.
Last verified Sep 23, 2026. Program terms change; confirm with the administrator before you rely on them.
At a glance
- Amount
- Up to 3% of the purchase price toward closing costs on a Fannie Mae HomePath home
- Type of help
- Grant
- Where
- Nationwide
- Run by
- Fannie Mae (seller of HomePath real estate owned properties)
- First-time buyer
- First-time buyers only
- Income limit
- None
- Homebuyer education
- Required
How the grant works
Money you do not pay back, as long as you meet the program's stay-in-the-home terms.
- Monthly payment: None
Who qualifies
- First-time buyers only. First-time buyer as Fannie Mae defines it. Investors and second-home buyers do not qualify.
- Income. Fannie Mae's page does not list an income cap for the Ready Buyer credit. Your mortgage may have its own limits (checked 2026-09-23).
- Property types: Fannie Mae owned homes listed on HomePath.com. Must be your primary residence.
- The home must be a Fannie Mae real estate owned property listed on HomePath.
- You must complete Fannie Mae's HomeView homeownership education course and receive the certificate before the credit is requested.
- You must occupy the home as your primary residence.
- Any financing works, including HomeReady, FHA, and VA, subject to the loan's own rules on seller credits.
How to apply
- 1Complete Fannie Mae's free HomeView course online and save the certificate of completion.
- 2Search HomePath.com for Fannie Mae owned homes in Maryland, DC, or Virginia. Inventory is thin in strong markets, so set alerts.
- 3Have your agent request the Ready Buyer closing cost assistance when submitting the offer through HomePath and attach your HomeView certificate.
- 4Confirm with your lender that a seller credit of up to 3% fits within your loan program's limits, then close with the credit applied to your closing costs.
Watch out for
- This only applies to homes Fannie Mae itself owns and sells through HomePath. It is not available on regular listings, and HomePath inventory in the DMV comes and goes.
- The HomeView certificate must be in hand before the offer is accepted. Take the course before you start shopping, not after you find a house.
- The credit is capped by your loan program's seller contribution limits. Ask your lender before you count on the full 3%.
- HomePath homes are sold as-is. Budget for inspections and repairs even with the closing cost help.
If a Fannie Mae foreclosure pops up in your price range, this is a clean 3% toward closing costs for a first-time buyer who took a free online class. I check HomePath for every first-time buyer I work with.
Straight answers
Is this available on any home?
No. Only on homes Fannie Mae owns and lists on HomePath.com, which are properties it took back through foreclosure. The credit comes from Fannie Mae as the seller.
Do I have to pay it back?
No. It is a closing cost credit from the seller, not a loan.
Can I use it with a HomeReady or FHA loan?
Yes, subject to the loan program's cap on seller-paid closing costs. Your lender confirms how much of the 3% you can use.
Sources
- Fannie Mae, You've Got Options When It Comes to Home Financing (HomePath Ready Buyer) (read Sep 23, 2026)
- Fannie Mae, HomePath property listings (read Sep 23, 2026)
- Fannie Mae, HomeView homeownership education course (read Sep 23, 2026)
Program details are summarized from public sources and change without notice. Funding badges reflect the last time we checked, not a guarantee of availability. This is buyer education from a real estate agent, not a loan pre-approval or a commitment to lend. Eligibility is decided by each program administrator and your lender. Equal Housing Opportunity.
Programs are the easy part. Timing is the hard part.
Most buyers lose assistance on a deadline, not on eligibility. Sean helps you map out the counseling, the lender conversation, and the contract dates so nothing slips.