Wells Fargo Homebuyer Access Grant
$10,000 toward the down payment, with up to $5,000 more in closing cost credit for buyers under 80% of AMI
Wells Fargo gives eligible buyers a $10,000 grant that must go entirely toward the down payment on a Wells Fargo fixed-rate conventional loan for a primary residence. It is not repaid. The bank reports it on a 1099-MISC, so it may be taxable income. Buyers at or below 80% of area median income may also qualify for the bank's Dream. Plan. Home. closing cost credit of up to $5,000, for up to $15,000 combined.
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
- $10,000 toward the down payment, with up to $5,000 more in closing cost credit for buyers under 80% of AMI
- Type of help
- Grant
- Where
- Nationwide
- Run by
- Wells Fargo Home Mortgage
- First-time buyer
- Repeat buyers welcome
- Income limit
- Up to 120% of area median income
- Homebuyer education
- Not 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
- Repeat buyers welcome.
- Income. Total qualifying income of all borrowers at or below 120% of the area median income for the county where the home is located. The separate closing cost credit uses an 80% of AMI cap (checked 2026-09-23).
- Property types: Primary residence financed with a Wells Fargo fixed-rate conventional loan. Must be your primary residence.
- You must finance with a Wells Fargo fixed-rate conventional loan. Government loans, adjustable-rate loans, and non-conforming loans are not eligible.
- Available only in certain areas. Wells Fargo's 2024 expansion list included the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson and Washington-Arlington-Alexandria metro areas. Either your current verified address or the home must be in an eligible area.
- The full $10,000 must be applied to the down payment. The bank will not apply a partial amount.
- Grant eligibility is not final until underwriting is complete.
How to apply
- 1Ask a Wells Fargo home mortgage consultant to check whether your current address or the home you want is in an eligible area. Sean does not steer buyers to any lender; this is only the path if you choose this bank.
- 2Get pre-approved on a fixed-rate conventional loan and confirm your qualifying income is at or below 120% of the county AMI.
- 3If your income is at or below 80% of AMI, ask about adding the Dream. Plan. Home. closing cost credit.
- 4Write the offer with the grant shown on your Loan Estimate. Eligibility is confirmed in underwriting, so keep a backup plan for the down payment until then.
Watch out for
- The grant only comes with a Wells Fargo fixed-rate conventional loan. If FHA or VA is the better fit for your credit, this grant is not available.
- Wells Fargo reports the grant on a 1099-MISC. It may be taxable and it may affect income-based programs such as student loan repayment plans. Ask a tax preparer first.
- Eligibility is by metro area and is not confirmed until underwriting. Do not spend the money in your head before the lender confirms it in writing.
- The grant can combine with other down payment assistance, gifts, and employer programs, but standard underwriting and the other program's rules still apply.
- Bank programs change without much notice. Amounts and areas here are what Wells Fargo published when we checked.
Both the Baltimore and Washington metros made the bank's list, which is rare for a national bank grant. If you are conventional-loan eligible and under the income cap, this is worth a phone call.
Straight answers
Is the Washington or Baltimore area eligible?
Wells Fargo's 2024 announcement listed both the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria and Baltimore-Columbia-Towson metro areas among eligible markets. Confirm the specific property with the bank, since areas can change.
Do I have to be a first-time buyer?
No. The bank's rules are about income, the property location or your current address, the loan type, and primary residence occupancy.
Is the grant taxable?
Wells Fargo says accepting and using the grant may be considered taxable income and reports it on a 1099-MISC. Ask a tax preparer how it affects you.
Sources
- Wells Fargo, Low Down Payment Loans and Affordable Options (Homebuyer Access grant and Dream. Plan. Home. credit) (read Sep 23, 2026)
- Wells Fargo Newsroom, Wells Fargo Expands Down Payment Grant Program (eligible metro list) (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.