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Homebuyer Programs in Augusta, Georgia (2026)

Est. City Population

202,000

Median Home Price

$238,500

Est. Closing Costs

$5,963

By Tyler Thompson · NC Licensed Agent · Updated June 1, 2026

Augusta is the second-largest city in Georgia, with a population of approximately 202,000 residents in Richmond County. Anchored by major employers like Fort Eisenhower (formerly Fort Gordon), Augusta University and Health System, Textron Specialized Vehicles, and Clearwater Paper, the city offers a stable job market with a cost of living roughly 15% below the national average. The median home price sits at $238,500, making Augusta one of the most affordable metro areas in the Southeast for first-time buyers.

Neighborhoods like South Augusta near Fort Eisenhower offer homes starting around $120,000, while the historic Harrisburg district near downtown and the medical center is attracting buyers with renovation-ready properties and long-term appreciation potential. Families drawn to top-rated Columbia County schools often look at Martinez and Grovetown, where newer construction ranges from $180,000 to $280,000. Hephzibah provides a quieter, small-town feel with larger lots and lower property taxes just minutes from the city.

First-time buyers in Augusta can stack the Augusta Homeownership Assistance Program, which provides up to $5,000 in forgivable down payment assistance, with the Georgia Dream Homeownership Program offering up to $10,000. Together, that is $15,000 in combined assistance, enough to cover the full down payment and closing costs on a median-priced home purchased with a Federal Housing Administration loan.

With 2 local programs, 4 state programs, and 7 federal loan options available, Augusta buyers have access to a strong network of assistance. Compared to higher-cost markets like Atlanta, Savannah, and Columbus, Augusta delivers significantly more purchasing power per dollar of income.

Local Down Payment Assistance Programs

Programs below are administered locally and are specific to this city, county, or area nonprofits.

City Programs

Augusta Homeownership Assistance Program
Deferred-payment loanUp to $5,000First-time: Yes

Nonprofit Programs

Augusta/CSRA Habitat for Humanity Homebuyer Program
0% interest mortgage with affordable paymentsAffordable 0% interest mortgageFirst-time: No

What Does Buying a $238,500 Home in Augusta Actually Cost?

Purchase Price$238,500
Down Payment (3.5%)$8,348
Estimated Closing Costs$5,963
Total Cash Needed$14,311
minusGeorgia Dream Homeownership Program (first-time buyer, 640 credit, income under $98,400 for 1-2 persons)-$10,000
minusAugusta Homeownership Assistance Program (first-time buyer, 80% Area Median Income, forgiven after 5 years)-$4,311
Your estimated out-of-pocket with maximum assistance$0

This example assumes a first-time buyer purchasing at the Augusta median home price of $238,500 using a Federal Housing Administration loan with 3.5% down. The Georgia Dream Homeownership Program provides $10,000 as a deferred second mortgage. The Augusta Homeownership Assistance Program provides the remaining $4,311 needed as a deferred-payment loan forgiven after 5 years of owner occupancy. Both programs require completion of homebuyer education. Georgia Dream requires a 640 minimum credit score and household income under $98,400 for 1-2 person households in Richmond County. The Augusta program requires income at or below 80% of the Area Median Income.

How to Apply for DPA Programs in Augusta

  1. 1
    Step 1

    Check Your Eligibility

  2. 2

    Review income limits for the programs you plan to use. The Augusta Homeownership Assistance Program requires household income at or below 80% of the Area Median Income and first-time buyer status. The Georgia Dream Homeownership Program requires income under $98,400 for 1-2 person households in Richmond County (higher for larger households) and a 640 minimum credit score. The Georgia Dream Peach Plus program allows repeat buyers and accepts Federal Housing Administration, Veterans Affairs, and United States Department of Agriculture loans with income limits up to $147,600 for 1-2 persons.

  3. 3
    Step 2

    Complete Homebuyer Education

  4. 4

    Both the Augusta and Georgia Dream programs require completion of a HUD-approved homebuyer education course. Contact the CSRA Economic Opportunity Authority at 762-222-8594 to enroll. They offer counseling and education for Augusta-area buyers. The Augusta/CSRA Habitat for Humanity also provides a free online Homebuyer Education Portal at homebuyereducationcenter.org.

  5. 5
    Step 3

    Connect with a Housing Counselor

  6. 6

    Contact Penny Parrish at the CSRA Economic Opportunity Authority by phone at 706-922-8354 or email at pparrish@csraeoa.org. A counselor will help you understand which programs you qualify for, review your credit and budget, and create a plan to maximize your total assistance. For the Augusta city program specifically, contact Augusta-Richmond County Housing and Community Development at 706-821-2300 or visit their office at 535 Telfair Street, Augusta, Georgia 30901.

  7. 7
    Step 4

    Get Pre-Approved with a Participating Lender

  8. 8

    For Georgia Dream programs, you must use a Georgia Dream participating lender who can originate the first mortgage and process the down payment assistance. Find a participating lender through the Georgia Department of Community Affairs website. For the Augusta city program, work with one of the participating local lending institutions approved by Augusta-Richmond County Housing and Community Development. Your lender will submit the required documentation to the city on your behalf.

  9. 9
    Step 5

    Find a Home Within Program Guidelines

  10. 10

    Search for homes within Augusta-Richmond County for the city program. Georgia Dream allows purchases up to $400,000 in Richmond County, while Peach Plus and Peach Advantage allow up to $500,000. Focus your search in affordable neighborhoods like South Augusta, Harrisburg, Martinez, Grovetown, and Hephzibah. Use online tools like Zillow or Realtor.com filtered by price to identify properties that meet program requirements.

  11. 11
    Step 6

    Submit Your Application and Close

  12. 12

    Once you have a signed sales contract, your lender submits all relevant documentation to Augusta-Richmond County Housing and Community Development for the city program. The department reviews the application and inspects the property. If approved, they issue a voluntary sales certification to the seller and the closing is scheduled. Georgia Dream assistance is processed through your participating lender at closing. Plan for the review process to take several weeks, so build extra time into your purchase timeline.

Housing Market in Augusta

The Augusta housing market is showing strong price appreciation with a median sale price of $238,500 as of April 2026, representing a 22.31% increase year over year. Homes are spending an average of 103.5 days on the market, giving buyers ample time to shop, negotiate, and secure financing before committing to a purchase.

Inventory levels favor buyers, with approximately 1,243 homes available and 7.87 months of supply on the market. Sales volume has declined 24.76% compared to last year, and the average sale-to-list price ratio sits at 86.74%, meaning most homes are selling below asking price. Roughly half of all listings have experienced at least one price reduction.

For first-time buyers, Augusta represents one of the strongest buyer's markets in Georgia. The combination of below-asking sale prices, rising inventory, and generous down payment assistance programs creates an unusually favorable window for entry. Compared to Atlanta, where median prices exceed $395,000, Augusta offers nearly 40% more affordability with access to many of the same state and federal programs. Market data sourced from Houzeo, April 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions About DPA in Augusta

How much down payment assistance can I get in Augusta?
Augusta buyers can access up to $15,000 in combined down payment assistance by stacking city and state programs. The Augusta Homeownership Assistance Program provides up to $5,000 as a deferred-payment loan forgiven after 5 years. The Georgia Dream Homeownership Program adds up to $10,000 as a deferred second mortgage. Additional options include the Georgia Dream Peach Plus program at up to $10,000 and the Georgia Dream Peach Advantage program providing 2% to 5% of the loan amount for conventional borrowers.
What credit score do I need for down payment assistance in Augusta?
Credit score requirements vary by program. The Georgia Dream Homeownership Program and Georgia Dream Peach Plus both require a minimum 640 credit score. The Augusta Homeownership Assistance Program does not publish a specific credit score minimum, but applicants must qualify for a primary mortgage through an approved lender, which typically requires a score of 580 or higher for Federal Housing Administration loans. The Augusta/CSRA Habitat for Humanity Homebuyer Program does not require a specific score but does require a reasonably good credit history with no bankruptcies within the past two years.
Can I combine Augusta programs with Georgia state programs?
Yes. The Augusta Homeownership Assistance Program can be layered with state-level programs like the Georgia Dream Homeownership Program since they operate at different government levels. For example, a first-time buyer could receive $10,000 from Georgia Dream plus $5,000 from the Augusta program for $15,000 in total assistance. On a median-priced home of $238,500 with a 3.5% down Federal Housing Administration loan, that $15,000 would cover the entire $8,348 down payment and most of the estimated $5,963 in closing costs, potentially eliminating all out-of-pocket expenses at closing.
What is the maximum home price for Augusta assistance programs?
Price limits depend on the program. The Georgia Dream Homeownership Program allows purchases up to $400,000 in Richmond County. The Georgia Dream Peach Plus and Georgia Dream Peach Advantage programs allow up to $500,000. The Augusta Homeownership Assistance Program does not publish a specific purchase price limit on its website but does require the property to be located within Augusta-Richmond County and the buyer to meet income guidelines at 80% of the Area Median Income.
Where can I get free homebuyer education and counseling in Augusta?
The CSRA Economic Opportunity Authority is a HUD-approved housing counseling agency serving the Augusta area. You can reach their housing counselor Penny Parrish at 706-922-8354 or pparrish@csraeoa.org. Their general line is 762-222-8594. Homebuyer education is required for most assistance programs, including the Augusta Homeownership Assistance Program and the Georgia Dream Homeownership Program. The Augusta/CSRA Habitat for Humanity also offers financial literacy workshops and a Homebuyer Education Portal at homebuyereducationcenter.org for anyone interested in learning about the homebuying process.
Program details, funding availability, and eligibility requirements change frequently. Always verify directly with the program administrator. This site is for educational purposes only. Not financial advice.