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Homebuyer Programs in Savannah, Georgia (2026)

Est. City Population

149,440

Median Home Price

$330,000

Est. Closing Costs

$8,250

By Tyler Thompson · NC Licensed Agent · Updated June 7, 2026

Savannah is the largest city in Georgia's Coastal Empire and the seat of Chatham County, with a population of roughly 149,000 and steady growth fueled by the booming Port of Savannah. The local economy is anchored by major employers including Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, the region's largest private employer, along with St. Joseph's/Candler and Memorial Health University Medical Center, the Georgia Ports Authority, and the Savannah College of Art and Design. The median home price of about $330,000 sits well below the national figure, which keeps a first home within reach for many buyers who use the right assistance programs.

First-time buyers searching for value often look to Southside neighborhoods such as Windsor Forest, Georgetown, and Wilshire Estates, where established homes on larger lots trade below citywide averages, or to more central areas like Tatemville near the hospitals. Buyers priced out of the city core frequently expand their search to nearby Pooler and Richmond Hill, though only homes inside the Savannah city limits qualify for the city's flagship assistance program.

The strongest local resource is the DreamMaker Home Purchase Assistance program from the City of Savannah, which provides up to $30,000 for standard homes inside the city limits and up to $50,000 for homes developed in partnership with the City. A buyer pairing a Georgia Dream first mortgage and its $10,000 down payment loan with DreamMaker's deferred assistance could cover an entire down payment and most closing costs, turning a roughly $18,000 cash requirement into little more than the program's required $1,000 buyer contribution.

Between the two local programs, four Georgia Dream state options, and seven federal loan programs, Savannah buyers have multiple paths to homeownership. Compared with larger markets like Atlanta, Savannah pairs lower home prices with one of the most generous city-funded assistance programs in the state.

Local Down Payment Assistance Programs

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

City Programs

DreamMaker Home Purchase Assistance
Deferred payment second mortgage at 2% interestUp to $50,000First-time: Yes

Nonprofit Programs

Coastal Empire Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program
Affordable mortgage with sweat equity requirementAffordable Habitat mortgageFirst-time: See details

What Does Buying a $300,000 Home in Savannah Actually Cost?

Purchase Price$300,000
Down Payment (3.5%)$10,500
Estimated Closing Costs$7,500
Total Cash Needed$18,000
minusDreamMaker Home Purchase Assistance (standard tier, up to $30,000 deferred at 2%)-$18,000
Your estimated out-of-pocket with maximum assistance$1,000

This example assumes a first-time buyer with household income below the City of Savannah limits purchasing a $300,000 home inside the Savannah city limits using a Federal Housing Administration loan at 3.5% down. The DreamMaker program provides a 2% interest deferred loan of up to $30,000 for standard homes, which more than covers the $10,500 down payment and roughly $7,500 in closing costs. The buyer must contribute at least $1,000 of their own funds, and the home must pass a required City inspection before funds are committed. DreamMaker is a deferred second mortgage repayable on sale, refinance, or transfer of title, not a grant. Buyers should work with a participating lender to confirm how DreamMaker layers with any first-mortgage program such as Georgia Dream.

How to Apply for DPA Programs in Savannah

  1. 1
    Step 1

    Check your eligibility. Confirm your household income falls below the City of Savannah limits, that you are a first-time buyer, and that the home you want is inside the Savannah city limits. Review the DreamMaker Home Purchase Assistance program and the state Georgia Dream program to see which fits your situation.

  2. 2
    Step 2

    Complete homebuyer education. Georgia Dream requires a homebuyer education workshop, an individual counseling session, or an online course through E-Home America. Coastal Empire Habitat for Humanity and other local nonprofits also offer homeownership preparation that strengthens your application.

  3. 3
    Step 3

    Contact the City housing office. Reach the City of Savannah Housing and Neighborhood Services Department at 912-651-6926 or downpayment@savannahga.gov to request a DreamMaker application and confirm current income limits and funding availability.

  4. 4
    Step 4

    Get pre-approved with a participating lender. Apply with a Georgia Dream participating lender, or call the Georgia Department of Community Affairs at 1-800-359-4663 for a lender list. Your lender will confirm how DreamMaker layers with your first mortgage.

  5. 5
    Step 5

    Find a home inside the city limits. Shop for a property within the Savannah city limits that fits your budget and any Georgia Dream county sales price limit. The home must pass a required City inspection, and any repairs the inspection identifies must be completed by the seller before a funding commitment is issued.

  6. 6
    Step 6

    Submit your application and close. Submit your DreamMaker application while funds remain available, allow time for the City inspection and any seller repairs, and coordinate the assistance with your lender so the funds are in place for your closing.

Housing Market in Savannah

Savannah's housing market has cooled from its pandemic-era peak. Redfin reported a median sale price of about $330,000 over the three months ending April 2026, down roughly 7% from the same period a year earlier, giving buyers more negotiating room than they have had in several years.

That softening matters most for first-time buyers, because a lower purchase price reduces both the down payment and the estimated closing costs, which run around $8,250 on a median-priced home in Chatham County. Combined with assistance programs that can cover most or all of those upfront costs, the current market is comparatively friendly to buyers who prepare their financing in advance.

Even with prices easing, demand remains supported by the Port of Savannah's expansion and the wave of jobs tied to the nearby Hyundai Metaplant in adjacent Bryan County. Buyers should treat the Redfin figures as a snapshot of a shifting market and confirm current conditions with a local lender or agent before making an offer.

Frequently Asked Questions About DPA in Savannah

How much down payment assistance can I get in Savannah?
The City of Savannah DreamMaker Home Purchase Assistance program offers up to $30,000 for standard homes inside the city limits and up to $50,000 for homes developed in partnership with the City, both as 2% interest deferred loans. On top of that, the state Georgia Dream program provides a down payment loan of up to $10,000. Layered together, these programs can cover an entire down payment and most closing costs.
What credit score do I need for down payment assistance in Savannah?
The City of Savannah does not publish a fixed credit score minimum for DreamMaker, but you must qualify for an approved first mortgage with terms that meet program requirements. In practice that usually means a credit score of at least 580 for a Federal Housing Administration loan or around 640 for a Georgia Dream loan. Work with a participating lender to confirm where your credit stands.
Can I combine Savannah programs with Georgia state programs?
Often yes. The DreamMaker program is a deferred second mortgage, so it can typically layer on top of a Georgia Dream first mortgage and its down payment loan. Because program rules and funding change, you should confirm the exact combination with a Georgia Dream participating lender and the City of Savannah housing office before you write an offer.
What is the maximum home price for Savannah assistance programs?
The DreamMaker program does not set a single published purchase price cap, but the home must be located inside the Savannah city limits and must pass a required City inspection before funds are committed. If you pair DreamMaker with Georgia Dream, that program applies a sales price limit that varies by county, so check the Georgia Department of Community Affairs limits for Chatham County.
Where do I apply for the DreamMaker program in Savannah?
Applications are handled by the City of Savannah Housing and Neighborhood Services Department. You can call 912-651-6926 or email downpayment@savannahga.gov to request an application and confirm current income limits. Applications are accepted year-round as long as funds remain available, so it is worth applying early in the City budget year.
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.