Buying a Home

Information
Programs and resources for homebuyers. Find links to local agencies that provide homebuyer education and for other helpful resources.
On this page

Homebuyer Tools

Portland Maps

Portland Maps offers detailed property information, maps and related real estate data for homes in Portland.

Regional Multiple Listing Service

RMLS offers current listings of houses for sale. Search for local real estate agents and find a comprehensive view of other real estate for sale.

AMI Calculator and Income Limits

Calculate area median income and see the current income limits for federal and city programs.


Homebuyer Programs

Down Payment Assistance Loan

System Development Charge Exemption

Homebuyer Opportunity Limited Tax Exemption

If you are a current homeowner and looking for assistance, visit this page: 
Home Repair and Retention Services.

Programs that are currently unavailable, but may return in the future:
  • Home Purchase Assistance Program
  • Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC)
    The City of Portland is no longer accepting applications for the MCC Program. Starting in 2008, the City of Portland administered the MCC Program, providing income tax credits to first-time homebuyers. Due to competition for scarce federal tax credits, the City did not receive an award to continue the MCC program in January 2020. For questions related to a previous certificate you have been awarded through the MCC program, please contact PHB at 503-823-2375.

Organizations with Homebuyer Services

The Portland Housing Bureau has partnered with multiple organizations and the MHAC collaborative to deliver the Down Payment Assistance Loan Program for first-time homebuyers. Click here for more about the DPAL program and the community partners that can help you get started.

In the list below, the local non-profit organizations marked with Homebuyer Education provide the HUD-approved 8-hour homebuyer education class for free or at low cost. Completion of this class is often a requirement for many homebuying assistance programs, including the Down Payment Assistance Loan.

African American Alliance for Homeownership (AAAH)

✓ Homebuyer Education​​​​​
​​✓ Down Payment Assistance Loan Program

AAAH offers HUD-approved homebuyer education classes, one-on-one credit counseling, homebuyer coaching, Individual Development Accounts (matched savings plans), down payment assistance programs, referrals to related mortgage assistance programs, and foreclosure prevention counseling. AAAH also hosts an annual fair that addresses the needs of both homebuyers and homeowners trying to avoid foreclosure.


Community Vision

Community Vision specializes in helping Oregonians with disabilities obtain individualized housing, supported living, employment and home ownership services throughout Oregon.


Habitat for Humanity Portland Metro East

Builds, sells and finances homes to help very low-income families in Portland become homeowners.


Hacienda Community Development Corporation

✓ Homebuyer Education
✓ Down Payment Assistance Loan Program

Hacienda offers bilingual HUD-approved homebuyer education classes, financial fitness classes, homebuyer counseling, Individual Development Accounts (matched savings plans), down payment assistance programs and foreclosure prevention counseling. Hacienda also hosts an annual fair that addresses the needs of both homebuyers and homeowners trying to avoid foreclosure.


Lighthouse Resource Center

The Community Housing Resource Center (dba Lighthouse Resource Center) has been serving our community for nearly twenty years through its comprehensive financial and home ownership education and counseling services because we know that building financial stability matters! We also address the tough issues of mortgage default, foreclosure and mortgage modifications.  If a client seeks mediation, we help them prepare for the process and attend with them.


Native American Youth & Family Center (NAYA)

✓ Homebuyer Education
✓ Down Payment Assistance Loan Program

Offers HUD-approved homebuyer education classes, financial fitness classes, homebuyer counseling, Individual Development Accounts (matched savings plans), down payment assistance programs, and foreclosure prevention counseling. NAYA Family Center also hosts an annual fair that addresses the needs of both homebuyers and homeowners trying to avoid foreclosure.


Open Door Counseling Center

Open Door Counseling Center is in Washington County offering HUD approved pre-purchase first-time homebuyer education, foreclosure prevention counseling, and Reverse Mortgage counseling.


Oregon Housing & Community Services

Oregon Housing and Community Services is Oregon's housing finance agency, and is home of the Oregon Bond Loan investing in below-market rate mortgages originated by participating lenders and loan officers.


Portland Community Reinvestment Initiatives, Inc. (PCRI)

✓ Homebuyer Education
✓ Down Payment Assistance Loan Program

Provides affordable rental housing and self-sufficiency training to low-income families in north and northeast Portland including homebuyer education counseling and access to down payment assistance loan and related mortgage programs.


Portland Housing Center

✓ Homebuyer Education

The Portland Housing Center offers regular home buyer education orientations and workshops, financial management education, home buying and credit counseling, matched savings programs, pre-purchase loan document reviews, access to mortgage assistance programs such as down payment and closing cost assistance, first-time homebuyer loans, and post-purchase education.


Portland Metropolitan Association of Realtors

The Portland Metropolitan Association of Realtors hosts HOWNW.com, which contains a wealth of helpful information for homebuyers. Find a searchable summary of home buying programs for Multnomah, Washington and Clackamas counties and much more.


Proud Ground

Utilizing a community land trust model, Proud Ground provides affordable home purchase and mortgage financing opportunities to low-income families in Portland. Se habla español.


Rose Community Development Corporation

Rose Community Development offers affordable rental housing and referrals to its homebuying partners in the Revitalize Outer South East Plan.


Sabin Community Development Corporation

Sabin CDC offers a variety of homebuyer and affordable rental housing options, including affordable homes for sale utilizing a community land trust model.