This page collects every guide on the site in the order most first-time buyers in Chicago need them, from checking whether you qualify as a first-time buyer to filing for your homeowner exemption after you move in.
Last reviewed September 30, 2026 · Chicago First Time Home Buyer editorial team
1. Getting started
- Who counts as a first-time home buyer in Chicago? Definitions differ by program, so check this before you apply for help.
- How to buy a home in Chicago: the 7 steps, from pre-approval to closing.
- Where to take homebuyer education in Chicago. Many assistance programs require a course from a HUD-approved counseling agency.
2. Paying for it
- Down payment assistance programs in Chicago: an overview of city and state help.
- Chicago HomeGrown Purchase Assistance Program: a grant of $10,000 to $70,000 depending on income and zone.
- IHDAccess Home: up to $15,000 as a 0% deferred second mortgage from the Illinois Housing Development Authority.
- HomeGrown vs. IHDAccess Home: the two largest programs side by side.
- Mortgage options: FHA, conventional and VA, with minimum down payments and how each works with assistance programs.
- 2026 loan limits in Chicago and Cook County for FHA and conventional loans.
- Mortgage Rates Top 7%: What It Means for a Chicago Monthly Payment (September 2026)
3. Choosing a property
- Buying a Chicago two-flat with an FHA loan: living in one unit and renting the other.
- Fannie Mae’s condo rules: what they mean for Chicago condo buyers.
- Chicago home prices, summer 2026: where prices stood and what that means for your budget.
4. The contract and closing
- Attorney review in Illinois: the 5 business days after your offer is accepted.
- What it costs to buy a home in Chicago: down payment, closing costs and the rest.
- Chicago real estate transfer tax: who pays what at closing.
5. After you move in
- After you buy: overview: exemptions and property tax bills in one place.
- Cook County Homeowner Exemption: new owners must apply; it does not transfer from the seller.
- Cook County property tax bills: how the two installments work and when they are due.
- Chicago’s 2027 Budget and Your Property Tax Bill: What Buyers Should Watch This Fall
New guides
Recently added guides that have not yet been sorted into a topic above.
- Chicago’s 77 Neighborhoods, A to Z
- Monthly Mortgage Payment on a Chicago Home (2026): By Price and Down Payment
Looking for dated updates on rates, deadlines and rule changes? See News & Updates.
Common questions
Where should a first-time buyer in Chicago start?
Check whether you count as a first-time buyer for the programs you want, then read the 7-step buying process. Homebuyer education is often required for assistance, so it is worth scheduling early.
Is there down payment help for first-time buyers in Chicago?
Yes. The City’s HomeGrown program offers grants of $10,000 to $70,000 depending on income and zone, and IHDA’s IHDAccess Home offers up to $15,000 as a 0% deferred second mortgage.
How much is the Chicago transfer tax for buyers?
The buyer pays the City of Chicago $3.75 per $500 of the price, which is 0.75%.
Do I need to file anything after I buy?
Yes. New owners must apply for the Cook County Homeowner Exemption, which lowers the taxable value by $10,000. After that it renews automatically.