State Buyer Programs
First-Time Home Buyer
Programs in Illinois
Down payment assistance, transfer tax rates, and what to expect at closing when buying your first home in Illinois.
Illinois First-Time Buyer Overview
Your state's HFA is the primary source for below-market mortgages and down payment assistance programs.
Income limits vary by household size and county.
Learn more →Same income limits as Forgivable program.
Learn more →Illinois imposes a Real Estate Transfer Tax of $0.50 per $500 (0.1%). Chicago adds $7.50 per $1,000 (0.75%), making Chicago closings significantly more expensive.
Illinois custom (and most lenders' requirements) strongly mandate attorneys at closing. While not codified as law in all counties, it is universal practice.
Tools for Buying Your First Home in Illinois
Pre-approval, inspection, insurance, and moving — the same trusted tools, relevant wherever you're buying in Illinois.
Get Pre-Approved
Get a real pre-approval letter in about 3 minutes with no origination fee and no commission-hungry loan officer. Fully online — you won't get pressured into a bigger loan.
Get Pre-Approved →See real mortgage rates from multiple lenders side by side without your credit score taking a hit. Takes 3 minutes and you don't have to commit to anything.
Compare Rates →Home Inspection
Never skip the inspection. Inspectify lets you book a certified home inspector in your area in seconds. Digital reports, same-day availability in most markets.
Book an Inspection →Home Insurance
Get a homeowners insurance quote in 90 seconds. Lemonade uses AI to underwrite policies faster than any traditional insurer — and claims are often paid in minutes.
Get a Quote →Home Warranty
When the HVAC dies three weeks after closing, you'll be glad you have a home warranty. AHS covers major systems like HVAC, plumbing, and electrical — plus appliances.
View Plans →Moving
Get quotes from licensed movers in your area. Moving.com vets companies for licensing and insurance so you're not handing your stuff to a random guy with a truck.
Get Moving Quotes →Looking for a different state?
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