Buying a home in Ohio: the help you may qualify for.
Down payment assistance, property tax exemptions and veteran benefits in Ohio, gathered from official state sources and explained in plain English. Every program has its own rules, so check with the agency before you count on it.
Down payment and closing cost help
From the Ohio Housing Finance Agency.
Your Choice! Down Payment Assistance
3% (conventional) or 3.5% (FHA, VA, USDA)
Help with the down payment and closing costs, with an OHFA first mortgage.
Ohio Heroes Military and heroes
A lower interest rate
For veterans, active military and other public servants. Ask OHFA or a participating lender for current terms.
Who qualifies: Income and price limits, through an OHFA participating lender.
Property tax exemptions and credits
Exemptions lower your home’s taxable value or your bill. Most aren’t automatic: you apply with your county auditor. Ohio’s official exemptions information.
For homeowners who live in the home
Owner-occupancy reduction
A 2.5% reduction on your home's property tax
For a home you own and live in. It continues each year until you sell or move.
How to apply: With your county auditor. (Ohio Department of Taxation)
For homeowners 65 and older
Homestead exemption (65+ or disabled)
A credit equal to the taxes on $29,700 of your home's value (2026)
For homeowners 65 or older, or permanently and totally disabled, with income up to $41,000 for 2026. Some counties may add a local homestead exemption.
How to apply: With your county auditor. (Ohio Department of Taxation)
For veterans
Enhanced homestead exemption for disabled veterans
A larger exemption (originally $50,000 of value, adjusted for inflation)
For veterans with a total, service-connected disability and their surviving spouses. No income limit.
How to apply: With your county auditor. (Ohio Department of Taxation)
Want to see which ones fit you? Answer a few questions in the property tax exemptions checker.
If you serve or served
- VA home loan: available in every state, often with no down payment and no monthly mortgage insurance. You’ll need a Certificate of Eligibility. See VA home loans.
- Ohio Heroes: A lower interest rate. For veterans, active military and other public servants. Ask OHFA or a participating lender for current terms.
- Property tax: veterans in Ohio may qualify for Enhanced homestead exemption for disabled veterans. See the details above.
Your next steps
- Work out a monthly cost you’re comfortable with in the home cost calculator. It also lists Ohio’s programs with the loans you may qualify for.
- Talk with a free or low-cost HUD-approved housing counselor. Find one near you.
- Ask each lender which of these programs they work with, and compare Loan Estimates from at least three.
- Follow the step-by-step home buyer’s guide from budget to keys.
Common questions
Does Ohio have down payment help for home buyers?
Yes. Programs from the Ohio Housing Finance Agency include Your Choice! Down Payment Assistance, Ohio Heroes. Income and price limits, through an OHFA participating lender. Funding and rules change often, so check with the agency or a participating lender.
Does Ohio have a homestead or property tax exemption for homeowners?
Yes. Homeowners who live in the home may qualify for: Owner-occupancy reduction. Apply with your county auditor; most exemptions aren't automatic.
Is there help for veterans buying a home in Ohio?
VA home loans are available in every state, often with no down payment. Ohio also has a program with benefits for military, veterans or other public servants: Ohio Heroes. Veterans may also qualify for property tax benefits such as Enhanced homestead exemption for disabled veterans.
Sources: Ohio Housing Finance Agency and Ohio’s property tax office, linked above. Last checked November 11, 2026. Programs, amounts, income limits and funding change often, sometimes every year. Know Before You Own doesn’t recommend lenders or take referral fees. This page is general education, not legal, tax or lending advice. See other states.