If you’ve been sitting on the sidelines, now is the time to get in the game. The City of Detroit’s flagship Down Payment Assistance (DPA) program is officially in Round 3, and it is juicier than ever.

We are talking about grants of up to $25,000.

This isn't a loan you have to pay back with interest. It’s a grant. As long as you stay in your home for five years, that money is yours. It’s designed specifically for first-time homebuyers (or folks who haven't owned a home in the last three years) who are ready to call Detroit home.

The magic happens when we start "stacking." Depending on your income and where you’re moving from, we can sometimes layer this $25k with other local or lender-specific grants. Our goal is always the same: get the "cash to close" number as close to zero as possible. (And if were really lucky, you get a check to buy a house!)

Financial Strategy 1: The Power of Seller Concessions
While grants are the headline act, seller concessions are the backup singers that make the whole show work.

In simple terms, a seller concession is when the person selling the house agrees to pay a portion of your closing costs. Why does this matter? Because even if you get a grant for your down payment, you still have to deal with title fees, taxes, and insurance prepays. Those can add up to thousands of dollars.

When I’m out there advocating for you, I’m looking at the math. If a house is listed at $150,000, we might offer the full price but ask for $5,000 in concessions. This "takes the sting out" of your out-of-pocket costs. It keeps your savings in your pocket for the fun stuff: like finally buying that velvet sofa or a high-end lawnmower for your new Detroit backyard.

Financial Strategy 2: Why Dropping the Price is Often Better
Now, here is a bit of "inside baseball" that most agents don’t emphasize enough. Everyone loves the idea of a "credit," but sometimes, the smarter move is simply lowering the purchase price.

Why? Two words: Property Taxes.

In Detroit, your property taxes are based on the value of the home. If we negotiate a lower purchase price, you aren't just saving money on your monthly mortgage payment; you are potentially lowering your tax bill for as long as you live in that house.

Think about it this way: a $5,000 concession helps you today. A $5,000 price reduction helps you every single month for the next 30 years. As your agent, I’m looking at the long game. I want you to be able to afford your life, not just your mortgage.

We have a very specific way of working with clients at Make Detroit Home. We tell everyone we work with the same thing:

My #1 job is to be fiscally responsible to you.
My #2 job is to ensure the quality of the home.
Buying a home is the biggest financial decision you’ll likely ever make. I take that seriously. I’m not here to just "sell a house" and move on to the next one. I’m here to make sure you aren't over-leveraged. I’m here to make sure you’re getting every penny of assistance you’re entitled to. I’m here to be your "money person" first.

If a deal doesn't make financial sense, I’ll be the first one to tell you to walk away.

The Quality Check: No Lemons Allowed
Once we know the numbers work, we look at the house itself. Detroit has some of the most beautiful historic architecture in the country, but old homes come with old-home problems.

I’m talking about the "Big Five": Roof, HVAC, Plumbing, Electrical, and Foundation.

I’m looking for the signs of a "lipstick on a pig" renovation. If the kitchen has granite countertops but the basement has a puddle and a cracked wall, we have a problem. My job is to protect you from the lemon. We want a house that grows in value, not a house that drains your savings account every time it rains.

At the end of the day, Detroit is a city of opportunity. There is money on the table specifically designated to help you build wealth through homeownership. You just need someone in your corner who knows where to find it and how to fight for it.

At Make Detroit Home, we aren't just selling real estate. We are helping people plant roots in the city we love without breaking the bank.

If you’re ready to see if you qualify for that $25,000 grant, $15,000 grant, or more! If you just want to talk shop about which neighborhoods are on the rise in 2026, let’s chat. The coffee is on me, and the fiscal responsibility is guaranteed.

Let’s get you in the house of your dreams!