Does the City of Kenosha offer down payment assistance?

Yes. The city's HOME Investment Partnership Program offers income-eligible buyers purchase assistance that can include a deferred second mortgage, down payment and closing cost grants tied to five years of occupancy, and a grant for VA borrowers. The home must be your primary residence in the City of Kenosha. Confirm current funding with the city.

Who qualifies for Kenosha's HOME homebuyer program?

Per the city, household income must be at or below 80 percent of the Kenosha County median for your family size, you need HUD-certified homebuyer counseling, a fixed-rate first mortgage, and you can't own other residential property at closing. Citizenship or qualified-alien status rules also apply. The home must be inside Kenosha city limits.

I'm moving from Illinois. What's different about buying in Wisconsin?

Wisconsin purchases usually use the state-approved WB-11 offer form, property taxes are paid in arrears and prorated at closing, and the seller pays the state transfer fee. Your lender must be licensed in Wisconsin. Plan for those differences early, and use an agent who regularly writes Wisconsin offers.

Can I combine Kenosha's HOME assistance with other grants?

Sometimes. Kenosha buyers may also qualify for state HCRI help, Downpayment Plus grants or WHEDA assistance, but each program has its own rules about combining funds and lien position. We review the full combination with your counseling agency before you write an offer, so nothing conflicts at closing.

Is your team able to close loans in Kenosha?

Yes. I lend statewide from my Wauwatosa office, about 50 minutes from Kenosha, and most of the process happens by phone and secure upload. My team can close in as few as 9 to 18 days when the file allows, though programs with counseling and grant reservations need more lead time.

Kenosha Mortgage Lender | City HOME Aid & Home Loans, WI

Getting a mortgage in Kenosha, WI

Kenosha buyers get Wisconsin prices with a Metra line to Chicago, plus a city HOME program that can fill a financing gap for income-eligible buyers. Here's how to line up the right loan and assistance.

Ethan Brooks · Mortgage Advisor & Branch Manager, NMLS #1639987 · Updated October 2026

Kenosha CountyCounty

$281,000HUD 2026 median sale price

HOME purchase assistanceCity aid

$541,287 (1 unit)2026 FHA limit

What should Kenosha buyers look for in a mortgage lender?

Look for a Wisconsin-licensed lender who knows Kenosha's assistance programs and can explain how a Wisconsin purchase works, especially if you're relocating from Illinois.

A lot of Kenosha buyers are Illinois transplants or commuters. Wisconsin uses its own state-approved offer form, the WB-11 Residential Offer to Purchase, with financing and appraisal deadlines built in, and Wisconsin's tax calendar and transfer fee differ from what you may be used to. A good lender walks you through those differences before you write an offer. Verify any loan officer's Wisconsin license on NMLS Consumer Access.

What makes Kenosha's housing market distinct?

Kenosha sits between two metros. HUD's 2026 loan-limit table lists a median sale price of $281,000 for Kenosha County, well below the $447,000 HUD lists for the Milwaukee metro counties, while the Kenosha Metra station connects to Chicago on the Union Pacific North line.

Housing ranges from older bungalows and two-flats near downtown and the lakefront to newer subdivisions in Pleasant Prairie, Bristol and Somers. Commuter demand and Wisconsin pricing keep well-priced homes moving. If you're weighing whether to buy now or keep renting, see what waiting really costs.

How does the City of Kenosha's HOME purchase assistance work?

The City of Kenosha's HOME Investment Partnership Program offers homebuyer purchase assistance to income-eligible buyers purchasing a primary residence inside city limits. Per the city's program page, the assistance can include:

A deferred second mortgage to cover a financing gap, capped by the program's limits.
Down payment grants that require a minimum buyer contribution and a five-year occupancy commitment.
Closing cost grants, also tied to five years of occupancy.
A grant for VA borrowers, forgiven after five years of residency.

Eligibility rules include household income at or below 80 percent of the Kenosha County median, HUD-certified homebuyer counseling, a fixed-rate first mortgage, and not owning other residential property at closing. Funding is federal and limited, so check current funding availability with the city before you plan around it.

What other down payment help can Kenosha buyers use?

Beyond the city program, Kenosha buyers have several options:

HCRI — state-funded down payment and closing cost help. The Housing Authority of the City of Kenosha has published HCRI materials for 2026–2027, and Housing Resources Inc. also lists HCRI grants for Kenosha County purchases.
Downpayment Plus — Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago grants available statewide through participating member institutions.
WHEDA — statewide first mortgages with assistance. See my WHEDA page.

Rules on combining programs vary, so we map the combination before you write an offer. Start with where your down payment can come from.

Which loans fit Kenosha buyers?

FHA and conventional loans cover most Kenosha purchases. HUD's 2026 FHA limit is $541,287 for one unit in Kenosha County, and FHFA's conforming limit is $832,750. VA loans offer some of the most flexible down payment rules available to eligible veterans and service members, and the city's HOME program even includes a grant for VA borrowers. Compare options on the FHA and VA pages, or read VA loans in Wisconsin.

What should Illinois buyers know about Wisconsin closings?

The biggest surprises for Illinois movers are the tax calendar and who pays what. Wisconsin property taxes are billed in December, paid in arrears, and due in full by January 31 or in two installments due January 31 and July 31, so the seller credits you their share at closing.

The seller pays the state transfer fee of $3 per $1,000 of value (Wis. Stat. § 77.22), and sellers commonly provide the owner's title policy. Read who pays for title insurance in Wisconsin. My office in Wauwatosa is about 50 minutes from Kenosha, and my team keeps you updated at every milestone and answers nights and weekends. Many grant programs define a first-time buyer as someone who hasn't owned a home in the past three years, so if you owned in Illinois recently, ask your counselor early how that affects eligibility.