Buying a home
Data from November 2026
Buying a home in West Virginia
A typical home in West Virginia is worth $162,600 (Average 2020–2024). The FHA limit for one unit is $541,287–$1,249,125 depending on the county. Here is the minimum down payment each loan type asks at that price, every county’s limit, and the state’s assistance programs.
Key numbers in West Virginia
- Typical home
- $162,600
- median value, Average 2020–2024
- 51% less than the U.S.
- FHA limit
- $541,287–$1,249,125
- one unit, by county
- In 1 of the 55 counties, the limit is above the national floor ($541,287).
- Conforming limit
- $832,750
- up to $1,249,125 in high-cost areas
- Above this amount, the loan is a “jumbo” loan.
- Minimum FHA down payment
- $5,691
- 3.5% of a $162,600 home
- VA and USDA ask for no down payment if you qualify.
Down payment
How much each loan asks up front
For a $162,600 home, the typical value in West Virginia. The minimum down payment is each program’s rule. The monthly figure is an example of principal and interest over 30 years at the 7.18% average rate (November 5, 2026): no taxes, insurance or mortgage insurance.
Your price, rate and down payment will differ: run the calculator with your numbers. Closing costs are extra.
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FHA Program rule
Minimum down3.5%
In dollars$5,691
Per month$1,063
With a credit score of 580 or more. Carries mortgage insurance (MIP) up front and every month.
HUD Handbook 4000.1 (Update 18), II.A.2.a.iv — Minimum Required Investment · In effect since September 14, 2016
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Conventional Program rule
Minimum down3%
In dollars$4,878
Per month$1,068
3% is the lowest standard option. With less than 20% down you pay private mortgage insurance (PMI) until you have more equity.
Fannie Mae Selling Guide B5-6-01 — HomeReady Mortgage Loan and Borrower Eligibility · In effect since January 1, 2024
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VA Program rule
Minimum down0%
In dollars$0
Per month$1,102
For veterans, service members and some spouses. No down payment as long as the price is not above the appraisal; charges a one-time funding fee.
VA: Purchase loan — benefits · In effect since January 1, 2020
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USDA Program rule
Minimum down0%
In dollars$0
Per month$1,102
Only homes in eligible rural areas and households within USDA’s income limit. Finances the full price.
7 CFR §3555.103 — Maximum loan amount (Guaranteed Rural Housing Program) · In effect since December 9, 2013
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ITIN loans follow no federal rule: each lender sets its own down payment and rate, and usually asks for more. 15% is an example.
Loan limits
FHA and conforming limit in every county
FHA sets the limit by area: 1 of the 55 counties in West Virginia are high-cost and sit above the national floor ($541,287). The conforming limit is the most Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will buy; above it, the loan is a “jumbo”.
| Jefferson County | $1,249,125 | $1,249,125 | $350,800 | High-cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monongalia County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $267,700 | National floor |
| Berkeley County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $266,300 | National floor |
| Morgan County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $240,600 | National floor |
| Putnam County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $223,300 | National floor |
| Hampshire County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $219,200 | National floor |
| Pendleton County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $183,800 | National floor |
| Mineral County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $180,400 | National floor |
| Grant County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $175,100 | National floor |
| Upshur County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $170,800 | National floor |
| Marion County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $166,700 | National floor |
| Hardy County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $166,300 | National floor |
| Harrison County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $166,200 | National floor |
| Ohio County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $166,000 | National floor |
| Cabell County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $164,400 | National floor |
| Preston County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $162,800 | National floor |
| Doddridge County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $160,800 | National floor |
| Wood County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $158,500 | National floor |
| Jackson County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $157,200 | National floor |
| Monroe County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $156,300 | National floor |
| Tucker County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $154,800 | National floor |
| Pocahontas County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $152,400 | National floor |
| Lewis County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $151,800 | National floor |
| Pleasants County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $151,000 | National floor |
| Raleigh County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $150,900 | National floor |
| Marshall County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $149,800 | National floor |
| Greenbrier County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $149,000 | National floor |
| Taylor County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $148,800 | National floor |
| Kanawha County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $147,300 | National floor |
| Randolph County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $144,800 | National floor |
| Brooke County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $141,500 | National floor |
| Summers County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $140,100 | National floor |
| Barbour County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $131,900 | National floor |
| Hancock County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $130,800 | National floor |
| Wayne County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $127,100 | National floor |
| Roane County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $122,100 | National floor |
| Mercer County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $121,700 | National floor |
| Nicholas County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $121,600 | National floor |
| Tyler County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $121,300 | National floor |
| Mason County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $120,300 | National floor |
| Braxton County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $117,900 | National floor |
| Ritchie County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $115,900 | National floor |
| Wirt County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $115,800 | National floor |
| Clay County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $109,100 | National floor |
| Wetzel County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $107,900 | National floor |
| Fayette County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $105,800 | National floor |
| Lincoln County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $105,300 | National floor |
| Logan County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $103,400 | National floor |
| Calhoun County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $100,500 | National floor |
| Boone County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $93,100 | National floor |
| Mingo County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $90,500 | National floor |
| Gilmer County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $83,800 | National floor |
| Wyoming County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $82,900 | National floor |
| Webster County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $76,100 | National floor |
| McDowell County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $50,000 | National floor |
- Jefferson $1,249,125$1,249,125
- Monongalia $541,287$832,750
- Berkeley $541,287$832,750
- Morgan $541,287$832,750
- Putnam $541,287$832,750
- Hampshire $541,287$832,750
- Pendleton $541,287$832,750
- Mineral $541,287$832,750
- Grant $541,287$832,750
- Upshur $541,287$832,750
- Marion $541,287$832,750
- Hardy $541,287$832,750
- Harrison $541,287$832,750
- Ohio $541,287$832,750
- Cabell $541,287$832,750
- Preston $541,287$832,750
- Doddridge $541,287$832,750
- Wood $541,287$832,750
- Jackson $541,287$832,750
- Monroe $541,287$832,750
- Tucker $541,287$832,750
- Pocahontas $541,287$832,750
- Lewis $541,287$832,750
- Pleasants $541,287$832,750
- Raleigh $541,287$832,750
- Marshall $541,287$832,750
- Greenbrier $541,287$832,750
- Taylor $541,287$832,750
- Kanawha $541,287$832,750
- Randolph $541,287$832,750
- Brooke $541,287$832,750
- Summers $541,287$832,750
- Barbour $541,287$832,750
- Hancock $541,287$832,750
- Wayne $541,287$832,750
- Roane $541,287$832,750
- Mercer $541,287$832,750
- Nicholas $541,287$832,750
- Tyler $541,287$832,750
- Mason $541,287$832,750
- Braxton $541,287$832,750
- Ritchie $541,287$832,750
- Wirt $541,287$832,750
- Clay $541,287$832,750
- Wetzel $541,287$832,750
- Fayette $541,287$832,750
- Lincoln $541,287$832,750
- Logan $541,287$832,750
- Calhoun $541,287$832,750
- Boone $541,287$832,750
- Mingo $541,287$832,750
- Gilmer $541,287$832,750
- Wyoming $541,287$832,750
- Webster $541,287$832,750
- McDowell $541,287$832,750
One unit. For 2- to 4-unit homes, each county page has the full table. Source: FHA mortgage limits (HUD) Data from 2026 data FHA mortgage limits (HUD) (external site)
Down payment help
West Virginia programs for buyers
1 verified program that put money toward the down payment or closing costs, or give a tax credit. With the source wording and the date we checked it.
Some help is a grant you never repay; other help is a second loan that is forgiven over the years or repaid when you sell. Each program’s tag says which kind it is.
See all programs-
Low Down Home Loan
Verified November 5, 2026
West Virginia state fund loan of up to $12,000 for the down payment and closing costs, over 15 years at 2% interest, only with the Homeownership Program mortgage
- Repayable
What the state publishes
West Virginia rules that change the math
Exemptions that lower property tax and taxes paid when the deed is recorded, summarized from the official page each one cites.
Property tax in West VirginiaExemptions and caps
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$20,000 homestead exemption for owners 65 or older or disabled
If you are 65 or older, or are certified as permanently and totally disabled, the first $20,000 of your home's assessed value is exempt from property tax. You must own the home and use it only as your residence. The law requires West Virginia residency for the two consecutive calendar years before the tax year. If you receive a similar exemption in another state, you do not qualify.
W. Va. Code §11-6B-3(a) · West Virginia Legislature (West Virginia Code) · Verified October 24, 2026
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Senior citizens' tax credit for low-income homeowners
If you have low income and receive the $20,000 homestead exemption, you may get a refundable credit equal to the property tax you paid on up to the first $20,000 of your home's taxable assessed value. "Low income" means federal adjusted gross income of 150 percent or less of the federal poverty guideline, based on how many family members live in the home; the federal government sets that guideline each year. The credit is claimed with a refund claim within three years after the due date of the state personal income tax return. It does not apply if you must pay the federal alternative minimum tax, and it is not refunded if it is less than $10.
W. Va. Code §11-21-21(a)(2)-(4), (b)(1) · West Virginia Legislature (West Virginia Code) · Verified October 24, 2026
When the sale is recorded
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Real estate transfer excise tax
When the deed is recorded, a tax of $1.10 for each $500 of value (or fraction) is paid. State law sets it; since July 1, 2025, that money stays with the county where it is collected. There is also an additional county tax of 55 cents per $500, which the county may raise to as much as $1.65 per $500. A $20 fee is also charged on each transfer of real estate for consideration (for example, a sale). The law makes the seller liable; if the buyer accepts the deed without the tax having been paid, the buyer pays it.
W. Va. Code §11-22-2(a), (b) · West Virginia Legislature (West Virginia Code) · Verified October 24, 2026
Your next steps
Where to go next in West Virginia
What you can do today, free and without giving personal information. Go in order: your numbers first, then the help.
- Run the numbers with your figures
The West Virginia calculator already has the typical value, the average rate and the state’s property tax.
- Check whether you qualify for help
Each program says what it gives, who qualifies and when we checked it.
- Talk to a counselor for free
8 HUD-approved agencies help you prepare to buy; 3 say they serve in Spanish.
- Follow the steps to buy a home
From the budget to the keys, in order.
Frequently asked questions
How much down payment do I need for a typical home in West Virginia?
For a $162,600 home (typical value, Average 2020–2024), the FHA minimum (3.5%) is $5,691 and the conventional minimum (3%) is $4,878. VA and USDA ask no down payment if you qualify. State programs can cover part of it.
Are there high-cost counties in West Virginia?
Yes. In 2026 data, 1 of the 55 counties in West Virginia have an FHA limit above the national floor ($541,287); the highest is Jefferson County ($1,249,125).
What is the conforming loan limit in West Virginia?
In 2026 data, the conforming limit for one unit runs from $832,750 to $1,249,125 depending on the county in West Virginia: the most Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will buy. Above it, the loan is a “jumbo” and each lender sets its own terms.
What would the monthly payment be on a typical home in West Virginia?
With $162,600, the FHA minimum down payment ($5,691) and the 7.18% average rate (November 5, 2026), principal and interest over 30 years comes to about $1,063 a month. Tax, insurance and mortgage insurance are missing: the calculator adds them.
What down payment help is there in West Virginia?
We have verified 1 state program in West Virginia that put money toward the down payment or closing costs, or give a tax credit. Each shows the source wording, who qualifies and the date we checked it.