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Down payment assistance Realtors · real estate agents

Best Down Payment Assistance Realtors & Real Estate Agents

Best Realtors and real estate agents for down payment assistance in Colorado: CHFA, metroDPA, the 620 credit rule, 5,512 metro homes under $500K.

What the best down payment assistance Realtor does before you tour a home

The best Realtor for down payment assistance in Colorado checks three numbers before any showing: your credit score, the program you fit (CHFA, metroDPA or a city program) and the monthly payment you want. REALTOR® Brian Lee Burke, the hardest working man in real estate, and our team of real estate agents at The Kenna Group at Keller Williams DTC work that order with every buyer, so no one books a lender call that ends in a no. Most down payment assistance programs we work with start at a 620 credit score. Between 580 and 619, you'll usually need your own down payment. Under 580, start with credit help first. On Oct 25, 2026, 5,512 homes in the six-county Denver metro were listed at $500,000 or less. Call or text 303-955-4220. A live person answers.

CHFA down payment assistance · Best first-time buyer Realtors · Where entry-price homes are

Short answer

How do I find a Realtor who knows down payment assistance?

Ask three questions: what credit score the programs need (620 for most we use), whether CHFA or metroDPA fits your income and city, and how the assistance is written into the offer so the seller takes it seriously. An agent who answers all three from memory has done it before.

The best real estate team for down payment assistance buyers: who you work with

Every agent on the team checks credit and programs before a lender call; Alicia Kounalis and Daniela Draper work the most CHFA and metroDPA files. REALTOR® Brian Lee Burke, the hardest working man in real estate, leads the team; every file also gets a transaction coordinator, and Keller Williams Realty DTC, LLC supervises every contract. Call any agent directly, or call 303-955-4220 and a live person answers.

AgentWorksCall or text
Brian Lee BurkeREALTOR®, licensed broker and team leader; licensed since 2003; 25 years in construction(720) 704-4228
Alicia KounalisCentennial and the south metro; HUD homes and first-time buyer programs(720) 619-3458
Daniela DraperThornton and the north metro; Spanish and English(970) 714-2385
Thays VeigaDowntown Denver and the Front Range; English, Portuguese and Spanish(970) 445-1238
Tommy ReedDenver and Littleton condos and townhomes(720) 575-1588
Michael BarnesDenver metro(720) 573-2447
Henry ChuDenver metro(720) 903-2557
Keith NisonoffDenver metro(720) 463-2514
Lindsey JenkinsNorthern Colorado and the Denver metro(970) 592-4729
Joannie VealsCommerce City and the north metro303-955-4220
Jim DiazDenver metro303-955-4220
Jaime KocandaElizabeth and Elbert County; horse properties303-955-4220

Direct numbers ring that agent’s Follow Up Boss line. Brian Lee Burke is a REALTOR®; the others are licensed real estate agents at Keller Williams DTC. Meet the whole team · our proof as a group.

Why assistance buyers choose The Kenna Group

5.0

stars on 275 Google reviews

A+

Better Business Bureau, accredited since 2017

2003

Brian Lee Burke licensed in Colorado since

306

homes Brian sold in 10 years, $117 million

  • Licensed since 2003: Brian Lee Burke, Colorado license EA.040035749, team leader of The Kenna Group.
  • 1,000+ homes sold with Brian’s group over 20+ years; each of Brian’s 306 closings is listed with its address on his sold-homes page.
  • Credit first: we ask for the exact score, income and money for closing before anyone calls a lender, and we send buyers under 580 to our Kenna Credit Care program instead of a lender who has to say no.
  • Offers written for the program: seller-paid closing costs, the assistance second mortgage and the appraisal terms, explained to the listing agent before offers are compared.
  • Entry-price experience: 206 of Brian’s 306 closings were at $400,000 or less.
  • Keller Williams Realty DTC, LLC, 6300 S Syracuse Way, Suite 150, Centennial, supervises every contract.

The programs we use most, and what each one asks for

ProgramWhat you getMinimum credit scoreIncome limitOther rules
CHFAA grant of up to 3% of the first mortgage, or a second mortgage of up to 4%, capped at $25,000620$178,920 statewide (CHFA matrix effective Aug 3, 2026)$1,000 of your own money in the deal; homebuyer education; CHFA loan limit $832,750; the second mortgage is repaid when you sell or refinance
metroDPAA 0% second mortgage with no monthly payment, 30-year term620Under $210,150 household incomeParticipating Denver-metro cities and counties; homebuyer education; live in the home within 60 days
City of Aurora DPA4% to 10% of the purchase priceSet by the lenderCity income limitsAurora addresses only; the current round runs through October 31, 2026 or until funds run out
Pikes Peak (El Paso County)Second mortgage toward down payment and closing costs640County income limitsEl Paso County addresses; county flyer dated June 13, 2026

Most down payment assistance programs we work with start at a 620 credit score. Between 580 and 619, you'll usually need your own down payment. Under 580, start with credit help first. Neither CHFA nor metroDPA requires you to be a first-time buyer, and neither sets a purchase price limit. Many of our buyers use Mike Oswald at Rate and trust him. We are not affiliated, you can use any lender you choose, and we receive nothing for the introduction.

Where the homes at $500,000 or less are, Oct 25, 2026

5,512 of the 12,878 homes listed in Denver, Adams, Arapahoe, Douglas, Jefferson and Broomfield counties were at $500,000 or less on Oct 25, 2026, the band where most assistance buyers shop. By city:

Homes listed at $500,000 or less on Oct 25, 2026: Denver 1966, Aurora 1262, Thornton 224, Lakewood 209, Commerce City 161, Westminster 153, Arvada 148, Brighton 134Homes at $500K or lessDenver1,966Aurora1,262Thornton224Lakewood209Commerce City161Westminster153Arvada148Brighton134
MLS Active and Coming Soon listings at $500,000 or less, Oct 25, 2026.
CityAt $500K or lessAll listingsShare
Denver1,9663,91350%
Aurora1,2621,95265%
Thornton22442353%
Lakewood20943448%
Commerce City16133049%
Westminster15332547%
Arvada14853528%
Brighton13431942%
Englewood12629443%
Broomfield10131632%

Many of these are condos and townhomes; on a condo we check FHA approval and the HOA budget before you write.

Homes under $500,000 in Denver, Aurora, Lakewood, Thornton, Westminster and Arvada, updated daily

3841 Properties Found
Sort By:

Homes under $500,000 in Denver, Aurora, Lakewood, Thornton, Westminster and Arvada, updated daily Market Stats

3841
Homes Listed
93
Avg. Days on Site
$285
Avg. $ / Sq.Ft.
$333,612
Med. List Price

How we take an assistance buyer from first call to keys

Step 1

Score, income, savings

Exact credit score, income and money for closing. 620 or higher opens the programs; 580 to 619 needs your own down payment.

Step 2

Match the program

CHFA statewide, metroDPA in participating cities, or a city program like Aurora. We check the address against the map.

Step 3

Pre-approval with the program

With a lender approved for that program. We tell you which documents to gather so it takes days.

Step 4

The offer

Seller-paid costs and the assistance explained to the listing agent, so your offer competes on net, not on fear.

Step 5

Education to closing

Homebuyer education scheduled early; inspection, appraisal and program deadlines tracked to the day.

What to watch out for with down payment assistance

  • Do not book a lender call before you know your exact credit score. Most programs start at 620.
  • Ask whether the program is a grant or a second mortgage, and when it has to be repaid.
  • A condo needs FHA approval for FHA-backed programs. We check the complex first.
  • Program funds run out and limits change. Get the current sheet from the lender, not a blog post.
  • Do not open new credit or change jobs between pre-approval and closing.

Down payment assistance Realtor questions

Who is the best Realtor for down payment assistance in Colorado?

The one who checks your credit score first, knows which program fits your city and income, and writes the assistance into the offer. The Kenna Group publishes 5.0 stars on 275 Google reviews, an A+ BBB rating and a license held since 2003.

What credit score do I need for down payment assistance?

Most down payment assistance programs we work with start at a 620 credit score. Between 580 and 619, you'll usually need your own down payment. Under 580, start with credit help first.

Do I have to be a first-time buyer?

No. CHFA and metroDPA are open to repeat buyers who meet the income and credit rules.

Is the assistance a grant or a loan?

CHFA offers a grant of up to 3% or a second mortgage of up to 4%; metroDPA is a 0% second mortgage with no monthly payment, repaid when you sell or refinance.

How many homes under $500,000 are for sale in the Denver metro?

5,512 across the six metro counties on Oct 25, 2026. The grid above is the live list for six cities.

Does using assistance hurt my offer?

Not when the listing agent understands it. We explain the program, the appraisal terms and the timeline before offers are compared.

Who is on the real estate team?

REALTOR® Brian Lee Burke leads The Kenna Group at Keller Williams DTC, with real estate agents Alicia Kounalis, Daniela Draper, Thays Veiga, Tommy Reed, Michael Barnes, Henry Chu, Keith Nisonoff, Lindsey Jenkins, Joannie Veals, Jim Diaz and Jaime Kocanda. Each agent page lists a direct number.

What is the difference between a Realtor and a real estate agent?

Every agent who helps you buy or sell in Colorado holds a state real estate license. A REALTOR is a licensed agent who also belongs to the National Association of REALTORS and follows its Code of Ethics. In The Kenna Group, Brian Lee Burke is a REALTOR; the others are licensed real estate agents at Keller Williams DTC.

Who do I call?

Call or text 303-955-4220. A live person answers.

Find out which program fits

One call: your score, your program and your price range. A live person answers.

Call a down payment assistance real estate agent who answers

Call or text 303-955-4220. A live person answers.

The Kenna Group is a real estate group with Keller Williams Realty DTC, LLC (Keller Williams DTC), 6300 S Syracuse Way, Suite 150, Centennial, CO 80111, formerly known as Kenna Real Estate Group, serving Denver metro home buyers and sellers.

Disclaimer: We are real estate agents, not loan officers. Down payment assistance rules, income limits and credit minimums change, and each lender adds its own rules. A licensed lender confirms what you qualify for.

Review count and rating from our Google Business Profile, last checked October 2026; BBB rating from bbb.org; closings from the MLS record on Brian Lee Burke's sold-homes page. Listing counts and sold figures come from the MLS on October 25, 2026 and change daily. Equal Housing Opportunity.

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