Kansas Home Loans 2026 — Complete Guide
Kansas offers a 0% interest silent second mortgage through KHRC down payment assistance, plus why picking the wrong senior tax relief program can leave money on the table.
The number people miss: Kansas runs three separate property tax relief programs for seniors and disabled homeowners, but you can only claim one of them per year. Picking the wrong one — instead of comparing which pays out more for your specific income and situation — leaves real money on the table every year.
Kansas Down Payment Assistance — KHRC Programs
The Kansas Housing Resources Corporation (KHRC) offers down payment and closing cost assistance through its First Time Homebuyer (FTHB) Program, funded with federal HOME dollars and delivered through participating lenders.
Kansas Down Payment Programs
Both are limited to first-time buyers: Unlike some states' general-purpose DPA programs, both KHRC's FTHB and KHAP generally require first-time buyer status (no ownership in the past 3 years), with an exception for buyers purchasing in a federally designated targeted area. Repeat buyers should check for exceptions before assuming they don't qualify.
KHAP's credit tiers: KHAP requires a 660 minimum credit score for its standard terms, but buyers with scores between 640-659 can still access a reduced 3% assistance option rather than being turned away entirely.
Eligibility & Income Limits
Both programs require completion of a homebuyer education course and household income under county-specific limits. Kansas also offers a state income tax deduction for contributions to a First-Time Home Buyer Savings Account.
Confirm your exact county limit and current program terms at KSHousingCorp.org before applying.
Current Rates
| Product | Rate | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 30-yr Conventional | 6.55% | Freddie Mac PMMS, week of July 16, 2026 |
| 15-yr Fixed | 5.93% | Freddie Mac PMMS, week of July 16, 2026 |
| KHRC/KHAP first mortgage | Below market or standard, depending on program | Confirm current rate with a participating lender |
2026 Loan Limits — Flat Statewide
Kansas has no FHA or conforming high-cost counties in 2026 — the same limit applies statewide, including Wichita, Kansas City, and Johnson County.
| Loan Type | Limit (Statewide, All 105 Counties) |
|---|---|
| FHA | $541,287 |
| Conventional (Conforming) | $832,750 |
| VA | No county limit for buyers with full entitlement |
Confirm current limits at HUD.gov, though Kansas has held flat statewide limits for several years running.
Property Tax in Kansas
What Buyers Should Budget For
Kansas property tax runs somewhat above the regional average, with residential property assessed at a constitutional 11.5% of fair market value before the local mill rate applies. Kansas offers three separate relief programs for qualifying homeowners — SAFESR (a 75% refund targeted at low-income seniors), the broader Homestead Refund (percentage-based, with a higher income ceiling), and the Senior/Disabled Veteran refund (which refunds increases over a base year, filed via Form K-40SVR) — but you may only claim one of the three per year. Since SAFESR typically pays out more for very low-income seniors while the Homestead Refund covers a wider income band at a lower percentage, running the numbers on both before filing is worth the extra few minutes.
Pick Your Loan Type
Are you a teacher, nurse, firefighter, police officer, EMT, or veteran? Kansas may run additional hero-specific loan programs on top of the general KHRC options covered here. Browse the Hero Home Loan Programs hub and select Kansas for profession-specific options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Bottom Line: Kansas remains genuinely affordable to buy in, and KHRC's silent second mortgage can cover a substantial share of the down payment for first-time buyers. Property tax runs a bit higher than some neighboring states, so seniors and disabled homeowners should compare all three relief programs carefully rather than defaulting to the first one they find.
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