Down payment assistance in Virginia — Steve Davis, REALTOR® If something's been holding you back from buying, it's probably the down payment. It's the number-one hurdle most first-time buyers name — and it's also the most misunderstood. Here's the good news: between state grants, low- and zero-down loans, and lender programs, Virginia down payment assistance can put a home in Richmond within reach a lot sooner than the old “save 20%” rule suggests. The 20% myth. You do not ne