📚 Programs & Savings · Teachers & Educators

You Invest
in Every Student.
We Invest in You.

Teachers, school counselors, administrators, and education support professionals may qualify for up to $4,500 in homebuyer rebates and incentives, preferred mortgage rates, and exclusive savings through the OwningYourHouse.com trusted partner network.

See Who Qualifies
$4,500
Max rebates & incentives
PreK–12
Through college faculty
50
States served

Which Best Describes You?

Select your role to confirm your eligibility.

📖 K-12 Classroom Teacher
🎓 College / University Faculty
🧠 Special Education Teacher
💼 School Administrator / Principal
🧑‍🏫 School Counselor / Psychologist
🍎 Education Support Staff
All Educator Types Welcome
Up to $4,500 in Rebates Available
Preferred Rates with Direct Rate
Available Nationwide
Free — No Obligation

Education takes many forms. So does eligibility.

OYH educator programs recognize the full spectrum of education professionals — from PreK classroom teachers to university faculty to education support staff.

📖

K-12 Teachers

  • Elementary school teachers
  • Middle school teachers
  • High school teachers
  • Substitute teachers
  • Vocational / CTE instructors
🎓

College & University

  • Adjunct professors
  • Full-time faculty
  • Graduate teaching assistants
  • Community college instructors
  • Vocational / trade school educators
🧠

Special Education

  • Special education teachers
  • Learning disability specialists
  • Behavioral intervention specialists
  • Speech-language pathologists (school)
  • Occupational therapists (school)
🍎

Education Support

  • Teacher's aides & paraprofessionals
  • Instructional coaches
  • Tutors & interventionists
  • Library media specialists
  • School nurses
💼

Administration

  • School principals
  • Assistant principals
  • District administrators
  • Curriculum directors
  • Department heads
🧒

Early Childhood & Counseling

  • PreK / Head Start teachers
  • Early childhood educators
  • School counselors
  • School psychologists
  • Social workers (school-based)
Not sure if your role qualifies?

If you work in education in any capacity, we'll confirm your eligibility as part of a free, no-obligation review. Private school, charter school, and homeschool co-op educators may also qualify.

Educator homebuying benefits — all in one place.

OYH consolidates multiple programs so eligible educators get every dollar they've earned — without spending hours searching for programs that may or may not apply to them.

💰

Buyer Rebates & Incentives

Up to $4,500

Eligible educators working within the OYH trusted partner network may qualify for up to $4,500 in rebates and incentives at closing. Availability and amounts vary by program and location.

📉

Preferred Mortgage Rates

Direct Rate

OYH connects eligible educators with our featured mortgage partner, Direct Rate, for preferred rates and reduced fees — available to buyers within the OYH trusted partner network.

🏠

Down Payment Assistance

Available

Many states offer teacher-specific down payment assistance programs — including Good Neighbor Next Door and similar initiatives. Our team identifies every program available in your area.

🤝

Trusted Agent Matching

Nationwide

Get matched with a vetted real estate agent who understands educator budgets, school-year timelines, and the specific needs of buyers on teacher income.

📦

Relocation Support

Full Service

Moving to teach in a new district or state? Our relocation program helps educators navigate the sale of an existing home, new purchase, and cross-state transition nationwide.

💳

Credit Repair Support

In-House

If your score needs improvement before qualifying, our in-house credit repair team builds a personalized plan. We work with educators at every credit level — no one is turned away.

The real challenges educators face when buying a home.

Teachers are among the most dedicated professionals in the country — and among the most underserved when it comes to homebuying support. Here's what we consistently hear.

💵

Salary Gaps Make Down Payments Hard

Starting teacher salaries in many states make saving for a 20% down payment nearly impossible while managing student loans and everyday expenses.

📅

Summer Pay Gaps Complicate Income Documentation

Teachers who receive 10-month pay spread over 12 months — or receive summer pay differently — can face unexpected challenges when lenders review income documentation.

📍

Living Near School Costs More

Many teachers want to live in the communities they serve — but rising home prices in those areas put homeownership out of reach without additional assistance.

🔍

Programs Exist But Are Hard to Find

Federal, state, and local educator homebuying programs exist — but they're scattered, complicated, and often unknown to the buyers who need them most.

The OYH Solution

We Handle It All for You.

We identify every educator program available in your area — federal, state, and local
We properly document teacher income (including 10-month pay, contracts, and stipends) for lender review
We match you with agents who've worked with teacher buyers before
We stack every available benefit to maximize your total savings at closing
We offer credit repair support if your score needs improvement before qualifying
We work around your schedule — evenings, weekends, and summer availability

Two paths — buying or relocating — both built for educators.

Whether you're buying your first home in your school district or moving to teach in a new area, OYH has a program path designed for your situation.

Buying a Home

Educator Buyer Program

Get matched with a vetted agent and preferred mortgage partner, access rebates and incentives, and move through the buying process with a team that understands your budget and calendar.

Rebates AvailableUp to $4,500
Mortgage PartnerDirect Rate (preferred rates)
Down Payment HelpAvailable — varies by area
Good Neighbor Next Door50% off HUD-listed homes
Credit RequirementsAll credit levels — repair available
Relocating for a New Position

Educator Relocation Program

Moving to a new district, state, or school? Our relocation program helps educators sell their current home and buy in a new location — with support on both sides of the move.

Listing SupportReduced commission options
Cross-State SupportNationwide network
Rebates at New PurchaseUp to $4,500
Timeline FlexibilitySchool-year calendar friendly
Home Value ReviewFree — no obligation
Federal Program Spotlight

Good Neighbor Next Door — 50% Off a HUD Home

Full-time K-12 teachers at public or private schools serving low-income areas may qualify for HUD's Good Neighbor Next Door program — which offers eligible buyers a 50% discount on the list price of specific HUD-owned homes. We'll help you identify if properties are available in your area and walk you through the application process.

Simple. Built around the school calendar.

We know educators are busiest from September through June. Our process fits your schedule — not the other way around.

1

Confirm Eligibility

Fill out the form. We confirm your educator status and identify every benefit program available to you in your area — federal, state, and local.

2

Get Matched

We match you with a vetted agent and mortgage advisor who understand educator income, summer schedules, and school-year timelines.

3

Stack Your Benefits

We identify every stackable incentive — OYH rebates, GNND eligibility, state programs, and preferred mortgage rates — so you get the maximum benefit available.

4

Close With Confidence

Your team guides you from offer to close. Rebates and incentives are applied at closing — you see real savings in your pocket on moving day.

Educator Income Understood. Preferred Rates Delivered.

Teaching income — with its 10-month contracts, summer pay gaps, stipends, and tenure structures — can be difficult for some lenders to evaluate fairly. Our featured trusted partner, Direct Rate, has experience working with educator income structures and connects eligible teachers to preferred rates within the OYH network.

You are always free to work with the lender of your choice.

Preferred rates available through Direct Rate, LLC, NMLS #2320473, within the OYH trusted partner network. Not required to use. Subject to eligibility, underwriting, and approval.

Loan Programs Available

FHA
FHA Loans
3.5% down, flexible credit — ideal for teachers
USDA
USDA Loans
$0 down for qualifying suburban/rural schools
VA
VA Loans
$0 down for educators who are also veterans
CONV
Conventional
Low down payment options for qualified buyers
$0
$0 Lender Fees
Available on eligible loans through Direct Rate
💳 Credit Score Needs Work?

Student Loans Don't Have to Hold You Back.

Student loan debt is one of the most common credit challenges for educators. Our in-house credit repair team understands how student loans affect your score and debt-to-income ratio — and builds a plan specifically designed to help educators qualify for the loan programs that benefit them most.

Learn About Credit Repair

Free review. No obligation.
We work with all credit levels.

Featured Trusted Partner

Preferred Rates for Educators
Through Direct Rate

OwningYourHouse.com connects eligible educators with our featured trusted mortgage partner, Direct Rate, for preferred rates and expert guidance. You are always free to work with the lender of your choice — but OYH network members may qualify for preferred rates and reduced fees when financing through Direct Rate.

Preferred rates available through Direct Rate, LLC, NMLS #2320473, when financing within the OYH trusted partner network. Not required to use. Subject to eligibility and approval.

All Loan Programs
OYH Member Benefit

Up to $4,500 in Rebates & Incentives

Eligible educators who work within the OYH trusted partner network may qualify for up to $4,500 in rebates and incentives at closing. Programs may stack with state and local down payment assistance, federal programs like Good Neighbor Next Door, and preferred mortgage rates.

Up to $4,500 available to eligible consumers through participating partners. Availability and eligibility vary by program, location, and transaction.

Free to check. No obligation.

More OYH savings programs educators may qualify for.

Educator benefits can often be combined with other OYH programs. Check each to see what stacks for your situation.

Teacher Homebuyer Program FAQ

Clear answers to the questions educators ask most when exploring homebuying programs.

Do I need to teach at a public school to qualify? +
No. OYH educator programs are available to teachers and education professionals at public, private, charter, and parochial schools. College and university faculty, community college instructors, and vocational educators also qualify. If you work in education in any capacity, we encourage you to check your eligibility during a free review.
How does my 10-month teaching contract affect my mortgage application? +
This is one of the most common concerns we hear from teacher homebuyers. If your 10-month salary is paid out over 12 months, most lenders can use your annual contract amount divided by 12 as your monthly income. If you receive gap payments differently or have a true income gap in summer, the documentation process matters more — and working with a lender familiar with educator income structures (like our preferred partner Direct Rate) makes a meaningful difference in how your income is presented to underwriters.
What is the Good Neighbor Next Door program and do I qualify? +
Good Neighbor Next Door (GNND) is a HUD program that offers full-time K-12 teachers a 50% discount on the list price of HUD-owned homes in designated "revitalization areas." To qualify, you must be a full-time teacher at a public or private school that serves the area where the HUD home is located. You must also commit to living in the home as your primary residence for at least 36 months. Availability depends on what HUD-listed properties exist in your area — we can check this for you as part of a free eligibility review.
Can adjunct professors and part-time educators qualify? +
Yes — for OYH educator programs, part-time and adjunct educators are welcome to apply. However, part-time income documentation for mortgage qualification can be more complex. Income from adjunct or part-time teaching typically needs a 2-year history and may need to be supplemented with other income sources to meet lender requirements. Our team will review your specific income situation and identify the best loan program path for you.
Can educator benefits stack with down payment assistance programs? +
In many cases, yes. OYH rebates and incentives can often be combined with state and local down payment assistance programs, GNND discounts, and preferred mortgage rates. Stacking is one of the most powerful tools for teacher buyers — and one of the most overlooked. Our team specifically identifies all available stacking opportunities during your free eligibility review, so you get the maximum benefit available from every program you qualify for.
My student loan debt is affecting my credit and DTI. What can I do? +
Student loan debt is the most common barrier we see for teacher homebuyers. There are a few approaches: income-driven repayment plans can reduce your monthly payment (and thus your DTI calculation), and Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) can eliminate federal student loans after 10 years of qualifying payments for teachers at eligible schools. On the credit side, our in-house credit repair team specifically understands how to optimize your profile around student loan obligations to maximize your chances of qualifying for the programs that benefit you most. Learn more about our credit repair services →

You Give Every Day.
Let's Make Sure You Get Back.

A free educator eligibility check takes minutes. We'll confirm your status, identify every program available in your area, and connect you with the right team to move forward.

See All Incentive Programs