Who We Are
Down Payment Scout was created by Scott Cooper, a licensed California mortgage originator who has been helping families finance homes since 1998. After nearly three decades in the industry, one pattern became clear: most homebuyers have no idea how much down payment assistance is available to them, and the information that does exist is scattered across hundreds of government websites with no easy way to search or compare.
Down Payment Scout was built to fix that. The site is free, independent, and not affiliated with any lender, bank, or real estate company. We do not sell loans through this site. We provide information so buyers and their advisors can make better decisions.
Our Mission
Down payment is the single biggest barrier to homeownership. Yet billions of dollars in assistance goes unclaimed every year because buyers do not know these programs exist, or cannot find clear information about eligibility.
Our mission is to make every down payment assistance program in the United States searchable, comparable, and understandable. We want a first-time buyer in Houston to find their options as easily as a buyer in Sacramento. We want a nurse in Florida to know about profession-specific grants. We want every buyer to know their options before they assume they cannot afford to buy.
About the Founder
Scott Cooper is a licensed mortgage originator based in Roseville, California (NMLS# 220458). He has been in the mortgage industry since 1998, working as an independent broker with access to over 115 lenders.
Scott holds a degree in business finance and specializes in structuring loans that serve long-term client goals, including FHA, Conventional, VA, USDA, CalHFA, bank statement loans for self-employed borrowers, DSCR rental property financing, HELOCs, and more.
His approach is strategic rather than transactional: helping clients think 5 to 15 years ahead about how their mortgage fits into their overall financial picture, rather than chasing the lowest rate on a single transaction.
Scott built Down Payment Scout because he saw too many qualified buyers give up on homeownership when programs existed that could have helped them. This site is his contribution to closing that information gap.
Data Methodology
Where Our Data Comes From
Program data is sourced from official government and housing agency publications, including:
- U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
- State Housing Finance Agencies (e.g., CalHFA, TDHCA, Florida Housing)
- County and city housing authorities
- Nonprofit housing organizations
- Published program guidelines and term sheets
What We Track
For each program, we collect and display the following fields when available:
How We Stay Current
Down payment assistance programs change frequently. Funding runs out, income limits update with new AMI figures, and new programs launch. We use multiple methods to keep data current:
- Regular review cycles: Programs are reviewed against their official source documentation on a rolling basis.
- Community updates: Every program page includes a "Submit a Program Update" button. Lenders, housing counselors, and program administrators can flag changes directly.
- Automated monitoring: We use automated systems to flag programs that may have changed since our last review.
Data Limitations
Not every field is available for every program. Some programs, particularly smaller local programs, publish limited eligibility details. When a field is unavailable, we display "Not specified" rather than guessing. We encourage users to verify current terms directly with the program administrator or an approved lender before making financial decisions.
Editorial Standards
All content on Down Payment Scout is reviewed for accuracy by licensed mortgage professionals. Guide articles and city-level pages include analysis, buyer scenarios, and program comparisons written from direct industry experience.
We do not accept payment for program placement or rankings. Programs are listed based on geography and eligibility criteria, not advertising relationships. When we rank or recommend programs (as in our "Best DPA Programs" guides), we explain the methodology and criteria used.
Down Payment Scout is not a lender and does not provide mortgage advice. Information on this site is educational. Buyers should consult with a licensed loan originator to determine their specific eligibility and receive personalized guidance.
Contact Us
Have a question, found an error in our data, or want to suggest a program we should add? We want to hear from you.
General Inquiries
Contact@downpaymentscout.comProgram Updates
Submit a Program UpdateRealtor Partnerships
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