Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer to qualify for down payment assistance in Washington?

Not always. Washington's Home Advantage program has no first-time buyer requirement — you can be a repeat buyer and still qualify, as long as you meet income and purchase price limits. House Key Opportunity does require first-time buyer status (defined as not having owned a home in the last three years) or qualifying as a veteran. City programs have their own eligibility rules. The assumption that you don't qualify because you've owned a home before is one of the most common reasons buyers leave free money on the table.