Maine First-Time Home Buyer Programs and Assistance
MaineHousing (Maine State Housing Authority) currently lists 5 programs for Maine buyers, with down payment help up to $14,000 through First Home Loan Advantage. Figures below were read from the agency's own pages on September 11, 2026.
Maine first-time buyer programs open now
MaineHousing (Maine State Housing Authority) is the state's housing finance agency (homebuyer programs page). It runs 4 down payment or closing-cost assistance programs alongside 1 below-market first mortgage. Has not held an ownership interest in a principal home during the past 3 years (federal definition); waived for Salute Home Again (veterans/military who previously owned);
| Program | Type | Amount | First-time only | Min. credit | Income limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Home Loan Program source | First mortgage | See program page | Yes | 640 | Household income limits apply, vary by household size and location; |
| First Home Loan Advantage source | Grant (no repayment) | $5,000 toward closing costs (single-unit); $8,000/$11,000/$14,000 for 2/3/4-unit properties under Multi-Unit Advantage | Yes | 640 | See program page |
| First Generation Program source | Grant (no repayment) | $10,000 toward down payment and closing costs, plus a 1.00% interest-rate discount off the First Home Loan rate on a zero-point option | Yes | 640 | Household income limits apply, vary by household size and location |
| Salute ME / Salute Home Again source | Program | 0.50% discount off the First Home Loan 30-year fixed interest rate | No | n/a | Household income limits apply, vary by household size and location |
| Pre-1976 Mobile Home Replacement Initiative source | Program | See program page | No | n/a | Income-eligible Maine residents |
- First Home Loan Program. Terms: Low fixed-rate 30-year first mortgage; zero-point or two-point options; can be combined with FHA/RD/VA or private mortgage insurance for little or no down payment Purchase price limit: Purchase price limits apply, vary by location and property type; mobile homes capped at $200,000 statewide Must pair with: Approved MaineHousing First Home Lender Program page
- First Home Loan Advantage. Terms: Paired with a First Home Loan first mortgage Must pair with: MaineHousing First Home Loan first mortgage Homebuyer education: required Program page
- First Generation Program. Terms: Zero-point mortgage with a 1.00% discount off MaineHousing's First Home Loan rate Purchase price limit: Purchase price limits apply, vary by location and property type; mobile homes capped at $250,000 on owned land, $200,000 on leased land Must pair with: Approved MaineHousing First Home Lender Homebuyer education: required Program page
- Salute ME / Salute Home Again. Terms: 0.50 percentage-point rate discount; Salute ME is for first-time buyers, Salute Home Again waives the first-time-buyer requirement for veterans who previously owned a home; can be combined with the Advantage down payment/closing cost option Purchase price limit: Purchase price limits apply, vary by location and property type Must pair with: MaineHousing First Home Loan first mortgage Program page
How little you can put down
You do not need 20% down. Conventional loans go as low as 3% (through programs like Fannie Mae HomeReady and Freddie Mac Home Possible), FHA loans start at 3.5%, and VA and USDA loans can require nothing down. On Maine's median-priced home (about $390,400), 3% down is roughly $11,712. Putting 20% down lets you skip private mortgage insurance, but most first-time buyers put down far less.
Who counts as a first-time buyer
For most programs, a first-time buyer is anyone who has not owned a primary residence in the last three years, so many repeat buyers qualify again. Maine programs often add income and purchase-price limits, which is another reason to confirm the details with MaineHousing.
Stack a buyer rebate on top in Maine
Down-payment assistance and a buyer commission rebate are two different things, and in Maine you can use both. Assistance from MaineHousing helps with your down payment and closing costs; a buyer rebate returns about 2% of the price to you at closing (roughly $7,808 on a median-priced home), which can cover much of your closing bill.
Frequently asked questions
What first-time home buyer programs are available in Maine?
MaineHousing (Maine State Housing Authority) lists 5 programs: First Home Loan Program, First Home Loan Advantage, First Generation Program, Salute ME / Salute Home Again, Pre-1976 Mobile Home Replacement Initiative. Down payment help runs up to $14,000.
How much down payment assistance can you get in Maine?
Up to $14,000 through First Home Loan Advantage (grant (no repayment)). Other Maine programs offer different amounts; see the table on this page for each one.
Do you have to be a first-time buyer to qualify in Maine?
Not for every program. 2 of 5 Maine programs are open to repeat buyers. Has not held an ownership interest in a principal home during the past 3 years (federal definition); waived for Salute Home Again (veterans/military who previously owned); First Generation Program requires TRUE first-time buyers who never held any ownership interest and never lived in a home owned by their biological parents/legal guardians (or were in foster care)
How much down payment do you need in Maine?
As little as 3% on a conventional loan, 3.5% on an FHA loan, and 0% on VA or USDA loans. On Maine's median-priced home (about $390,400), 3% is roughly $11,712. You do not need 20% down, though 20% lets you avoid mortgage insurance.
Who counts as a first-time home buyer?
For most programs, a first-time buyer is anyone who has not owned a primary residence in the last three years. Some Maine programs also have income and purchase-price limits, so check with MaineHousing.
Can I combine assistance with a buyer rebate in Maine?
Yes. A buyer commission rebate is separate from down-payment assistance and is legal in Maine. Assistance helps with your down payment and closing costs up front; a rebate returns about 2% of the price at closing, which you can put toward closing costs. You can use both.
Official sources
- MaineHousing (Maine State Housing Authority)
- MaineHousing First Home Loan Program page
- MaineHousing First Generation Program page
- MaineHousing SaluteME & Salute Home Again page
- MaineHousing Pre-1976 Mobile Home Replacement Initiative page
- MaineHousing Income & Cost Limits
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: down payment options and how to prepare
Maine program details last verified against MaineHousing on September 11, 2026.
Read the full guide to the cash you need to buy →
This is general information, not financial advice. Program details, limits, and loan terms change; confirm the current rules with MaineHousing and your lender before you rely on them.
See first-time buyer programs in all states