Nevada First-Time Home Buyer Programs and Assistance
Nevada Housing Division, Home Is Possible (HIP) currently lists 4 programs for Nevada buyers, with down payment help up to 5% of the price (about $23,445 on a median-priced home) through Home Is Possible (HIP). Figures below were read from the agency's own pages on September 11, 2026.
Nevada first-time buyer programs open now
Nevada Housing Division, Home Is Possible (HIP) is the state's housing finance agency (homebuyer programs page). It runs 4 down payment or closing-cost assistance programs. Has not owned a home in the past 3 years; required for the HIP (Home Is Possible) For First-Time Homebuyers product, but waived for Home Is Possible (standard), Worker Advantage, and Home Is Possible For Teachers
| Program | Type | Amount | First-time only | Min. credit | Income limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Is Possible (HIP) For First-Time Homebuyers source | Deferred second loan | Down payment assistance up to 4% of the total loan amount | Yes | 640 | $102,800 to $175,050 depending on county and household size (2-or-fewer vs. |
| Home Is Possible (HIP) source | Second mortgage | Up to 5% of the loan value for down payment or closing costs | No | n/a | See program page |
| Worker Advantage source | Deferred second loan | $20,000 in down payment assistance | No | 640 | $101,550 to $175,200 depending on county (150% AMI) |
| Home Is Possible (HIP) For Teachers source | Forgivable second loan | $7,500 usable for down payment and closing costs | No | 640 | Qualifying income up to $165,000 |
- Home Is Possible (HIP) For First-Time Homebuyers. Terms: Interest-free, non-forgivable 30-year second mortgage, usable for down payment and/or closing costs Purchase price limit: $566,354 to $770,085 depending on county Must pair with: HIP 30-year fixed-rate first mortgage Homebuyer education: required Program page
- Home Is Possible (HIP). Terms: Not detailed beyond the 5%-of-loan-value figure on the pages reviewed Must pair with: HIP first mortgage Homebuyer education: required Program page
- Worker Advantage. Terms: No-interest, no-payment, non-forgivable 30-year second mortgage. Can be applied fully to the down payment, or used to buy down the first mortgage's interest rate with any remainder going to down payment/closing costs. Purchase price limit: Home price up to $832,750 Must pair with: Ginnie Mae (FHA/VA/USDA-RD), Fannie Mae, or Freddie Mac first mortgage meeting Worker Advantage Program Guidelines Homebuyer education: required Program page
- Home Is Possible (HIP) For Teachers. Terms: Forgivable after 5 years if the buyer stays in the home; paired with a competitive fixed-rate 30-year first mortgage Purchase price limit: Home price up to $832,750 Must pair with: HIP first mortgage Homebuyer education: required Program page
City and county programs in Nevada
Local governments run their own down payment funds on top of the state programs. These can be combined with a state loan in most cases; each has its own income limit and area.
- Unincorporated Clark County: Neighborhood Housing Services of Southern Nevada down payment assistance. Up to $14,999, covering 50% of the lender's required assistance. Program. Income limit: At or below 80% of area median income (AMI). Official 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 Nevada's median-priced home (about $468,900), 3% down is roughly $14,067. 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. Nevada programs often add income and purchase-price limits, which is another reason to confirm the details with Nevada Housing Division.
Stack a buyer rebate on top in Nevada
Down-payment assistance and a buyer commission rebate are two different things, and in Nevada you can use both. Assistance from Nevada Housing Division helps with your down payment and closing costs; a buyer rebate returns about 2% of the price to you at closing (roughly $9,378 on a median-priced home), which can cover much of your closing bill.
You may qualify for more help in your county
City and county governments in Nevada run their own down payment programs on top of the state ones, and most can be combined with a state loan. Each county page lists the local programs, income limits and local closing costs alongside the state programs:
- Clark County: local help up to 4%
Frequently asked questions
What first-time home buyer programs are available in Nevada?
Nevada Housing Division, Home Is Possible (HIP) lists 4 programs: Home Is Possible (HIP) For First-Time Homebuyers, Home Is Possible (HIP), Worker Advantage, Home Is Possible (HIP) For Teachers. Down payment help runs up to 5% of the price (about $23,445 on a median-priced home). Unincorporated Clark County also run local down payment programs.
How much down payment assistance can you get in Nevada?
Up to 5% of the price (about $23,445 on a median-priced home) through Home Is Possible (HIP) (second mortgage). Other Nevada 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 Nevada?
Not for every program. 3 of 4 Nevada programs are open to repeat buyers. Has not owned a home in the past 3 years; required for the HIP (Home Is Possible) For First-Time Homebuyers product, but waived for Home Is Possible (standard), Worker Advantage, and Home Is Possible For Teachers
How much down payment do you need in Nevada?
As little as 3% on a conventional loan, 3.5% on an FHA loan, and 0% on VA or USDA loans. On Nevada's median-priced home (about $468,900), 3% is roughly $14,067. 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 Nevada programs also have income and purchase-price limits, so check with Nevada Housing Division.
Can I combine assistance with a buyer rebate in Nevada?
Yes. A buyer commission rebate is separate from down-payment assistance and is legal in Nevada. 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
- Nevada Housing Division, Home Is Possible (HIP)
- Home Is Possible Nevada, HIP For First-Time Homebuyers program page
- Worker Advantage | Nevada Housing Division
- Home Is Possible For Teachers | Nevada Housing Division
- First-Time Homebuyer Income & Purchase Price Limits by county
- Unincorporated Clark County: Neighborhood Housing Services of Southern Nevada down payment assistance
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: down payment options and how to prepare
Nevada program details last verified against Nevada Housing Division 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 Nevada Housing Division and your lender before you rely on them.
See first-time buyer programs in all states