New Hampshire First-Time Home Buyer Programs and Assistance
New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority (New Hampshire Housing) currently lists 4 programs for New Hampshire buyers, with down payment help up to $15,000 through Downpayment & Closing Cost Assistance (second mortgage add-on). Figures below were read from the agency's own pages on September 11, 2026.
New Hampshire first-time buyer programs open now
New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority (New Hampshire Housing) is the state's housing finance agency (homebuyer programs page). It runs 2 down payment or closing-cost assistance programs alongside 2 below-market first mortgages. Has not had an ownership interest in a home in the past 3 years; waived for purchases in a designated targeted area or for a qualified veteran (per the Home First / First Plus below-market-rate program)
| Program | Type | Amount | First-time only | Min. credit | Income limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home First / First Plus source | First mortgage | Optional fixed $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000 in cash down payment assistance added to a rate-advantaged first mortgage | Yes | n/a | Varies by town/city; see New Hampshire Housing's published Home First Program Limits document |
| Downpayment & Closing Cost Assistance (second mortgage add-on) source | Deferred second loan | Up to $15,000 in cash assistance for down payment and closing costs | Check | n/a | Depends on which first-mortgage product it's layered on: Flex Plus incomes up to $184,500; |
| 1st Generation Homebuyer Program (1stGenHomeNH) source | Grant (no repayment) | $10,000 | Yes | n/a | See program page |
| Home Preferred (low down payment conventional mortgage) source | First mortgage | No direct cash assistance; low down payment (3% down, 5% for 2-4 unit properties) conventional financing | No | n/a | Maximum income limit of $184,500 |
- Home First / First Plus. Terms: Bond-financed below-market-rate first mortgage (FHA, VA, USDA-RD, or Fannie Mae conventional) Purchase price limit: Varies by town/city; see New Hampshire Housing's published Home First Program Limits document Homebuyer education: required Program page
- Downpayment & Closing Cost Assistance (second mortgage add-on). Terms: Secured by a second mortgage: 0% interest, 0% APR, no periodic payments, 30-year term; due in full on sale, refinance, bankruptcy filing, no longer occupying the property as primary residence, or at the end of 30 years Must pair with: One of New Hampshire Housing's first-mortgage products (Home First/First Plus, Flex Plus, Preferred Plus, or Preferred Plus Over 80% AMI) Homebuyer education: required Program page
- 1st Generation Homebuyer Program (1stGenHomeNH). Terms: Pilot program with limited funding; New Hampshire Housing reserves the right to suspend or terminate it at any time Must pair with: One of New Hampshire Housing's mortgage programs through an Approved Lender Homebuyer education: required Program page
- Home Preferred (low down payment conventional mortgage). Terms: Conventional mortgage not backed by a government agency; can be combined with the Downpayment & Closing Cost Assistance second 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 New Hampshire's median-priced home (about $500,200), 3% down is roughly $15,006. 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. New Hampshire programs often add income and purchase-price limits, which is another reason to confirm the details with New Hampshire Housing.
Stack a buyer rebate on top in New Hampshire
Down-payment assistance and a buyer commission rebate are two different things, and in New Hampshire you can use both. Assistance from New Hampshire Housing helps with your down payment and closing costs; a buyer rebate returns about 2% of the price to you at closing (roughly $10,004 on a median-priced home), which can cover much of your closing bill.
See New Hampshire buyer rebates → See New Hampshire closing costs →
Frequently asked questions
What first-time home buyer programs are available in New Hampshire?
New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority (New Hampshire Housing) lists 4 programs: Home First / First Plus, Downpayment & Closing Cost Assistance (second mortgage add-on), 1st Generation Homebuyer Program (1stGenHomeNH), Home Preferred (low down payment conventional mortgage). Down payment help runs up to $15,000.
How much down payment assistance can you get in New Hampshire?
Up to $15,000 through Downpayment & Closing Cost Assistance (second mortgage add-on) (deferred second loan). Other New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire?
Not for every program. 1 of 4 New Hampshire programs are open to repeat buyers. Has not had an ownership interest in a home in the past 3 years; waived for purchases in a designated targeted area or for a qualified veteran (per the Home First / First Plus below-market-rate program)
How much down payment do you need in New Hampshire?
As little as 3% on a conventional loan, 3.5% on an FHA loan, and 0% on VA or USDA loans. On New Hampshire's median-priced home (about $500,200), 3% is roughly $15,006. 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 New Hampshire programs also have income and purchase-price limits, so check with New Hampshire Housing.
Can I combine assistance with a buyer rebate in New Hampshire?
Yes. A buyer commission rebate is separate from down-payment assistance and is legal in New Hampshire. 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
- New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority (New Hampshire Housing)
- New Hampshire Housing homepage
- Homeownership, New Hampshire Housing
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: down payment options and how to prepare
New Hampshire program details last verified against New Hampshire Housing 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 New Hampshire Housing and your lender before you rely on them.
See first-time buyer programs in all states