North Dakota First-Time Home Buyer Programs and Assistance
North Dakota Housing Finance Agency (NDHFA) currently lists 7 programs for North Dakota buyers, with down payment help up to 3% of the loan (about $9,315 on a median-priced home) through DCA (Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance). Figures below were read from the agency's own pages on September 11, 2026.
North Dakota first-time buyer programs open now
North Dakota Housing Finance Agency (NDHFA) is the state's housing finance agency (homebuyer programs page). It runs 3 down payment or closing-cost assistance programs alongside 4 below-market first mortgages. Has not owned a home (including a manufactured home on a permanent foundation) as a principal residence within the last three years (FirstHome program;
| Program | Type | Amount | First-time only | Min. credit | Income limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FirstHome source | First mortgage | See program page | Yes | n/a | See program page |
| HomeAccess source | First mortgage | See program page | No | n/a | See program page |
| North Dakota Roots source | First mortgage | See program page | No | n/a | None |
| DCA (Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance) source | Program | 3% of the first mortgage loan amount as a credit toward the borrower's out-of-pocket cash requirement | No | n/a | $60,000 to $121,590 depending on county and household size (1-8 persons), effective July 15, 2026 |
| Start source | Program | 3% of the first mortgage loan amount as a credit toward the borrower's out-of-pocket cash requirement | No | n/a | See program page |
| Major Home Improvement Program source | Program | See program page | Yes | n/a | See program page |
| Targeted Area Loan source | First mortgage | See program page | No | n/a | See program page |
- FirstHome. Terms: First mortgage loan for buyers who have not owned a principal residence in the last three years; can be paired with DCA or Start down payment assistance Program page
- HomeAccess. Terms: First mortgage loan; can be paired with DCA or Start down payment assistance Program page
- North Dakota Roots. Terms: First mortgage with no income or purchase price limits (maximum loan amount follows Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac conforming limits or applicable insurer/guarantor limits); can be paired with Start down payment assistance Purchase price limit: None (subject to conforming loan limits) Program page
- DCA (Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance). Terms: Credit applied toward down payment, closing costs and prepaid items; cannot be combined with any other down payment assistance program Must pair with: An NDHFA first mortgage (e.g., FirstHome, HomeAccess, Targeted Area Loan) Homebuyer education: required Program page
- Start. Terms: Credit applied toward down payment, closing costs and prepaid items; cannot be combined with any other down payment assistance program Must pair with: An NDHFA first mortgage (e.g., FirstHome, HomeAccess, North Dakota Roots, Targeted Area Loan) Program page
- Major Home Improvement Program. Terms: Affordable mortgage loans to buy and rehabilitate, or to refinance and rehabilitate, a single-family home Program page
- Targeted Area Loan. Terms: Reduced interest rate mortgage loans required to be set aside from mortgage revenue bond proceeds for up to one year in IRS-designated Targeted Areas; can be paired with DCA or Start Where: Designated census tracts only: Cass County (tracts 0005.02, 0006.01, 0006.02, 0101.06, 0101.07, 0101.11) and Sioux County (tract 9409) 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 North Dakota's median-priced home (about $310,500), 3% down is roughly $9,315. 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. North Dakota programs often add income and purchase-price limits, which is another reason to confirm the details with North Dakota Housing Finance Agency.
Stack a buyer rebate on top in North Dakota
Down-payment assistance and a buyer commission rebate are two different things, and in North Dakota you can use both. Assistance from North Dakota Housing Finance Agency helps with your down payment and closing costs; a buyer rebate returns about 2% of the price to you at closing (roughly $6,210 on a median-priced home), which can cover much of your closing bill.
See North Dakota buyer rebates → See North Dakota closing costs →
Frequently asked questions
What first-time home buyer programs are available in North Dakota?
North Dakota Housing Finance Agency (NDHFA) lists 7 programs: FirstHome, HomeAccess, North Dakota Roots, DCA (Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance), Start, Major Home Improvement Program, Targeted Area Loan. Down payment help runs up to 3% of the loan (about $9,315 on a median-priced home).
How much down payment assistance can you get in North Dakota?
Up to 3% of the loan (about $9,315 on a median-priced home) through DCA (Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance) (program). Other North Dakota 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 North Dakota?
Not for every program. 5 of 7 North Dakota programs are open to repeat buyers. Has not owned a home (including a manufactured home on a permanent foundation) as a principal residence within the last three years (FirstHome program; other programs such as North Dakota Roots and HomeAccess do not require first-time buyer status).
How much down payment do you need in North Dakota?
As little as 3% on a conventional loan, 3.5% on an FHA loan, and 0% on VA or USDA loans. On North Dakota's median-priced home (about $310,500), 3% is roughly $9,315. 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 North Dakota programs also have income and purchase-price limits, so check with North Dakota Housing Finance Agency.
Can I combine assistance with a buyer rebate in North Dakota?
Yes. A buyer commission rebate is separate from down-payment assistance and is legal in North Dakota. 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
- North Dakota Housing Finance Agency (NDHFA)
- NDHFA, DCA Income Limits
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: down payment options and how to prepare
North Dakota program details last verified against North Dakota Housing Finance Agency 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 North Dakota Housing Finance Agency and your lender before you rely on them.
See first-time buyer programs in all states