North Dakota First-Time Buyer Programs

North Dakota Housing Programs:

North Dakota Housing (NDHFA) offers several statewide homeownership programs through participating lenders, including FirstHome™, HomeAccess, North Dakota Roots, Start, DCA, and the Targeted Area Loan. These provide 30-year affordable mortgage options plus down payment and closing-cost assistance for eligible buyers. Verify current rates, income limits, purchase-price caps, and lender participation at ndhousing.nd.gov/homeownership or with a participating lender.

North Dakota First-Time Homebuyer Mortgage Programs:

Eligibility: Rules vary by program. FirstHome™ is designed for first-time buyers (no ownership of a principal residence in the last 3 years). HomeAccess focuses on single parents, veterans, and households with disabled or elderly members. If household income exceeds FirstHome limits, North Dakota Roots often provides an alternate option (Roots follows conforming/insurer loan limits rather than FirstHome income caps). See ND Housing for lender lists and program matching. Official overview.

• FirstHome™: For first-time buyers (no owned principal residence in the prior 3 years); subject to income and purchase-price limits. See NDHFA limits page for exact values. (ND Housing FirstHome overview).
• HomeAccess: Targeted to qualifying single-parent, veteran, disabled, or elderly households; subject to income and purchase-price limits. (ND Housing HomeAccess).
• North Dakota Roots: For buyers who may have owned previously or whose incomes exceed FirstHome limits; Roots loans follow current conforming/insurer loan limits (no separate NDHFA income cap). For 2026, the baseline conforming loan limit is $832,750. (ND Housing Roots) and FHFA.
• Targeted Area Loan: Reduced-rate option for homes located in designated targeted census tracts (Cass and Sioux tracts are currently listed). These loans have separate published income and purchase-price limits — see NDHFA for tract lookup and current caps. (Targeted Area limits & tract list).

Typical Requirements (concise):

• Income limits apply to FirstHome and HomeAccess and vary by household size and county. As published by NDHFA (limits effective June 15, 2026), FirstHome/HomeAccess income limits are approximately $105,730 (family <3) and $121,590 (family of 3+). (Income & purchase-price limits).
• Statewide purchase-price caps (effective June 15, 2026): existing single-family limits are commonly set at $500,000 (with higher caps for duplex/triplex/fourplex). Confirm latest caps before making an offer. (Purchase-price limits).
• Homebuyer education is required for DCA borrowers and is often required for other programs depending on loan type and lender rules.
• Start and DCA typically apply only to 1- and 2-unit owner-occupied properties; 3- and 4-unit properties are not eligible for DCA or Start. See NDHFA program pages for specifics.
• Loan approval is always subject to participating lender underwriting and any applicable FHA/VA/USDA/Fannie/Freddie guidelines.

Down Payment Assistance (DPA) Options:

Start: Low- to moderate-income purchase assistance packaged with an NDHFA first mortgage. The assistance amount is provided as a 3% credit of the first mortgage loan amount to be used toward down payment, closing costs, and prepaid items. (ND Housing Start details).
DCA (Down Payment & Closing Cost Assistance): For lower-income buyers; assistance is provided as a 3% credit of the first mortgage loan amount to be used toward down payment, closing costs, and prepaid items. DCA requires completion of an approved homebuyer education course and a minimum borrower cash investment (NDHFA requires an out-of-pocket contribution). (ND Housing DCA details).
Important: NDHFA states Start and DCA cannot be combined with other NDHFA down payment assistance programs. Confirm program stacking rules with your lender and NDHFA before committing to an offer.

Targeted and Special-Buyer Programs:

HomeAccess: For eligible households described above (single parents, veterans, disabled/elderly). (HomeAccess).
Targeted Area Loan: For qualifying properties inside listed census tracts; these loans have separate income and purchase-price caps (for example, Cass/Sioux targeted-area single-family limits are commonly in the high $500k range — see NDHFA for exact tract caps and verify eligibility by address). (Targeted Area limits & tract list).
North Dakota Roots: Available to repeat buyers or buyers whose incomes exceed FirstHome limits; Roots follows conforming loan limits or applicable insurer limits (2026 baseline conforming limit is $832,750). (North Dakota Roots) and FHFA.

Local Programs (Examples):

Many North Dakota communities refer first-time buyers to NDHFA statewide programs rather than running large separate city DPA programs. Local availability changes frequently—confirm with the city, county, local housing office, community land trust, or your lender before relying on local funds.

Fargo / Cass County

Fargo Homebuyer Resources: The City of Fargo directs first-time buyers to NDHFA DCA and Start programs and other NDHFA offerings. Confirm NDHFA eligibility and lender-specific requirements. (Fargo downpayment assistance page).

Bismarck / Burleigh County

Check Local and Lender Options: Bismarck most often points buyers to state programs and community partners; a city-run standalone DPA is not prominently posted. Confirm whether current CDBG, HOME, or nonprofit pilots are available locally before relying on a local option.

Minot / Grand Forks Area

Community Land Trust Opportunities: NDHFA operates a HOME Community Land Trust Homebuyer Assistance Program (CHAP) that is delivered through local CLTs in some areas. Confirm availability, resale provisions, and eligibility directly with the local land trust or NDHFA. (NDHFA CHAP / CLT info).

Additional Information:

• USDA/RD Loans: May allow 0% down in eligible rural areas, subject to USDA household income and property eligibility rules.
• VA Loans: May allow 0% down for eligible veterans, service members, and certain surviving spouses.
• FHA Loans: Low down payment option commonly used by first-time buyers, subject to FHA underwriting rules.

North Dakota first-time buyers should compare NDHFA options carefully — eligibility, income treatment, and assistance structure vary by program and lender. Before making an offer, confirm the exact mortgage product, down payment help, education requirements, and current rates with a participating lender and NDHFA.

Program details, income limits, interest rates, and availability may change. Always confirm the latest requirements with the official program administrator or participating lender.

Seeking Agents® connects you with North Dakota agents who understand first-time buyer programs and can help you compare your options—free for buyers and sellers.