New Hampshire builds cash assistance right into its mortgages — forgivable help that behaves like a grant — and adds a $10,000 program for first-generation buyers plus a tax credit that lasts the life of the loan.
This guide covers what actually counts as grant money for first-time buyers in New Hampshire in 2026 — the help that does not have to be repaid, the truth about the federal grant everyone asks about, and how to find and qualify for it.
Are there really first-time home buyer grants in New Hampshire?
Here is the honest answer most sites skip: a true grant is money you never repay, but the majority of what gets marketed as a “first-time home buyer grant” is actually a forgivable loan — a second mortgage that is written off over time as long as you stay in the home. The practical difference is small if you plan to stay put, but it matters if you might sell or refinance early. New Hampshire Housing offers forgivable and grant-style cash assistance bundled into its loans, rather than a single standalone grant.
For the full difference between grants, forgivable seconds, and deferred loans, our national guide to down payment assistance breaks it down.
New Hampshire grant and forgivable-money programs
Here is the grant-equivalent money available in New Hampshire:
- Home Preferred Plus cash assistance — grant-style / forgivable cash assistance of 2% to 4% of the loan amount, built into the conventional loan
- Home Flex Plus down payment assistance — a forgivable second, typically forgiven after about four years
- 1stGenHomeNH — a $10,000 deferred second at 0% interest for first-generation homebuyers (a loan, not a grant, but with no monthly payment)
- Home Start Homebuyer Tax Credit (MCC) — not cash, but an annual federal tax credit of up to $2,000 for the life of the loan
This page focuses on the no-repay and forgivable money. For the full menu — including deferred loans, below-market mortgages, and the Mortgage Credit Certificate — see our complete guide to New Hampshire first-time home buyer programs.
The $25,000 first-time buyer grant — is it real?
You have probably seen ads for a “$25,000 first-time home buyer grant” or a “$15,000 first-time buyer tax credit.” Here is the truth as of 2026: both come from proposed federal bills (the Downpayment Toward Equity Act and the First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit Act) that have not become law. No one can give you that $25,000 federal grant today, in New Hampshire or anywhere else, because it does not exist yet — so be cautious with any site or “lender” that promises it. We track the real status on our explainer of the $25,000 first-time home buyer grant. The good news: the New Hampshire programs above are real, available now, and often just as valuable.
How to qualify for a grant in New Hampshire
Grant and forgivable programs in New Hampshire share a familiar set of rules:
- Income limits. Income limits vary by program and county; Home Preferred Plus caps around 80% of area median income.
- First-time status. Requirements vary — some loans are open to repeat buyers, while the MCC and first-generation programs focus on first-time buyers.
- Homebuyer education. Nearly every grant program requires a short course, usually free and often online.
- A participating lender. Grants are delivered through approved lenders, not the agency directly, so ask which programs a lender offers — and check our guide to credit score requirements to be sure you qualify for the underlying loan.
- Primary residence. The home must be the one you live in, not an investment property.
How to find down payment grants in New Hampshire
Ask a New Hampshire Housing lender which loan carries the largest built-in cash assistance for your income, and if you are a first-generation buyer, ask about 1stGenHomeNH specifically.
And before you count on any figure, remember that grant funding runs in cycles and can be exhausted, so always confirm current availability with the program. Our first-time home buyer checklist keeps the rest of your purchase on track.
New Hampshire first-time buyer grants FAQ
Do first-time home buyer grants in New Hampshire have to be repaid?
It varies. The Home Preferred Plus cash assistance (2–4%) and Home Flex Plus DPA are forgivable — effectively grants if you stay through the forgiveness period. The 1stGenHomeNH program is a deferred loan you eventually repay, and the Home Start MCC returns money through your taxes. So New Hampshire’s built-in cash assistance is the closest thing to grant money.
Is there a $25,000 grant for first-time buyers in New Hampshire?
Not currently. The $25,000 figure comes from a proposed federal bill (the Downpayment Toward Equity Act) that has not become law, so it is not available in New Hampshire or any state today. What is available are New Hampshire’s real grant and forgivable programs described above, plus the statewide options in our New Hampshire programs guide.
Who qualifies for down payment grants in New Hampshire?
Requirements vary — some loans are open to repeat buyers, while the MCC and first-generation programs focus on first-time buyers. Income limits vary by program and county; Home Preferred Plus caps around 80% of area median income. You will also complete a homebuyer education course and use a participating lender.
What help does New Hampshire offer first-generation buyers?
The 1stGenHomeNH program provides $10,000 as a zero-interest deferred second mortgage to first-generation homebuyers — those whose parents did not own a home. It requires face-to-face counseling and has limited funding, so timing matters. It is a deferred loan rather than an outright grant, but it carries no monthly payment and can work alongside New Hampshire Housing’s built-in cash assistance and the Home Start tax credit. Confirm current availability with the agency.