North Dakota’s NDHFA offers a well-organized set of loans — including one, HomeAccess, aimed at single parents, veterans, and older buyers — and two down payment options that each provide 3% of the loan.
This guide covers what is actually available to first-time buyers in North Dakota in 2026 — the agency behind these programs, the loans and down payment help on offer, who qualifies, and how to apply. For the wider local picture, see our North Dakota first-time home buyer guide.
The NDHFA and its home loan programs
North Dakota’s first-time buyer programs are run by the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency (NDHFA). Like most housing finance agencies, it does not lend directly — instead it offers below-market first mortgages, bundled with down payment help, through a network of approved local lenders. Its main first-mortgage options are:
- FirstHome — the flagship loan for buyers with no principal residence in the last three years
- HomeAccess — a reduced-rate loan for single parents, veterans and active military, buyers with disabilities, or those 65 and older
- North Dakota Roots — for moderate-income repeat buyers, with no income or purchase-price limit
Most of these can be built on top of an FHA, VA, or USDA loan, or a conventional loan, depending on the product you pick — and the real value comes when you pair one with the down payment assistance below.
Down payment assistance in North Dakota
Down payment assistance is the heart of what NDHFA offers, and North Dakota gives buyers more than one way to get it. NDHFA offers two 3% assistance options that differ in how they are funded.
- DCA (Down Payment & Closing Cost Assistance) — second mortgage (income-limited), 3% of the first-mortgage loan amount.
- Start — second mortgage funded by a slightly higher first-mortgage rate (cannot combine with other assistance), 3% of the first-mortgage loan amount.
If those terms are unfamiliar, our national guide to down payment assistance explains exactly how grants, forgivable second mortgages, and deferred loans differ — and what each one means when you eventually sell or refinance.
How much help could you get?
On a $280,000 home in North Dakota, either DCA or Start provides 3% — about $8,400 — toward your down payment and closing costs. DCA has income limits; Start has none but funds the help through a slightly higher interest rate and cannot be combined with other assistance. FirstHome requires only a $500 minimum contribution from you. Confirm current terms with NDHFA.
Who qualifies in North Dakota?
Every program sets its own rules, and they change periodically, but the common requirements in North Dakota look like this:
- Income limits. NDHFA income limits vary by county and family size (DCA has income limits; Start does not).
- First-time status. FirstHome requires no ownership in the prior three years; North Dakota Roots and Start have no first-time requirement.
- Credit score. A minimum is not published (commonly around 620) — verify with NDHFA. Our guide to credit score requirements covers what moves the needle.
- Homebuyer education. Homebuyer education is required for DCA.
- Purchase price limits. NDHFA acquisition-cost limits apply by county (North Dakota Roots follows conforming limits).
North Dakota programs worth knowing about
Beyond the standard offerings, North Dakota aims extra help at specific buyers and places. Watch for:
- HomeAccess — reduced rates for single parents, veterans, buyers with disabilities, and those 65+
- North Dakota Roots — for moderate-income repeat buyers
- Targeted Area loans — reduced rates in eligible census tracts
Mortgage Credit Certificates in North Dakota
A Mortgage Credit Certificate is not currently featured among NDHFA’s offerings — verify with NDHFA. A Mortgage Credit Certificate is a federal tax credit worth a percentage of the mortgage interest you pay every year for the life of the loan, and where it is available it can usually be combined with the assistance above — putting money back in your pocket each tax season.
How to apply for North Dakota assistance
- Set your budget first. Our home affordability guide helps you land on a realistic price range before you start shopping.
- Complete a homebuyer education course. Nearly every North Dakota program requires one, and it is usually free and available online.
- Find a participating lender. Not every lender originates NDHFA loans, so ask directly which NDHFA programs a lender offers and have them run your numbers against a few.
- Get pre-approved and lock in the right program for your income, credit, and target home before you make an offer.
One important note: NDHFA program funding and terms change from year to year, and some assistance rounds close when the money runs out. Always confirm current amounts and availability directly with NDHFA before you count on a specific figure. Our first-time home buyer checklist keeps the rest of your process on track.
North Dakota first-time buyer programs FAQ
Do I have to be a first-time buyer to get assistance in North Dakota?
FirstHome requires no ownership in the prior three years; North Dakota Roots and Start have no first-time requirement.
What credit score do I need for NDHFA programs?
A minimum is not published (commonly around 620) — verify with NDHFA. Keep in mind a program’s own minimum can sit above the loan’s floor, so confirm the exact number with your lender.
Can I use North Dakota assistance with an FHA, VA, or USDA loan?
Yes. NDHFA assistance is built to layer on top of a first mortgage, and FHA, VA, and USDA loans are common partners because their own down payment requirements are already low. Your lender structures both pieces so they close together.
What is the difference between DCA and Start in North Dakota?
Both provide 3% of the loan amount toward your down payment and closing costs. DCA has income limits but does not raise your interest rate. Start has no income limit but funds the assistance through a slightly higher first-mortgage rate, and it cannot be combined with other assistance. If your income qualifies, DCA is usually the cheaper choice; an NDHFA lender can compare them for you.
First-time home buyer grants in North Dakota
Looking specifically for grant money? Our guide to first-time home buyer grants in North Dakota covers which programs are true grants, which are forgivable, and the truth about the widely advertised federal grant.