Buyer Assistance Programs
Down payment and closing cost help in North Dakota and Minnesota.
Explore buyer programs available across the Fargo-Moorhead metro, including down payment assistance, closing cost help, and grant options in both states. Use this page as a starting point, then pair it with a trusted lender who can confirm exactly what you qualify for.
How Programs Help
Most programs fall into a few main buckets.
Here's what buyer assistance programs typically do for you, before you get into the program-specific details below.
Down Payment Assistance
Help with the upfront cash needed to get in the door, often a loan or grant that covers part of your down payment.
Closing Cost Support
Credits or assistance that help with fees, taxes, and prepaid items due at closing, so you keep more cash on hand.
Special Buyer Types
Programs for first-time buyers, repeat buyers, veterans, rural areas, and sometimes community roles such as teachers or nurses.
North Dakota (NDHFA)
North Dakota buyer programs.
Statewide programs through the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency, focused on first-time and qualifying repeat buyers.
FirstHome Program
North Dakota Housing Finance Agency
- Competitive 30-year fixed rates on conventional, FHA, VA, or USDA loans. Pairs with DCA for down payment help.
- Who qualifies: hasn't owned a home in the past 3 years, meets county income limits, and contributes a minimum of $500 from personal funds.
- Property must be your primary residence.
DCA: Down Payment & Closing Cost Assistance
North Dakota Housing Finance Agency
- Assistance equals 3% of the first mortgage amount (minimum $3,000), applied toward down payment, closing costs, or prepaids.
- Repayment: no monthly payments, due only when you sell, refinance, or pay off the mortgage.
- Requires a homebuyer education certificate before closing and a minimum $500 contribution.
Start Program
North Dakota Housing Finance Agency
- Affordable mortgage rates plus down payment and closing cost assistance for buyers who meet income thresholds.
- Property must be a single-family home or an owner-occupied duplex.
- Requires a homebuyer education course and a minimum $500 contribution.
HomeAccess Program
North Dakota Housing Finance Agency
- Competitive rates and down payment assistance for specific buyer groups, not limited to first-time buyers.
- Who qualifies: veterans, single parents, permanently disabled buyers, buyers age 65 or older, or buyers supporting a disabled dependent.
ND Roots Program
North Dakota Housing Finance Agency
- Designed for buyers whose income exceeds FirstHome limits, with below-market-rate loans or market-rate loans plus down payment assistance.
- No program-specific purchase price cap, subject to conforming loan limits.
- Best for move-up buyers or those returning to North Dakota.
Minnesota (Minnesota Housing)
Minnesota buyer programs.
Statewide programs through Minnesota Housing, often paired with a Start Up or Step Up first mortgage.
Start Up Program
Minnesota Housing Finance Agency
- Below-market fixed-rate mortgage on conventional, FHA, VA, or USDA loans. Pairs with Minnesota Housing down payment loans.
- Income limits generally range from about $85,600 to $140,700, depending on household size and county.
- Home price limit around $450,000, minimum credit score around 640, and a minimum $1,000 contribution from personal funds.
Monthly Payment Loan
Minnesota Housing Finance Agency
- Up to $18,000 for down payment and closing costs, repaid in monthly installments at the same rate as your first mortgage.
- Pairs only with a Minnesota Housing Start Up or Step Up first mortgage.
- Requires a homebuyer education course if you use the deferred option.
Deferred Payment Loan
Minnesota Housing Finance Agency
- Deferred second mortgage for down payment and closing costs, with no monthly payments, repaid in full only when you sell, refinance, or pay off your first mortgage.
- A Deferred Payment Loan Plus option offers up to $18,000 for buyers with lower credit or limited savings.
Rates, income limits, and program availability change over time, and eligibility can vary by county. The figures above reflect program terms as published by NDHFA and Minnesota Housing. Always confirm current details with your lender and the program provider before you build a budget around them.
Getting Matched
We help you choose the right program.
Programs change, the fine print is confusing, and online lists rarely match your exact situation. We do the sorting so you get a clear path instead of guesswork.
1. Quick Snapshot
We review your budget, timeline, and whether you plan to buy in North Dakota, Minnesota, or both.
2. Program Match
Your lender compares ND and MN options, including statewide and local incentives, and narrows them to your top matches.
3. Clear Game Plan
Together we choose a strategy that fits your payment comfort level and keeps as much cash in your pocket as possible.
Let's Talk
Buying, selling, or just exploring the Fargo-Moorhead market, start with a real conversation.
No pressure, no scripts. Reach out and we'll tell you plainly what we see and what we'd do next.