See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated April 7, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Bella Vista, AR (2026)
Bella Vista is a picturesque planned community in Benton County in the northwest corner of Arkansas, just south of the Missouri border and part of the booming Northwest Arkansas metro area. With a median home price around $380,000, Bella Vista offers access to world-class trails, lakes, and golf courses in one of the fastest-growing regions in the country. The ADFA Down Payment Assistance Program provides $1,000 to $15,000 for down payment and closing costs, while the Arkansas Dream Down Payment Initiative offers up to $10,000 as a forgivable loan. Habitat for Humanity of Northwest Arkansas serves Benton County with affordable homeownership opportunities, and Partners for Better Housing offers its Fast Track to Homeownership program in the Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers metro area. By combining state and nonprofit programs, eligible Bella Vista buyers could access over $25,000 in total assistance.
State Programs in Arkansas
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ADFA Down Payment Assistance Program | Repayable Loan | $1,000 to $15,000 for down payment and closing costs | No | View → |
| ADFA Move-Up Loan Program | Zero-Interest Loan | Affordable 30-year fixed-rate mortgage with competitive interest rates | No | View → |
| ADFA StartSmart First-Time Homebuyer Program | Zero-Interest Loan | Below-market interest rate (approximately 1% below market rate) on a 30-year fixed mortgage | Yes | View → |
| Arkansas Dream Down Payment Initiative (ADDI) | Forgivable Loan | Up to 10% of the sale price, not to exceed $10,000 | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Repayable Loan
- Amount:
- $1,000 to $15,000 for down payment and closing costs
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Affordable 30-year fixed-rate mortgage with competitive interest rates
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Below-market interest rate (approximately 1% below market rate) on a 30-year fixed mortgage
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to 10% of the sale price, not to exceed $10,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
Federal Programs
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FHA Loans | Government-Insured Mortgage | Up to FHA county loan limits ($541,287 floor to $1,249,125 ceiling for single-family in 2026) | No | View → |
| Good Neighbor Next Door (HUD) | Government Property Sale Program | 50% discount off the list price of HUD-owned homes | Yes | View → |
| Home Possible Mortgage (Freddie Mac) | Government-Guaranteed Mortgage | Up to conforming loan limits ($832,750 standard / $1,249,125 high-cost in 2026); 3% minimum down payment | No | View → |
| HomeReady Mortgage (Fannie Mae) | Government-Guaranteed Mortgage | Up to conforming loan limits ($832,750 standard / $1,249,125 high-cost in 2026); 3% minimum down payment | No | View → |
| HUD $100 Down Program | FHA-Financed HUD REO Purchase | Only $100 down payment required (vs. standard 3.5% FHA down payment). HUD may also pay up to 3% of buyer's closing costs. | No | View → |
| USDA Rural Development Loans | Government-Guaranteed Mortgage | 100% financing (no down payment required); loan amount up to appraised value | No | View → |
| VA Loans | Government-Guaranteed Mortgage | No loan limit for veterans with full entitlement (0% down at any price); partial entitlement subject to conforming limits ($832,750 standard in 2026) | No | View → |
- Type:
- Government-Insured Mortgage
- Amount:
- Up to FHA county loan limits ($541,287 floor to $1,249,125 ceiling for single-family in 2026)
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Government Property Sale Program
- Amount:
- 50% discount off the list price of HUD-owned homes
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Government-Guaranteed Mortgage
- Amount:
- Up to conforming loan limits ($832,750 standard / $1,249,125 high-cost in 2026); 3% minimum down payment
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Government-Guaranteed Mortgage
- Amount:
- Up to conforming loan limits ($832,750 standard / $1,249,125 high-cost in 2026); 3% minimum down payment
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- FHA-Financed HUD REO Purchase
- Amount:
- Only $100 down payment required (vs. standard 3.5% FHA down payment). HUD may also pay up to 3% of buyer's closing costs.
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Government-Guaranteed Mortgage
- Amount:
- 100% financing (no down payment required); loan amount up to appraised value
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Government-Guaranteed Mortgage
- Amount:
- No loan limit for veterans with full entitlement (0% down at any price); partial entitlement subject to conforming limits ($832,750 standard in 2026)
- First-time only:
- No
How to Apply
Step 1: Check your eligibility. Review income limits for ADFA programs, which are based on area median income for Benton County. The ADFA StartSmart program requires first-time buyer status and a minimum 640 credit score.
Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. Contact a HUD-approved housing counseling agency by calling 800-569-4287. Several agencies serve the Northwest Arkansas region.
Step 3: Get pre-approved with an ADFA-approved lender. Visit adfa.arkansas.gov to find participating lenders in the Northwest Arkansas area who can help you access the ADFA Down Payment Assistance Program and StartSmart mortgage.
Step 4: Explore nonprofit options. Contact Habitat for Humanity of Northwest Arkansas at 479-575-8260 or visit habitatnwa.org to learn about their homeownership program. Partners for Better Housing also offers the Fast Track to Homeownership program in the NWA metro area.
Step 5: Find a home within program limits. Work with your lender to identify properties that meet ADFA purchase price requirements for Benton County and any additional program guidelines.
Step 6: Submit your application and close. Your ADFA-approved lender will guide you through the down payment assistance application as part of your mortgage process. Allow 30 to 60 days for full processing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much down payment assistance can I get in Bella Vista?+−
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer to qualify?+−
What is the maximum home price I can pay using these programs?+−
What homebuyer education is required?+−
Does Habitat for Humanity build homes in Bella Vista?+−
What is the Partners for Better Housing Fast Track program?+−
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