See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated April 7, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Benton, AR (2026)
Benton is the county seat of Saline County in central Arkansas, located about 25 miles southwest of Little Rock along the Interstate 30 corridor. As one of the fastest-growing cities in Central Arkansas, Benton combines small-town character with proximity to the Little Rock metro area. With a median home price around $245,000, buyers can tap into several assistance programs to make homeownership more affordable. 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. Southern Bancorp, a certified CDFI serving Arkansas, offers the Wealth Builders DPA Program with up to $12,000 as a forgivable loan. Habitat for Humanity of Saline County has built over 80 homes locally since 1998, offering homes at cost with zero-interest mortgages. By combining state and nonprofit programs, eligible Benton buyers could access over $35,000 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
Nonprofit Programs
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Habitat for Humanity of Saline County Homeownership Program | Zero-Interest Loan | Affordable home purchase at cost (approximately $110,000 for a home appraising at $140,000) with zero-interest mortgage | No | View → |
| Southern Bancorp Wealth Builders DPA Program | Forgivable Loan | Up to $12,000 | No | View → |
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Affordable home purchase at cost (approximately $110,000 for a home appraising at $140,000) with zero-interest mortgage
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $12,000
- First-time only:
- No
How to Apply
Step 1: Check your eligibility. Review income limits for ADFA programs. For Saline County, the ADFA StartSmart income limit is $85,590 for households of 1-2 members and $98,429 for households of 3 or more. Southern Bancorp's Wealth Builders DPA targets low-to-moderate income and minority homebuyers.
Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. Credit Counseling of Arkansas (CCOA) is a HUD-approved agency offering homebuyer education courses. You can also call 800-569-4287 to find additional HUD-approved counseling agencies serving the Benton area. Southern Bancorp Community Partners also provides HUD-approved homebuyer education.
Step 3: Get pre-approved with an ADFA-approved lender. Visit adfa.arkansas.gov to find participating lenders in the Benton area. Arkansas Federal Credit Union has a branch in Benton and offers mortgage products. Southern Bancorp also offers affordable mortgage products including HomeRise 100.
Step 4: Explore nonprofit options. Contact Habitat for Humanity of Saline County at habitatsalinecounty.com to learn about their homeownership program. Contact Southern Bancorp at banksouthern.com to learn about the Wealth Builders DPA Program providing up to $12,000 as a forgivable loan.
Step 5: Find a home within program limits. Work with your lender to identify properties that meet ADFA purchase price requirements for Saline 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 Benton?+−
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer to qualify?+−
What are the income limits for Benton homebuyer programs?+−
What homebuyer education is required?+−
Does Habitat for Humanity build homes in Benton?+−
What is the Southern Bancorp Wealth Builders DPA Program?+−
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