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Get Matched Free →Homebuyer Programs in Bentonville, AR (2026)
Bentonville is the county seat of Benton County in Northwest Arkansas, known as the headquarters of Walmart and a rapidly growing hub for retail, technology, and outdoor recreation. With a median home price around $470,000, buyers face a competitive market, but several assistance programs can help. The Arkansas Development Finance Authority offers the ADFA Down Payment Assistance Program with $1,000 to $15,000 in aid, plus the Arkansas Dream Down Payment Initiative providing up to $10,000 as a forgivable loan. Bentonville School District employees may qualify for the Excellerate Foundation HOMES Program, which provides up to $50,000 toward a permanent home purchase. Habitat for Humanity of Northwest Arkansas also offers affordable homeownership opportunities in the area. By combining state and local programs, eligible buyers in Bentonville can access significant assistance to make homeownership more affordable.
Top Homebuyer Programs in Bentonville
| 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 → |
| FHLBA Community Partners Product | Forgivable Loan | Up to $20,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs | No | View → |
| FHLBA First Time Homebuyer Product | Forgivable Loan | Up to $17,500 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs | Yes | View → |
| FHLBA Workforce Housing Plus+ | Forgivable Loan | Up to $15,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs | 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 → |
| Excellerate Foundation HOMES Program | Grant | Up to $50,000 toward the purchase of a permanent home after up to 5 years of participation | No | View → |
| Habitat for Humanity of Northwest Arkansas Homeownership Program | Zero-Interest Loan | Affordable home purchase with zero-interest mortgage and reduced purchase price | No | View → |
| Partners for Better Housing Fast Track to Homeownership | Forgivable Loan | Down payment and closing cost assistance (contact organization for current amounts) | Yes | View → |
| 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:
- 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:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $20,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $17,500 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $15,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
- 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
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Up to $50,000 toward the purchase of a permanent home after up to 5 years of participation
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Affordable home purchase with zero-interest mortgage and reduced purchase price
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Down payment and closing cost assistance (contact organization for current amounts)
- First-time only:
- Yes
- 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
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 the Northwest Regional Housing Authority at nwregionalhousing.org or call for HUD-approved housing counseling agencies in Northwest Arkansas at 800-569-4287.
- Step 3:
Get pre-approved with an ADFA-approved lender. Visit the Arkansas Development Finance Authority website at adfa.arkansas.gov to find participating lenders in the Bentonville area who can help you access the ADFA Down Payment Assistance Program and StartSmart mortgage.
- Step 4:
Explore local nonprofit options. Contact Habitat for Humanity of Northwest Arkansas at 479-575-8260 to learn about their homeownership program. Bentonville School District employees should visit bentonvilleteacherhomes.com to learn about the Excellerate Foundation HOMES Program.
- Step 5:
Find a home within program limits. Work with your lender to identify properties that meet ADFA purchase price requirements 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.