See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated March 31, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Bear, DE (2026)
Bear is a growing census-designated place in New Castle County, Delaware, situated along the Route 40 corridor between Wilmington and the Maryland state line, with a median home price around $375,000. While Bear does not have its own municipal government or city-funded down payment assistance, buyers here can take advantage of several strong state and county programs. The DSHA Home Sweet Home Program provides up to $12,000 as a forgivable loan, and the DSHA First State Home Loan offers 3% of the mortgage amount for down payment help. New Castle County's Down Payment Settlement Program adds up to $5,000 in deferred-payment assistance for first-time buyers. By stacking state and county programs together, Bear homebuyers can potentially access over $17,000 in combined down payment and closing cost assistance.
County Programs in New Castle County
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Castle County Down Payment Settlement Program | Deferred Loan | Up to $5,000 (minimum $1,000) | Yes | View → |
| New Castle County IDEA Down Payment Program | Repayable Loan | Up to $5,000 | Yes | View → |
| New Castle County ReVaMP Program | Forgivable Loan | Up to $5,000 | No | View → |
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $5,000 (minimum $1,000)
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Repayable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $5,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $5,000
- First-time only:
- No
State Programs in Delaware
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delaware Diamonds Home Loan | Forgivable Loan | Up to $10,000 | No | View → |
| Delaware First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit (MCC) | Tax Credit | Up to $2,000 per year in federal tax credits (35% of mortgage interest paid) | Yes | View → |
| DSHA Diamond in the Rough Program | Deferred Loan | 5% of the final loan amount for down payment and closing costs, plus up to $75,000 for renovations | No | View → |
| DSHA First State Home Loan DPA | Deferred Loan | 3% of the first mortgage loan amount | No | View → |
| DSHA Home Again Loan Program | Government-Insured Mortgage | Below-market 30-year fixed-rate first mortgage | No | View → |
| DSHA Home Sweet Home Program | Forgivable Loan | Up to $12,000 | No | View → |
| DSHA Welcome Home Loan Program | Government-Insured Mortgage | Below-market 30-year fixed-rate first mortgage | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $10,000
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Tax Credit
- Amount:
- Up to $2,000 per year in federal tax credits (35% of mortgage interest paid)
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- 5% of the final loan amount for down payment and closing costs, plus up to $75,000 for renovations
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- 3% of the first mortgage loan amount
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Government-Insured Mortgage
- Amount:
- Below-market 30-year fixed-rate first mortgage
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $12,000
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Government-Insured Mortgage
- Amount:
- Below-market 30-year fixed-rate first mortgage
- 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 New Castle County Homeownership Program | Zero-Interest Loan | Affordable home sold at construction cost with 0% interest mortgage | No | View → |
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Affordable home sold at construction cost with 0% interest mortgage
- First-time only:
- No
How to Apply
Step 1: Check your eligibility. Most programs require household income at or below 80% of the area median income for New Castle County. Review the specific income limits for each program you plan to use.
Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. Interfaith Community Housing of Delaware (ICHDE) at 302-652-3991 offers HUD-approved first-time homebuyer workshops as Delaware's first NeighborWorks HomeOwnership Center. Housing Opportunities of Northern Delaware (HOND) at 302-429-0794 also offers courses in the area.
Step 3: Contact a DSHA-approved lender. Visit the Delaware State Housing Authority website to find a participating lender who can help you apply for state programs like the Welcome Home Loan, Home Sweet Home, and First State Home Loan DPA.
Step 4: Apply for New Castle County assistance. Contact the New Castle County Department of Community Services at 302-395-5600 to apply for the Down Payment Settlement Program or ReVaMP Program. You will need to provide proof of income, employment, and first-time buyer status.
Step 5: Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Work with your DSHA-approved lender to get pre-approved, factoring in state and county DPA funds to reduce your out-of-pocket costs.
Step 6: Find a home within program limits. The New Castle County DPS Program has a maximum purchase price of $379,500 for single-family homes. If your target price is higher, focus on DSHA state programs which have higher limits.
Step 7: Submit your application and close. Once you have a signed purchase agreement, your lender will coordinate the DPA funds with your first mortgage. Plan for a 30-to-60-day closing timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much down payment assistance can I get in Bear?+−
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer to qualify?+−
What is the maximum home price I can pay and still qualify for assistance?+−
What homebuyer education is required?+−
Is Bear a good place to buy a home?+−
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