See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated March 23, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Sandy Springs, GA (2026)
Sandy Springs is a city of about 105,000 residents in Fulton County, part of the Atlanta metropolitan area and one of Georgia's most affluent suburbs. With a median home price around $650,000, buying here requires significant financial planning. While Sandy Springs does not offer its own city-funded down payment assistance program, buyers can take advantage of the Georgia Dream Homeownership Program, which provides up to $10,000 in zero-interest deferred assistance, or up to $12,500 for protectors, educators, and nurses through the PEN option. The Georgia Dream Peach Advantage Program offers 2% to 5% of the purchase price in additional down payment help. National Faith Homebuyers also provides forgivable loans of $5,000 to $10,000 to qualifying buyers in Fulton County. By combining state and nonprofit programs, Sandy Springs homebuyers can potentially access over $20,000 in total assistance.
State Programs in Georgia
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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+ | Grant | Up to $15,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs | No | View → |
| Georgia Dream Homeownership Program | Deferred Loan | 5% of purchase price up to $10,000; 6% up to $12,500 for PEN (protectors, educators, nurses/health care, active military) and CHOICE (household member with a disability) borrowers | Yes | View → |
| Georgia Dream Peach Advantage Program | Deferred Loan | 2% to 5% of purchase price in down payment assistance, or 0% DPA option with a reduced first mortgage interest rate | No | View → |
| Georgia Dream Peach Plus Program | Deferred Loan | 3.5% of purchase price up to $10,000; 4% up to $12,500 for PEN (protectors, educators, nurses/health care, active military) and CHOICE (household member with a disability) borrowers | No | View → |
- 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:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Up to $15,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- 5% of purchase price up to $10,000; 6% up to $12,500 for PEN (protectors, educators, nurses/health care, active military) and CHOICE (household member with a disability) borrowers
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- 2% to 5% of purchase price in down payment assistance, or 0% DPA option with a reduced first mortgage interest rate
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- 3.5% of purchase price up to $10,000; 4% up to $12,500 for PEN (protectors, educators, nurses/health care, active military) and CHOICE (household member with a disability) borrowers
- First-time only:
- No
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| National Faith Homebuyers Down Payment Assistance | Forgivable Loan | $5,000 to $10,000 forgivable loan (amount varies by location) | No | View → |
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- $5,000 to $10,000 forgivable loan (amount varies by location)
- First-time only:
- No
How to Apply
Step 1: Check your eligibility. Georgia Dream income limits for the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell metro area are $120,439 for 1-2 person households and $138,505 for 3+ person households. The purchase price limit is $425,000 for Georgia Dream, which may require looking at condos or townhomes in Sandy Springs given the city's higher median prices.
Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. All Georgia Dream borrowers must complete a HUD-approved homebuyer education course. You can take an online course through eHome America or attend an in-person workshop. National Faith Homebuyers at (678) 553-3770 also offers approved homebuyer education in the Atlanta metro area.
Step 3: Contact a Georgia Dream Participating Lender. Visit the Georgia Department of Community Affairs website or call 1-800-359-HOME (4663) to find a participating lender who can pre-qualify you for a Georgia Dream mortgage and determine your DPA eligibility.
Step 4: Explore nonprofit assistance. Contact National Faith Homebuyers at (678) 553-3770 to learn about their $5,000 to $10,000 forgivable loan program for Fulton County buyers. You will need to provide $1,000 of your own funds.
Step 5: Get pre-approved and find a home. Work with your lender to get pre-approved, then search for homes within program price limits. Note that Georgia Dream's $425,000 purchase price limit may narrow your options in Sandy Springs, so consider condos, townhomes, or homes in adjacent neighborhoods.
Step 6: Submit your application and close. Your lender will submit the Georgia Dream application on your behalf. Processing typically takes a few weeks. Once approved, you can proceed to closing with your down payment assistance applied.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much down payment assistance can I get in Sandy Springs?+−
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer to qualify?+−
What is the maximum home price I can buy with assistance?+−
What homebuyer education is required?+−
Is Sandy Springs eligible for Fulton County HOP?+−
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