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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia Dream Homeownership Program | Deferred Loan | Up to $10,000 (5% of purchase price); up to $12,500 (6%) for protectors, educators, nurses (PEN) and families with a disabled member (CHOICE) | 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 | Up to $10,000 (3.5% of purchase price); up to $12,500 (4%) for PEN and CHOICE qualifying buyers | No | View → |
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $10,000 (5% of purchase price); up to $12,500 (6%) for protectors, educators, nurses (PEN) and families with a disabled member (CHOICE)
- 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:
- Up to $10,000 (3.5% of purchase price); up to $12,500 (4%) for PEN and CHOICE qualifying buyers
- 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 → |
| 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 → |
- 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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.