See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated April 16, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Northbrook, IL (2026)
Northbrook is an affluent North Shore suburb of Chicago in Cook County with a population of about 34,585. With a median home price around $675,000, Northbrook represents one of the higher-priced submarkets in the Chicago region, and homebuyer assistance here typically comes from federal, Illinois state, and Cook County sources rather than a dedicated city program. Buyers can still access meaningful help: the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) offers statewide down payment and closing cost assistance, Cook County's Homeowner Down Payment Assistance Program provides additional help for buyers outside the City of Chicago, and federal loan programs (FHA, VA, USDA where eligible) reduce the cash required at closing. Housing counseling is available through HUD-approved agencies serving the north suburbs.
County Programs in Cook County
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cook County Down Payment Assistance Program | Forgivable Loan | — | No | View → |
Cook County Down Payment Assistance Program
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- First-time only:
- No
State Programs in Illinois
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FHLBank Chicago Downpayment Plus (DPP) | Grant | Up to $10,000 forgivable grant (lesser of $10,000 or 25% of the first mortgage amount) | No | View → |
| IHDA Access Deferred | Deferred Loan | — | Yes | View → |
| IHDA Access Forgivable | Forgivable Loan | — | Yes | View → |
| IHDA Access Repayable | Zero-Interest Loan | — | Yes | View → |
| IHDA Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC) | Tax Credit | — | Yes | View → |
| IHDA SmartBuy | Forgivable Loan | — | Yes | View → |
| IHDAccess Home | Deferred Loan | — | Yes | View → |
| Opening Doors / Abriendo Puertas | Forgivable Loan | — | Yes | View → |
FHLBank Chicago Downpayment Plus (DPP)
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Up to $10,000 forgivable grant (lesser of $10,000 or 25% of the first mortgage amount)
- First-time only:
- No
IHDA Access Deferred
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- First-time only:
- Yes
IHDA Access Forgivable
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- First-time only:
- Yes
IHDA Access Repayable
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- First-time only:
- Yes
IHDA Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC)
- Type:
- Tax Credit
- First-time only:
- Yes
IHDA SmartBuy
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- First-time only:
- Yes
IHDAccess Home
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- First-time only:
- Yes
Opening Doors / Abriendo Puertas
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- 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 → |
FHA Loans
- 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
Good Neighbor Next Door (HUD)
- Type:
- Government Property Sale Program
- Amount:
- 50% discount off the list price of HUD-owned homes
- First-time only:
- Yes
Home Possible Mortgage (Freddie Mac)
- 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
HomeReady Mortgage (Fannie Mae)
- 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
HUD $100 Down Program
- 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
USDA Rural Development Loans
- Type:
- Government-Guaranteed Mortgage
- Amount:
- 100% financing (no down payment required); loan amount up to appraised value
- First-time only:
- No
VA Loans
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HACC Housing Choice Voucher Homeownership Program | Grant | Monthly Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) applied to mortgage payments for up to 15 years (or 30 years for elderly/disabled households) | Yes | View → |
HACC Housing Choice Voucher Homeownership Program
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Monthly Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) applied to mortgage payments for up to 15 years (or 30 years for elderly/disabled households)
- First-time only:
- Yes
How to Apply
- Build your team. Connect with an Illinois-licensed lender experienced with IHDA and Cook County DPA, plus a local real estate agent familiar with Northbrook and the greater North Shore market.
- Check your credit and income. Most programs here require a 640 or higher credit score and incomes at or below 80 to 140 percent of the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin Area Median Income depending on the program.
- Get pre-approved. Your lender will confirm which first mortgage and DPA combinations you qualify for given Northbrook's higher price points.
- Complete homebuyer education. Nearly every DPA program in Illinois requires a HUD-approved 8-hour course before closing.
- Layer your assistance. Start with IHDA Access or Opening Doors, then check Cook County DPA (subject to funding availability), and apply federal programs (FHA, VA, USDA) where eligible.
- Search and make an offer. Because Northbrook home prices often exceed program purchase limits, work closely with your lender to confirm eligibility on any specific property before writing an offer.
- Close and keep records. Retain all DPA documents, as many Illinois programs are forgivable or deferred over a multi-year occupancy period.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Northbrook have its own down payment assistance program?+−
Northbrook does not operate a dedicated city-level down payment assistance program. Buyers in Northbrook access federal, Illinois state (IHDA), and Cook County programs, plus nonprofit and employer-based assistance.
What is the median home price in Northbrook?+−
The median home price in Northbrook is approximately $675,000, reflecting its position as an affluent North Shore submarket. Prices vary significantly by neighborhood, with some properties exceeding $1 million and townhomes and condos providing lower-priced entry points.
Can I use IHDA programs on a Northbrook home?+−
Yes, IHDA programs can be used on eligible Northbrook homes, but you must meet IHDA's purchase price and income limits, which can be restrictive in this market. Your lender will confirm eligibility based on the specific property and current program rules.
Are Cook County DPA funds currently available?+−
Cook County's Homeowner Down Payment Assistance Program cycles funding periodically and can be fully subscribed at times. Confirm current funding status with the Cook County Bureau of Economic Development or a participating lender before relying on it for a specific purchase.
What are estimated closing costs in Northbrook?+−
Closing costs in Northbrook typically run 2 to 3 percent of the purchase price, or roughly $13,500 to $20,500 on a $675,000 home. This includes lender fees, title insurance, transfer taxes, prepaids, and escrows. DPA can often be applied to closing costs in addition to down payment.
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