See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated April 4, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Andover, MA (2026)
Andover is an affluent suburban town in the Merrimack Valley region of Essex County, Massachusetts, known for its excellent schools and historic charm. With a median home price around $830,000, buying here is a significant investment, but several assistance programs can help. The Align Credit Union Housing Our Workforce Program offers up to $25,000 in forgivable down payment assistance for buyers earning between 80% and 120% of the area median income. The Align Credit Union FHLB Homebuyer Equity Grant provides up to $11,000 for income-eligible first-time buyers. The Andover Community Trust builds permanently affordable homes for households below 80% AMI through a community land trust model. At the state level, MassHousing offers up to $30,000 in down payment assistance and the ONE Mortgage Program provides affordable 30-year fixed-rate loans with just 3% down and no PMI. By combining local and state programs, Andover homebuyers can potentially access tens of thousands of dollars in assistance.
City Programs in Andover
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andover Housing Trust Fund Homebuyer Assistance | Grant | — | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Grant
- First-time only:
- Yes
State Programs in Massachusetts
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MassDREAMS Down Payment Assistance Grant | Grant | Up to $50,000 for buyers earning up to 100% AMI; up to $35,000 for buyers earning 100-135% AMI | Yes | View → |
| MassHousing Down Payment Assistance | Deferred Loan | Up to $30,000 (below 60% AMI at 0% deferred); up to $25,000 (60-80% AMI at 2%); up to $25,000 (80-135% AMI at 3%) | Yes | View → |
| ONE Mortgage Program | Zero-Interest Loan | 30-year fixed-rate mortgage with 3% down payment and no PMI; qualified borrowers below 80% AMI receive an additional subsidy to lower monthly payments | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Up to $50,000 for buyers earning up to 100% AMI; up to $35,000 for buyers earning 100-135% AMI
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $30,000 (below 60% AMI at 0% deferred); up to $25,000 (60-80% AMI at 2%); up to $25,000 (80-135% AMI at 3%)
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- 30-year fixed-rate mortgage with 3% down payment and no PMI; qualified borrowers below 80% AMI receive an additional subsidy to lower monthly payments
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Align Credit Union FHLB Homebuyer Equity Grant | Grant | Up to $11,000 | Yes | View → |
| Align Credit Union Housing Our Workforce Program | Forgivable Loan | Up to $25,000 | No | View → |
| Andover Community Trust Homeownership Program | Forgivable Loan | — | Yes | View → |
| Essex County Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program | Zero-Interest Loan | Affordable 30-year mortgage with no traditional down payment required; sweat equity replaces down payment | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Up to $11,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $25,000
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Affordable 30-year mortgage with no traditional down payment required; sweat equity replaces down payment
- First-time only:
- Yes
How to Apply
Step 1: Check your eligibility. Review income limits for state and local programs. MassHousing DPA is available to first-time buyers earning up to $205,335 in Essex County. The Align Credit Union Housing Our Workforce Program serves buyers earning 80% to 120% of AMI, while the FHLB grant targets low-to-moderate income buyers.
Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. The Merrimack Valley Housing Partnership in Lowell is a HUD-approved counseling agency that offers classes in English, Spanish, and Khmer. Contact them at (978) 459-8490 or jennifer@mvhp.org. Homebuyer education is required for most assistance programs.
Step 3: Contact Align Credit Union. Reach their Home Financing Consultants at (800) 942-9575 or homeloans@AlignCU.com to discuss the FHLB Homebuyer Equity Grant (up to $11,000) and the Housing Our Workforce Program (up to $25,000). Funds are first-come, first-served.
Step 4: Explore the Andover Community Trust. If you earn below 80% AMI, the Andover Community Trust builds permanently affordable homes in Andover. Contact them at (978) 276-9228 to learn about current and upcoming opportunities.
Step 5: Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Work with a MassHousing-approved lender to access state DPA of up to $30,000, or explore the ONE Mortgage Program for a low-rate, no-PMI loan with just 3% down.
Step 6: Find a home and apply. Once you have a signed Purchase and Sales Agreement, finalize your assistance applications. The Align CU grant requires a signed P&S to reserve funds. Allow 30 to 60 days for processing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much down payment assistance can I get in Andover?+−
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer to get assistance in Andover?+−
What is the Andover Community Trust?+−
What homebuyer education is required?+−
Can I use Essex County Habitat for Humanity in Andover?+−
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