See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →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.
Top Homebuyer Programs in Andover
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andover Housing Trust Fund Homebuyer Assistance | Grant | — | Yes | View → |
| 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 → |
| 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 → |
| 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
- First-time only:
- Yes
- 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
- 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
- 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
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.