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Get Matched Free →Homebuyer Programs in Braintree, MA (2026)
Braintree is a suburban town south of Boston in Norfolk County with a population of about 39,000 and a median home price around $700,000. While Braintree does not have its own city-funded down payment assistance program, it is a member of the South Shore HOME Consortium, which provides up to $20,000 in 0% interest forgivable loans for first-time homebuyers purchasing in Braintree. MassHousing Down Payment Assistance offers up to $30,000 at 0% interest for buyers under 60% AMI, and the ONE Mortgage Program provides affordable 30-year fixed-rate financing with just 3% down and no PMI. The MAHA STASH First-Gen Home Program offers grants up to $20,000 for first-generation homebuyers, and South Shore Habitat for Humanity builds affordable homes in the area with mortgage payments capped at 30% of income. By combining consortium, state, and nonprofit programs, eligible Braintree buyers could access over $50,000 in combined assistance.
Top Homebuyer Programs in Braintree
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Shore HOME Consortium First Time Homebuyer Program | Deferred Loan | Up to $20,000 | 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 → |
| MAHA STASH First-Gen Home Program | Grant | Up to $10,000 grant in Boston; up to $20,000 in other Massachusetts cities | Yes | View → |
| South Shore Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program | Zero-Interest Loan | Affordable 30-year mortgage with payments not exceeding 30% of monthly income | No | 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:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $20,000
- 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 $10,000 grant in Boston; up to $20,000 in other Massachusetts cities
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Affordable 30-year mortgage with payments not exceeding 30% of monthly income
- First-time only:
- No
- 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. The South Shore HOME Consortium program requires household income at or below 80% AMI with assets not exceeding $75,000. MassHousing DPA income limits for Norfolk County are approximately $205,335 at the 135% AMI tier.
- Step 2:
Complete homebuyer education. Contact NeighborWorks Housing Solutions at 781-422-4200 ext. 282 to enroll in a HUD-approved first-time homebuyer education course. They are located at 422 Washington Street in Quincy and serve the South Shore region including Braintree.
- Step 3:
Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Work with a MassHousing or MHP participating lender to get pre-approved. Ask about the ONE Mortgage Program, which offers a 30-year fixed rate with 3% down and no PMI.
- Step 4:
Apply for South Shore HOME Consortium assistance. Contact the City of Quincy Department of Planning and Community Development, which administers the consortium program, to apply for up to $20,000 in 0% interest forgivable loan assistance for Braintree purchases.
- Step 5:
Apply for state down payment assistance. Through your participating lender, apply for MassHousing Down Payment Assistance, which offers up to $30,000 at 0% interest for buyers under 60% AMI, or up to $25,000 at 2-3% interest for higher income tiers.
- Step 6:
Explore additional assistance. Contact MAHA about the STASH First-Gen Home Program if you are a first-generation homebuyer, which offers grants up to $20,000. Also check with South Shore Habitat for Humanity if your income is between 30-60% AMI.
- Step 7:
Find a home in Braintree and submit your purchase offer. Your lender and housing counselor will help coordinate the timing of your assistance funds with your closing.