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By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated April 5, 2026

Homebuyer Programs in Bridgewater, MA (2026)

Population: 29,500 | Median home price: $630,000 | Est. closing costs: $12,500 - $19,000

Skyline of Bridgewater, MA

Bridgewater is a town in Plymouth County in southeastern Massachusetts, home to Bridgewater State University and known for its mix of suburban neighborhoods and open space. With a median home price around $630,000, it offers a moderate price point for the region. While Bridgewater does not currently offer a town-funded down payment assistance program, buyers can access MassHousing DPA of up to $30,000 and the MassDREAMS grant of up to $50,000 for qualifying first-time buyers. South Shore Habitat for Humanity and Habitat for Humanity of Greater Plymouth both serve Bridgewater with affordable homeownership programs. The MAHA STASH program offers up to $20,000 in grants for first-generation buyers. By combining state, nonprofit, and federal resources, eligible Bridgewater homebuyers could access substantial assistance.

State Programs in Massachusetts

MassDREAMS Down Payment Assistance Grant
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
MassHousing Down Payment Assistance
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
ONE Mortgage Program
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

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

FHLBank Boston Lift Up Homeownership
Type:
Grant
Amount:
Up to $40,000 grant
First-time only:
Yes
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Plymouth Homeownership Program
Type:
Zero-Interest Loan
Amount:
25-year affordable mortgage with reduced monthly payments; home sold at affordable price
First-time only:
No
MAHA STASH First-Gen Home Program
Type:
Grant
Amount:
Up to $10,000 grant in Boston; up to $20,000 in other Massachusetts cities
First-time only:
Yes
South Shore Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program
Type:
Zero-Interest Loan
Amount:
Affordable 30-year mortgage with payments not exceeding 30% of monthly income
First-time only:
No

How to Apply

Step 1: Check your eligibility. Most programs require household income at or below 80% of Area Median Income and first-time homebuyer status, meaning you have not owned a home in the past three years.

Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. NeighborWorks Housing Solutions offers HUD-certified homebuyer education classes at their Kingston and Brockton offices, available in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. They also provide one-on-one counseling to help identify the best DPA programs for your situation.

Step 3: Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Work with a MassHousing-approved lender to determine if you qualify for up to $30,000 in MassHousing Down Payment Assistance. Ask about the ONE Mortgage Program for a 3% down payment loan with no PMI.

Step 4: Explore the MAHA STASH program if you are a first-generation homebuyer. MAHA offers up to $20,000 in matched-savings grants and financial literacy education.

Step 5: Find a home within your budget and submit your applications. Your lender and housing counselor will coordinate all DPA funds to be applied at closing.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much down payment assistance can I get in Bridgewater?+
Bridgewater buyers can access several programs. MassHousing provides up to $30,000 in DPA. The MassDREAMS grant offers up to $50,000 for qualifying first-time buyers. The MAHA STASH program provides up to $20,000 in grants for first-generation homebuyers. NeighborWorks Housing Solutions also coordinates access to additional DPA programs in southeastern Massachusetts.
Does Bridgewater have its own town down payment assistance program?+
Bridgewater does not currently operate a town-funded DPA program, though the Bridgewater Affordable Housing Trust works on creating and preserving affordable housing. Buyers benefit from state programs through MassHousing and nonprofit programs through South Shore Habitat for Humanity and NeighborWorks Housing Solutions.
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer to qualify?+
Most programs require first-time homebuyer status, meaning you have not owned a home in the past three years. The MAHA STASH program specifically targets first-generation homebuyers.
What homebuyer education is required?+
All major DPA programs require completion of a HUD-certified homebuyer education course. NeighborWorks Housing Solutions offers a three-step hybrid model combining online self-paced learning, a group class, and one-on-one counseling. Classes are available in English, Spanish, and Portuguese.
Can I use Habitat for Humanity in Bridgewater?+
Yes. Both South Shore Habitat for Humanity and Habitat for Humanity of Greater Plymouth serve the Bridgewater area. South Shore Habitat requires 250 volunteer hours per adult and provides 30-year affordable mortgages for families earning up to 80% of area median income.

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