See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated April 4, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Lynn, MA (2026)
Lynn is a diverse coastal city in Essex County on Massachusetts' North Shore, about 10 miles northeast of Boston. With a median home price around $510,000, Lynn offers a more affordable entry point than neighboring Boston while still providing easy access to the city. The LHAND Down Payment Assistance Program provides up to $10,000 for first-time buyers purchasing in Lynn. As a Gateway City, Lynn residents also benefit from MassHousing Down Payment Assistance of up to $30,000 for buyers below 60% AMI, and the ONE Mortgage Program offers 30-year fixed-rate loans with just 3% down and no PMI. First-generation homebuyers may also qualify for the MAHA STASH First-Gen Home Program, which provides grants of up to $20,000. By combining local, state, and federal programs, Lynn homebuyers can potentially access over $50,000 in total assistance.
City Programs in Lynn
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LHAND Down Payment Assistance Program | Grant | Up to $10,000 | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Up to $10,000
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MAHA STASH First-Gen Home Program | Grant | Up to $10,000 grant in Boston; up to $20,000 in other Massachusetts cities | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Up to $10,000 grant in Boston; up to $20,000 in other Massachusetts cities
- First-time only:
- Yes
How to Apply
Step 1: Check your eligibility. Most programs require first-time buyer status, meaning you have not owned a home in the past three years. As a Gateway City, Lynn qualifies for enhanced MassHousing benefits with income limits up to 135% AMI, or approximately $205,335 for Essex County.
Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. Enroll in LHAND's first-time homebuyer class, which is certified by CHAPA (Massachusetts Homeownership Collaborative). Contact LHAND at 781-581-8621 or email homebuyerclass@lhand.org to register. The class fee is $50 per individual or $75 per couple. Graduates qualify for city and state DPA programs including the ONE Mortgage.
Step 3: Apply for LHAND Down Payment Assistance. After completing the homebuyer class, apply for LHAND's $10,000 down payment assistance program. Spots are filled on a first-come, first-served basis, so apply early. Contact LHAND Housing Stabilization at (339) 883-2342 or email fsc@lhand.org.
Step 4: Explore state programs through MassHousing. Connect with a MassHousing-approved lender to apply for MassHousing Down Payment Assistance (up to $30,000 for buyers below 60% AMI) or the ONE Mortgage Program. Visit masshousing.com for a lender list.
Step 5: Check if you qualify for the MAHA STASH program. If you are a first-generation homebuyer (neither you nor your parents have owned a home in the U.S.), the MAHA STASH First-Gen Home Program offers grants up to $20,000 for purchases outside Boston. Visit mahahome.org/stash for details.
Step 6: Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Work with your lender to determine your buying power and confirm which assistance programs you qualify for.
Step 7: Find a home and submit your applications. Once you have a signed purchase and sales agreement, submit your DPA applications. Processing times vary, so plan ahead and stay in close contact with LHAND and your lender.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much down payment assistance can I get in Lynn?+−
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer to qualify?+−
What is Lynn designated as a Gateway City and why does it matter?+−
What homebuyer education is required?+−
What are the income limits for Lynn homebuyer programs?+−
What are the estimated closing costs in Lynn?+−
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