See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated April 4, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Natick, MA (2026)
Natick is an affluent suburb in Middlesex County, about 18 miles west of Boston, with a population of roughly 36,500 and a median home price around $930,000. While Natick does not offer its own city-funded down payment assistance program, buyers here benefit from strong state and nonprofit options. MassHousing Down Payment Assistance provides up to $30,000 at 0% interest for buyers under 60% AMI, and the ONE Mortgage Program offers 30-year fixed-rate financing with just 3% down and no PMI. The MAHA STASH First-Gen Home Program provides grants up to $20,000 for first-generation homebuyers, and Habitat for Humanity MetroWest/Greater Worcester includes Natick in its 42-town service area, building affordable homes for families earning 30-60% AMI. By combining state and nonprofit programs, eligible Natick buyers could access over $50,000 in combined assistance.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Habitat for Humanity MetroWest/Greater Worcester Homeownership Program | Zero-Interest Loan | Affordable mortgage with housing costs capped at 30% of gross monthly income | 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 → |
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Affordable mortgage with housing costs capped at 30% of gross monthly income
- 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
How to Apply
Step 1: Check your eligibility. MassHousing DPA income limits for Middlesex County are approximately $205,335 at the 135% AMI tier for Gateway Cities, or up to 100% AMI for non-Gateway communities like Natick. A two-person household in Natick can earn up to $95,200 to qualify for the ONE Mortgage Program.
Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. Contact SMOC (Southern Middlesex Opportunity Council), which serves the MetroWest region including Natick, to enroll in a HUD-approved first-time homebuyer education course. SMOC is a MassHousing-approved homebuyer education provider.
Step 3: Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Work with a MassHousing or MHP participating lender to get pre-approved. Middlesex Savings Bank participates in state affordable mortgage programs and has branches serving Natick. Ask about the ONE Mortgage Program for 3% down with no PMI.
Step 4: 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 5: 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 Habitat for Humanity MetroWest/Greater Worcester if your income is between 30-60% AMI.
Step 6: Find a home in Natick and submit your purchase offer. Your lender and housing counselor will help coordinate the timing of your assistance funds with your closing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much down payment assistance can I get in Natick?+−
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer to qualify?+−
What is the maximum home price I can pay?+−
What homebuyer education is required?+−
Is Natick a Gateway City for MassDREAMS?+−
Can Natick's high home prices affect program eligibility?+−
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