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Homebuyer Programs in North Andover, MA (2026)

Last updated April 5, 2026 | Population: 32,000 | Median home price: $700,000 | Est. closing costs: $14,000 - $21,000

Skyline of North Andover, MA

North Andover is a suburban town in Essex County, Massachusetts, located in the Merrimack Valley about 25 miles north of Boston, with a population of approximately 32,000 residents. With a median home price around $700,000, the town offers a mix of suburban living with convenient access to the region. North Andover stands out for having its own town-funded down payment assistance program through the Affordable Housing Trust, providing up to $30,000 in interest-free deferred loans to first-time buyers. Buyers can also access the North Shore HOME Consortium DPA (up to $5,000), the Essex County Homebuyer Assistance Program (up to $50,000), and statewide programs including MassDREAMS grants of up to $50,000 and MassHousing DPA of up to $30,000. The FHLBank Boston Lift Up Homeownership program adds up to $40,000 for first-generation buyers. By combining local, county, state, and federal programs, eligible North Andover buyers can potentially stack substantial assistance toward their purchase.

Top Homebuyer Programs in North Andover

North Andover Affordable Housing Trust DPA
Type:
Deferred Loan
Amount:
Up to $30,000
First-time only:
Yes
Essex County Homebuyer Assistance Program (HAP)
Type:
Deferred Loan
Amount:
Up to $50,000
First-time only:
No
North Shore HOME Consortium Down Payment Assistance
Type:
Forgivable Loan
Amount:
Up to $5,000
First-time only:
Yes
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
FHLBA Community Partners Product
Type:
Forgivable Loan
Amount:
Up to $20,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
First-time only:
No
FHLBA First Time Homebuyer Product
Type:
Forgivable Loan
Amount:
Up to $17,500 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
First-time only:
Yes
FHLBA Workforce Housing Plus+
Type:
Forgivable Loan
Amount:
Up to $15,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
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
Essex County Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program
Type:
Zero-Interest Loan
Amount:
Affordable 30-year mortgage with no traditional down payment required; sweat equity replaces down payment
First-time only:
Yes
FHLBank Boston Lift Up Homeownership
Type:
Grant
Amount:
Up to $40,000 grant
First-time only:
Yes
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
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

How to Apply

  1. Step 1:

    Check your eligibility. Most programs require household income at or below 80% to 135% of the Area Median Income for Essex County. The North Andover Affordable Housing Trust DPA targets income-eligible first-time buyers, while MassDREAMS serves buyers up to 135% AMI.

  2. Step 2:

    Complete homebuyer education. Contact a HUD-approved housing counseling agency to enroll in a first-time homebuyer education course. The Merrimack Valley Housing Partnership at (978) 459-8490 offers the Project Genesis program, and GreenPath Financial Wellness also provides HUD-certified counseling in the area.

  3. Step 3:

    Apply for the North Andover Affordable Housing Trust DPA. Submit your application to Bread and Roses Housing at 15 Union Street, Suite 401, Lawrence, MA 01840. Applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis for up to $30,000 in interest-free deferred loan assistance.

  4. Step 4:

    Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Connect with a MassHousing-approved lender or a ONE Mortgage participating lender to explore affordable loan options. Ask about stacking MassHousing DPA (up to $30,000) or MassDREAMS grants (up to $50,000) with your local assistance.

  5. Step 5:

    Ask your lender about FHLBank Boston Lift Up Homeownership. If you are a first-generation homebuyer earning up to 120% AMI, you may qualify for up to $40,000 in grant assistance through a participating FHLBank Boston member bank.

  6. Step 6:

    Explore additional county programs. The North Shore HOME Consortium provides up to $5,000 in forgivable loans, and the Essex County Homebuyer Assistance Program offers up to $50,000 in deferred loans for eligible buyers.

  7. Step 7:

    Find a home and submit your applications. Apply for all programs you qualify for simultaneously. Processing times vary, so start early and keep in close contact with Bread and Roses Housing and your lender.

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