See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated April 5, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Norwood, MA (2026)
Norwood is a suburban town in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, located about 15 miles southwest of Boston, with a population of approximately 30,000 residents. With a median home price around $700,000, Norwood offers a relatively accessible entry point compared to neighboring communities closer to Boston. While the town does not currently offer its own municipal down payment assistance program, buyers here can take advantage of several generous state and nonprofit programs. The MassDREAMS program provides grants of up to $50,000, MassHousing offers up to $30,000 in down payment assistance, and the ONE Mortgage program provides a 30-year fixed-rate loan with just 3% down and no PMI. The FHLBank Boston Lift Up Homeownership program offers up to $40,000 in grants for first-generation buyers, the MAHA STASH program provides up to $20,000, and Needham Bank's Community Loan Program offers discounted rates and bank-paid closing costs in Norwood. By combining these programs, eligible Norwood buyers can potentially access over $70,000 in total 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FHLBank Boston Lift Up Homeownership | Grant | Up to $40,000 grant | Yes | 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 → |
| Needham Bank Community Loan Program | Repayable Loan | Discounted interest rates plus bank-paid closing costs (except escrows and owner's title insurance) | No | View → |
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Up to $40,000 grant
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Up to $10,000 grant in Boston; up to $20,000 in other Massachusetts cities
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Repayable Loan
- Amount:
- Discounted interest rates plus bank-paid closing costs (except escrows and owner's title insurance)
- First-time only:
- No
How to Apply
Step 1: Check your eligibility. Most programs require household income at or below 80% to 135% of the Area Median Income for the Boston-Cambridge-Newton metro area. MassDREAMS serves buyers up to 135% AMI, while the FHLBank Boston Lift Up program targets households up to 120% AMI.
Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. Contact a HUD-approved housing counseling agency to enroll in a first-time homebuyer education course. NeighborWorks Housing Solutions serves the South Shore and Greater Boston area and can be reached at (781) 422-4208. The Massachusetts Affordable Housing Alliance (MAHA) also offers courses.
Step 3: Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Connect with a MassHousing-approved lender or a ONE Mortgage participating lender to explore affordable loan options. Needham Bank offers a Community Loan Program with discounted rates and bank-paid closing costs for income-eligible buyers in Norwood.
Step 4: 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. The grant is forgivable after five years.
Step 5: Explore the MAHA STASH program. First-generation buyers who complete homebuyer education and financial coaching through the Massachusetts Affordable Housing Alliance may qualify for up to $20,000 in grant assistance.
Step 6: Contact the Shared Housing Services Office. Norwood participates in a Shared Housing Services Office with Hopkinton, Milton, Medfield, Randolph, and Sharon that can help you find affordable homeownership units in the area.
Step 7: Find a home and submit your applications. Work with your lender to identify properties in Norwood that meet program requirements. Apply for all programs you qualify for simultaneously, as processing times vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much down payment assistance can I get in Norwood?+−
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer to qualify?+−
What is the maximum home price I can pay using these programs?+−
What homebuyer education is required?+−
Does Norwood have any local housing assistance programs?+−
Free eligibility check
Buying a home in Norwood? 13 programs could help.
How soon are you looking to buy?