See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated April 5, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Saugus, MA (2026)
Saugus is a residential town in Essex County on the North Shore, about ten miles north of Boston, offering convenient access to both Route 1 and Interstate 95. With a median home price around $660,000, Saugus is more affordable than many neighboring communities. While the town does not currently offer a city-funded down payment assistance program, buyers can take advantage of the Essex County Homebuyer Assistance Program, the North Shore HOME Consortium DPA, and state programs including MassHousing DPA of up to $30,000 and the MassDREAMS grant of up to $50,000. First-generation buyers may also qualify for up to $20,000 through the MAHA STASH program. By combining county, state, and federal resources, eligible Saugus homebuyers could access significant assistance toward their purchase.
County Programs in Essex County
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essex County Homebuyer Assistance Program (HAP) | Deferred Loan | Up to $50,000 | No | View → |
| North Shore HOME Consortium Down Payment Assistance | Forgivable Loan | Up to $5,000 | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $50,000
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $5,000
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essex County Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program | Zero-Interest Loan | Affordable 30-year mortgage with no traditional down payment required; sweat equity replaces down payment | Yes | View → |
| 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 → |
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Affordable 30-year mortgage with no traditional down payment required; sweat equity replaces down payment
- First-time only:
- Yes
- 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
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. The North Shore Community Action Programs and other HUD-certified agencies offer first-time homebuyer workshops in the Saugus area. Contact them at 978-531-0767 to find upcoming classes.
Step 3: Contact the Essex County Division of Housing and Community Development to learn about the Essex County Homebuyer Assistance Program and the North Shore HOME Consortium DPA for buyers in Essex County communities.
Step 4: 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. Local institutions like Webster First Federal Credit Union and Salem Five Bank also serve Saugus.
Step 5: Find a home within program limits and submit your applications. Your lender and housing counselor will coordinate funds to be disbursed at closing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much down payment assistance can I get in Saugus?+−
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer to qualify?+−
Does Saugus have its own city down payment assistance program?+−
What homebuyer education is required?+−
What is the maximum home price I can pay?+−
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