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By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated April 10, 2026

Homebuyer Programs in Southfield, MI (2026)

Population: 76,025 | Median home price: $230,000 | Est. closing costs: $4,500 - $7,000

Skyline of Southfield, MI

Southfield is a diverse, well-established city in Oakland County just northwest of Detroit, with a population of about 76,000 and a median home price around $230,000. While Southfield does not currently offer a city-funded down payment assistance program, buyers here can take advantage of several strong state and county programs. The MSHDA MI 10K DPA Loan provides up to $10,000 as a zero-interest loan, the HomeBoost program offers grants up to $15,000 (up to $25,000 through some lenders), and the Oakland County Treasurer Homebuyer Assistance Program adds a $5,000 grant for first-time buyers. By stacking these programs, eligible Southfield homebuyers could receive $30,000 or more in combined assistance toward their purchase.

County Programs in Oakland County

Oakland County Treasurer Homebuyer Assistance Program
Type:
Grant
Amount:
$5,000 grant
First-time only:
Yes
Oakland Housing Authority Homeownership Voucher Program
Type:
Grant
Amount:
Monthly mortgage assistance (housing subsidy applied toward mortgage payment)
First-time only:
No

State Programs in Michigan

HomeBoost Down Payment Assistance
Type:
Grant
Amount:
Up to $15,000 (up to $25,000 through some participating lenders)
First-time only:
Yes
MSHDA First-Generation Down Payment Assistance
Type:
Deferred Loan
Amount:
Up to $25,000
First-time only:
Yes
MSHDA MI 10K DPA Loan
Type:
Zero-Interest Loan
Amount:
Up to $10,000
First-time only:
Yes

Federal Programs

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
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

Nonprofit Programs

Community Housing Network Homebuyer Education and Counseling
Type:
Grant
Amount:
Free homebuyer education courses and one-on-one housing counseling
First-time only:
No
Habitat for Humanity of Oakland County Homeownership Program
Type:
Forgivable Loan
Amount:
Below-market-price homes with affordable mortgage terms
First-time only:
No

How to Apply

Step 1: Check your eligibility. Most programs require household income at or below 80% to 120% of the Area Median Income for Oakland County. The Oakland County Treasurer program sets the limit at 120% AMI ($123,240 for 2025). MSHDA programs have their own income and purchase price limits statewide.

Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. This is required for most programs. Gesher Human Services, located at 29699 Southfield Road in Southfield, offers HUD-approved homebuyer education courses for $50 per household. Contact them at 248-233-4299 or financialhelp@geshermi.org. GreenPath Financial Wellness also offers free pre-purchase counseling at 844-477-6520.

Step 3: Contact the Oakland County Treasurer's Office about the $5,000 Homebuyer Assistance Program grant. You must work with Independent Bank for the mortgage. Call 844-821-6178 to speak with a loan officer.

Step 4: Apply for MSHDA down payment assistance. Contact an MSHDA-approved lender to apply for the MI 10K DPA Loan (up to $10,000) or the HomeBoost grant (up to $15,000). You can find approved lenders through the MSHDA website.

Step 5: Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Work with your chosen lender to determine your budget and lock in your rate. Make sure your lender is approved for any DPA programs you plan to use.

Step 6: Find a home in Southfield within program limits. The MSHDA statewide purchase price limit is $544,233. The median home price in Southfield is around $230,000, well within range.

Step 7: Submit your applications and close. Your lender will coordinate the DPA funds with your mortgage. The Oakland County grant requires at least $1,000 in personal funds toward the purchase.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much down payment assistance can I get in Southfield?+
Southfield homebuyers can combine multiple programs for significant assistance. The MSHDA MI 10K DPA Loan provides up to $10,000 as a zero-interest loan. The HomeBoost program offers grants up to $15,000, or up to $25,000 through some participating lenders. The Oakland County Treasurer Homebuyer Assistance Program adds a $5,000 grant. First-generation buyers may also qualify for the MSHDA First-Generation DPA of up to $25,000. By stacking eligible programs, buyers could receive $30,000 or more in total assistance.
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer to qualify?+
It depends on the program. The Oakland County Treasurer program requires that you have not owned a residential property in the past three years. The MSHDA MI 10K DPA Loan is available to both first-time and repeat buyers statewide. The HomeBoost grant is specifically for first-time homebuyers. The MSHDA First-Generation DPA is limited to first-generation homebuyers who have never owned a home and whose parents do not currently own a home.
What is the maximum home price I can pay?+
The MSHDA statewide purchase price limit is $544,233, which covers the vast majority of homes in Southfield where the median price is around $230,000. The Oakland County Treasurer program does not list a separate purchase price cap but requires the home to be located in Oakland County and serve as your principal residence.
What homebuyer education is required?+
Most programs require completion of a HUD-approved homebuyer education course. Gesher Human Services at 29699 Southfield Road in Southfield offers courses approved for MSHDA down payment assistance for $50 per household. Contact them at 248-233-4299. GreenPath Financial Wellness also provides free HUD-certified pre-purchase counseling at 844-477-6520. Community Housing Network in Oakland County offers free homebuyer education courses as well.
Can I combine the Oakland County grant with MSHDA assistance?+
Yes. The Oakland County Treasurer Homebuyer Assistance Program $5,000 grant can be combined with other homebuyer assistance programs. You could pair it with the MSHDA MI 10K DPA Loan and potentially the HomeBoost grant for substantial combined assistance. The key requirement is that the Oakland County grant must be used with a mortgage from Independent Bank, so confirm with your lender that this is compatible with MSHDA programs.
Are there programs for people who work in specific professions?+
The HUD Good Neighbor Next Door program offers a 50% discount on HUD-listed homes in revitalization areas for law enforcement officers, pre-K through 12th grade teachers, firefighters, and EMTs. You must commit to living in the home for 36 months. Availability depends on whether HUD has listed properties in the Southfield area. Check the HUD website for current listings.

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