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Get Matched Free →Homebuyer Programs in Waterford, MI (2026)
Waterford Township is a large, lake-filled community in Oakland County about 35 miles northwest of Detroit, with a population of roughly 71,000 and a median home price around $265,000. Homebuyers in Waterford can tap into both local and state assistance to make purchasing more affordable. Waterford Township offers its own CDBG-funded homebuyer assistance program for income-qualified first-time buyers, and the Oakland County Treasurer Homebuyer Assistance Program provides a $5,000 grant toward down payment or closing costs. At the state level, the MSHDA MI 10K DPA Loan offers up to $10,000 as a zero-interest loan, and the HomeBoost program provides grants up to $15,000. By combining these programs, eligible Waterford homebuyers could receive $30,000 or more in total assistance.
City Programs in Waterford
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waterford Township CDBG Homebuyer Assistance Program | Grant | — | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Grant
- First-time only:
- Yes
County Programs in Oakland County
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oakland County Treasurer Homebuyer Assistance Program | Grant | $5,000 grant | Yes | View → |
| Oakland Housing Authority Homeownership Voucher Program | Grant | Monthly mortgage assistance (housing subsidy applied toward mortgage payment) | No | View → |
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- $5,000 grant
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Monthly mortgage assistance (housing subsidy applied toward mortgage payment)
- First-time only:
- No
State Programs in Michigan
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HomeBoost Down Payment Assistance | Grant | Up to $15,000 (up to $25,000 through some participating lenders) | Yes | View → |
| MSHDA First-Generation Down Payment Assistance | Deferred Loan | Up to $25,000 | Yes | View → |
| MSHDA MI 10K DPA Loan | Zero-Interest Loan | Up to $10,000 | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Up to $15,000 (up to $25,000 through some participating lenders)
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $25,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $10,000
- 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 → |
| FHLBA Community Partners Product | Forgivable Loan | Up to $20,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs | No | View → |
| FHLBA First Time Homebuyer Product | Forgivable Loan | Up to $17,500 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs | Yes | View → |
| FHLBA Workforce Housing Plus+ | Forgivable Loan | Up to $15,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs | 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:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $20,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $17,500 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $15,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Community Housing Network Homebuyer Education and Counseling | Grant | Free homebuyer education courses and one-on-one housing counseling | No | View → |
| Habitat for Humanity of Oakland County Homeownership Program | Forgivable Loan | Below-market-price homes with affordable mortgage terms | No | View → |
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Free homebuyer education courses and one-on-one housing counseling
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Below-market-price homes with affordable mortgage terms
- First-time only:
- No
How to Apply
Check your eligibility. Most programs require household income at or below HUD low-to-moderate income limits for Oakland County. The Oakland County Treasurer program sets the limit at 120% AMI ($123,240 for 2025). MSHDA programs have statewide income and purchase price limits.
Complete homebuyer education. This is required for most programs. Habitat for Humanity of Oakland County offers Habitat University with HUD-certified financial coaching. Community Housing Network also provides free homebuyer education courses and one-on-one counseling in Oakland County. GreenPath Financial Wellness offers free pre-purchase counseling at 844-477-6520.
Contact Waterford Township Community Development about their CDBG Homebuyer Assistance Program for first-time, income-qualified buyers. Visit waterfordmi.gov or contact their Community Development office for current program details and availability.
Apply for the Oakland County Treasurer Homebuyer Assistance Program for a $5,000 grant. You must work with Independent Bank for the mortgage. Call 844-821-6178 to speak with a loan officer.
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.
Get pre-approved for a mortgage and find a home in Waterford within program limits. The MSHDA statewide purchase price limit is $544,233. The median home price in Waterford is around $265,000, well within range.
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.