See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated May 4, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Apple Valley, MN (2026)
Apple Valley is a south metro suburb of about 56,000 residents in Dakota County, with a median home price near 5,000. While Apple Valley does not run its own city-funded down payment assistance program, the Dakota County Community Development Agency (CDA) coordinates the city's housing assistance — including a robust First-Time Homebuyer Program offering up to ,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance, plus up to an additional ,500 in zero-interest deferred loans for income-eligible buyers. Stack that with state programs like the Minnesota Housing Start Up first mortgage, the Deferred Payment Loan (up to ,500), the Monthly Payment Loan (up to ,000), and the First-Generation Homebuyer Loan (up to ,000), and Apple Valley buyers can access serious assistance. Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity has built 18 homes in Apple Valley specifically, and broader nonprofit options like Welcome Home DPA and Community Keys Plus are available across the metro.
County Programs in Dakota County
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dakota County CDA First Time Homebuyer Program | Deferred Loan | Up to $10,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance, plus up to $8,500 in additional zero-interest deferred loans for income-eligible buyers | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $10,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance, plus up to $8,500 in additional zero-interest deferred loans for income-eligible buyers
- First-time only:
- Yes
State Programs in Minnesota
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota First-Generation Homebuyer Loan Program | Deferred Loan | Up to ,000 | Yes | View → |
| Minnesota Housing Deferred Payment Loan | Deferred Loan | Up to ,500 | Yes | View → |
| Minnesota Housing Monthly Payment Loan | Repayable Loan | Up to ,000 | No | View → |
| Minnesota Housing Start Up Program | Government-Insured Mortgage | First mortgage with as little as 3% down | Yes | View → |
| Minnesota Housing Step Up Program | Government-Insured Mortgage | First mortgage; can also be used to refinance | No | View → |
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to ,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to ,500
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Repayable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to ,000
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Government-Insured Mortgage
- Amount:
- First mortgage with as little as 3% down
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Government-Insured Mortgage
- Amount:
- First mortgage; can also be used to refinance
- First-time only:
- No
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 Keys Plus Impact Down Payment Assistance | Deferred Loan | Up to ,000 | No | View → |
| Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program | Repayable Loan | Affordable mortgage with monthly payments at or below 30% of household income; option to use TruePath Mortgage on the open market or purchase a Habitat-built or Habitat-renovated home | No | View → |
| Welcome Home Down Payment Assistance | Forgivable Loan | Varies by household need | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to ,000
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Repayable Loan
- Amount:
- Affordable mortgage with monthly payments at or below 30% of household income; option to use TruePath Mortgage on the open market or purchase a Habitat-built or Habitat-renovated home
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Varies by household need
- First-time only:
- Yes
How to Apply
Confirm your eligibility. The Dakota County CDA program requires you to be a first-time homebuyer (no ownership in the past 3 years) and meet income limits set by the CDA. The Dakota County purchase price cap is 5,300 for a single-family home or 9,550 for a duplex.
Complete homebuyer education. Dakota County CDA offers a homebuyer education course designed to prepare first-time buyers. Contact the CDA at (651) 552-3681 to register.
Contact the Dakota County CDA at (651) 552-3681 to schedule an appointment or complete the online application for the First Time Homebuyer Program.
Get pre-approved with a Minnesota Housing approved lender. Use the Minnesota Housing lender directory at mnhousing.gov to layer in Start Up and the Deferred Payment Loan or Monthly Payment Loan.
Find a home in Apple Valley that fits the program's purchase price cap. Eligible property types include existing single-family homes, townhomes, FHA-approved condominiums, new construction, and duplexes.
Submit your final application package to your lender and the Dakota County CDA. Coordinate timing between your first mortgage closing and the CDA assistance funding.
Close on your home, occupy it as your primary residence, and remember the CDA loan is repaid at the end of your 30-year mortgage term, on sale, or on refinance.