See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated May 5, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Inver Grove Heights, MN (2026)
Inver Grove Heights is a Dakota County suburb just south of Saint Paul along the Mississippi River, with a population of about 35,906 and a median home price near $370,000. While the city itself does not currently fund a dedicated down payment assistance program, buyers here can stack significant assistance from county, state, and nonprofit sources. The Dakota County CDA First Time Homebuyer Program offers 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. State programs from Minnesota Housing add a Deferred Payment Loan up to $12,500, a Monthly Payment Loan up to $18,000, and the First-Generation Homebuyer Loan up to $35,000. Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity and NeighborWorks Home Partners also serve Dakota County buyers with affordable mortgages and additional DPA. Combining a state first mortgage with county and nonprofit DPA can put $30,000 to $60,000 of assistance toward a purchase here.
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 | — | Yes | View → |
| Minnesota Housing Deferred Payment Loan | Deferred Loan | — | Yes | View → |
| Minnesota Housing Monthly Payment Loan | Repayable Loan | — | 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
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Repayable Loan
- 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 → |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Community Keys Plus Impact Down Payment Assistance | Deferred Loan | — | 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
- 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
Step 1: Check your eligibility. Most county and state programs require first-time homebuyer status (no ownership in the past 3 years), a credit score of 640 or higher, household income at or below program limits, and the purchase of a primary residence in Dakota County.
Step 2: Complete a homebuyer education course. The Dakota County CDA, Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity, and NeighborWorks Home Partners all offer HUD-approved education that satisfies program requirements.
Step 3: Contact the Dakota County Community Development Agency at 651-675-4400 to start the First Time Homebuyer Program intake and confirm current funding availability.
Step 4: Get pre-approved with a Minnesota Housing participating lender. The lender will help layer the Start Up first mortgage with the appropriate DPA loan (Deferred Payment, Monthly Payment, or First-Generation).
Step 5: Find a home within program limits. Confirm the property meets Dakota County CDA purchase price caps and any state purchase price limits before going under contract.
Step 6: Submit your application through your lender and the CDA. Approval and funds reservation typically take 2 to 4 weeks; lock your rate and DPA reservation before closing.
Step 7: Close on your home and move in. Most DPA loans here are zero-interest deferred loans repaid only when you sell, refinance, or move out, so monthly payments stay tied to your first mortgage.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much down payment assistance can I get in Inver Grove Heights?+−
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer?+−
What is the maximum home price?+−
What homebuyer education is required?+−
Can Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity help me buy a home in Inver Grove Heights?+−
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