See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated May 5, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Maplewood, MN (2026)
Maplewood is an inner-ring east metro suburb of about 41,000 residents in Ramsey County, just east of Saint Paul. The median home price is near 6,000, putting ownership within reach for many working households. Maplewood does not run its own city-funded down payment assistance program, but the city actively promotes Minnesota Housing state programs and partners with the Ramsey County FirstHome Buyer Assistance Program — which offers up to ,000 in down payment assistance for first-time and first-generation buyers in suburban Ramsey County (including Maplewood). Layer in Minnesota Housing Start Up first mortgage, the Deferred Payment Loan (up to ,500), the Monthly Payment Loan (up to ,000), and the First-Generation Loan (up to ,000), plus nonprofit options like Twin Cities Habitat, Welcome Home DPA, and Community Keys Plus, and federal programs like FHA, VA, and USDA. Total stacked assistance for eligible buyers can be substantial in this market.
County Programs in Ramsey County
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ramsey County FirstHome Buyer Assistance Program | Deferred Loan | — | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- 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: Confirm your eligibility for the Ramsey County FirstHome program. First-time buyers must be at or below 80% AMI; first-generation buyers with 4+ household members may qualify at or below 100% AMI. The maximum purchase price is currently 2,600 (subject to change).
Step 2: Complete a HUD-approved homebuyer education course. Home Stretch (in person) or Framework (online) both qualify for state Minnesota Housing programs and Ramsey County FirstHome.
Step 3: Visit ramseycountymn.gov/FirstHome to review current income limits and start the FirstHome application. Or contact Maplewood Assistant Community Development Director Michael Martin at 651-249-2303 for guidance on which programs fit your situation.
Step 4: Get pre-approved with a Minnesota Housing approved lender. Use the lender directory at mnhousing.gov to layer the Start Up first mortgage with the Deferred Payment Loan or Monthly Payment Loan.
Step 5: Find a home located within the City of Maplewood that fits your budget and program purchase price limits.
Step 6: If you may qualify as a first-generation buyer (neither you nor your parents have owned a home), ask your lender about the Minnesota First-Generation Homebuyer Loan (up to ,000) and pair it with the Ramsey County FirstHome program.
Step 7: Submit your final application and complete underwriting. Plan for several weeks of coordination between your first mortgage and the FirstHome assistance.
Step 8: Close on your home and occupy it as your primary residence.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much down payment assistance can I get in Maplewood?+−
Does Maplewood have its own city DPA program?+−
What is the Ramsey County FirstHome program?+−
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer?+−
What homebuyer education is required?+−
Are there special programs for foreclosed homes in Maplewood?+−
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