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By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated May 4, 2026

Homebuyer Programs in Minnetonka, MN (2026)

Population: 53,064 | Median home price: $508,000 | Est. closing costs: 0,000 - ,000

Skyline of Minnetonka, MN

Minnetonka is a southwest Minneapolis suburb of about 53,000 residents in Hennepin County, with a median home price near 8,000. The city runs the Welcome to Minnetonka Homebuyer Program, a deferred loan offering up to ,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance for first-time buyers earning up to 120% of Area Median Income. Buyers can layer in state programs (Start Up first mortgage, Deferred Payment Loan up to ,500, Monthly Payment Loan up to ,000, First-Generation Loan up to ,000), nonprofit options like Homes Within Reach Community Land Trust (Minnetonka is a partner community), Twin Cities Habitat, Welcome Home DPA, and Community Keys Plus, plus federal programs like FHA and VA. Note: Minnetonka is excluded from the Hennepin County HRA program because the city operates its own program.

City Programs in Minnetonka

Welcome to Minnetonka Homebuyer Program
Type:
Deferred Loan
First-time only:
Yes

State Programs in Minnesota

Minnesota First-Generation Homebuyer Loan Program
Type:
Deferred Loan
First-time only:
Yes
Minnesota Housing Deferred Payment Loan
Type:
Deferred Loan
First-time only:
Yes
Minnesota Housing Monthly Payment Loan
Type:
Repayable Loan
First-time only:
No
Minnesota Housing Start Up Program
Type:
Government-Insured Mortgage
Amount:
First mortgage with as little as 3% down
First-time only:
Yes
Minnesota Housing Step Up Program
Type:
Government-Insured Mortgage
Amount:
First mortgage; can also be used to refinance
First-time only:
No

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 Keys Plus Impact Down Payment Assistance
Type:
Deferred Loan
First-time only:
No
Homes Within Reach Community Land Trust
Type:
Deferred Loan
Amount:
Subsidized purchase price; CLT removes the cost of land from the home price, typically saving tens of thousands per purchase
First-time only:
No
Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program
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
Welcome Home Down Payment Assistance
Type:
Forgivable Loan
Amount:
Varies by household need
First-time only:
Yes

How to Apply

Step 1: Confirm your eligibility. The Welcome to Minnetonka program requires you to be a first-time homebuyer (no ownership in the past 3 years), with household income up to 120% AMI, and gross monthly debt no more than 50% of gross monthly income. You cannot own a second property.

Step 2: Complete a Home Stretch workshop prior to your final purchase. Home Stretch is offered by HUD-approved counseling agencies across the metro, including the Community Action Partnership of Suburban Hennepin (CAPSH).

Step 3: Contact Minnetonka Housing Coordinator Kendyl Larson at 952-939-8267 to discuss the Welcome to Minnetonka program and start your application.

Step 4: Get pre-approved with a Minnesota Housing approved lender. Use the lender directory at mnhousing.gov to layer in the Start Up first mortgage with the Deferred Payment Loan or Monthly Payment Loan.

Step 5: Plan to bring at least 1% of the total purchase price from your own funds or gift funds to closing.

Step 6: Find a home located within the City of Minnetonka that you intend to occupy as your primary residence.

Step 7: If you are open to a Community Land Trust home, contact Homes Within Reach to explore CLT properties in Minnetonka. The CLT model removes land cost from the purchase price.

Step 8: Submit your final application package and complete underwriting. Close on your home and occupy it as your homestead — the property must remain owner-occupied.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much down payment assistance can I get in Minnetonka?+
The Welcome to Minnetonka program offers up to ,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance. Layer in the Minnesota Housing Deferred Payment Loan (up to ,500) or Monthly Payment Loan (up to ,000), plus the First-Generation Loan (up to ,000) if eligible, and total stacked assistance can climb significantly — useful in a market where the median home price exceeds 0,000.
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer?+
Yes. The Welcome to Minnetonka program requires you to be a first-time homebuyer (defined as not having owned a home in the past 3 years) and you cannot own a second property. Most Minnesota Housing programs (Start Up, Deferred Payment Loan, First-Generation Loan) carry the same first-time requirement.
What is the income limit for the Welcome to Minnetonka program?+
Total household income cannot exceed 120% of Area Median Income by household size, as determined by the federal government. AMI limits are revised annually. Confirm current limits with Minnetonka Housing Coordinator Kendyl Larson at 952-939-8267.
What homebuyer education is required?+
Minnetonka requires that you complete a Home Stretch workshop before your final purchase. Home Stretch is offered by HUD-approved counseling agencies across the Twin Cities metro, including CAPSH (Community Action Partnership of Suburban Hennepin). Framework (online) is also accepted by Minnesota Housing programs.
Is Minnetonka eligible for the Hennepin County HRA program?+
No. Minnetonka is on the exclusion list for the Hennepin County HRA Homebuyer Assistance Program because the city operates its own Welcome to Minnetonka program. Apply directly through the City of Minnetonka instead.
Can a Community Land Trust help me buy in Minnetonka?+
Yes. Homes Within Reach is an active CLT serving suburban Hennepin County and lists Minnetonka among its 14 partner communities. CLT homes remove land cost from the purchase price, often saving tens of thousands. Eligibility is generally for households at or below 80% AMI. Contact Homes Within Reach to apply.

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