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By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated May 7, 2026

Homebuyer Programs in Bellevue, NE (2026)

Population: 64,510 | Median home price: $290,000 | Est. closing costs: $6,000 - $8,500

Skyline of Bellevue, NE

Bellevue is Nebraska's third-largest city, located in Sarpy County just south of Omaha and home to Offutt Air Force Base. With a median home price around $290,000 — comparable to Omaha — Bellevue blends suburban affordability with strong demand from military families and Omaha-metro commuters. Bellevue buyers benefit from a full slate of state programs: the Nebraska Investment Finance Authority (NIFA) Homebuyer Assistance Program offers up to 5% of the purchase price (capped at $10,000) as a 1% second mortgage, and the FHLBank Topeka Homeownership Set-aside Program (HSP) provides up to $15,000 as a forgivable grant for buyers at or below 80% AMI. Locally, Habitat for Humanity of Sarpy County is bringing 30 affordable single-family homes to Papillion's Tallgrass Community for first-time buyers, and Habitat for Humanity of Omaha (which serves Sarpy County) offers 30-year affordable mortgages with sweat equity. Active-duty military buyers based at Offutt AFB can layer NIFA assistance with VA loans for zero-down purchases. Combined, Bellevue's available programs can stack $25,000 or more toward a down payment and closing costs for qualified buyers.

State Programs in Nebraska

FHLBank Topeka Homeownership Set-aside Program (HSP)
Type:
Forgivable Loan
Amount:
Up to $15,000
First-time only:
Yes
NIFA First Home Program
Type:
Government-Insured Mortgage
Amount:
30-year fixed-rate NIFA first mortgage (Conventional, FHA, USDA or VA); no down payment assistance
First-time only:
Yes
NIFA First Home Targeted Program
Type:
Government-Insured Mortgage
Amount:
30-year fixed-rate first mortgage at competitive below-market rates
First-time only:
No
NIFA Homebuyer Assistance Program (HBA)
Type:
Repayable Loan
Amount:
Up to 5% of purchase price as a 1%, 10-year second mortgage (NIFA program summary caps it at $10,000)
First-time only:
Yes
NIFA Welcome Home Program
Type:
Government-Insured Mortgage
Amount:
30-year fixed-rate first mortgage at competitive below-market rates
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

Habitat for Humanity of Omaha Home Journey Program
Type:
Government-Insured Mortgage
Amount:
Affordable home with 30-year mortgage; may include down payment assistance
First-time only:
No
Habitat for Humanity of Sarpy County Homeownership Program
Type:
Government-Insured Mortgage
Amount:
Affordable home with 0% interest mortgage; may include down payment assistance
First-time only:
Yes

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How to Apply

Step 1: Check your eligibility. NIFA's statewide household income limit is $175,500 (effective 7/7/2025) and most local Sarpy County programs target buyers at or below 80% of Area Median Income. Active-duty military buyers based at Offutt AFB can qualify for VA loans with no down payment and no PMI, often combined with NIFA assistance.

Step 2: Complete approved homebuyer education. Habitat for Humanity of Sarpy County and Habitat for Humanity of Omaha both offer mortgage-readiness education for their applicants. NIFA-required homebuyer education is also available through eHomeAmerica online or through Family Housing Advisory Services in Omaha at 402-934-6741.

Step 3: Contact a local housing partner. For new-construction affordable homes, contact Habitat for Humanity of Sarpy County about the Tallgrass Community in Papillion. For broader Omaha-metro Habitat options, contact Habitat for Humanity of Omaha at 402-257-5657. For rental and supportive housing assistance, contact the Housing Foundation for Sarpy County at 402-734-5448.

Step 4: Get pre-approved through a NIFA participating lender. NIFA loans must be originated by approved lenders. VA-eligible military buyers should ensure their lender can layer NIFA second-mortgage assistance with a VA first mortgage.

Step 5: Find a home within program limits. NIFA's one-unit purchase price limit is $485,500. The Sarpy County average sale price is approaching $350,000, which leaves room within NIFA limits for most buyers. Habitat homes in the Tallgrass Community are priced well below market for qualifying families.

Step 6: Submit your application. Plan for 30-60 days from contract to close. Buyers must contribute a minimum of $1,000 of their own money to most NIFA programs. Coordinate with your lender to layer first mortgage, NIFA second, and FHLBank HSP if available through that institution.

Step 7: Close on your home and maintain occupancy. FHLBank HSP requires 5 years of primary-residence occupancy for full forgiveness. NIFA HBA second mortgage is repayable over 10 years at 1% interest. Habitat homes carry their own occupancy and resale terms.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much down payment assistance can I get in Bellevue?+
Stacking the available programs, a Bellevue buyer at or below 80% AMI could combine the NIFA Homebuyer Assistance Program (up to 5% of purchase price, capped at $10,000) with the FHLBank Topeka Homeownership Set-aside Program (up to $15,000 forgivable grant). Active-duty military buyers can additionally use VA loans for zero-down purchases. For income-qualified families, Habitat for Humanity of Sarpy County and Habitat for Humanity of Omaha provide 0% interest mortgages, effectively making the entire homeownership path more affordable than traditional financing.
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer?+
Most state and federal programs require first-time buyer status (defined as not having owned a home in the past three years), including the NIFA HBA and FHLBank Topeka HSP. The NIFA Welcome Home Program has no first-time buyer requirement, and qualified veterans are exempt on most NIFA products. Both Habitat affiliates serving Bellevue evaluate applicants regardless of first-time status as long as they meet income and need criteria.
Are there programs specifically for Offutt AFB military families?+
Yes. Active-duty service members and qualified veterans stationed at Offutt Air Force Base can use VA loans for zero-down purchases with no PMI. VA loans can be layered with NIFA Homebuyer Assistance Program funds to cover closing costs. Median home prices in Bellevue ($290K) and surrounding Sarpy County communities (La Vista, Ralston) are within VA loan limits and typical BAH coverage at E-5 and above with dependents.
What is the maximum home price for these programs?+
NIFA's one-unit purchase price limit is $485,500 (effective 7/7/2025) and the two-unit limit is $607,000. With Bellevue's median home price around $290,000, most buyers will have ample room within NIFA limits. Habitat for Humanity homes are deeply affordable by design and priced well below market.
How does the Habitat Tallgrass Community work?+
Habitat for Humanity is building 30 affordable single-family homes for first-time buyers in Papillion's Tallgrass Community as part of a larger 600-home mixed-income development. The project targets workers earning $15-$39 per hour — including teachers and nurses — and is expected to be completed by early 2027. Approved applicants are enrolled in mortgage-readiness education and may receive down payment assistance from Habitat. Construction began around Labor Day 2025.
What homebuyer education is required?+
NIFA programs require completion of an approved homebuyer education course before closing. Habitat affiliates require their own readiness education for selected applicants. Online courses through eHomeAmerica (https://www.ehomeamerica.org and in-person courses through Family Housing Advisory Services in Omaha (402-934-6741) both satisfy NIFA requirements.

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