See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated May 7, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Hastings, NE (2026)
Hastings is the Adams County seat in south-central Nebraska, home to roughly 25,000 residents and a steady mix of agriculture, manufacturing, and Hastings College. Median sale prices in Hastings have hovered between $184,000 and $221,000 over the last year per Zillow and Redfin, keeping the city among the more affordable markets in the state. First-time buyers in Hastings get a meaningful boost: Adams County is designated as a NIFA Targeted Area, which means buyers here do not need to be first-time homebuyers to qualify for the NIFA Homebuyer Assistance (HBA) Program. Eligible buyers can layer up to $10,000 from NIFA HBA, up to $15,000 in forgivable funds from the FHLBank Topeka Homeownership Set-Aside Program, and a Habitat for Humanity homeownership opportunity through Hastings Area Habitat for Humanity. Stacked together, these programs can cover most of the up-front cash needed to purchase a typical Hastings home.
State Programs in Nebraska
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FHLBank Topeka Homeownership Set-aside Program (HSP) | Forgivable Loan | Up to $15,000 | Yes | View → |
| NIFA First Home Program | Government-Insured Mortgage | 30-year fixed-rate first mortgage at competitive below-market rates | Yes | View → |
| NIFA First Home Targeted Program | Government-Insured Mortgage | 30-year fixed-rate first mortgage at competitive below-market rates | No | View → |
| NIFA Homebuyer Assistance Program (HBA) | Repayable Loan | Up to 5% of purchase price (capped at $10,000) | Yes | View → |
| NIFA Welcome Home Program | Government-Insured Mortgage | 30-year fixed-rate first mortgage at competitive below-market rates | No | View → |
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $15,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Government-Insured Mortgage
- Amount:
- 30-year fixed-rate first mortgage at competitive below-market rates
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Government-Insured Mortgage
- Amount:
- 30-year fixed-rate first mortgage at competitive below-market rates
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Repayable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to 5% of purchase price (capped at $10,000)
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Government-Insured Mortgage
- Amount:
- 30-year fixed-rate first mortgage at competitive below-market rates
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hastings Area Habitat for Humanity Homeownership | Zero-Interest Loan | Affordable mortgage on a Habitat-built or rehabilitated home; sweat equity replaces a traditional down payment | No | View → |
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Affordable mortgage on a Habitat-built or rehabilitated home; sweat equity replaces a traditional down payment
- First-time only:
- No
How to Apply
Check your eligibility. Because Adams County is a NIFA Targeted Area, you do not need to be a first-time homebuyer to qualify for the NIFA Homebuyer Assistance (HBA) program in Hastings. The FHLBank Topeka HSP requires first-time buyer status and household income at or below 80% of the Area Median Income. Verify Adams County HUD income limits with each program before applying.
Complete a HUD-approved homebuyer education course. NIFA accepts courses delivered by approved Nebraska providers, including REACH affiliates that use the eHomeAmerica platform. Habitat for Humanity also requires homeownership education as part of its application process.
Get pre-approved for a NIFA-participating mortgage. NIFA programs are originated through participating lenders across Nebraska. Confirm that your lender is NIFA-approved before locking your rate, and ask them to confirm Adams County targeted-area status on your loan file.
Contact local resources. The Community Action Partnership of Mid-Nebraska office at 2525 W 2nd Suite 110, Hastings, NE 68901, phone (402) 463-7679, can connect you with broader financial assistance resources. For Habitat homeownership, contact Hastings Area Habitat for Humanity directly through habitat.org.
Plan to contribute at least $1,000 of your own money. NIFA HBA requires a $1,000 minimum borrower contribution toward the down payment.
Find a home that fits the program. Most Hastings homes will fall within NIFA statewide purchase price limits, which are updated periodically. Verify the current cap with your lender.
Submit your application and close on your home. NIFA second-mortgage assistance is recorded at closing alongside your first mortgage. Plan to occupy the home as your primary residence for the full retention period.