See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated April 5, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Derry, NH (2026)
Derry is a growing town in Rockingham County in southern New Hampshire, conveniently located along the Interstate 93 corridor between Manchester and the Massachusetts border. With a median home price around $425,000, Derry does not currently offer its own town-funded down payment assistance, but buyers here can take advantage of several strong state and federal programs. New Hampshire Housing provides up to $15,000 in forgivable cash assistance through the Home Flex Plus and Home Preferred Plus programs, and the First and First Plus bond program offers rate-advantaged mortgages with up to $15,000 in deferred assistance. First-generation homebuyers may qualify for an additional $10,000 through the 1st Gen Home NH pilot program. The Home Start Homebuyer Tax Credit can save qualifying buyers up to $2,000 per year in federal taxes. Habitat for Humanity Greater Nashua Manchester also serves the Derry area with affordable homeownership opportunities. By combining state programs, buyers in Derry could stack over $15,000 in down payment help plus ongoing annual tax savings.
State Programs in New Hampshire
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Gen Home NH | Deferred Loan | $10,000 | Yes | View → |
| NH Housing Community Heroes Initiative | Grant | $3,000 closing cost credit | Yes | View → |
| NH Housing First and First Plus | Deferred Loan | Up to $15,000 ($5,000, $10,000, or $15,000) | Yes | View → |
| NH Housing Home Flex Plus with Cash Assistance | Forgivable Loan | Up to $15,000 ($5,000, $10,000, or $15,000) | No | View → |
| NH Housing Home Preferred Plus with Cash Assistance | Forgivable Loan | Up to $15,000 ($5,000, $10,000, or $15,000) | No | View → |
| NH Housing Home Start Homebuyer Tax Credit (MCC) | Grant | Up to $2,000 per year in federal tax credits | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- $10,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- $3,000 closing cost credit
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $15,000 ($5,000, $10,000, or $15,000)
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $15,000 ($5,000, $10,000, or $15,000)
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $15,000 ($5,000, $10,000, or $15,000)
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Up to $2,000 per year in federal tax credits
- First-time only:
- Yes
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Habitat for Humanity Greater Nashua Manchester | Zero-Interest Loan | Affordable home purchase with 0% interest mortgage | No | View → |
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Affordable home purchase with 0% interest mortgage
- First-time only:
- No
How to Apply
Step 1: Check your eligibility. NH Housing programs generally allow household incomes up to $176,200. Specific income and purchase price limits vary by municipality. Contact an NH Housing Approved Lender to verify the current limits for Derry.
Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. Homebuyer education is required for NH Housing cash assistance and the Home Start tax credit. Courses are available through HOMEteam (866-701-9097), a collaborative program between NeighborWorks Southern New Hampshire, CATCH Neighborhood Housing, and Lakes Region Community Developers.
Step 3: Contact an NH Housing Approved Lender. They will help determine which NH Housing mortgage product fits best: Home Flex Plus (FHA/VA/USDA), Home Preferred Plus (conventional), or First and First Plus (bond-financed), and pair it with up to $15,000 in cash assistance.
Step 4: Ask about the 1st Gen Home NH program. If neither you nor your parents have ever owned a home, you may qualify for an additional $10,000 in assistance through this pilot program. Availability is limited, so ask your lender early.
Step 5: Get pre-approved and explore the Home Start tax credit. Your lender can also help you reserve the Home Start Homebuyer Tax Credit (MCC) for up to $2,000 per year in federal tax savings.
Step 6: Find a home in Derry. The property must be a single-family primary residence in New Hampshire. Work with your real estate agent to find a home within your budget and program requirements. You must contribute a minimum of 1% of the purchase price from your own funds if receiving cash assistance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much down payment assistance can I get in Derry, NH?+−
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer to get assistance in Derry?+−
Does Derry have its own down payment assistance program?+−
What homebuyer education is required for Derry buyers?+−
What are estimated closing costs in Derry, NH?+−
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