See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated April 5, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Manchester, NH (2026)
Manchester is the largest city in New Hampshire and the economic hub of the southern part of the state, located in Hillsborough County along the Merrimack River. With a median home price around $445,000, buying here is a significant investment, but several assistance programs can help. New Hampshire Housing offers up to $15,000 in forgivable cash assistance through its Home Flex Plus and Home Preferred Plus programs, and the First and First Plus bond program provides rate-advantaged mortgages with up to $15,000 in deferred assistance. The Home Start Homebuyer Tax Credit can save qualifying buyers up to $2,000 per year in federal taxes for the life of their mortgage. Locally, Habitat for Humanity Greater Nashua Manchester offers affordable homeownership opportunities with zero-interest mortgages for qualifying families. By combining state programs, buyers in Manchester 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. Review specific income limits for Hillsborough County through an NH Housing Approved Lender.
Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. Enroll in a HUD-approved course through HOMEteam, a collaborative program between NeighborWorks Southern New Hampshire, CATCH Neighborhood Housing, and Lakes Region Community Developers. Contact HOMEteam at 866-701-9097.
Step 3: Contact an NH Housing Approved Lender. They will help you determine which NH Housing mortgage product is the best fit, whether that is Home Flex Plus (government-insured), Home Preferred Plus (conventional), or First and First Plus (bond-financed).
Step 4: Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Your lender will confirm your eligibility for cash assistance ($5,000, $10,000, or $15,000) and determine if you qualify for the Home Start tax credit.
Step 5: Find a home in Manchester. The property must be a single-family primary residence in New Hampshire. Work with your real estate agent to find a home that fits your budget and program requirements.
Step 6: Reserve your benefits and close. Your lender will reserve your cash assistance and tax credit with NH Housing before closing. You must contribute a minimum of 1% of the purchase price from your own funds (excluding gifts) if receiving cash assistance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much down payment assistance can I get in Manchester, NH?+−
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer to get assistance in Manchester?+−
What is the maximum income to qualify for NH Housing programs?+−
What homebuyer education is required in Manchester?+−
What are estimated closing costs in Manchester, NH?+−
Free eligibility check
Buying a home in Manchester? 14 programs could help.
How soon are you looking to buy?