See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated April 5, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Merrimack, NH (2026)
Merrimack is a growing town in Hillsborough County in southern New Hampshire, situated between Nashua and Manchester with convenient access to both cities and the Boston metro area. With a median home price around $475,000, Merrimack falls in the mid-range of New Hampshire's housing market. While the town does not currently offer its own municipal down payment assistance program, buyers in Merrimack have access to strong state-level programs through New Hampshire Housing, including up to $15,000 in forgivable down payment assistance through the Home Flex Plus and Home Preferred Plus programs, $10,000 through the 1st Gen Home NH program for first-generation buyers, up to $2,000 per year in federal tax credits through the Home Start MCC, and a $3,000 closing cost credit through the Community Heroes Initiative for healthcare workers, educators, and first responders. Habitat for Humanity Greater Nashua Manchester also builds affordable homes in the region. By combining state and federal programs, Merrimack buyers can potentially access over $25,000 in total assistance.
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. Most New Hampshire Housing programs require household income at or below $176,200 (varies by program and county). The 1st Gen Home NH program has lower limits and requires that neither you nor your parents have owned a home.
Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. You must complete a HUD-approved homebuyer education course through HOMEteam, a collaborative program offered by NeighborWorks Southern New Hampshire, CATCH Neighborhood Housing, and Lakes Region Community Developers. Contact HOMEteam at (866) 701-9097 to register for upcoming classes.
Step 3: Connect with an approved lender. New Hampshire Housing works with a network of approved lenders across the state, including Bellwether Community Credit Union and Merrimack County Savings Bank, which have offices in the area. Contact NH Housing at (603) 472-8623 to find an approved lender.
Step 4: Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Your lender will help determine which NH Housing program best fits your situation. Ask about stacking the Home Flex Plus or Home Preferred Plus ($15,000 forgivable) with the Home Start tax credit ($2,000/year). If you work in healthcare, education, law enforcement, or emergency services, ask about the Community Heroes $3,000 closing cost credit.
Step 5: Find a home within program limits. Search for a single-family home in Merrimack that will be your primary residence. Purchase price limits vary by program, so confirm the current limits with your lender.
Step 6: Submit your application and close. Once you have an accepted offer, your lender will process the NH Housing program application alongside your mortgage. Most closings complete within 30 to 45 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much down payment assistance can I get in Merrimack, NH?+−
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer to qualify?+−
Does Merrimack have its own town-funded down payment assistance program?+−
What homebuyer education is required?+−
What is the maximum home price I can pay with assistance programs?+−
Can Habitat for Humanity help me buy a home in Merrimack?+−
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