See programs you qualify for

By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated April 5, 2026

Homebuyer Programs in Portsmouth, NH (2026)

Population: 23,000 | Median home price: $700,000 | Est. closing costs: $14,000 - $21,000

Portsmouth is a historic seacoast city in Rockingham County, New Hampshire, known for its vibrant downtown, cultural scene, and proximity to the coast, with a median home price around $700,000. Portsmouth stands out among NH communities by offering its own city-funded HomeTown First-Time Homebuyer Program, which provides zero-interest deferred loans for down payment and closing costs funded through the Portsmouth Housing Endowment Trust Fund. Buyers can also access New Hampshire Housing programs including the First and First Plus program offering up to $15,000 in cash assistance, the Home Flex Plus forgivable loan of up to $15,000, and the 1st Gen Home NH program providing $10,000 for first-generation homebuyers. Southeast New Hampshire Habitat for Humanity is also headquartered in Portsmouth and serves the Seacoast region with affordable homeownership opportunities. By combining city, state, and federal programs, eligible buyers in Portsmouth can access meaningful assistance toward homeownership in this competitive market.

City Programs in Portsmouth

Program Name	Type	Amount	First-Time Only	Details
Portsmouth HomeTown First-Time Homebuyer Program	Zero-Interest Loan	Varies based on income, assets, and household size (0% interest deferred loans for down payment and closing costs)	Yes	View →

Portsmouth HomeTown First-Time Homebuyer Program

Type:: Zero-Interest Loan
Amount:: Varies based on income, assets, and household size (0% interest deferred loans for down payment and closing costs)
First-time only:: Yes

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 →

1st Gen Home NH

Type:: Deferred Loan
Amount:: $10,000
First-time only:: Yes

NH Housing Community Heroes Initiative

Type:: Grant
Amount:: $3,000 closing cost credit
First-time only:: Yes

NH Housing First and First Plus

Type:: Deferred Loan
Amount:: Up to $15,000 ($5,000, $10,000, or $15,000)
First-time only:: Yes

NH Housing Home Flex Plus with Cash Assistance

Type:: Forgivable Loan
Amount:: Up to $15,000 ($5,000, $10,000, or $15,000)
First-time only:: No

NH Housing Home Preferred Plus with Cash Assistance

Type:: Forgivable Loan
Amount:: Up to $15,000 ($5,000, $10,000, or $15,000)
First-time only:: No

NH Housing Home Start Homebuyer Tax Credit (MCC)

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 →

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

Program Name	Type	Amount	First-Time Only	Details
Southeast New Hampshire Habitat for Humanity	Zero-Interest Loan	Affordable home purchase with 0% interest mortgage (homes built for $130,000-$175,000)	No	View →

Southeast New Hampshire Habitat for Humanity

Type:: Zero-Interest Loan
Amount:: Affordable home purchase with 0% interest mortgage (homes built for $130,000-$175,000)
First-time only:: No

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15 programs available in Portsmouth. See which ones you qualify for.

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How to Apply

Step 1: Check your eligibility. The Portsmouth HomeTown Program requires that you earn below 80% or 120% of the area median income depending on the tier, be a first-time homebuyer, and meet residency requirements (2+ years in Portsmouth, 10+ years past residency within 30 miles, or full-time city employee). NH Housing programs have separate income limits that vary by county.

Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. The Portsmouth HomeTown Program requires training through The Housing Partnership, which offers monthly seminars on the Seacoast and online courses through eHome America. Contact The Housing Partnership at their Portsmouth office for upcoming dates. NH Housing programs also require HUD-approved homebuyer education.

Step 3: Apply for the Portsmouth HomeTown Program. Contact Citizens Bank Loan Officer Mary Carlson at (518) 229-8766 or Portsmouth Community Development Director Elise Annunziata at (603) 610-7281 to start the application process.

Step 4: Connect with an NH Housing-approved lender. NH Housing programs are offered through participating lenders who can help you access the First and First Plus, Home Flex Plus, or Home Preferred Plus programs with up to $15,000 in assistance. Call NH Housing at (603) 472-8623 for a lender list.

Step 5: Explore additional programs. First-generation homebuyers may qualify for the 1st Gen Home NH program, which offers an additional $10,000 in assistance. Ask your lender about combining city and state programs.

Step 6: Get pre-approved and find a home. Work with your lender to determine your purchase price range. Portsmouth's median home price of $700,000 may exceed some program purchase price limits, so verify limits with your lender before house hunting.

Step 7: Submit your applications and close. Your lender will coordinate the program paperwork alongside your mortgage application. Plan for a closing timeline of 30-45 days once your offer is accepted.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much down payment assistance can I get in Portsmouth?+

Portsmouth buyers have access to both city and state programs. The Portsmouth HomeTown Program provides zero-interest deferred loans for down payment and closing costs, with the amount based on your income, assets, and household size. On top of that, the NH Housing First and First Plus program offers up to $15,000 in cash assistance, and the Home Flex Plus and Home Preferred Plus programs each offer up to $15,000 as forgivable loans. First-generation homebuyers may also qualify for the 1st Gen Home NH program for an additional $10,000.

Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer to qualify?+

The Portsmouth HomeTown Program requires first-time buyer status, defined as not having owned a home in the last three years. Most NH Housing programs also require first-time buyer status. However, buyers purchasing in a HUD-designated targeted area or qualified veterans may be exempt from the NH Housing requirement. FHA, VA, and USDA federal loan programs do not require first-time buyer status.

What are the residency requirements for the Portsmouth HomeTown Program?+

The HomeTown Program has unique residency requirements. You must meet one of the following: be a current resident of Portsmouth for at least 2 years, have previously lived in Portsmouth for at least 10 years and currently live within 30 miles, or be a permanent full-time City of Portsmouth employee. These requirements do not apply to the state-level NH Housing programs.

What are the income limits for Portsmouth homebuyer programs?+

The Portsmouth HomeTown Program serves households earning up to 80% or 120% of the area median income depending on the program tier. NH Housing programs have separate income limits that vary by county and household size. Rockingham County limits are higher than many other NH counties. Contact Portsmouth Community Development at (603) 610-7281 for HomeTown limits, or NH Housing at (603) 472-8623 for state program limits.

What homebuyer education is required?+

The Portsmouth HomeTown Program requires completion of homebuyer training through The Housing Partnership, which offers monthly seminars on the Seacoast and online courses through eHome America. NH Housing programs also require HUD-approved homebuyer education. The Housing Partnership courses satisfy both requirements.

Can I use assistance programs with Portsmouth's high home prices?+

Portsmouth's median home price of $700,000 may exceed some program purchase price limits. NH Housing programs have county-specific purchase price caps that your approved lender can confirm. Even if the purchase price exceeds DPA program limits, the Home Start Homebuyer Tax Credit provides up to $2,000 per year in federal tax credits. Southeast New Hampshire Habitat for Humanity, headquartered in Portsmouth, also offers affordable homeownership with zero-interest mortgages for qualifying families.

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