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By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated March 29, 2026

Homebuyer Programs in Cherry Hill, NJ (2026)

Population: 75,600 | Median home price: $480,000 | Est. closing costs: $9,500 - $14,500

Skyline of Cherry Hill, NJ

Cherry Hill is a well-established suburban township in Camden County, New Jersey, located just east of Philadelphia with a median home price around $480,000. While Cherry Hill does not operate its own city-level down payment assistance program, buyers here benefit from a strong county program and multiple state options. The Camden County First-Time Homebuyer Program offers up to $25,000 as a forgivable loan for qualifying buyers purchasing anywhere in Camden County. At the state level, the NJHMFA Down Payment Assistance Program provides up to $15,000, with an additional $7,000 available for first-generation buyers, and the NJCC Statewide DPA can provide up to $30,000. By combining the county and state programs, Cherry Hill buyers could potentially access over $50,000 in total assistance toward their home purchase.

County Programs in Camden County

Camden County First-Time Homebuyer Program
Type:
Forgivable Loan
Amount:
Up to $25,000
First-time only:
Yes

State Programs in New Jersey

FHLBNY Homebuyer Dream Program
Type:
Grant
Amount:
Up to $30,000
First-time only:
Yes
NJCC Statewide Down Payment Assistance Program
Type:
Grant
Amount:
Up to $30,000
First-time only:
Yes
NJHMFA Down Payment Assistance Program
Type:
Forgivable Loan
Amount:
Up to $15,000: $15,000 in Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Somerset and Union counties; $10,000 in Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Salem, Sussex and Warren counties
First-time only:
Yes
NJHMFA First Generation Down Payment Assistance
Type:
Forgivable Loan
Amount:
$7,000
First-time only:
Yes
NJHMFA First-Time Homebuyer Mortgage Program
Type:
Government-Insured Mortgage
Amount:
30-year fixed-rate FHA, VA or USDA first mortgage through NJHMFA participating lenders (rate quoted by lender); eligible for up to $15,000 NJHMFA down payment assistance
First-time only:
Yes
NJHMFA HFA Advantage Mortgage Program
Type:
Government-Insured Mortgage
Amount:
Competitive 30-year fixed-rate conventional mortgage
First-time only:
No

Federal Programs

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

Camden County Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program
Type:
Zero-Interest Loan
First-time only:
No

How to Apply

Step 1: Check your eligibility. The Camden County First-Time Homebuyer Program requires low to moderate household income based on HUD guidelines, and you must not have owned a home in the past three years. State programs have their own income limits, generally up to 140% of Area Median Income for NJHMFA programs.

Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. You must complete a homebuyer training course from a HUD-approved counseling agency. New Jersey Citizen Action has an office at 1040 Kings Highway, Suite 308, Cherry Hill, NJ 08002 and offers free HUD-certified first-time homebuyer counseling.

Step 3: Contact Camden County Community Development. Reach the First Time Home Buyer Assistance Program at 856-751-2242 or email FTHBP@camdencounty.com to begin your application for the county program.

Step 4: Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Work with an NJHMFA-approved lender to access state-level down payment assistance of up to $15,000 (or $22,000 for first-generation buyers). A pre-approval letter is required for most DPA applications.

Step 5: Find a home within program guidelines. The Camden County program requires the property to be located within Camden County and used as your primary residence. Maximum purchase prices are set annually by the county.

Step 6: Submit your applications and close. Once under contract, submit your DPA applications with required documentation. The county program provides between $1,000 and $25,000 depending on demonstrated need. Allow adequate processing time and apply early in your home search.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much down payment assistance can I get in Cherry Hill?+
Cherry Hill buyers can access several programs. The Camden County First-Time Homebuyer Program provides up to $25,000 as a forgivable loan. At the state level, the NJHMFA DPA offers up to $15,000, with an extra $7,000 for first-generation buyers through the NJHMFA First Generation DPA. The NJCC Statewide DPA can provide up to $30,000 in forgivable assistance. Depending on eligibility, a Cherry Hill buyer could combine these for over $50,000 in total assistance.
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer to qualify?+
For the Camden County First-Time Homebuyer Program, yes, you must not have owned a home in the past three years. The NJHMFA state programs also require first-time buyer status. However, federal programs like FHA and VA loans do not require first-time buyer status, and the NJCC Statewide DPA does not require first-time buyer status either.
What is the maximum home price I can pay in Cherry Hill?+
The Camden County First-Time Homebuyer Program sets maximum purchase prices annually based on HUD guidelines for the area. The NJHMFA programs also have purchase price limits by county. Contact Camden County Community Development at 856-751-2242 for the most current purchase price limits, as these are updated each year.
What homebuyer education is required?+
Both the Camden County program and the NJHMFA state programs require completion of homebuyer education from a HUD-approved agency. New Jersey Citizen Action has a Cherry Hill office at 1040 Kings Highway, Suite 308 and offers free HUD-certified first-time homebuyer, rental, and foreclosure counseling. You can also contact Jersey Counseling and Housing Development, Inc. in Camden at 856-757-7344.
How does the Camden County forgivable loan work?+
The Camden County First-Time Homebuyer Program provides a zero-percent interest, non-amortizing forgivable loan with no monthly payments. If you receive less than $15,000, the loan is fully forgiven after 5 years of owner-occupancy. If you receive between $15,000 and $25,000, the loan is forgiven after 10 years. You must maintain the property as your primary residence (living there more than 183 days per year) and provide annual certification.
What are the estimated closing costs in Cherry Hill?+
Based on the median home price of $480,000, estimated closing costs in Cherry Hill range from approximately $9,500 to $14,500. This covers typical fees including title insurance, attorney fees, recording fees, and lender charges. The Camden County First-Time Homebuyer Program allows funds to be used toward both down payment and closing costs.

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