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Homebuyer Programs in Binghamton, NY (2026)

Last updated April 2, 2026 | Population: 47,000 | Median home price: $155,000 | Est. closing costs: $3,000 - $4,500

Skyline of Binghamton, NY

Binghamton is a city in Broome County in New York's Southern Tier region, home to Binghamton University and a growing hub for technology and healthcare. With a median home price around $155,000, it is one of the most affordable markets in the state. The City of Binghamton offers first-time homebuyers a forgivable loan of up to $10,000 toward down payment and closing costs through its Housing Division. The Metro Interfaith HOME Purchase Assistance Program provides up to $30,000 in additional assistance, and Greater Opportunities offers grants for down payment, closing costs, and rehabilitation. At the state level, the FHLBNY Homebuyer Dream Program provides grants up to $30,000, and the SONYMA Down Payment Assistance Loan adds up to $15,000 as a zero-interest forgivable loan. The Broome County Land Bank also sells rehabilitated homes at affordable prices to qualifying buyers. By combining city, county, state, and nonprofit programs, eligible first-time buyers in Binghamton can stack significant financial assistance.

Top Homebuyer Programs in Binghamton

Binghamton First-Time Homebuyer Program
Type:
Forgivable Loan
Amount:
Up to $10,000
First-time only:
Yes
Broome County Land Bank Affordable Homes Program
Type:
Grant
Amount:
Rehabilitated homes sold at affordable prices to low-to-moderate income buyers
First-time only:
No
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
FHLBA Community Partners Product
Type:
Forgivable Loan
Amount:
Up to $20,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
First-time only:
No
FHLBA First Time Homebuyer Product
Type:
Forgivable Loan
Amount:
Up to $17,500 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
First-time only:
Yes
FHLBA Workforce Housing Plus+
Type:
Forgivable Loan
Amount:
Up to $15,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
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
Broome County Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program
Type:
Zero-Interest Loan
Amount:
Affordable home purchase with no-profit pricing and zero-interest mortgage
First-time only:
Yes
Greater Opportunities First-Time Homebuyer Program
Type:
Grant
Amount:
Grants available for down payment, closing costs, and rehabilitation (amounts vary by funding availability)
First-time only:
Yes
Metro Interfaith HOME Purchase Assistance Program
Type:
Forgivable Loan
Amount:
Up to $30,000
First-time only:
Yes
FHLBNY Homebuyer Dream Program
Type:
Grant
Amount:
Up to $30,000
First-time only:
Yes
SONYMA Down Payment Assistance Loan (DPAL)
Type:
Forgivable Loan
Amount:
Up to $15,000 or 3% of purchase price, whichever is greater (minimum $1,000)
First-time only:
Yes
SONYMA DPAL PLUS
Type:
Forgivable Loan
Amount:
Up to $30,000
First-time only:
Yes

How to Apply

  1. Step 1:

    Check your eligibility. Most programs require first-time homebuyer status and household income at or below 80% of the Area Median Income for Broome County. Review the income requirements for each program you plan to use.

  2. Step 2:

    Complete homebuyer education through the Binghamton Homeownership Academy. This is required for the city's forgivable loan program. The Academy partners with Metro Interfaith, Greater Opportunities, First Ward Action Council, Broome County Habitat for Humanity, and Community Potential Inc. Metro Interfaith is a HUD-approved housing counseling agency and has been providing free counseling services in the Binghamton community since 1974.

  3. Step 3:

    Apply for the Binghamton First-Time Homebuyer Program. Contact the City of Binghamton Housing Division to apply for a forgivable loan of up to $10,000 toward your down payment and closing costs. The loan is forgiven after five years of owner-occupancy.

  4. Step 4:

    Contact Metro Interfaith for additional assistance. Their HOME Purchase Assistance Program provides up to $30,000 for qualifying first-time homebuyers. Reach out to Metro Interfaith at metrointerfaith.org for eligibility details and application information.

  5. Step 5:

    Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Contact Tioga State Bank about the FHLBNY Homebuyer Dream Program (grants up to $30,000 for buyers at or below 80% AMI). You can also connect with a SONYMA-approved lender for state down payment assistance loans of up to $15,000.

  6. Step 6:

    Explore additional resources through Greater Opportunities. They serve Broome and Chenango County families with first-time homebuyer grants and housing counseling. Contact them at greaterops.org for program details.

  7. Step 7:

    Find a home in Binghamton and close. Work with your lender to confirm the property meets any program requirements. Your lender and housing counselor will coordinate all assistance funds at closing. Plan for estimated closing costs of $3,000 to $4,500 based on the current median home price.

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