See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated March 21, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Asheville, NC (2026)
Asheville, North Carolina is a vibrant city in the Blue Ridge Mountains known for its arts scene, historic architecture, and outdoor recreation, with a median home price around $450,000. While Asheville's housing market is among the priciest in the state, buyers have access to strong local assistance through Mountain Housing Opportunities, which offers $20,000 to $30,000 in down payment assistance for purchases in Buncombe County. The Buncombe County Down Payment Assistance Program provides an additional 0% interest deferred loan covering up to 10% of the purchase price. At the state level, the NC 1st Home Advantage Down Payment offers up to $15,000 for first-time buyers and veterans. OnTrack WNC, a HUD-approved counseling agency in Asheville, provides free homebuyer education and one-on-one counseling to help buyers navigate these programs. By combining local and state programs, Asheville homebuyers could potentially stack $45,000 or more in assistance.
County Programs in Buncombe County
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buncombe County Down Payment Assistance Program | Deferred Loan | Up to 10% of the affordable home purchase price | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to 10% of the affordable home purchase price
- First-time only:
- Yes
State Programs in North Carolina
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Community Partners Loan Pool (CPLP) | Deferred Loan | Up to 25% of the sales price, maximum $50,000 | No | View → |
| FHLBA Community Partners Product | Forgivable Loan | Up to $20,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs | No | View → |
| FHLBA First Time Homebuyer Product | Forgivable Loan | Up to $17,500 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs | Yes | View → |
| FHLBA Workforce Housing Plus+ | Grant | Up to $15,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs | No | View → |
| NC 1st Home Advantage Down Payment | Forgivable Loan | $15,000 | Yes | View → |
| NC Home Advantage Mortgage | Deferred Loan | Up to 3% of the loan amount | No | View → |
| ReBuild NC Homeownership Assistance Program (HAP) | Forgivable Loan | Up to $30,000 in down payment assistance plus up to 5% of sales price for closing costs | Yes | View → |
| Self-Help Loan Pool (SHLP) | Zero-Interest Loan | Up to $50,000 (max $35,000 if home is within one of 24 CDBG Entitlement Cities in NC) | No | View → |
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to 25% of the sales price, maximum $50,000
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $20,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $17,500 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Up to $15,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- $15,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to 3% of the loan amount
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $30,000 in down payment assistance plus up to 5% of sales price for closing costs
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $50,000 (max $35,000 if home is within one of 24 CDBG Entitlement Cities in NC)
- First-time only:
- No
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program | Zero-Interest Loan | Affordable Habitat mortgage with below-market terms | No | View → |
| Mountain Housing Opportunities Down Payment Assistance | Deferred Loan | $20,000 to $30,000 | Yes | View → |
| NACA Homebuyer Program | Repayable Loan | No down payment, no closing costs, no fees, plus below-market interest rate mortgage | No | View → |
| OnTrack WNC Homebuyer Education and Counseling | Grant | Free HUD-approved homebuyer education and one-on-one counseling | No | View → |
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Affordable Habitat mortgage with below-market terms
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- $20,000 to $30,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Repayable Loan
- Amount:
- No down payment, no closing costs, no fees, plus below-market interest rate mortgage
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Free HUD-approved homebuyer education and one-on-one counseling
- First-time only:
- No
How to Apply
Step 1: Check your eligibility. Most Asheville-area programs require income at or below 80% AMI for Buncombe County. Contact OnTrack WNC at (828) 255-5166 to discuss your situation and determine which programs fit.
Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. OnTrack WNC, a HUD-approved counseling agency at 50 South French Broad Avenue, Suite 227, Asheville, NC 28801, offers homebuyer education classes and free one-on-one counseling sessions. Completing homebuyer education is required for both the Mountain Housing Opportunities and Buncombe County programs.
Step 3: Contact Mountain Housing Opportunities to apply for $20,000 to $30,000 in down payment assistance. MHO serves Buncombe, Henderson, Haywood, and Madison Counties. Their assistance is structured as a shared appreciation loan with no monthly payments until you sell or move.
Step 4: Get pre-approved for a mortgage. If applying for the NC Home Advantage Mortgage, use an NCHFA-approved lender to access up to $15,000 in state down payment assistance. You will need a credit score of at least 640 for state programs.
Step 5: Find a home in Buncombe County. Work with your real estate agent and MHO to confirm the property qualifies for assistance. The Buncombe County DPA can provide additional help covering up to 10% of the purchase price.
Step 6: Submit your applications and complete the review process. Mountain Housing Opportunities and Buncombe County will coordinate with your lender to finalize assistance at closing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much down payment assistance can I get in Asheville?+−
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer to qualify?+−
What is a shared appreciation loan?+−
What homebuyer education is required?+−
How did Tropical Storm Helene affect housing programs in Asheville?+−
Can Habitat for Humanity help me buy a home in Asheville?+−
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