See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated March 21, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Fayetteville, NC (2026)
Fayetteville is the sixth-largest city in North Carolina, located in Cumberland County and home to Fort Liberty (formerly Fort Bragg), one of the largest military installations in the world. With a median home price around $240,000, Fayetteville is one of the most affordable metro areas in the state. First-time buyers can access the City of Fayetteville's Homebuying HERO Program, which provides up to $20,000 in forgivable gap financing for residents and up to $30,000 for public service employees and city workers. Combined with state programs like the NC 1st Home Advantage ($15,000 in forgivable down payment assistance) and the NC Home Advantage Mortgage (up to 3% of the loan amount), buyers in Fayetteville can potentially stack over $45,000 in assistance toward their home purchase.
City Programs in Fayetteville
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville Homebuying HERO Program | Forgivable Loan | Up to $20,000 for Citizen HERO; up to $30,000 for Public Service HERO and City Employee HERO | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $20,000 for Citizen HERO; up to $30,000 for Public Service HERO and City Employee HERO
- First-time only:
- Yes
County Programs in Cumberland County
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cumberland County Down Payment and GAP Assistance Program | Forgivable Loan | Down Payment Assistance (DAP) up to $5,000; GAP Loan up to $20,000; or up to $25,000 when DAP and GAP are combined | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Down Payment Assistance (DAP) up to $5,000; GAP Loan up to $20,000; or up to $25,000 when DAP and GAP are combined
- 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 → |
| NC 1st Home Advantage Down Payment | Forgivable Loan | $15,000 | Yes | View → |
| NC Home Advantage Mortgage | Deferred Loan | Up to 5% 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:
- $15,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to 5% 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 → |
| 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+ | Forgivable Loan | Up to $15,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs | 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:
- 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:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $15,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville Area Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program | Zero-Interest Loan | Affordable mortgage with below-market terms. Home purchase price based on construction costs. | No | View → |
| NCCHC Homebuyer Assistance Program | Grant | Varies based on program and funding availability. | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Affordable mortgage with below-market terms. Home purchase price based on construction costs.
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Varies based on program and funding availability.
- First-time only:
- Yes
How to Apply
Check your eligibility. The Homebuying HERO Program requires household income at or below 120% of the area median income (140% for City employees). You must be a first-time homebuyer who has not owned a home in the past three years.
Complete homebuyer education. Attend a HUD-approved homebuyer workshop through Kingdom CDC, offered at Fayetteville Technical Community College every fourth Saturday of the month. Contact Kingdom CDC at 910-606-3388 to register.
Contact a HUD-approved housing counselor. North Carolina Community Housing and Consulting (NCCHC) provides free housing counseling and can help you navigate available programs.
Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Work with a participating lender or an NCHFA-approved lender to determine your loan amount and explore state programs like NC 1st Home Advantage and NC Home Advantage Mortgage.
Find a home within Fayetteville city limits. The Homebuying HERO Program requires the property to be a single-family home (attached or detached) or modular home within city limits.
Submit your application to the City of Fayetteville Economic and Community Development department. Processing times vary based on funding availability, so apply early in your homebuying process.