See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated March 21, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Holly Springs, NC (2026)
Holly Springs is one of the fastest-growing towns in North Carolina's Research Triangle region, located in Wake County just southwest of Raleigh. With a median home price around $575,000, buying here is a significant investment, but first-time buyers can tap into meaningful assistance to make it more affordable. The Wake County Affordable Homeownership Program offers up to $50,000 in forgivable loans for qualifying buyers, and the NC 1st Home Advantage program provides $15,000 in down payment help. Additional statewide options like the ReBuild NC Homeownership Assistance Program (up to $30,000), the Community Partners Loan Pool (up to $50,000), and the Self-Help Loan Pool (up to $50,000) can further reduce upfront costs. By combining county, state, and federal programs, eligible Holly Springs buyers may be able to stack tens of thousands of dollars in assistance toward their purchase.
County Programs in Wake County
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wake County Affordable Homeownership Program | Forgivable Loan | Up to $50,000 | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $50,000
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Habitat for Humanity of Wake County Homeownership | Zero-Interest Loan | Affordable below-market mortgage (Habitat builds/rehabilitates homes and sells at affordable prices) | Yes | View → |
| NACA Homebuyer Program | Repayable Loan | No down payment, no closing costs, no fees, plus below-market interest rate mortgage | No | View → |
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Affordable below-market mortgage (Habitat builds/rehabilitates homes and sells at affordable prices)
- 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
How to Apply
Step 1: Check your eligibility. Most programs require household income at or below 80% of the area median income for Wake County. Review the income limits for the Wake County Affordable Homeownership Program and the NC Housing Finance Agency programs to see which ones you qualify for.
Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. The Wake County program requires a HUD-approved homebuyer education course and counseling session. DHIC in Raleigh administers the Wake County program and offers homebuyer counseling. Contact them at (919) 832-3696 or WakeAHP@dhic.org to get started.
Step 3: Get your finances in order. You will need a minimum credit score of 640 for the Wake County program. If your credit needs work, DHIC offers free credit counseling to help you become mortgage-ready.
Step 4: Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Contact an NC Housing Finance Agency approved lender to explore the NC Home Advantage Mortgage and NC 1st Home Advantage Down Payment programs. You can also check with local lenders like State Employees' Credit Union, which has a branch in Holly Springs.
Step 5: Find a home within program price limits. Work with a real estate agent familiar with Holly Springs and Wake County program requirements. Some programs have maximum purchase price limits, so confirm these with your lender and counselor.
Step 6: Submit your applications. Once you have a home under contract, your lender and housing counselor will help you apply for the down payment assistance programs you qualify for. The Wake County program is administered by DHIC, and state programs are processed through your NCHFA-approved lender.
Step 7: Close on your new home. Your lender will coordinate all program funds at closing. Be sure to understand any occupancy and repayment requirements, such as the Wake County program's 20-year forgiveness schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much down payment assistance can I get in Holly Springs?+−
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer to qualify?+−
What is the maximum home price I can purchase with assistance?+−
What homebuyer education is required?+−
Is the Wake County program currently accepting applications?+−
Can I use Habitat for Humanity in Holly Springs?+−
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