See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated March 21, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Raleigh, NC (2026)
Raleigh is North Carolina's capital city and a hub of the Research Triangle, with a population exceeding 503,000 and a median home price around $430,000. First-time homebuyers in Raleigh have access to some of the strongest local assistance in the state. The City of Raleigh offers up to $45,000 in down payment and closing cost help through its Traditional Homebuyer Assistance Program, and up to $65,000 through its Enhanced program for homes in targeted areas. The NACA Homebuyer Program provides a no-down-payment, no-closing-cost mortgage at below-market rates for qualifying buyers. Combined with statewide NCHFA programs like the NC 1st Home Advantage Down Payment ($15,000) and federal options like FHA and VA loans, Raleigh-area buyers can stack significant assistance to make homeownership more attainable.
City Programs in Raleigh
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raleigh Enhanced Homebuyer Assistance Program | Zero-Interest Loan | Up to $65,000 | Yes | View → |
| Raleigh Traditional Homebuyer Assistance Program | Zero-Interest Loan | Up to $45,000 | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $65,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $45,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
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 → |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Zero-Interest 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:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- No down payment, no closing costs, no fees, plus below-market interest rate mortgage
- First-time only:
- No
How to Apply
Check your eligibility. Review income limits — you must earn at or below 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI) for Wake County. For a family of four, that's approximately $90,650. Confirm you have not owned a home in the past 3 years.
Complete homebuyer education. The City of Raleigh requires you to attend a Homeownership Class to earn a certificate. DHIC, Inc. is the city's designated counseling provider and offers these classes both in person and virtually. Contact DHIC at (919) 832-4345 to register.
Meet with a DHIC homeownership advisor. DHIC will review your credit, income, and financial readiness. If you need time to improve your credit score or save more, they will help you build a plan. Call (919) 832-3696 to schedule.
Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Work with an approved lender from the City's network. If you're also using NCHFA programs, make sure your lender is NCHFA-approved. Your lender will help determine which city, state, and federal programs you can combine.
Find a home within program limits. For the Traditional program, the purchase price cannot exceed $384,750. For the Enhanced program (targeted areas only), the limit is $450,000. The home must be a single-family home, townhome, or condo within Raleigh city limits.
Submit your application. Your lender and DHIC will coordinate the application for all applicable programs. Homes purchased through the program will have a 10-year deed restriction. Allow adequate processing time before closing.
Explore NACA as an alternative. If you prefer a no-down-payment, no-closing-cost mortgage, attend a free NACA homebuyer workshop and work with a NACA counselor to get qualified. NACA has a local office serving the Raleigh-Durham area.