See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated March 21, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Wilmington, NC (2026)
Wilmington is a vibrant coastal city in southeastern North Carolina and the county seat of New Hanover County, with a population of approximately 130,000 and a median home price of $370,000. The City of Wilmington offers its Home Ownership Pool (HOP) program providing up to $25,000 in down payment assistance for buyers at or below 80% AMI, plus the HOP 2gether program offering an additional $25,000 for first-time buyers at 60% AMI or below. At the state level, the NC 1st Home Advantage provides $15,000 in forgivable down payment assistance, and the NC Home Advantage Mortgage offers up to 5% of the loan amount. Through Kingdom CDC, a local Community Partners Loan Pool member, buyers can access up to $50,000 in zero-interest deferred assistance. Cape Fear Habitat for Humanity also provides affordable zero-interest mortgages for families between 30% and 80% AMI. By stacking city and state programs, eligible Wilmington buyers could access over $50,000 in combined down payment and closing cost assistance.
City Programs in Wilmington
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wilmington Home Ownership Pool (HOP) | Deferred Loan | Up to $25,000 | No | View → |
| Wilmington HOP 2gether | Deferred Loan | Up to $25,000 | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $25,000
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $25,000
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Fear Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program | Zero-Interest Loan | Affordable mortgage at no profit | No | View → |
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Affordable mortgage at no profit
- First-time only:
- No
How to Apply
Check your eligibility. Review income limits for New Hanover County. The Wilmington HOP program requires household income at or below 80% AMI, while HOP 2gether targets first-time buyers at 60% AMI or below. The Community Partners Loan Pool through Kingdom CDC also requires income at or below 80% AMI.
Complete homebuyer education. Attend the City of Wilmington's mandatory Home Buyer Education class. The certificate is valid for two years. Contact the City of Wilmington Housing Division at 910-341-7836 for upcoming class schedules. Kingdom CDC also offers a homebuyer workshop — call 910-606-3388 to register.
Contact the City of Wilmington Housing Division. Visit the Housing Division to discuss your eligibility for the HOP and HOP 2gether programs and begin your application. For the Community Partners Loan Pool, contact Kingdom CDC at 910-606-3388.
Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Work with an NCHFA-approved lender to get pre-approved for an NC Home Advantage Mortgage, which can be paired with the $15,000 NC 1st Home Advantage down payment grant. The CPLP through Kingdom CDC must also be paired with an NC Home Advantage Mortgage or USDA Section 502 Loan.
Explore nonprofit options. Contact Cape Fear Habitat for Humanity at 910-762-4744 or email info@capefearhabitat.org to see if you qualify for their affordable homeownership program for families between 30% and 80% AMI.
Find a home within Wilmington city limits. HOP and HOP 2gether require the home to be within Wilmington city limits. Work with your real estate agent to identify eligible properties.
Submit your application and required documents. Provide your credit report, pay stubs, bank statements, and tax returns to the Housing Division. Processing times vary, so apply early in your home search.