First-Time 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 median home price of approximately $355,000. 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. Buyers may also qualify for the Community Partners Loan Pool, which provides up to $50,000 in zero-interest deferred assistance. By stacking city and state programs, eligible Wilmington buyers could access over $50,000 in combined down payment and closing cost assistance.
Top Homebuyer Programs in Wilmington
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 → |
| 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 → |
| 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 → |
| 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 → |
| Good Neighbor Next Door (HUD) | Government Property Sale Program | 50% discount off the list price of HUD-owned homes | Yes | View → |
| USDA Rural Development Loans | Government-Guaranteed Mortgage | 100% financing (no down payment required); loan amount up to appraised value | No | 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 → |
| 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 → |
| Wilmington Home Ownership Pool (HOP) | Deferred Loan | Up to $25,000 | No | View → |
| Wilmington HOP 2gether | Deferred Loan | Up to $25,000 | Yes | View → |
| Cape Fear Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program | Zero-Interest Loan | Affordable mortgage at no profit | No | View → |
- 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-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-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:
- 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
- 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:
- 100% financing (no down payment required); loan amount up to appraised value
- First-time only:
- No
- 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
- 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:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $25,000
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $25,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Affordable mortgage at no profit
- First-time only:
- No
How to Apply
- Step 1:
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 buyers at 60% AMI or below.
- Step 2:
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](https
- Step 3:
Contact the City of Wilmington Housing Division. Visit the [Housing Division](https
- Step 4:
Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Work with an [NCHFA-approved lender](https
- Step 5:
Explore nonprofit options. Contact [Cape Fear Habitat for Humanity](https
- Step 6:
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.
- Step 7:
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.