Homebuyer Programs in Winston-Salem, NC (2026)
Winston-Salem is the second-largest city in North Carolina's Piedmont Triad region, offering a growing job market anchored by healthcare, education, and manufacturing. With a median home price around $290,000, the city is more affordable than many NC metros. First-time buyers in Winston-Salem can access the City's Homebuyer Assistance Program offering up to $14,800 as a forgivable loan, the Forsyth County AHOP-HOME program providing up to $22,000 in deferred down payment assistance, and the New Century IDA matched savings program through Experiment in Self-Reliance offering up to a 6:1 match on savings. Combined with state programs like the NC Home Advantage mortgage with up to $15,000 in DPA, buyers who stack multiple programs can significantly reduce their out-of-pocket costs at closing.
Top Homebuyer Programs in Winston-Salem
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winston-Salem Homebuyer Assistance Program | Forgivable Loan | Up to $14,800 or 20% of purchase price, whichever is lower | Yes | View → |
| Forsyth County AHOP-HOME Down Payment Assistance | Deferred Loan | Up to $22,000 or 20% of sales price, whichever is less | Yes | View → |
| Forsyth County Community Partners Loan Pool (CPLP) | Deferred Loan | Varies based on need | Yes | 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 → |
| 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 → |
| Habitat for Humanity of Forsyth County Homeownership Program | Zero-Interest Loan | Affordable 30-year mortgage on a Habitat-built home | Yes | View → |
| New Century IDA Matched Savings Program | Grant | Up to 6:1 match on savings (save $2,000, receive up to $12,000) | Yes | 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 → |
| 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:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $14,800 or 20% of purchase price, whichever is lower
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $22,000 or 20% of sales price, whichever is less
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Varies based on need
- First-time only:
- Yes
- 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
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Affordable 30-year mortgage on a Habitat-built home
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Up to 6:1 match on savings (save $2,000, receive up to $12,000)
- First-time only:
- Yes
- 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
How to Apply
- Step 1:
Check your eligibility. Most Winston-Salem programs require household income at or below 80% of Area Median Income. The Forsyth County AHOP-HOME program requires a minimum 640 credit score. Verify current income limits with Forsyth County at 336-703-2680.
- Step 2:
Complete homebuyer education. Contact Financial Pathways of the Piedmont's Center for Homeownership at 888-474-8015 to enroll in a HUD-approved homebuyer education course. This is required for all local programs.
- Step 3:
Explore matched savings. If you have time before purchasing, contact Experiment in Self-Reliance at 336-722-9400 ext. 160 to learn about the New Century IDA matched savings program, which can match your savings up to 6
- Step 4:
Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Work with an NCHFA-approved lender to access the NC Home Advantage mortgage and up to $15,000 in state down payment assistance. A list of participating lenders is available through NCHFA.
- Step 5:
Apply for local down payment assistance. Submit applications for the Winston-Salem Homebuyer Assistance Program (up to $14,800) and the Forsyth County AHOP-HOME program (up to $22,000). Funds are first-come, first-served, so apply early. Contact the City at 336-727-8000.
- Step 6:
Find a home and close. Work with your real estate agent to find a home within program price limits. Your lender and housing counselor will coordinate the closing process and ensure all assistance funds are applied.