See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated May 7, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Bismarck, ND (2026)
Bismarck is North Dakota's capital and second-largest city, home to about 75,500 residents with a median home price near $340,000. Like other ND cities, Bismarck doesn't run its own down payment assistance program, but buyers here can stack the NDHFA FirstHome below-market mortgage with up to $3,000 in DCA assistance or use the Start Program for a 3% closing-cost credit with no repayment. CommunityWorks ND, headquartered in Mandan, offers its own revolving loan program with down payment and closing cost assistance and serves as the area's HUD-approved housing counselor. Missouri Valley Habitat for Humanity builds homes for buyers earning 30-60% of area median income with a $650 down payment and sweat equity. Bismarck's Renaissance Zone is the region's most generous incentive: qualifying owner-occupied properties get a 100% building-value property tax exemption for 5 years plus up to $10,000 per year in state income tax credit for 5 years. Stacking these programs can save tens of thousands over the life of a Bismarck home purchase.
City Programs in Bismarck
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bismarck Renaissance Zone Tax Exemption | Property Tax Relief | 100% property tax exemption on the building for up to 5 years; PLUS up to $10,000/year state income tax credit for up to 5 years for owner-occupied homes | No | View → |
| Gate City Bank First-Time Homebuyer Closing Cost Credit | Grant | $250 closing cost credit | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Property Tax Relief
- Amount:
- 100% property tax exemption on the building for up to 5 years; PLUS up to $10,000/year state income tax credit for up to 5 years for owner-occupied homes
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- $250 closing cost credit
- First-time only:
- Yes
State Programs in North Dakota
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NDHFA Down Payment & Closing Cost Assistance (DCA) | Zero-Interest Loan | Up to 3% of the loan amount or $3,000, whichever is greater | Yes | View → |
| NDHFA FirstHome Program | Repayable Loan | Below-market interest rate first mortgage | Yes | View → |
| NDHFA HomeAccess Program | Repayable Loan | Below-market interest rate first mortgage; can be paired with DCA | No | View → |
| NDHFA Start Program | Grant | 3% of the first mortgage loan amount as a credit at closing | No | View → |
| NDHFA Targeted Area Loan | Repayable Loan | Below-market interest rate first mortgage | No | View → |
| North Dakota Primary Residence Credit | Tax Credit | Up to $1,600 per household in property tax relief for tax years 2025 and 2026 (increased from $500 in 2024) | No | View → |
| North Dakota Roots Program | Repayable Loan | Below-market interest rate loan, OR market-rate loan with down payment and closing cost assistance | No | View → |
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Up to 3% of the loan amount or $3,000, whichever is greater
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Repayable Loan
- Amount:
- Below-market interest rate first mortgage
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Repayable Loan
- Amount:
- Below-market interest rate first mortgage; can be paired with DCA
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- 3% of the first mortgage loan amount as a credit at closing
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Repayable Loan
- Amount:
- Below-market interest rate first mortgage
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Tax Credit
- Amount:
- Up to $1,600 per household in property tax relief for tax years 2025 and 2026 (increased from $500 in 2024)
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Repayable Loan
- Amount:
- Below-market interest rate loan, OR market-rate loan with down payment and closing cost assistance
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CommunityWorks ND Revolving Loan Program | Repayable Loan | Variable; affordable loans for down payment, closing costs, rehabilitation, and emergency repairs | No | View → |
| Missouri Valley Habitat for Humanity | Zero-Interest Loan | Affordable Habitat-built home with zero-interest mortgage; cost equals materials only; $650 down payment | No | View → |
- Type:
- Repayable Loan
- Amount:
- Variable; affordable loans for down payment, closing costs, rehabilitation, and emergency repairs
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Affordable Habitat-built home with zero-interest mortgage; cost equals materials only; $650 down payment
- First-time only:
- No
How to Apply
Check your eligibility. The NDHFA FirstHome program limits Burleigh/Morton County households of fewer than 3 people to $96,600 in income. The Start Program serves moderate-income buyers, and North Dakota Roots serves higher earners up to 200% of area median income.
Complete homebuyer education. Required for all NDHFA loan programs. CommunityWorks ND in Mandan is a HUD-approved counseling agency and offers pre-purchase classes. NDHFA also accepts eHome America (North Dakota) online courses. Reach CommunityWorks at 701-667-7600.
Choose your loan path. First-time buyers should pair FirstHome with DCA. The Start Program adds a 3% closing-cost credit with no repayment. Veterans, single parents, and households with disabled or elderly members should ask about HomeAccess. Higher-income or returning North Dakotans should explore North Dakota Roots.
Get pre-approved through an NDHFA participating lender. Gate City Bank operates branches in Bismarck and offers an additional $250 closing cost credit for first-time buyers with a Gate City checking account. Capital Credit Union and other local lenders are also NDHFA participants.
Find a home within program limits. The single-family purchase price cap on FirstHome is $294,600. If you're considering new construction or rehabilitation in Bismarck's Renaissance Zone, apply for the Renaissance Zone exemption BEFORE construction begins.
Submit your application. Your NDHFA lender handles the loan paperwork; you must contribute at least $500 from your own funds and provide a homebuyer education certificate dated before closing.
Apply for Renaissance Zone benefits if eligible. Submit your application to the City of Bismarck and the North Dakota Department of Commerce before any qualifying improvements begin. Approved properties enroll automatically in the property tax exemption for the next 5 years and may also qualify for up to $10,000/year in state income tax credit.