See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated May 7, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Dickinson, ND (2026)
Dickinson is the largest city in southwest North Dakota and the seat of Stark County, with about 25,000 residents and a median home price near $300,000. While Dickinson does not run its own down payment assistance program, buyers here can stack several strong programs. The NDHFA FirstHome below-market mortgage pairs with up to $3,000 in DCA assistance, and the Start Program adds a 3% closing-cost credit with no repayment. Statewide, Dickinson homeowners can also claim the North Dakota Primary Residence Credit for up to $1,600 per year against their property tax bill (2025-2026 tax years). Dickinson's Renaissance Zone offers up to 8 years of property tax exemption for residential properties when buyers invest at least 20% of the property's value in qualifying improvements. CommunityWorks ND, headquartered in Mandan, also provides statewide HUD-approved counseling and a revolving down payment assistance loan program.
City Programs in Dickinson
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dickinson Renaissance Zone Residential Tax Exemption | Property Tax Relief | Up to 8 years of property tax exemption for residential properties in the Renaissance Zone | No | View → |
- Type:
- Property Tax Relief
- Amount:
- Up to 8 years of property tax exemption for residential properties in the Renaissance Zone
- First-time only:
- No
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 30-year fixed first mortgage: 6.200% (1.5% origination fee) or 6.450% (no fee) on FHA/VA/RD, 0.25% higher conventional, as of Oct 15, 2026; optional 3% DCA or Start credit | Yes | View → |
| NDHFA HomeAccess Program | Repayable Loan | Below-market 30-year fixed first mortgage at the FirstHome rate (6.200% government / 6.450% conventional as of Oct 14, 2026); optional 3% DCA or Start credit | 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 30-year fixed first mortgage: 6.200% (1.5% origination fee) or 6.450% (no fee) on FHA/VA/RD, 0.25% higher conventional, as of Oct 15, 2026; optional 3% DCA or Start credit
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Repayable Loan
- Amount:
- Below-market 30-year fixed first mortgage at the FirstHome rate (6.200% government / 6.450% conventional as of Oct 14, 2026); optional 3% DCA or Start credit
- 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 → |
| 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:
- 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 → |
- Type:
- Repayable Loan
- Amount:
- Variable; affordable loans for down payment, closing costs, rehabilitation, and emergency repairs
- First-time only:
- No
How to Apply
Step 1: Check your eligibility. NDHFA programs use county-based income limits that vary by household size. The North Dakota Primary Residence Credit and Dickinson's Renaissance Zone Exemption have no income limits.
Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. Required for all NDHFA loan programs. CommunityWorks ND in Mandan offers HUD-approved phone counseling at 701-667-7600. NDHFA also accepts eHome America (North Dakota) online courses.
Step 3: Choose your loan path. First-time buyers should pair NDHFA 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.
Step 4: Get pre-approved through an NDHFA participating lender. Visit ndhfa.org for the current list of participating lenders serving the Dickinson area.
Step 5: Find a home within program limits. The single-family purchase price cap on FirstHome is $294,600. If you are considering a property inside Dickinson's Renaissance Zone that needs rehabilitation, you may qualify for an 8-year property tax exemption on qualifying improvements.
Step 6: Submit your application. Your NDHFA lender handles loan paperwork; contribute at least $500 of your own funds and provide your homebuyer education certificate dated before closing.
Step 7: Apply for the Renaissance Zone exemption (if eligible) BEFORE the qualifying activity takes place. Contact Steven Josephson at the City of Dickinson Planning and Zoning Commission at 701-456-7026 or steven.josephson@dickinsongov.com to begin the application process. Apply for the North Dakota Primary Residence Credit between January 1 and April 1 each year through tax.nd.gov/prc.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much down payment assistance can I get in Dickinson?+−
What is the North Dakota Primary Residence Credit?+−
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer?+−
What is the maximum home price in Dickinson?+−
What homebuyer education is required?+−
How does the Dickinson Renaissance Zone work?+−
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