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 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 → |
- Type:
- Repayable Loan
- Amount:
- Variable; affordable loans for down payment, closing costs, rehabilitation, and emergency repairs
- First-time only:
- No
How to Apply
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.
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.
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.
Get pre-approved through an NDHFA participating lender. Visit ndhfa.org for the current list of participating lenders serving the Dickinson area.
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.
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.
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.