See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated May 7, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Grand Forks, ND (2026)
Grand Forks is North Dakota's third-largest city and home to the University of North Dakota, with about 59,000 residents and a median home price near $290,000. Buyers here can stack the NDHFA FirstHome below-market mortgage with up to $3,000 in DCA down payment assistance or use the Start Program for a 3% closing-cost credit with no repayment. Grand Forks offers some of the most generous local incentives in the state: the Renaissance Zone Exemption provides up to 8 years of 100% property tax exemption on value added by qualifying construction or rehabilitation, and the New Home Owner Exemption gives newly built homes up to $150,000 of valuation tax-free for 2 years. The Grand Forks Community Land Trust offers permanently affordable homes for buyers earning up to 120% AMI, and Red River Valley Habitat for Humanity provides 0% interest mortgages and no down payment for low-income buyers willing to contribute sweat equity. Existing Section 8 voucher holders may also convert their rental assistance into a mortgage subsidy through the Grand Forks Housing Authority.
City Programs in Grand Forks
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gate City Bank First-Time Homebuyer Closing Cost Credit | Grant | $250 closing cost credit | Yes | View → |
| Grand Forks Housing Authority Homeownership Voucher | Repayable Loan | Converts monthly Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) rental assistance into a monthly mortgage payment subsidy | Yes | View → |
| Grand Forks New Home Owner Exemption | Property Tax Relief | Property tax exemption on up to $150,000 of valuation for 2 taxable years after the year of construction completion | No | View → |
| Grand Forks Renaissance Zone Tax Exemption | Property Tax Relief | Up to 8 years of 100% property tax exemption on the value added by qualifying construction or rehabilitation; plus state income tax incentives | No | View → |
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- $250 closing cost credit
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Repayable Loan
- Amount:
- Converts monthly Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) rental assistance into a monthly mortgage payment subsidy
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Property Tax Relief
- Amount:
- Property tax exemption on up to $150,000 of valuation for 2 taxable years after the year of construction completion
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Property Tax Relief
- Amount:
- Up to 8 years of 100% property tax exemption on the value added by qualifying construction or rehabilitation; plus state income tax incentives
- 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 → |
| Grand Forks Community Land Trust | Repayable Loan | Reduced home purchase price; CLT retains ownership of the land while buyer owns the structure; additional assistance for households at or below 80% AMI | No | View → |
| Red River Valley Habitat for Humanity | Zero-Interest Loan | Affordable Habitat-built home with 0% interest mortgage; no down payment; mortgage payment capped at 30% of annual income | No | View → |
- Type:
- Repayable Loan
- Amount:
- Variable; affordable loans for down payment, closing costs, rehabilitation, and emergency repairs
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Repayable Loan
- Amount:
- Reduced home purchase price; CLT retains ownership of the land while buyer owns the structure; additional assistance for households at or below 80% AMI
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Affordable Habitat-built home with 0% interest mortgage; no down payment; mortgage payment capped at 30% of annual income
- First-time only:
- No
How to Apply
Check your eligibility. NDHFA programs use county-based income limits that vary by household size. The Grand Forks Community Land Trust serves households up to 120% of area median income. Habitat for Humanity targets buyers below traditional financing thresholds, and the GFHA Homeownership Voucher requires an existing Housing Choice Voucher.
Complete homebuyer education. NDHFA loan programs require a homebuyer education certificate before closing. Approved options include eHome America (North Dakota) online courses and CommunityWorks ND (HUD-approved) phone counseling at 701-667-7600. Habitat applicants complete dedicated education through the affiliate.
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. Gate City Bank operates in Grand Forks and offers an additional $250 closing cost credit for first-time buyers with a Gate City checking account. Other local NDHFA lenders are listed at ndhfa.org.
Find a home within program limits. The single-family purchase price cap on FirstHome is $294,600. Consider Grand Forks Community Land Trust homes for permanent affordability, or look at Renaissance Zone properties to capture the 8-year property tax exemption.
Submit your application. Your NDHFA lender handles the loan paperwork; contribute at least $500 of your own funds and provide your homebuyer education certificate dated before closing.
Apply for tax exemptions. If you're purchasing or building inside the Renaissance Zone, your application MUST be approved by both the city and the State of North Dakota BEFORE the sale closes or construction begins. If you're buying a newly constructed home, apply for the New Home Owner Exemption with the Grand Forks Assessing Department at 701-746-2611.