See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated May 7, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Jamestown, ND (2026)
Jamestown is the seat of Stutsman County and home to about 15,800 residents, with a median home price near $225,000 — one of the most affordable mid-size cities in North Dakota. 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. Statewide, all North Dakota homeowners can claim the Primary Residence Credit for up to $1,600 per year against their property tax bill (2025-2026 tax years). Jamestown's Renaissance Zone offers 5-year 100% property tax and state income tax exemptions for approved projects, with up to 8 years available for owner-occupied single-family purchases or rehabilitations. CommunityWorks ND, headquartered in Mandan, also serves Jamestown buyers as a HUD-approved counseling agency with its own revolving down payment assistance loan program. Community Action Region VI (701-252-1821) provides additional housing-related services across Stutsman and surrounding counties.
City Programs in Jamestown
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gate City Bank First-Time Homebuyer Closing Cost Credit | Grant | $250 closing cost credit | Yes | View → |
| Jamestown Renaissance Zone Tax Exemption | Property Tax Relief | 5-year 100% property tax exemption plus 5-year 100% state income tax exemption for approved Renaissance Zone projects; up to 8 years for individuals who purchase or rehabilitate a single-family residence as their legal residence | No | View → |
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- $250 closing cost credit
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Property Tax Relief
- Amount:
- 5-year 100% property tax exemption plus 5-year 100% state income tax exemption for approved Renaissance Zone projects; up to 8 years for individuals who purchase or rehabilitate a single-family residence as their legal residence
- 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 Jamestown's Renaissance Zone Exemption have no income limits.
Complete homebuyer education. Required for all NDHFA loan programs. CommunityWorks ND in Mandan is a HUD-approved counseling agency offering pre-purchase 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. Gate City Bank operates in Jamestown 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. Jamestown's lower median home price (around $225,000) means most homes fall comfortably within the NDHFA FirstHome single-family cap of $294,600. Renaissance Zone properties qualify for additional tax relief.
Submit your application. Your NDHFA lender handles loan paperwork; contribute at least $500 of your own funds and provide a homebuyer education certificate dated before closing.
Apply for tax benefits. For Renaissance Zone properties, application MUST be approved by the Jamestown City Council AND the ND Department of Commerce BEFORE the qualifying activity takes place. Contact the Jamestown-Stutsman Development Corporation. Apply for the North Dakota Primary Residence Credit between January 1 and April 1 each year through tax.nd.gov/prc.