See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated May 7, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Mandan, ND (2026)
Mandan is Bismarck's twin city across the Missouri River, the Morton County seat with about 24,500 residents and a median home price near $320,000. Buyers in Mandan have unique access to one of North Dakota's strongest local nonprofit ecosystems: CommunityWorks ND, the area's HUD-approved housing counseling agency, is headquartered right in Mandan and offers its own revolving down payment assistance loan program. Missouri Valley Habitat for Humanity also serves the Bismarck-Mandan area, building homes for buyers earning 30-60% of area median income. Statewide, NDHFA programs let first-time buyers stack the FirstHome below-market mortgage with up to $3,000 in DCA assistance, or use the Start Program for a 3% closing-cost credit. The North Dakota Primary Residence Credit adds up to $1,600 per year against property tax bills. Mandan's 35-block Renaissance Zone offers a 5-year property tax exemption (up to 8 years for owner-occupied single-family rehab projects) plus state income tax incentives.
City Programs in Mandan
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gate City Bank First-Time Homebuyer Closing Cost Credit | Grant | $250 closing cost credit | Yes | View → |
| Mandan Renaissance Zone Tax Exemption | Property Tax Relief | 5-year property tax exemption plus state income tax incentives; up to 8 years for individuals who purchase or rehabilitate a single-family residence used as their legal residence | No | View → |
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- $250 closing cost credit
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Property Tax Relief
- Amount:
- 5-year property tax exemption plus state income tax incentives; up to 8 years for individuals who purchase or rehabilitate a single-family residence used 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 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 → |
| 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
Step 1: Check your eligibility. NDHFA programs use county-based income limits. In Burleigh/Morton County, FirstHome serves 1-2 person households up to $96,600 in income. The North Dakota Primary Residence Credit, Renaissance Zone, and CommunityWorks ND have no first-time buyer requirement.
Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. Required for all NDHFA loan programs. CommunityWorks ND, headquartered right in Mandan, is a HUD-approved counseling agency offering pre-purchase counseling and education 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. Capital Credit Union, Gate City Bank (which offers a $250 first-time buyer closing cost credit), and other local NDHFA lenders serve Mandan. Visit ndhfa.org for the full list.
Step 5: Find a home within program limits. The single-family purchase price cap on FirstHome is $294,600. Properties inside Mandan's Renaissance Zone qualify for additional tax relief.
Step 6: 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.
Step 7: Apply for tax benefits. For Renaissance Zone properties, application MUST be approved by the City of Mandan and the State of North Dakota BEFORE qualifying activities take place. Contact the Mandan Business Development office at 701-667-3485. 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 Mandan?+−
What is CommunityWorks ND?+−
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer?+−
What is the North Dakota Primary Residence Credit?+−
What homebuyer education is required?+−
How does the Mandan Renaissance Zone work?+−
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