See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated May 7, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Minot, ND (2026)
Minot is North Dakota's fourth-largest city with about 48,000 residents and a median home price near $290,000. The city offers a unique program found nowhere else in the state: the Minot Resilient Homebuyer Program provides up to $60,000 in purchase assistance for residents whose homes were damaged in the 2011 Souris River Flood or are being bought out for flood protection. All ND buyers can also 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. The Minot Area Community Land Trust offers permanently affordable homes via a shared-equity model, and Habitat for Humanity Northern Lights builds 0% interest homes for low-income buyers willing to contribute sweat equity. Minot's Renaissance Zone offers 5- to 8-year property tax exemptions for qualifying construction or substantial rehabilitation. Combining state, federal, and local programs makes Minot one of the most affordable mid-size cities for first-time buyers in the country.
City Programs in Minot
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gate City Bank First-Time Homebuyer Closing Cost Credit | Grant | $250 closing cost credit | Yes | View → |
| Minot Renaissance Zone Tax Exemption | Property Tax Relief | 100% property tax exemption on qualifying residential improvements; 5-year exemption for improvements of 50% or more of property value, 8-year exemption for improvements of 75% or more | No | View → |
| Minot Resilient Homebuyer Program | Forgivable Loan | Up to $60,000 in purchase assistance plus an affordable NDHFA mortgage loan | No | View → |
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- $250 closing cost credit
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Property Tax Relief
- Amount:
- 100% property tax exemption on qualifying residential improvements; 5-year exemption for improvements of 50% or more of property value, 8-year exemption for improvements of 75% or more
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $60,000 in purchase assistance plus an affordable NDHFA mortgage loan
- 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 → |
| Habitat for Humanity Northern Lights | Zero-Interest Loan | Affordable Habitat-built home with 0% interest mortgage; mortgage payment capped at 30% of gross monthly income | No | View → |
| Minot Area Community Land Trust | Repayable Loan | Reduced home purchase price; CLT retains ownership of the land while the buyer owns the home | 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 0% interest mortgage; mortgage payment capped at 30% of gross monthly income
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Repayable Loan
- Amount:
- Reduced home purchase price; CLT retains ownership of the land while the buyer owns the home
- 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 Minot Resilient Homebuyer Program is limited to flood-affected residents. The Minot Area Community Land Trust uses MACLT-specific income guidelines, and Habitat for Humanity targets buyers below traditional financing thresholds.
Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. NDHFA loan programs require a homebuyer education certificate before closing. CommunityWorks ND in Mandan offers HUD-approved counseling at 701-667-7600. NDHFA also accepts eHome America (North Dakota) online courses. MACLT requires its own online education program.
Step 3: Choose your loan path. If you're flood-affected, start with the Minot Resilient Homebuyer Program (up to $60,000 in purchase assistance). Otherwise, 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.
Step 4: Get pre-approved through an NDHFA participating lender. Gate City Bank operates in Minot and offers an additional $250 closing cost credit for first-time buyers with a Gate City checking account. First International Bank & Trust is a MACLT participating lender. Other local NDHFA lenders are listed at ndhfa.org.
Step 5: Find a home within program limits. The single-family purchase price cap on FirstHome is $294,600. Resilient Homebuyer Program purchases must be in qualified Resilient Neighborhoods outside the 100-year floodplain. MACLT homes are listed on minotclt.org.
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. For Resilient Homebuyer, contact the Minot Disaster Recovery Office at 701-837-5813.
Step 7: Apply for Renaissance Zone benefits if eligible. Properties inside the Renaissance Zone get 5-year exemptions for 50%+ improvements or 8-year exemptions for 75%+ improvements. Applications must be approved before any qualifying construction begins.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much down payment assistance can I get in Minot?+−
What is the Minot Resilient Homebuyer Program?+−
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer?+−
What is the maximum home price in Minot?+−
What homebuyer education is required?+−
How does the Minot Renaissance Zone work?+−
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