See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated May 7, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in West Fargo, ND (2026)
West Fargo is one of North Dakota's fastest-growing cities, a Cass County community of about 40,000 residents adjacent to Fargo with a typical home value near $315,000. Like its neighbor, West Fargo doesn't run its own down payment assistance program, but buyers can stack the NDHFA FirstHome below-market mortgage with up to $3,000 in DCA assistance, or use the Start Program for a 3% closing-cost credit with no repayment. The city offers two strong tax-relief incentives of its own: a New Residential Construction property tax reduction for the first 2 years after occupancy, and a 5-year Renaissance Zone exemption (plus state income tax exemption) for approved projects in the 20-block downtown zone. Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity also builds homes for buyers earning 50-80% of area median income across both Fargo and West Fargo. As a Cass County address, West Fargo buyers may also qualify for the NDHFA Targeted Area Loan in eligible census tracts.
City Programs in West Fargo
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gate City Bank First-Time Homebuyer Closing Cost Credit | Grant | $250 closing cost credit | Yes | View → |
| West Fargo New Residential Construction Property Tax Exemption | Property Tax Relief | Property tax reduction for the first 2 taxable years following the initial date of occupancy | No | View → |
| West Fargo Renaissance Zone Tax Exemption | Property Tax Relief | 5-year property tax exemption plus state income tax exemption for approved Renaissance Zone projects | No | View → |
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- $250 closing cost credit
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Property Tax Relief
- Amount:
- Property tax reduction for the first 2 taxable years following the initial date of occupancy
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Property Tax Relief
- Amount:
- 5-year property tax exemption plus state income tax exemption for approved Renaissance Zone projects
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity | Zero-Interest Loan | Affordable Habitat-built home with zero-interest mortgage; mortgage payment capped at 30% of gross monthly income | No | View → |
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Affordable Habitat-built home with zero-interest mortgage; mortgage payment capped at 30% of gross monthly income
- First-time only:
- No
How to Apply
Check your eligibility. NDHFA programs use county-based income limits. In Cass County, FirstHome serves 1-2 person households up to $105,500. The Targeted Area Loan, available in select Cass County census tracts, has higher limits.
Complete homebuyer education. Required for all NDHFA loan programs. CommunityWorks ND in Mandan offers HUD-approved counseling at 701-667-7600. NDHFA also accepts eHome America (North Dakota) online courses. Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity offers financial fitness classes.
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 branches in West Fargo 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. If you're considering new construction, plan to apply for the New Residential Construction property tax exemption with the West Fargo Assessor. Properties in the West Fargo Renaissance Zone qualify for a 5-year property tax exemption plus state income tax exemption.
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 tax exemptions after closing. For new construction, submit applications to West Fargo City Hall (2515 6th St E) by email, mail, or in person. For Renaissance Zone, application MUST be approved by the city and state BEFORE the activity occurs.