See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated May 7, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Williston, ND (2026)
Williston is the largest city in northwest North Dakota and the heart of the Bakken oil region, with about 28,000 residents and a median home price near $335,000. 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. Williston offers some of the most generous local incentives in the state for new construction: a New Home Permit Fee Refund of up to $3,000, a 2-year property tax exemption on up to $150,000 of value for newly built single-family homes, and a Renaissance Zone exemption that can run up to 8 years for purchases or rehabilitations inside the zone. Statewide, Williston homeowners can also claim the North Dakota Primary Residence Credit (up to $1,600 per year for 2025-2026 tax years). Stacking these can save thousands in upfront and ongoing costs.
City Programs in Williston
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Williston New Home Permit Fee Refund | Grant | Up to $3,000 refund of new home permit fees | No | View → |
| Williston New Single-Family Property Tax Exemption | Property Tax Relief | Property tax exemption on up to $150,000 of true and full value (excluding land) for 2 taxable years following construction | No | View → |
| Williston Renaissance Zone Single-Family Tax Exemption | Property Tax Relief | Partial or complete property tax exemption for up to 8 years for individuals who purchase or rehabilitate a single-family residence in the Renaissance Zone | No | View → |
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Up to $3,000 refund of new home permit fees
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Property Tax Relief
- Amount:
- Property tax exemption on up to $150,000 of true and full value (excluding land) for 2 taxable years following construction
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Property Tax Relief
- Amount:
- Partial or complete property tax exemption for up to 8 years for individuals who purchase or rehabilitate a single-family residence in the Renaissance Zone
- 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 Williston's tax exemption programs have no income limits.
Complete homebuyer education. Required for all NDHFA loan programs. CommunityWorks ND in Mandan offers HUD-approved phone 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. Visit ndhfa.org for the current participating lender list in the Williston area.
Find a home within program limits. The single-family purchase price cap on FirstHome is $294,600. New construction qualifies for the Williston permit fee refund and 2-year property tax exemption. Properties inside the Williston Renaissance Zone qualify for up to 8 years of partial or complete property 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. For new construction, work with the City of Williston Building Safety department on the permit fee refund (must start construction within 6 months of permit) and the Williston Assessor on the 2-year property tax exemption. For Renaissance Zone, your application MUST be approved by the city and state BEFORE any qualifying activity. Apply for the North Dakota Primary Residence Credit between January 1 and April 1 each year.