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By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated May 7, 2026

Homebuyer Programs in Yankton, SD (2026)

Population: 15,540 | Median home price: $285,000 | Est. closing costs: $5,500 - $8,500

Skyline of Yankton, SD

Yankton is the historic first capital of Dakota Territory, sitting on the Missouri River as the county seat of Yankton County, with a median home price near $285,000. Yankton buyers can pair the SDHDA Fixed Rate Plus second mortgage worth 3% or 5% of the loan amount (0% interest, due-on-sale) with GROW South Dakota's $5,000-$10,500 deferred DPA loan and the SDHDA Mortgage Credit Certificate, which returns up to $2,000 per year in federal tax credits. Habitat for Humanity of Clay and Yankton Counties builds and sells homes at no profit with 0% interest mortgages to qualifying families, and the Governor's House Program offers prebuilt $86,000-$96,000 homes through Planning and Development District III, the regional administrator. More than 41 Yankton-area families used SDHDA programs in the last year, totaling more than $5.1 million in financing.

State Programs in South Dakota

Governor's House Program
Type:
Government Property Sale Program
Amount:
Two-bedroom home from $86,000; three-bedroom from $96,000
First-time only:
No
GROW South Dakota Down Payment Assistance
Type:
Deferred Loan
Amount:
$5,000 to $10,500
First-time only:
No
SDHDA First-Time Homebuyer Program (Fixed Rate Plus)
Type:
Silent Second Mortgage
Amount:
3% or 5% of loan amount
First-time only:
Yes
SDHDA Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC)
Type:
Tax Credit
Amount:
Federal tax credit up to $2,000 per year (30% of mortgage interest)
First-time only:
Yes

Federal Programs

FHA Loans
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
FHLBA Community Partners Product
Type:
Forgivable Loan
Amount:
Up to $20,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
First-time only:
No
FHLBA First Time Homebuyer Product
Type:
Forgivable Loan
Amount:
Up to $17,500 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
First-time only:
Yes
FHLBA Workforce Housing Plus+
Type:
Forgivable Loan
Amount:
Up to $15,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
First-time only:
No
Good Neighbor Next Door (HUD)
Type:
Government Property Sale Program
Amount:
50% discount off the list price of HUD-owned homes
First-time only:
Yes
Home Possible Mortgage (Freddie Mac)
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
HomeReady Mortgage (Fannie Mae)
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
HUD $100 Down Program
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
USDA Rural Development Loans
Type:
Government-Guaranteed Mortgage
Amount:
100% financing (no down payment required); loan amount up to appraised value
First-time only:
No
VA Loans
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

Habitat for Humanity of Clay and Yankton Counties Homeownership Program
Type:
Zero-Interest Loan
Amount:
Affordable home sold at no profit with 0% interest mortgage
First-time only:
No

How to Apply

Step 1:

Check your eligibility. SDHDA programs cap purchase price at $410,000 in non-targeted areas. GROW SD requires income at or below 80% AMI.

Step 2:

Complete a HUD-approved homebuyer education course. The NeighborWorks course is offered online at no cost.

Step 3:

Get pre-approved with an SDHDA participating lender. Find a lender at sdhousing.org or call SDHDA at 800-540-4241.

Step 4:

For the Governor's House Program, contact Planning and Development District III at 1808 Summit St, Yankton, SD or call (605) 665-4408 (Teresa Kokesh at (605) 260-5652). Habitat applicants should apply through habitatclayyankton.org or call (605) 260-4224.

Step 5:

Find a home in Yankton within program price limits and use it as your primary residence.

Step 6:

Submit your full application package. Plan 30 to 60 days from contract to close.

Step 7:

Close on your home. Confirm any second mortgages and the SDHDA Mortgage Credit Certificate are recorded at closing.

Frequently Asked Questions

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