See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated March 28, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Bartlett, TN (2026)
Bartlett is a suburban city in Shelby County just northeast of Memphis, consistently ranked among the safest and most family-friendly communities in Tennessee. With a median home price around $350,000, Bartlett offers a middle ground between Memphis affordability and higher-priced Nashville suburbs. Buyers here can access the THDA Great Choice Plus program for up to $15,000 in down payment assistance, the Shelby County Down Payment Assistance Program for up to $6,000 in DPA on homes priced under $300,000, and The Housing Fund for up to $35,000 in affordable DPA loans. Habitat for Humanity of Greater Memphis also builds affordable homes for qualifying families in Shelby County. By stacking state, county, and nonprofit programs, Bartlett homebuyers can significantly reduce their out-of-pocket costs.
County Programs in Shelby County
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shelby County Down Payment Assistance Program | Repayable Loan | Up to $6,000 | No | View → |
- Type:
- Repayable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $6,000
- First-time only:
- No
State Programs in Tennessee
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| THDA Great Choice Home Loan | Government-Insured Mortgage | 30-year fixed-rate mortgage at below-market interest rates | Yes | View → |
| THDA Great Choice Plus - Amortizing Option | Repayable Loan | Up to 5% of the purchase price, maximum $15,000 | Yes | View → |
| THDA Great Choice Plus - Deferred Option | Forgivable Loan | $6,000 forgivable second mortgage | Yes | View → |
| THDA Homeownership for Heroes | Government-Insured Mortgage | 0.5% reduced interest rate plus up to $15,000 or 5% of purchase price in DPA | No | View → |
- Type:
- Government-Insured Mortgage
- Amount:
- 30-year fixed-rate mortgage at below-market interest rates
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Repayable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to 5% of the purchase price, maximum $15,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- $6,000 forgivable second mortgage
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Government-Insured Mortgage
- Amount:
- 0.5% reduced interest rate plus up to $15,000 or 5% of purchase price in DPA
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Habitat for Humanity of Greater Memphis Homebuyer Program | Zero-Interest Loan | Affordable home purchase with zero-interest mortgage | Yes | View → |
| The Housing Fund Down Payment Assistance | Repayable Loan | Up to $35,000 | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Affordable home purchase with zero-interest mortgage
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Repayable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $35,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
How to Apply
Step 1: Check your eligibility. Review income limits for Shelby County under the THDA Great Choice program. The Shelby County DPA program has an income limit of $81,000 for all household sizes and a $300,000 purchase price limit. The Housing Fund serves buyers earning up to 120% of the Area Median Income.
Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. THDA requires a homebuyer education course from a THDA-certified counselor. The Shelby County DPA program also requires a certified Homebuyer Education Class. Contact the Shelby County Department of Housing at (901) 222-7614 for information.
Step 3: Contact a local housing partner. Call the Shelby County Department of Housing at (901) 222-7614 and ask for Down Payment Assistance Loan Counselor Darren Bortters to discuss the county DPA. Reach out to The Housing Fund at 615-780-7000 for DPA loans up to $35,000.
Step 4: Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Work with a THDA-participating lender to get pre-approved for a Great Choice Home Loan with down payment assistance. The Shelby County DPA requires you to qualify for THDA, FHA, VA, or conventional financing.
Step 5: Find a home within program price limits. The Shelby County DPA has a $300,000 purchase price limit. Check THDA purchase price limits for Shelby County at thda.org for the state program limits.
Step 6: Submit your application and close. Your lender will coordinate DPA funds from THDA and any additional assistance from the Shelby County program or The Housing Fund. You must invest a minimum of $500 of your own funds for the county program. Expect 30 to 60 days from contract to closing.