Minnesota Mortgage Guides 2026
This complete Minnesota mortgage guide covers FHA limits by county, Minnesota Housing down payment assistance programs, USDA rural loans, VA resources for Minnesota veterans, and a complete closing cost breakdown — all in one place.
Everything You Need for a Minnesota Home Purchase
Six in-depth guides covering every aspect of getting a mortgage in Minnesota — from loan program selection to what you’ll pay at closing.
Minnesota Mortgage Guide
FHA loan limits by county, loan program comparison, property tax overview, and how the Minnesota housing market affects your financing options.
Read guide →Minnesota First-Time Home Buyer Guide
Minnesota Housing Start Up and Step Up loans, down payment assistance up to $18,000, and income and purchase-price limits by region — compared side by side.
Read guide →Minnesota FHA Loan Requirements
2026 FHA limits for the Twin Cities metro ($552,000), Duluth, Rochester, St. Cloud, and every other Minnesota county.
Read guide →Minnesota VA Loan Requirements
VA entitlement, 2026 funding fee chart, and resources for Minnesota National Guard members and veterans statewide.
Read guide →Minnesota USDA Loans
2026 USDA income limits for Minnesota metro areas, eligible rural and suburban areas outside the Twin Cities core, and how zero-down USDA compares to FHA.
Read guide →Minnesota Closing Costs Guide
Minnesota’s deed tax and mortgage registry tax, who can conduct closings (Minn. Stat. 507.45), property tax prorations, and a complete fee-by-fee breakdown for Minnesota buyers.
Read guide →Key Minnesota Mortgage Facts
FHA Loan Limits
- Twin Cities metro (13-county): $552,000
- Duluth (St. Louis County): $541,287
- Rochester (Olmsted County): $541,287
- St. Cloud (Stearns County): $541,287
- All other MN counties: $541,287
- Confirm your county at HUD’s FHA mortgage limits lookup
Down Payment Assistance
- Start Up: for first-time homebuyers
- Step Up: for repeat buyers, and first-time buyers not eligible for Start Up
- Deferred Payment Loan Plus: up to $18,000 at 0% interest
- Monthly Payment Loan: up to $14,000
- Income limits are higher in the 11-county Twin Cities metro and in Dodge and Olmsted counties
- Current terms at Minnesota Housing
USDA Income Limits
- Standard limit: $124,800 (1–4 person) / $164,750 (5–8 person)
- Some areas are higher, up to $153,550 / $202,700 — verify your county
- FY2026 limits, dated July 13, 2026
- Limits by county at USDA’s eligibility site
Closing Cost Highlights
- State deed tax: 0.33% of sale price (0.34% in Hennepin/Ramsey)
- Mortgage registry tax: 0.23% of loan amount (0.24% in Hennepin/Ramsey)
- Closings may be handled by a licensed attorney, real estate broker or salesperson, or real estate closing agent (Minn. Stat. 507.45)
- Property tax proration at closing
- Total closing costs vary by loan, lender and county; see the full breakdown below
- Deed tax: Minn. Stat. 287.21; Hennepin/Ramsey add-on: Minn. Stat. 383B.80
Buying or Refinancing in Minnesota?
Minnesota offers unique advantages — Minnesota Housing down payment assistance up to $18,000, a $552,000 FHA limit across the 13-county Twin Cities metro, and USDA zero-down financing in eligible areas outside the urban core. Our guides above break down all of it, and every figure links to the official source so you can verify current terms.
- ✓ Check Start Up and Step Up eligibility and current terms at mnhousing.gov
- ✓ Confirm your county’s 2026 FHA limit with HUD’s lookup tool
- ✓ Compare FHA vs. USDA vs. conventional using our loan program guides
- ✓ Estimate your total cash to close with our closing cost guide
No obligation · Educational first
Talk to a Minnesota Mortgage Advisor
Have questions about buying or refinancing in Minnesota? A licensed mortgage advisor can walk you through your loan options, assistance programs and costs, with no obligation.
Speak to a Mortgage Advisor