North Dakota First-Time Home Buyer Guide 2026
The North Dakota Housing Finance Agency’s FirstHome program explained, the 3% Start and DCA down payment and closing cost assistance and how it is repaid, HomeAccess and North Dakota Roots for repeat buyers, and the 2026 income and purchase price limits.
NDHFA FirstHome for North Dakota Buyers
FirstHome is the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency’s first-time homebuyer program. It is made through NDHFA’s participating lenders on top of a base conventional, FHA, VA or USDA Rural Development loan, and it can be paired with NDHFA’s Start or DCA assistance.
| Requirement | FirstHome |
|---|---|
| Buyer | Has not owned a home as a principal residence within the last 3 years |
| Loan type | Conventional, FHA, VA or USDA Rural Development base loan |
| Term | 30 years |
| Income and purchase price | Within NDHFA’s limits (see below) |
| Occupancy | Owner-occupied principal residence |
| Borrower contribution | $500 minimum, from your own funds or gift funds |
| Credit score | No NDHFA minimum; lender and insurer or guarantor guidelines apply |
| Property | No more than 10 acres |
The three-year test applies to the borrower, the borrower’s spouse, and anyone else who will live in the home and be secondarily liable on the mortgage. Owning a vacation home, a rental in another city, vacant land or a mobile home not on a permanent foundation does not by itself disqualify you.
NDHFA Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance
NDHFA has two assistance programs, Start and DCA. Both provide a credit equal to 3% of the first mortgage amount toward your out-of-pocket cash requirement, and it can be used for the down payment, closing costs and prepaid items.
| Term | Start | DCA |
|---|---|---|
| Assistance amount | 3% of the first mortgage | 3% of the first mortgage |
| Who it is for | Low- to moderate-income buyers | Low-income buyers |
| Used with | FirstHome, HomeAccess or North Dakota Roots | FirstHome or HomeAccess |
| Interest rate | Higher than DCA | Same as FirstHome Standard, NDHFA’s lowest |
| Homebuyer education | May be required | Required, with a certificate dated before closing |
| Property | 1–2 units, one occupied by the borrower | 1–2 units, one occupied by the borrower |
| Other assistance | Cannot be combined with other down payment assistance | Cannot be combined with other down payment assistance |
How the assistance is repaid
Repayment terms may apply if you sell, refinance or otherwise transfer the home early.
Confirm current terms with the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency.
Other NDHFA Options
Buyers who are not first-time buyers, or whose income is above FirstHome’s limits, have other NDHFA routes.
| Program | Who It Is For | Key Terms |
|---|---|---|
| HomeAccess | Single parents with a dependent child, veterans discharged other than dishonorably (or their spouses), and households with a member who is 65 or older or permanently disabled | Same interest rate as FirstHome Standard; income and purchase price limits; Start or DCA can be added |
| North Dakota Roots | Buyers who do not qualify for FirstHome or HomeAccess | No income or purchase price limits; loan amount within conforming or insurer limits; slightly higher rate than FirstHome; Start can be added |
| Targeted Area Loan | Buyers in six Cass County census tracts and one Sioux County tract | Reduced-rate bond set-aside; income and purchase price limits |
| Major Home Improvement | Low- to moderate-income households buying or refinancing a home that needs rehabilitation | Income and purchase price limits |
NDHFA Income and Purchase Price Limits
FirstHome and HomeAccess use one set of limits for every county, effective June 15, 2026.
| Limit | Amount |
|---|---|
| Income, household of fewer than 3 | $105,730 |
| Income, household of 3 or more | $121,590 |
| Purchase price, existing single-family home | $500,000 |
| Purchase price, existing duplex / triplex / fourplex | $640,000 / $773,000 / $960,000 |
| Purchase price, new construction | $500,000 |
DCA has its own, lower income limits that vary by county and household size, effective July 15, 2026.
| County | 1 Person | 4 Persons | 8 Persons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bottineau, Williams | $62,300 | $88,950 | $117,450 |
| Burke, Foster | $68,000 | $97,100 | $121,590 |
| Burleigh, Morton, Oliver | $63,300 | $90,400 | $119,350 |
| Cass, McLean, Steele | $64,550 | $92,150 | $121,590 |
| Dunn, McKenzie | $71,550 | $102,150 | $121,590 |
| Stark | $61,550 | $87,900 | $116,050 |
| Traill | $65,550 | $93,600 | $121,590 |
| All other counties | $60,000 | $85,700 | $113,150 |
Limits are from NDHFA’s income and purchase price limits and DCA income limits. NDHFA counts the income of the borrower, spouse and co-borrowers from all sources. Three- and four-unit properties are not eligible under Start or DCA.
Who Qualifies in North Dakota
NDHFA layers its own rules on top of whatever base loan you use. You have to clear both.
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Occupancy | Owner-occupied principal residence |
| First-time buyer | Required for FirstHome; not for HomeAccess or North Dakota Roots |
| Income | FirstHome and HomeAccess limits; lower DCA limits by county; no limit for North Dakota Roots |
| Loan type | Conventional, FHA, VA or USDA Rural Development base loan |
| Borrower contribution | $500 minimum |
| Homebuyer education | Required for DCA |
| Lender | Through one of NDHFA’s participating lenders |
North Dakota First-Time Home Buyer Steps
| Step | What Happens |
|---|---|
| 1. Check the limits | Compare your household income and target price against NDHFA’s limits |
| 2. Choose a participating lender | NDHFA loans are made through its participating lenders |
| 3. Take homebuyer education | Required for DCA, with a certificate dated before closing |
| 4. Pick the program | FirstHome, HomeAccess or North Dakota Roots, with or without Start or DCA |
| 5. Get pre-approved | The lender reviews your income, credit and debts |
| 6. Make an offer and close | Keep the price within the purchase price limit if you use FirstHome or HomeAccess |
Compare the assistance against your savings plan, and ask NDHFA what is owed if you sell or refinance early.
