New Mexico Down Payment Assistance
New Mexico Down Payment Assistance Programs
A guide to current down payment assistance options in New Mexico, including the state Housing Finance Agency, well-known city and county programs, and live DPA mortgage pricing for New Mexico homebuyers.
New Mexico Housing Finance Agency
New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority (Housing New Mexico) (MFA)
housingnm.org505-843-6880
MFA administers the primary DPA programs for New Mexico. Program details below are current as of October 17, 2026 - confirm current terms directly with MFA before applying.
Statewide DPA Programs in New Mexico
FirstHome
Housing New Mexico (MFA)
Fixed-rate first mortgage for first-time homebuyers with low to moderate incomes; may be paired with FirstDown or HomeNow for down payment and closing cost assistance.
Paired with: Conventional, FHA, VA, USDA
- First-time homebuyer: Required
- Primary residence only
- Minimum FICO: 620
- Income: Income and purchase price limits vary by county and household size; see the Housing New Mexico schedule.
- Homebuyer education required
First-time homebuyer defined as not owning and occupying a principal residence in the past three years. Conventional options are HFA Advantage and HFA Preferred; HUD Section 184 also eligible. Targeted areas may waive the first-time buyer requirement.
Source: housingnm.org
FirstDown
Housing New Mexico (MFA)
Fixed-rate second mortgage from $1,000 up to 4% of the sales price for down payment and closing costs, with multiple repayment term options and a monthly payment.
Paired with: Conventional, FHA, VA, USDA
- First-time homebuyer: Required
- Primary residence only
- Minimum FICO: 620
- Income: Same income and purchase price limits as FirstHome.
- Homebuyer education required
Must be paired with the FirstHome first mortgage. Same credit, property and counseling requirements as FirstHome.
Source: housingnm.org
FirstDown Plus
Housing New Mexico (MFA)
Fixed $10,000 third mortgage for down payment. 0% interest, 15-year amortizing loan with monthly principal payments of $55.56.
Paired with: Conventional, FHA, VA, USDA
- First-time homebuyer: Required
- Primary residence only
- Minimum FICO: 620
- Income: Same income and purchase price limits as FirstHome.
- Homebuyer education required
Must be used with FirstHome plus either FirstDown or HomeNow. Combined Housing New Mexico DPA loans cannot exceed $35,000. Balance due on sale, refinance or transfer. Funds are limited and first-come, first-served.
Source: housingnm.org
HomeNow
Housing New Mexico (MFA)
Fixed $7,000 second mortgage for down payment and closing costs. No monthly payment; forgiven after 10 full years of owner occupancy.
Paired with: Conventional, FHA, VA, USDA
- First-time homebuyer: Required
- Primary residence only
- Minimum FICO: 620
- Income: At or below 80% of area median income; limits vary by county and household size.
- Homebuyer education required
Must be paired with the FirstHome first mortgage. Used in place of FirstDown as the second mortgage; may be combined with FirstDown Plus.
Source: housingnm.org
HomeForward DPA
Housing New Mexico (MFA)
Fixed-rate 15-year second mortgage up to 3% of the sales price toward down payment, paired with the HomeForward first mortgage. No first-time homebuyer requirement.
Paired with: Conventional, FHA, VA, USDA
- First-time homebuyer: Not required
- Primary residence only
- Minimum FICO: 620
- Income: HomeForward income and purchase price limits apply; see the Housing New Mexico schedule.
- Homebuyer education required
Funds may not be used toward closing costs unless the first mortgage is USDA, VA or HUD Section 184. Homebuyer counseling is required for first-time buyers.
Source: housingnm.org
New Mexico Notes for Homebuyers
- MFA income and purchase price limits are updated periodically; always check the current schedule at housingnm.org.
- Pre-purchase homebuyer counseling is required for first-time buyers using MFA programs.
2026 Loan Limits in New Mexico
Conforming (Conventional)
$832,750 baseline
FHA
$541,287
Standard FHA limit, applies to most New Mexico counties.
Live DPA Pricing for New Mexico
Pricing below is sourced live from hundreds of wholesale lenders for a New Mexico scenario. Edit the inputs to match your situation.
FHA Down Payment Assistance
Up to 5% assistance; repayable second at first rate + 2% over 10 years
▸Program details
- ✓Minimum credit score: 580
- ✓Non-traditional credit also possible
- ✓Assistance up to 2.5%, 3.5%, or 5% of the lesser of purchase price or appraised value
- ✓Assistance can be used for down payment, closing costs, or both
- ✓Second lien: 10-year fixed, repayable
- ✓Second lien rate is 2% higher than the first mortgage rate
- ✓No first-time homebuyer requirement
- ✓No income cap
- ✓Purchase of primary residence only
- ✓Eligible properties: 1-unit residences, PUD, 2-4 units, FHA-approved condos, manufactured (single/double-wide)
- ✓DTI per AUS and FHA manual underwriting guidelines
- ✓First lien: FHA 30-year fixed
Assistance amount
Compare DPA options for New Mexico with live pricing
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