North Carolina Down Payment Assistance
North Carolina Down Payment Assistance Programs
A guide to current down payment assistance options in North Carolina, including the state Housing Finance Agency, well-known city and county programs, and live DPA mortgage pricing for North Carolina homebuyers.
North Carolina Housing Finance Agency
North Carolina Housing Finance Agency (NCHFA)
NCHFA administers the primary DPA programs for North Carolina. Program details below are current as of April 23, 2026 - confirm current terms directly with NCHFA before applying.
Statewide DPA Programs in North Carolina
NC Home Advantage Mortgage
NCHFA
Fixed-rate first mortgage with optional down payment assistance up to 3% of the loan amount. DPA is a 0% interest deferred second, forgiven 20% per year in years 11-15 (fully forgiven at year 15).
Paired with: Conventional, FHA, VA, USDA
- First-time homebuyer: Not required
- Primary residence only
- Minimum FICO: 640
- Maximum DTI: 43%
- Income: Household income up to $152,000 (see NCHFA schedule for current limits).
- Homebuyer education required
Available to both first-time and move-up buyers statewide.
Source: www.nchfa.com
NC 1st Home Advantage Down Payment
NCHFA
$15,000 fixed-amount 0% deferred second mortgage. Forgiven 20% per year at the end of years 11-15; fully forgiven at year 15.
Paired with: Conventional, FHA, VA, USDA
- First-time homebuyer: Required
- Primary residence only
- Minimum FICO: 640
- Maximum DTI: 43%
- Income: County and family size based limits per NCHFA schedule.
- Homebuyer education required
First-time buyers and military veterans only. Must be paired with an NC Home Advantage Mortgage. Cannot be combined with the NC Home Advantage Tax Credit.
Source: www.nchfa.com
Major City & County Programs in North Carolina
House Charlotte Program
DreamKey Partners (on behalf of the City of Charlotte) · City of Charlotte, NC
Up to $30,000 for households at or below 80% AMI; up to $10,000 for 80-110% AMI; up to $80,000 for qualifying City of Charlotte employees. 0% interest deferred second mortgage; forgiven 20% per year starting at year 5, fully forgiven at year 10.
First-time homebuyer requirement (HUD definition). Primary residence within Charlotte city limits. Monthly reservation cap applies.
Source: dreamkeypartners.org
North Carolina Notes for Homebuyers
- North Carolina is a deed-of-trust state; closings are commonly handled by attorneys.
- The NC Home Advantage Tax Credit (MCC) program ended in 2025 and is not accepting new applications. Confirm current MCC availability with NCHFA.
2026 Loan Limits in North Carolina
Conforming (Conventional)
$806,500 baseline
Some North Carolina counties qualify as high-cost, with limits up to $1,209,750.
FHA
$524,225 floor
Higher-cost North Carolina counties can reach the FHA ceiling of $1,209,750.
Live DPA Pricing for North Carolina
Pricing below is sourced live from hundreds of wholesale lenders for a North Carolina 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 North Carolina with live pricing
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