First-Time Homebuyer Programs in Raleigh, NC (2026)
Raleigh is North Carolina's capital city and the second-largest city in the state, with a population of about 482,000 and a median home price around $395,000. As a hub of the Research Triangle, Raleigh's housing market is competitive but first-time homebuyers have access to substantial local assistance. The City of Raleigh offers up to $45,000 in down payment and closing cost help through its Traditional Homebuyer Assistance Program, and up to $60,000 through its Enhanced program for homes in targeted areas. Wake County also offers up to $50,000 in forgivable assistance for buyers in surrounding towns. Combined with statewide NCHFA programs and federal options like FHA and VA loans, Raleigh-area buyers can potentially stack significant assistance to make homeownership more attainable.
Top Homebuyer Programs in Raleigh
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raleigh Traditional Homebuyer Assistance Program | Zero-Interest Loan | Up to $45,000 | Yes | View → |
| Raleigh Enhanced Homebuyer Assistance Program | Zero-Interest Loan | Between $45,000 and $60,000 | Yes | View → |
| Wake County Affordable Homeownership Program | Forgivable Loan | Up to $50,000 | Yes | View → |
| Habitat for Humanity of Wake County Homeownership | Zero-Interest Loan | Affordable below-market mortgage (Habitat builds/rehabilitates homes and sells at affordable prices) | Yes | View → |
| 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 → |
| 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 → |
| USDA Rural Development Loans | Government-Guaranteed Mortgage | 100% financing (no down payment required); loan amount up to appraised value | No | View → |
| Good Neighbor Next Door (HUD) | Government Property Sale Program | 50% discount off the list price of HUD-owned homes | Yes | 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 → |
| 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 → |
| 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 → |
| NC Home Advantage Mortgage | Deferred Loan | Up to 5% of the loan amount | No | View → |
| NC 1st Home Advantage Down Payment | Forgivable Loan | $15,000 | Yes | View → |
| Community Partners Loan Pool (CPLP) | Deferred Loan | Up to 25% of the sales price, maximum $50,000 | No | View → |
| Self-Help Loan Pool (SHLP) | Zero-Interest Loan | Up to $50,000 (max $35,000 if home is within one of 24 CDBG Entitlement Cities in NC) | No | View → |
Raleigh Traditional Homebuyer Assistance Program
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $45,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
Raleigh Enhanced Homebuyer Assistance Program
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Between $45,000 and $60,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
Wake County Affordable Homeownership Program
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $50,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
Habitat for Humanity of Wake County Homeownership
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Affordable below-market mortgage (Habitat builds/rehabilitates homes and sells at affordable prices)
- First-time only:
- Yes
FHA Loans
- 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
VA Loans
- 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
USDA Rural Development Loans
- Type:
- Government-Guaranteed Mortgage
- Amount:
- 100% financing (no down payment required); loan amount up to appraised value
- First-time only:
- No
Good Neighbor Next Door (HUD)
- Type:
- Government Property Sale Program
- Amount:
- 50% discount off the list price of HUD-owned homes
- First-time only:
- Yes
HomeReady Mortgage (Fannie Mae)
- 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
Home Possible Mortgage (Freddie Mac)
- 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
HUD $100 Down Program
- 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
NC Home Advantage Mortgage
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to 5% of the loan amount
- First-time only:
- No
NC 1st Home Advantage Down Payment
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- $15,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
Community Partners Loan Pool (CPLP)
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to 25% of the sales price, maximum $50,000
- First-time only:
- No
Self-Help Loan Pool (SHLP)
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $50,000 (max $35,000 if home is within one of 24 CDBG Entitlement Cities in NC)
- First-time only:
- No
How to Apply
- Step 1: Check your eligibility. Review income limits — you must earn at or below 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI) for Wake County. For a family of four, that's approximately $76,550. Confirm you have not owned a home in the past 3 years.
- Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. The City of Raleigh requires you to attend a Homeownership Class to earn a certificate. DHIC, Inc. is the city's designated counseling provider and offers these classes. Contact DHIC at (919) 832-4345 to register.
- Step 3: Meet with a DHIC homeownership advisor. DHIC will review your credit, income, and financial readiness. If you need time to improve your credit score or save more, they will help you build a plan. Call (919) 832-3696 to schedule.
- Step 4: Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Work with an approved lender from the City's network. If you're also using NCHFA programs, make sure your lender is NCHFA-approved. Your lender will help determine which city, state, and federal programs you can combine.
- Step 5: Find a home within program limits. For the Traditional program, the purchase price cannot exceed $384,750. For the Enhanced program (targeted areas only), the limit is $450,000. The home must be a single-family home, townhome, or condo within Raleigh city limits.
- Step 6: Submit your application. Your lender and DHIC will coordinate the application for all applicable programs. Homes purchased through the program will have a 10-year deed restriction. Allow adequate processing time before closing.