Down Payment Assistance
Down Payment Assistance in Maine (2026)
Maine homebuyers can access up to $5,000 in down payment assistance through the MaineHousing. On the state's $388,200 median home price, that covers roughly 6% of a standard 20% down payment.
New to this? Quick definitions
- DPA —
- down payment assistance. Money — as a grant or loan — that helps cover the upfront cash you'd otherwise need to buy a home.
- Grant vs. loan —
- a grant is money you never repay. A loan (forgivable, deferred, or repayable) can come with strings attached, even at 0% interest.
- Forgivable loan —
- the balance is wiped out over time if you stay in the home — but it's still a real loan until then, and selling or refinancing early can trigger repayment.
- Deferred loan (silent second) —
- a second loan on your home with no monthly payments, often called a "silent second" because you won't notice it until you sell, refinance, or pay off your first mortgage — that's when it comes due.
- AMI —
- Area Median Income. The midpoint household income for your county, used to set eligibility — programs list limits as a percentage of AMI (e.g. 80% of AMI).
- Income limit —
- the maximum household income you can earn and still qualify, based on where you live and how many people are in your household.
- Purchase price cap —
- the maximum home price a program will help you buy — homes priced above the cap don't qualify, even if your income does.
Do you likely qualify?
The Advantage Down Payment Grant caps the home purchase price at $481,176 — check that cap against homes you're considering, and the county income limit below.
Primary Program: Advantage Down Payment Grant
maximum assistance
True grant — no repayment ever. This money does not need to be paid back under any circumstances.
- Administering Agency
- MaineHousing
- Purchase Price Cap
- $481,176
- Repayment Required
- N/A — this is a true grant.
How Down Payment Assistance Works
Most state DPA programs are layered on top of a first mortgage — you apply through an approved lender who originates both the primary loan and the DPA second lien at the same closing. The DPA funds reduce the cash you need upfront.
Grants
Free money — no repayment ever. Typically the smallest amounts but highest value.
Forgivable Loans
Balance forgiven after a set period (usually 3–15 years) if you stay in the home. Selling early triggers repayment.
Deferred Loans
No monthly payments. Balance due when you sell, refinance, or pay off your mortgage.
Mistakes first-time buyers make
- Assuming you don't qualify without actually checking the income limit for your county and household size.
- Treating a "forgivable" loan as free money — it can still come due in full if you sell or refinance before the forgiveness term ends.
- Stacking programs incorrectly, or assuming state and local programs combine automatically without confirming with your lender.
- Skipping the required homebuyer education course, which can delay or disqualify your application at closing.
Pro tips
- Talk to a HUD-approved housing counselor first — it's free and they know every program you may qualify for, not just the state's.
- Apply for mortgage pre-approval alongside your DPA program application; most DPA funds are disbursed through an approved lender at the same closing.
- Check local city and county programs in addition to the state program above — many are stackable and cover different costs.
- Ask exactly what triggers repayment on any loan-based assistance before you sign, not after.
Down Payment Calculator
Down Payment Planner
Maine median pre-loaded
Your Savings Plan
Timeline
13.0 yrs
saving $500/mo
No PMI at 20% down
20% or more avoids private mortgage insurance entirely.
Estimate only — does not include investment returns on savings.
Full Calculator →What the Assistance Does on a $388,200 Maine Home
A worked example at Maine's median home price (Zillow Home Value Index, April 2026), using the same payment model as the Maine salary page: a 7.03% 30-year fixed rate (Freddie Mac PMMS, week of September 24, 2026), PMI from the National MI rate card on the 10%-down case, the state's effective property-tax rate and homeowners premium, and principal, interest, tax and insurance held to 28% of gross income.
How much of the down payment it covers
A 10% down payment on a $388,200 home is $38,820, and 20% is $77,640. The $5,000 Advantage Down Payment Grant maximum covers 13% of the first and 6% of the second, leaving $33,820 of a 10% down payment to come from savings, before any closing costs.
Whether a household under the income limit can carry it
Carrying the median home takes $107,486 a year with 20% down, or $124,329 with 10% down and PMI. The first-mortgage income limit at MaineHousing (Maine State Housing Authority) is $105,000 (Households of 1-2 persons, All Other Areas ($120,750 for 3+); highest is Portland HMFA $139,100 (1-2) / $159,965 (3+). Effective June 1, 2026.). (MaineHousing (Maine State Housing Authority), retrieved 2026-09-14) No household under that limit can carry the median home at a 28% ratio, even with 20% down. At exactly $105,000, the same model supports a price of about $378,856, $9,344 below the median — the realistic ceiling for a buyer using this programme.
The First Mortgage and Closing Taxes This Assistance Has to Cover in Maine
Real Estate Transfer Tax (RETT)
Maine's real estate transfer tax is $2.20 per $500 of value (0.44%), split equally between seller and buyer. Since November 1, 2025, value above $1 million is taxed an additional $3.80 per $500. (36 M.R.S. §§ 4641 - 4641-N). (Maine Revenue Services, retrieved 2026-09-14) Under that schedule a $388,200 sale owes $1,708, divided between buyer and seller by statute.
Recording fees
Statewide register of deeds fee (33 M.R.S. §751(1), effective January 1, 2026) for instruments without a separately specified fee: flat $35 per instrument ($25 when recorded at the request of the State or a municipality). Previously $19 first page + $2 each additional page. (Maine State Legislature (Office of the Revisor of Statutes), retrieved 2026-09-14)
MaineHousing (Maine State Housing Authority): First Home Loan Program
First Home Loan Program is the first-mortgage programme run by MaineHousing (Maine State Housing Authority). (MaineHousing (Maine State Housing Authority), retrieved 2026-09-14) Its purchase-price limit is $525,000 (1-unit, All Other Areas (and Bangor HMFA); $565,000 in Portland HMFA, York/Kittery HMFA, Cumberland, Sagadahoc and York counties. Effective June 1, 2025.), so a $388,200 home is within it. (MaineHousing (Maine State Housing Authority), retrieved 2026-09-14) The income limit is $105,000 (Households of 1-2 persons, All Other Areas ($120,750 for 3+); highest is Portland HMFA $139,100 (1-2) / $159,965 (3+). Effective June 1, 2026.). (MaineHousing (Maine State Housing Authority), retrieved 2026-09-14) Down payment help comes through Advantage (down payment and closing cost assistance): $5,000 toward the cash needed for closing; requires homebuyer education and a 1% minimum borrower contribution. (MaineHousing (Maine State Housing Authority), retrieved 2026-09-14) Minimum credit score: 640. (MaineHousing (Maine State Housing Authority), retrieved 2026-09-14)
Frequently Asked Questions
What down payment assistance is available in Maine?
Maine's primary DPA program is the Advantage Down Payment Grant, administered by the MaineHousing. It provides up to $5,000 as a grant. True grant — no repayment ever. This money does not need to be paid back under any circumstances.
How much down payment do I need in Maine after using DPA?
On a $388,200 home (Maine median), a 20% down payment is $77,640. With the Advantage Down Payment Grant covering $5,000, your remaining gap would be $72,640. Many buyers combine DPA with a 3–5% conventional or FHA loan to reduce their cash needed further.
Do I have to repay Maine down payment assistance?
True grant — no repayment ever. This money does not need to be paid back under any circumstances.
Can I combine Maine DPA with other assistance programs?
Yes — Maine's DPA programs can generally be combined ("stacked") with local city and county assistance programs, employer homebuyer benefits, and federal programs. Check with an approved lender or HUD-approved counselor to identify all programs you qualify for.
What are the income limits for Maine down payment assistance?
The Advantage Down Payment Grant does not publish its income limit as a single percentage of AMI; limits are set in dollars by county and household size. Check the MaineHousing website for current limits in your area.
Related Calculators
Home Affordability Calculator
See how much home you can afford in Maine
PMI Calculator
Estimate private mortgage insurance on lower down payments
Maine First-Time Buyer Programs
State mortgage programs with low rates and low down payments
Mortgage Payments by Price
See full PITI costs for 8 home prices in Maine, from $200K to $750K
What to do next
Down payment assistance is one piece of the puzzle. Here's where to go depending on where you are in the process.
Not sure if you qualify?
Check the MaineHousing income limits above before ruling yourself out — many buyers qualify without realizing it.
Want the full true cost picture?
DPA covers the down payment, not your ongoing costs. See the true cost of owning a home in Maine for the full monthly picture.
Ready to apply?
Most DPA funds are disbursed through an approved lender at closing — get pre-approved and ask specifically about Advantage Down Payment Grant when you apply.