Down Payment Assistance
Down Payment Assistance in Nevada (2026)
Nevada homebuyers can access up to $16,800 in down payment assistance through the Nevada Housing Division. On the state's $418,349 median home price, that covers roughly 20% of a standard 20% down payment.
Max Assistance
$16,800
Max Home Is Possible Down Payment Assistance award, per Nevada Housing DivisionNew 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 Home Is Possible Down Payment Assistance caps the home purchase price at $481,176 — check that cap against homes you're considering, and the county income limit below.
Primary Program: Home Is Possible Down Payment Assistance
maximum assistance
True grant — no repayment ever. This money does not need to be paid back under any circumstances.
- Administering Agency
- Nevada Housing Division
- 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
Nevada median pre-loaded
Your Savings Plan
Timeline
14.0 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 →The First Mortgage and Closing Taxes This Assistance Has to Cover in Nevada
Real property transfer tax
Nevada taxes deeds at $1.95 per $500 of value (0.39%) in counties under 700,000 population and $2.55 per $500 (0.51%) in counties of 700,000 or more; buyer and seller are jointly and severally liable. (NRS 375.020, 375.023, 375.026, 375.030). (Nevada Legislature, retrieved 2026-09-14)
NRS 375.026 lets the county commissioners of a county under 700,000 population add up to 5 cents per $500 of value. (Nevada Legislature, retrieved 2026-09-14)
Recording fees
$25 for recording a document (NRS 247.305(1)(a)); county recorders may charge an additional fee of up to $5 per document (NRS 247.305(2)) (Nevada Legislature, retrieved 2026-09-14)
Nevada Housing Division: Home Is Possible (HIP)
Home Is Possible (HIP) is the first-mortgage programme run by Nevada Housing Division. (Nevada Housing Division - Home Is Possible, retrieved 2026-09-14) Its purchase-price limit is $832,750 (Home Is Possible (no first-time buyer requirement) stated program maximum; county variation not stated), so a $418,349 home is within it. (Nevada Housing Division - Home Is Possible, retrieved 2026-09-14) The income limit is $165,000 (Home Is Possible stated maximum qualifying income; household-size/county variation not stated). (Nevada Housing Division - Home Is Possible, retrieved 2026-09-14) Down payment help comes through Home Is Possible down payment assistance: Up to 5% of the loan value (Home Is Possible); first-time-buyer version: up to 4% of total loan amount, 30-year non-forgivable. (Nevada Housing Division - Home Is Possible, retrieved 2026-09-14) Minimum credit score: 640. (Nevada Housing Division - Home Is Possible, retrieved 2026-09-14)
Frequently Asked Questions
What down payment assistance is available in Nevada?
Nevada's primary DPA program is the Home Is Possible Down Payment Assistance, administered by the Nevada Housing Division. It provides up to $16,800 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 Nevada after using DPA?
On a $418,349 home (Nevada median), a 20% down payment is $83,670. With the Home Is Possible Down Payment Assistance covering $16,800, your remaining gap would be $66,870. Many buyers combine DPA with a 3–5% conventional or FHA loan to reduce their cash needed further.
Do I have to repay Nevada down payment assistance?
True grant — no repayment ever. This money does not need to be paid back under any circumstances.
Can I combine Nevada DPA with other assistance programs?
Yes — Nevada'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 Nevada down payment assistance?
The Home Is Possible Down Payment Assistance does not publish its income limit as a single percentage of AMI; limits are set in dollars by county and household size. Check the Nevada Housing Division website for current limits in your area.
Related Calculators
Home Affordability Calculator
See how much home you can afford in Nevada
PMI Calculator
Estimate private mortgage insurance on lower down payments
Nevada 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 Nevada, 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 Nevada Housing Division 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 Nevada 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 Home Is Possible Down Payment Assistance when you apply.