Down Payment Assistance
Down Payment Assistance in New Hampshire (2026)
New Hampshire homebuyers can access up to $13,500 in down payment assistance through the New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority (NHHFA). On the state's $462,200 median home price, that covers roughly 15% 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 Home Flex Plus Down Payment Assistance caps the home purchase price at $726,200 — check that cap against homes you're considering, and the county income limit below.
Primary Program: Home Flex Plus Down Payment Assistance
maximum assistance
Forgiven after 4 years if you remain in the home as your primary residence (the home you actually live in, not a rental or second home). Sell, move out, or refinance before then, and you may owe the balance back.
- Administering Agency
- New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority (NHHFA)
- Purchase Price Cap
- $726,200
- Forgiveness Term
- 4 years
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
New Hampshire median pre-loaded
Your Savings Plan
Timeline
15.4 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 $462,200 New Hampshire Home
A worked example at New Hampshire's median home price (Zillow Home Value Index, April 2026), using the same payment model as the New Hampshire 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 $462,200 home is $46,220, and 20% is $92,440. The $13,500 Home Flex Plus Down Payment Assistance maximum covers 29% of the first and 15% of the second, leaving $32,720 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 $140,014 a year with 20% down, or $160,071 with 10% down and PMI. The first-mortgage income limit at New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority (NH Housing) is $125,900 (Home First, households of 1-2, most communities ($151,000 in listed communities); effective 6/02/2025. Home Preferred >80% AMI / Home Flex max $184,500.). (New Hampshire Housing, retrieved 2026-09-14) No household under that limit can carry the median home at a 28% ratio, even with 20% down. At exactly $125,900, the same model supports a price of about $414,359, $47,841 below the median — the realistic ceiling for a buyer using this programme.
The First Mortgage and Closing Taxes This Assistance Has to Cover in New Hampshire
Real estate transfer tax
New Hampshire taxes real estate transfers at $0.75 per $100 of price, paid separately by the buyer and the seller, for a combined 1.5%. (RSA 78-B:1, 78-B:4). (New Hampshire General Court, retrieved 2026-09-14) Under that schedule a $462,200 sale owes $6,933, divided between buyer and seller by statute.
Recording fees
$10 for the first recorded page plus $4 for each additional page (RSA 478:17-g), plus a $25 surcharge on each deed, mortgage, mortgage discharge or plan (New Hampshire General Court, retrieved 2026-09-14)
New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority (NH Housing): Home First (bond-financed, FHA/VA/RD and conventional) and Home Preferred (conventional)
Home First (bond-financed, FHA/VA/RD and conventional) and Home Preferred (conventional) is the first-mortgage programme run by New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority (NH Housing). (New Hampshire Housing, retrieved 2026-09-14) Its purchase-price limit is $505,000 (Home First, 1-unit, most communities: $505,000-$510,000 (non-targeted), $615,000 in listed targeted/higher-limit communities (e.g., Manchester, Concord, Portsmouth); effective 6/02/2025. Home Preferred and Home Flex have no purchase price limit.), so a $462,200 home is within it. (New Hampshire Housing, retrieved 2026-09-14) The income limit is $125,900 (Home First, households of 1-2, most communities ($151,000 in listed communities); effective 6/02/2025. Home Preferred >80% AMI / Home Flex max $184,500.). (New Hampshire Housing, retrieved 2026-09-14) Down payment help comes through NH Housing Downpayment Assistance (cash assistance second mortgage): Up to $15,000 ($5,000, $10,000 or $15,000 options), zero-interest 30-year second mortgage. (New Hampshire Housing, retrieved 2026-09-14) Minimum credit score: 620. (New Hampshire Housing, retrieved 2026-09-14)
Frequently Asked Questions
What down payment assistance is available in New Hampshire?
New Hampshire's primary DPA program is the Home Flex Plus Down Payment Assistance, administered by the New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority (NHHFA). It provides up to $13,500 as a forgivable loan. Forgiven after 4 years if you remain in the home as your primary residence (the home you actually live in, not a rental or second home). Sell, move out, or refinance before then, and you may owe the balance back.
How much down payment do I need in New Hampshire after using DPA?
On a $462,200 home (New Hampshire median), a 20% down payment is $92,440. With the Home Flex Plus Down Payment Assistance covering $13,500, your remaining gap would be $78,940. Many buyers combine DPA with a 3–5% conventional or FHA loan to reduce their cash needed further.
Do I have to repay New Hampshire down payment assistance?
Forgiven after 4 years if you remain in the home as your primary residence (the home you actually live in, not a rental or second home). Sell, move out, or refinance before then, and you may owe the balance back.
Can I combine New Hampshire DPA with other assistance programs?
Yes — New Hampshire'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 New Hampshire down payment assistance?
The Home Flex Plus 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 New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority (NHHFA) website for current limits in your area.
Related Calculators
Home Affordability Calculator
See how much home you can afford in New Hampshire
PMI Calculator
Estimate private mortgage insurance on lower down payments
New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire, 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 New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority (NHHFA) 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 New Hampshire 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 Flex Plus Down Payment Assistance when you apply.