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How down payment assistance works in North Carolina
Learn how down payment assistance can support a North Carolina home purchase, what forms it can take, and what to ask a participating lender.
Read the guide →North Carolina homebuyer guides
Homebuying guidance backed by official program sources—not mortgage myths. Learn how buying and assistance work, then see the reviewed facts and verification dates on each program page.
Latest articles
First-time homebuyer grants in North Carolina: a 2026 guide
Most first-time homebuyer help in North Carolina is a loan that may be forgiven, not a grant. Learn the difference and what to ask a lender.
Documents to gather before you talk with a lender
The paperwork North Carolina homebuyers usually need before a lender conversation, why each piece matters, and how to get it ready early.
USDA loans in North Carolina: how zero-down financing works
A USDA loan can let North Carolina buyers skip the down payment on a home in a rural area. See how it works, what it does not cover, and what to ask.
What is a second lien, and why does assistance use one?
A second lien is a claim on your home that ranks behind your main mortgage. See why down payment assistance often uses one and what it means for you.
How much cash do you need to buy a house?
Cash to buy a house is more than the down payment. See what makes up cash to close, what assistance can cover, and how to plan your total.
Can you buy a house with a low credit score?
A low credit score does not rule out buying in North Carolina. Learn how lenders weigh credit, which loans may fit, and what to do first.
Down payment assistance in North Carolina: how to compare
Compare North Carolina down payment assistance programs by who runs them, how repayment works, and which loans they pair with, plus what to ask a lender.
Can you buy a house with no down payment in North Carolina?
USDA and VA loans can offer a path to no down payment in North Carolina. Learn where assistance fits and why you may still need cash to close.
Fannie Mae updates rental income rules
Fannie Mae changed how lenders document and evaluate rental income. Learn what North Carolina homebuyers should ask before applying.
FHA proposes new minimum property requirements
FHA has proposed modernizing the property rules used with its mortgages. Learn what the draft means for North Carolina homebuyers today.
Fannie Mae expands mortgage insurance cancellation outreach
What Fannie Mae's new servicer outreach policy means for North Carolina buyers and homeowners with conventional mortgage insurance.
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac expand VantageScore access
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac lenders may use VantageScore 4.0. Learn what changed and what North Carolina homebuyers should ask.
USDA lender pilot and what North Carolina buyers should know
USDA changed who completes a pre-closing review in a new lender pilot. Learn what North Carolina buyers should ask about timing and process.
FHA adds credit score models for homebuyers in 2027
FHA will accept two newer credit score models for certain mortgages. Learn what changes, what does not, and what North Carolina buyers can do.
Forgivable, deferred and repayable second loans explained
Learn how forgivable, deferred and repayable assistance loans differ, where they overlap, and what North Carolina buyers should ask a lender.