Down Payment Assistance in Raleigh and Wake County: A 2026 Guide for First-Time Homebuyers

By Willie Cole Jr. | The EASE Group brokered by eXp Realty LLC
Reviewed September 28, 2026

If saving for a home feels like a big hurdle, let’s start with a useful question: which assistance programs might fit your situation? Raleigh, Wake County and the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency offer several options worth discussing with an approved lender.

This guide explains six programs, their key differences and the questions to ask before you plan a purchase. The goal is to help you prepare with a clearer understanding of both the assistance and your responsibilities.

Before you budget around assistance: Maximum amounts are not guaranteed awards. Eligibility, property requirements, funding and loan approval apply. Some published purchase-price limits conflict; those items are identified below for confirmation.

Program 1: Raleigh Homebuyer Assistance

Raleigh offers up to $45,000 through a zero-interest, deferred loan for down payment, closing costs or a financing gap. It serves eligible first-time buyers at or below 80% of area median income buying within Raleigh city limits.

The City’s linked June 2025 presentation describes a 20-year deferral, followed by forgiveness over the next 10 years if occupancy requirements are met. Selling or ending primary-residence use can trigger repayment. Have your lender confirm the terms in your loan documents.

Purchase-price limit requires confirmation: The City’s current page lists $389,500 in its program description and $384,750 in its buying steps. These are conflicting figures, not a price range. Confirm the applicable cap before selecting a property.

Sources: City of Raleigh — Homebuyer Assistance (updated September 4, 2026); City of Raleigh — Program presentation (June 2025; still linked by the City).

Program 2: Raleigh Enhanced Homebuyer Assistance

The Enhanced program offers up to $60,000 for qualifying first-time buyers purchasing in designated Raleigh areas, with a published $450,000 purchase-price cap and the same 80% income threshold.

The City’s linked presentation describes a zero-interest loan deferred for 30 years, half forgiven after 10 years and the remainder due at maturity. Earlier sale or loss of primary-residence use can require repayment. A separate 10-year deed restriction limits the owner’s proceeds on an early sale. Ask the lender and closing attorney to explain both obligations.

Sources: City of Raleigh — Homebuyer Assistance (updated September 4, 2026); City of Raleigh — Program presentation (June 2025; still linked by the City).

2026 income limits for the Raleigh and Wake County programs

Raleigh and DHIC currently publish the same limits below. This table is for the city and county programs; it is not the NC 1st Home Advantage income table.

Household size	Maximum annual household income
1	$74,100
2	$84,700
3	$95,300
4	$105,850
5	$114,350
6	$122,800
7	$131,300
8	$139,750

Sources: City of Raleigh — Homebuyer Assistance (updated September 4, 2026); DHIC — Wake County Affordable Homeownership Program.

Program 3: Wake County Affordable Homeownership

Administered by DHIC, this program offers up to $50,000 for eligible properties in Wake County outside Raleigh and Cary municipal limits. DHIC lists communities including Garner, Apex, Fuquay-Varina, Holly Springs, Knightdale, Morrisville, Rolesville, Wake Forest, Wendell and Zebulon. Confirm the actual property address, including county and municipal boundaries.

Published requirements include a 640 minimum credit score, household income at or below 80% of area median income and no real estate ownership during the preceding three years. DHIC lists no program-specific sales-price cap; affordability and underwriting still apply.

Key term	July 2026 guideline
Permitted use	Principal reduction. Do not treat the award as money available to pay closing costs.
Interest and payments	0% interest; no monthly payment on the assistance loan.
Forgiveness	25% every five years over 20 years, subject to compliance. Forgiveness is not prorated between anniversary dates.
Buyer contribution	At least $1,000 of the buyer’s own funds; this is not a quote of total cash needed.
Additional requirements	1% origination fee on the assistance loan, reserves and asset rules; ask DHIC for a complete cost and eligibility review.
Repayment	Sale or ending primary-residence use can require repayment of the remaining balance. Confirm refinance, transfer and default provisions in the documents.

Funding status: DHIC’s page mentions an anticipated restart during the week of August 3, 2026. That announcement does not confirm funds remain available today. Ask DHIC and an approved lender about current reservations.

Sources: DHIC — Wake County Affordable Homeownership Program; DHIC — Wake County AHP Underwriting Guidelines (July 1, 2026), pages 4–8 and reservation-letter appendix.

Program 4: NC Home Advantage Mortgage

NCHFA’s statewide program serves qualifying first-time and move-up buyers, with down payment assistance up to 3% of the loan amount. Its consumer page lists a $158,000 annual income ceiling, a minimum credit score of 640 and primary-residence occupancy within 60 days of closing. Manufactured homes have a published 660 minimum score.

Income for this option is based on borrower qualifying income verified by the lender. FHA, VA, USDA and conventional first mortgages are offered through participating lenders. Other mortgage and property requirements apply.

The assistance is forgiven 20% annually at the end of years 11–15. Selling, refinancing or transferring the home before full forgiveness can require repayment of the remaining balance. Review these terms before deciding whether the assistance fits your plans.

Sources: NCHFA — NC Home Advantage Mortgage; NCHFA — Income Limits.

Program 5: NC 1st Home Advantage Down Payment

Eligible buyers may receive $15,000 with an NC Home Advantage Mortgage. Eligibility can include first-time buyers, military veterans or buyers in targeted census tracts. NCHFA defines a first-time buyer here as someone who has not owned a principal residence in the past three years.

The assistance is a 0% deferred second mortgage, with 20% forgiveness at the end of each year from years 11–15. Separate income and sales-price limits apply. Do not use $158,000 as the automatic income limit for this option: NC 1st limits depend on county and family size, using the program’s family-income definition.

Sales-price clarification: NCHFA’s June 23, 2026 announcement reports a $525,000 limit, while its income-limits page still lists $495,000 for NC 1st and describes the standard NC Home Advantage option differently. Ask a participating lender or NCHFA to confirm the operative limit for your exact product and reservation date.

Sources: NCHFA — NC 1st Home Advantage Down Payment; NCHFA — Income Limits; NCHFA — Program Changes (June 23, 2026).

Program 6: Community Partners Loan Pool (CPLP)

CPLP can provide up to 25% of the purchase price, capped at $50,000, when combined with an NC Home Advantage Mortgage. The published assistance limit with a USDA Section 502 Direct loan is different: up to 10% of the purchase price.

It is a zero-interest, deferred second mortgage with no monthly payment. Its term matches the first mortgage, and repayment is typically due at sale or the end of the loan term. Do not assume it follows the forgiveness schedule of NC 1st Home Advantage.

Household income must be at or below 80% of county area median income. A 640 minimum score, approved education, at least two hours of individual in-person counseling and property standards also apply. Existing homes need specified inspections and correction of significant deficiencies.

Start with a participating CPLP member before signing a purchase contract. NCHFA says preparation usually takes more than 60 days; that is planning guidance, not a guaranteed approval date.

Sources: NCHFA — Community Partners Loan Pool: requirements and application; NCHFA — Community Partners Loan Pool: loan terms.

Combining assistance: ask for an approved plan

Some programs permit layering. Raleigh directs buyers to approved lenders to explore combinations; NCHFA says CPLP can be combined with NC 1st and other assistance. Wake County’s guidelines also allow combinations with other approved programs, subject to each program’s rules.

A Garner buyer should not assume $50,000 plus $15,000 equals $65,000 available for down payment and closing costs. Wake County designates its funds for principal reduction and requires a personal contribution. Eligibility, permitted uses, funding reservations and the lender’s combined-financing rules must all be satisfied.

My recommendation: request a written financing breakdown showing each proposed source, the amount actually approved, where it may be applied, your total cash needed and any repayment obligation. Use that plan to set your budget.

Sources: City of Raleigh — Homebuyer Assistance (updated September 4, 2026); DHIC — Wake County AHP Underwriting Guidelines (July 1, 2026), pages 4–8 and reservation-letter appendix; NCHFA — Community Partners Loan Pool: requirements and application.

Your step-by-step path to applying

Identify the program and location. Have the lender check the actual property address and the correct income definition before you rely on a limit.
Contact an approved lender or CPLP member. Use the provider lists linked on the official program pages below. Ask about funding and application timing.
Complete the required education. DHIC publishes $50 for counseling, $25 for workshop materials and $150 for its homebuyer education course. Confirm which service your program accepts and which fees apply; do not assume you must buy all three.
Review the full financing plan. Ask about the mortgage payment, cash needed, assistance fees, reserves, repayment conditions and any restrictions on future sale or refinancing.
Choose an eligible home and coordinate closing. Have the lender, program administrator and closing attorney confirm property eligibility, required inspections and funding conditions.

Sources: DHIC — Homeownership Center and fees; City of Raleigh — Homebuyer Assistance (updated September 4, 2026); DHIC — Wake County Affordable Homeownership Program; NCHFA — Community Partners Loan Pool: requirements and application.

Quick comparison

Program	Published assistance	Main distinction
Raleigh standard	Up to $45,000	City limits; confirm conflicting price cap.
Raleigh Enhanced	Up to $60,000	Target areas; resale restriction and partial forgiveness.
Wake County AHP	Up to $50,000	Outside Raleigh/Cary; principal reduction and 20-year forgiveness.
NC Home Advantage	Up to 3% of loan amount	First-time and move-up buyers; borrower income limit.
NC 1st Home Advantage	$15,000	Separate county/family-income and sales-price limits.
CPLP	Up to 25%, capped at $50,000 with NC Home Advantage	Repayable deferred loan; USDA Direct percentage differs.

All figures above are subject to the qualifications described in the program sections and linked official sources.

Frequently asked questions

Can a previous homeowner qualify?

Possibly. Definitions vary. NCHFA’s NC 1st test concerns principal-residence ownership during the past three years; Wake County’s definition covers real estate ownership more broadly. Ask the administrator to evaluate your history.

Can I combine Raleigh and Wake County assistance?

Wake County AHP excludes properties inside Raleigh and Cary municipal limits. Do not plan to combine the city and county programs for the same Raleigh property. Ask about approved state-program combinations instead.

Is this free money?

These programs use loan structures with conditions. Some forgive balances over time, while others remain repayable. Read the repayment and occupancy terms before accepting assistance.

How much money will I need personally?

There is no single amount that applies to every buyer. Wake County specifies a minimum $1,000 personal contribution; actual cash needed may be higher. Request a transaction-specific estimate from your lender.

What purchase price should I use for my search?

Use a budget confirmed by your lender. Do not choose between conflicting public program limits yourself; the applicable product rules and your financial qualifications need to be checked together.

Who to contact

City of Raleigh Housing — 919-996-4330; housing@raleighnc.gov.
DHIC / Wake County AHP — 919-832-3696; WakeAHP@dhic.org.
DHIC homebuyer education — 919-832-4345, extension 2.
NCHFA — 919-877-5700.

Let’s build a homebuying plan that fits you

You don’t have to have every answer before starting the conversation. I can help you organize your questions, explore homes that fit your goals and coordinate with your lender as you work through the next steps.

Willie Cole Jr.
The EASE Group brokered by eXp Realty LLC
Your Trusted Real Estate Advisor

984-400-4120
wilogecolejr@gmail.com
sellwithwcolejr.com

Official sources

Reviewed September 28, 2026. Where public sources disagree, this guide identifies the discrepancy rather than treating either figure as an approved borrowing limit.

This guide is educational and is not a loan approval, funding reservation or promise of assistance. Program rules, funding and limits can change. Confirm current terms with the program administrator and your lender. Your signed loan documents govern repayment and other obligations.