Massachusetts First-Time Home Buying Assistance Programs & Grants
By Susan Guillory
(Last Updated – 03/2024)
Glorious New England scenery, a rich history, and diverse cultural and educational opportunities are just some of the things Massachusetts has to offer residents. No surprise, then, that home prices here outpace the national average, or that they are rising. Home prices in Massachusetts were up 9.9% year-over-year as of February 2024, according to Redfin, a real estate brokerage company that analyzes housing market data across the country. The median sale price in the state is now $576,900.
At the same time, the median number of days a home stays on the market has dropped by 5 year-over-year, an indicator that the market may be heating up.
Still, there are plenty of opportunities for the first-time homebuyer in Massachusetts, including state and federal programs that offer low-interest mortgage loans and assistance with down payment and closing costs to those who qualify. Here’s what you need to know.
Who Is Considered a First-Time Homebuyer in Massachusetts?
The definition is broader than you might realize. In addition to someone who has never owned a home, you are considered a first-time homebuyer if you haven’t owned a house in the last three years.
According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), you can also qualify as a first-time homebuyer when seeking a home mortgage loan if you are a single parent who has only owned a home with a partner while married, or a displaced homemaker who has only owned a home with a spouse.
Many of the state programs that help first-time buyers with mortgage loans and down payment assistance require you to take a homebuyer education course. This can help you learn the mortgage basics. Looking to live in the Bay State but not sure where to settle? Check out a list of the most affordable places to live in Massachusetts.
Recommended: First-Time Homebuyers Guide
4 Massachusetts Programs for First-Time Homebuyers
There are several types of mortgage loans you may qualify for as a first time home buyer in Massachusetts. Each has certain criteria, including income and purchase price limits.
1. My Mass Mortgage: ONE Mortgage
This program offers 30-year fixed interest rate loans to low- and moderate-income first-time home buyers in Massachusetts. You can pay either 3% or 5% as a down payment, depending on the type of home you’re buying. No private mortgage Insurance is required.
To be eligible, you must meet asset and income limits, make the required down payment, be a first-time home buyer, and meet credit and underwriting requirements. The home you are buying must be your primary residence through the life of the loan, and you need to complete a homebuyer education program.
2. My Mass Mortgage: MassHousing Loan
MassHousing Loan provides low-interest fixed rate loans and mortgage payment protection. To qualify, you must meet income guidelines, have good credit, and complete a homebuyer education course.
3. MassHousing: Down Payment Assistance
With this program, you can get up to $30,000 or $50,000 to cover your down payment (the amount depends on which community you live in) . The assistance provides up to 10% of your home’s purchase price.
4. MassHousing Mortgage Loans
MassHousing also has mortgage loans with affordable, fixed interest rates and no fees for qualified buyers. It also offers conventional and FHA financing.
How to Apply to Massachusetts Programs for First-Time Homebuyers
The easiest way for the first-time home-buyer in Massachusetts to get started, is to contact a participating lender . They’ll review your situation and show you the best options for buying a home.
Not sure how much you should spend on a house? This home affordability calculator can help.
Federal Programs for First-Time Homebuyers
Several federal government programs are designed for people who have low credit scores or limited cash for a down payment. Although most of these programs are available to repeat homeowners, like state programs, they can be especially helpful to people who are buying a first home or who haven’t owned a home in several years.
The mortgages are generally for single-family homes, two- to four-unit properties that will be owner occupied, approved condos, townhomes, planned unit developments, and some manufactured homes.
Federal Housing Administration (FHA) Loans
The FHA, which is part of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), insures mortgages for borrowers with lower credit scores. Homebuyers choose from a list of approved lenders that participate in the FHA loan program. Loans have competitive interest rates and require a down payment of 3.5% of the purchase price for borrowers, who typically need FICO® credit scores of 580 or higher. Those with scores as low as 500 must put at least 10% down.
In addition to examining your credit score, lenders will look at your debt-to-income ratio (DTI, your monthly debt payments compared with your monthly gross income). FHA loans allow a DTI ratio of up to 50% in some cases, vs. a typical 45% maximum for a conventional loan.
Gift money for the down payment is allowed from certain donors and will be documented in a gift letter for the mortgage.
FHA loans always require mortgage insurance: a 1.75% upfront fee and annual premiums for the life of the loan, unless you make a down payment of at least 10%, which allows the removal of mortgage insurance after 11 years. For a $300,000 mortgage balance, upfront MIP would be around $5,250 and monthly MIP, at a rate of 0.55%, would be around $137. You can learn more about these loans, including FHA loans for refinance and rehab of properties, by reading up on FHA requirements, loan limits, and rates.
Freddie Mac Home Possible Mortgages
Very low- and low-income borrowers may make a 3% down payment on a Home Possible® mortgage. These loans allow various sources for down payments, including co-borrowers, family gifts, employer assistance, secondary financing, and sweat equity.
The Home Possible mortgage is for buyers who have a credit score of at least 660.
Once you pay 20% of your loan, the Home Possible mortgage insurance will be canceled, which will lower your mortgage payments.
Fannie Mae HomeReady Mortgages
Fannie Mae HomeReady® Mortgages allow down payments as low as 3% for low-income borrowers. Applicants generally need a credit score of at least 620; pricing may be better for credit scores of 680 and above. Like the Freddie Mac program, HomeReady loans allow flexibility for down payment financing, such as gifts and grants.
For income limits, a comparison to an FHA loan, and other information, go to this Fannie Mae site .
Fannie Mae Standard 97 LTV Loan
The conventional 97 LTV loan is for first-time homebuyers of any income level who have a credit score of at least 620 and meet debt-to-income criteria. The 97% loan-to-value mortgage requires 3% down. Borrowers can get down payment and closing cost assistance from third-party sources.
Unlike an FHA loan, the 97 LTV loan has no upfront mortgage insurance fee and does have cancellable mortgage insurance. The loan is for just one-unit single-family homes, co-ops, condos, and planned unit developments.
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Loans
Active-duty members of the military, veterans, and eligible family members may apply for loans backed by the Department of Veterans Affairs. VA loans, which can be used to buy, build, or improve homes, have lower interest rates than most other mortgages and don’t require a down payment. Most borrowers pay a one-time funding fee that can be rolled into the mortgage.
Another benefit of VA loans is that they do not require private mortgage insurance (PMI) for borrowers who make a down payment of less than 20%. And they have more flexible credit score requirements. In some cases, even those who have previously been in foreclosure or bankruptcy can qualify.
Borrowers applying for a VA loan will need a Certificate of Eligibility from the VA so make sure to review a guide to qualifying for a VA loan as a first step in the process.
Native American Veteran Direct Loans (NADLs)
Eligible Native American veterans and their spouses may use these no-down-payment loans to buy, improve, or build a home on federal trust land. Unlike VA loans listed above, the Department of Veterans Affairs is the mortgage lender on NADLs. The VA requires no mortgage insurance, but it does charge a funding fee.
Regional loan centers are closed to the public, but for more information you can email [email protected]
US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Loans
No down payment is required on these loans to moderate-income borrowers that are guaranteed by the USDA in specified rural areas. Borrowers pay an upfront guarantee fee and an annual fee that serves as mortgage insurance.
The USDA also directly issues loans to low- and very low-income people. For loan basics and income and property eligibility, head to this USDA site .
HUD Good Neighbor Next Door Program
This program helps police officers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians, and teachers qualify for mortgages in the areas they serve. Borrowers can receive 50% off a home in what HUD calls a “revitalization area.” They must live in the home for at least three years.
Massachusetts Homebuyer Stats for 2024
Here’s some data about Massachusetts home sales.
• Median home sale price in Massachusetts: $576,900
• Average number of homes for sale: 11,541
• Percentage of buyers nationwide who are first-time buyers: 32%
• Median age of first-time homebuyers: 35
Financing Tips for First-Time Homebuyers
In addition to federal and state government-sponsored lending programs, there are other financial strategies that may help you become a homeowner. After reading up on how to choose a mortgage term, check out these tips on how to lower your mortgage payment:
• Traditional IRA withdrawals. The IRS allows qualifying first-time homebuyers a one-time, penalty-free withdrawal of up to $10,000 from their IRA if the money is used to buy, build, or rebuild a home. The IRS considers anyone who has not owned a primary residence in the past three years a first-time homebuyer. You will still owe income tax on the IRA withdrawal. If you’re married and your spouse has an IRA, they may also make a penalty-free withdrawal of $10,000 to purchase a home. The downside, of course, is that large withdrawals may jeopardize your retirement savings.
• Roth IRA withdrawals. Because Roth IRA contributions are made with after-tax money, the IRS allows tax- and penalty-free withdrawals of contributions for any reason as long as you’ve held the account for five years. You may also withdraw up to $10,000 in earnings from your Roth IRA without paying taxes or penalties if you are a qualifying first-time homebuyer and you have had the account for five years. With accounts held for less than five years, homebuyers will pay income tax on earnings withdrawn.
• 401(k) loans. If your employer allows borrowing from the 401(k) plan that it sponsors, you may consider taking a loan against the 401(k) account to help finance your home purchase. With most plans, you can borrow up to 50% of your 401(k) balance, up to $50,000, without incurring taxes or penalties. You pay interest on the loan, which is paid into your 401(k) account. You usually have to pay back the loan within five years, but if you’re using the money to buy a house, you may have up to 15 years to repay.
• State and local down payment assistance programs. Usually offered at the regional or county level, these programs provide flexible second mortgages for first-time buyers looking into how to afford a down payment.
• The mortgage credit certificate program. First-time homeowners and those who buy in targeted areas can claim a portion of their mortgage interest as a tax credit, up to $2,000. Any additional interest paid can still be used as an itemized deduction. To qualify for the credit, you must be a first-time homebuyer, live in the home, and meet income and purchase price requirements, which vary by state. If you refinance, the credit disappears, and if you sell the house before nine years, you may have to pay some of the tax credit back. There are fees associated with applying for and receiving the mortgage credit certificate that vary by state. Often the savings from the lifetime of the credit can outweigh these fees.
• Your employer. Your employer may offer access to lower-cost lenders and real estate agents in your area, as well as home buying education courses.
• Your lender. Always ask your lender about any first-time homebuyer grant or down payment assistance programs available from government, nonprofit, and community organizations in your area.
The Takeaway
Massachusetts has programs that can help qualified first-time homebuyers get a low-interest mortgage or assistance with the down payment and closing costs. There are also federal-government-backed and conventional loans buyers can consider.
Looking for an affordable option for a home mortgage loan? SoFi can help: We offer low down payments (as little as 3% - 5%*) with our competitive and flexible home mortgage loans. Plus, applying is extra convenient: It's online, with access to one-on-one help.FAQ
Should I take first-time homebuyer classes?
It’s a good idea to take a class to learn about technical aspects of the homebuying process and simplify the process of applying for a mortgage and purchasing a home. Indeed classes are required for some government-sponsored loan programs.
Do first-time homebuyers with bad credit qualify for homeownership assistance?
Often they do. Many government and nonprofit homeowner assistance programs are available to people with low credit scores. And often, interest rates and other loan pricing are competitive with those of loans available to borrowers with higher credit scores. That said, almost any lending program has credit qualifications. That’s why it’s important to take all possible steps to improve your credit standing before you go house hunting.
Is there a first-time homebuyer tax credit in Massachusetts?
Not currently. Homeowners can, however, claim a tax credit for lead abatement, repair of a failed septic system, or installation of certain renewable energy features.
Is there a first-time veteran homebuyer assistance program in Massachusetts?
Yes. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs offers home loans to servicemembers, veterans, and eligible surviving spouses.
What credit score do I need for first-time homebuyer assistance in Massachusetts?
It varies by program. For example, the Freddie Mac Home Possible Mortgage requires a credit score of 660.
What is the average age of first-time homebuyers in Massachusetts?
In the U.S., the median age of first-time homebuyers is 35.
Photo credit: iStock/sphraner
*SoFi requires Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) for conforming home loans with a loan-to-value (LTV) ratio greater than 80%. As little as 3% down payments are for qualifying first-time homebuyers only. 5% minimum applies to other borrowers. Other loan types may require different fees or insurance (e.g., VA funding fee, FHA Mortgage Insurance Premiums, etc.). Loan requirements may vary depending on your down payment amount, and minimum down payment varies by loan type.
¹FHA loans are subject to unique terms and conditions established by FHA and SoFi. Ask your SoFi loan officer for details about eligibility, documentation, and other requirements. FHA loans require an Upfront Mortgage Insurance Premium (UFMIP), which may be financed or paid at closing, in addition to monthly Mortgage Insurance Premiums (MIP). Maximum loan amounts vary by county. The minimum FHA mortgage down payment is 3.5% for those who qualify financially for a primary purchase. SoFi is not affiliated with any government agency.
†Veterans, Service members, and members of the National Guard or Reserve may be eligible for a loan guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. VA loans are subject to unique terms and conditions established by VA and SoFi. Ask your SoFi loan officer for details about eligibility, documentation, and other requirements. VA loans typically require a one-time funding fee except as may be exempted by VA guidelines. The fee may be financed or paid at closing. The amount of the fee depends on the type of loan, the total amount of the loan, and, depending on loan type, prior use of VA eligibility and down payment amount. The VA funding fee is typically non-refundable. SoFi is not affiliated with any government agency.
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