North Dakota Home Loans 2026 — Complete Guide
North Dakota offers state-funded NDHFA down payment assistance, plus an improved senior and disabled property tax credit that requires filing every year.
The number people miss: North Dakota's Homestead Property Tax Credit for seniors and disabled homeowners was recently improved — the state removed its old $500,000 asset limit, meaning owning other property or savings above that threshold no longer disqualifies you. Combined with the base homestead reduction, eligible homeowners can access up to $3,200 in relief, but it requires filing by April 1 every year.
North Dakota Down Payment Assistance — NDHFA Programs
The North Dakota Housing Finance Agency (NDHFA) offers down payment assistance through its Downpayment and Closing Cost Assistance (DCA) Program and several targeted alternatives, each paired with a specific NDHFA first mortgage.
NDHFA Down Payment Programs
DCA cannot be combined with other DPA: If you use the DCA program, you cannot stack it with any other NDHFA or outside down payment assistance. It's first-time-buyer only (no ownership of a primary residence in the past 3 years), requires at least $500 of your own cash contribution, and the second mortgage is due only when you sell, refinance, or pay off your first mortgage — not forgiven.
HomeAccess serves specific underserved groups: Unlike DCA, HomeAccess isn't limited to first-time buyers. It's designed for single parents with a dependent child, honorably discharged veterans (or their spouse), people with permanent disabilities (or supporting a disabled dependent), and residents 65 or older — each with their own version of down payment assistance layered onto a competitive first mortgage rate.
Moving to North Dakota with higher income? North Dakota Roots was built for buyers who exceed FirstHome's income limits, offering either a reduced-rate loan or market-rate financing with down payment help, and — notably — no independent purchase price cap beyond standard conforming loan limits.
Eligibility & Targeted Areas
Most NDHFA programs require homebuyer education, a minimum credit score, and household income under county-specific limits. Targeted areas in Benson, McKenzie, Rolette, and Sioux counties may qualify for additional reduced-rate financing under federal tax-exempt bond rules.
Confirm your exact county limit and current program terms at NDHFA.org before applying.
Current Rates
| Product | Rate | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 30-yr Conventional | 6.55% | Freddie Mac PMMS, week of July 16, 2026 |
| 15-yr Fixed | 5.93% | Freddie Mac PMMS, week of July 16, 2026 |
| NDHFA FirstHome / HomeAccess first mortgage | Below market | Confirm current rate with an NDHFA-approved lender |
2026 Loan Limits — Flat Statewide
North Dakota has no FHA or conforming high-cost counties in 2026 — the same limit applies everywhere, including Fargo, Bismarck, and the fast-growing Bakken region.
| Loan Type | Limit (Statewide, All 53 Counties) |
|---|---|
| FHA | $541,287 |
| Conventional (Conforming) | $832,750 |
| VA | No county limit for buyers with full entitlement |
Confirm current limits at HUD.gov, though North Dakota has held flat statewide limits for several years running.
Property Tax in North Dakota
What Buyers Should Budget For
North Dakota's property tax sits close to the national average, and the state offers two layers of relief that stack together. Any owner-occupied primary residence qualifies for the General Homestead Reduction, while homeowners 65 or older or permanently and totally disabled with income up to $70,000 can additionally claim the Senior/Disabled Homestead Credit worth up to $1,600. The state recently removed the credit's old $500,000 asset limit, so homeowners with other savings or property no longer lose eligibility on that basis alone — only the income test applies now. Combined, the base reduction and the senior/disabled credit can be worth up to $3,200 in relief for a qualifying homeowner, but both require an annual application with your local assessor or county director of tax equalization by April 1, along with proof of disability if applicable.
Pick Your Loan Type
Are you a teacher, nurse, firefighter, police officer, EMT, or veteran? North Dakota may run additional hero-specific loan programs on top of the general NDHFA options covered here. Browse the Hero Home Loan Programs hub and select North Dakota for profession-specific options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Bottom Line: North Dakota keeps loan limits simple and flat statewide, and NDHFA's mix of programs covers a wide range of buyer situations from standard first-time buyers to veterans, single parents, and higher-income newcomers. Property tax runs close to the national average, but seniors and disabled homeowners should not skip the annual filing for the Homestead Property Tax Credit — the recent removal of the asset limit opened it up to more households than before.
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