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Your first home, step by step.
The Minnesota first-time buyer guide.
- 10 steps from budget to keys
- The costs to plan for
- Where to find down payment help
- Your first-year home checklist
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Down payment help
You may qualify for help with your down payment.
Minnesota, several counties and some cities run programs that can help with the down payment and closing costs. Each has its own eligibility, income and price limits, and funding comes and goes, so check the program's page for today's figures. Weshebi Desmond goes through the ones that fit you on your call.
Minnesota Housing Start Up
Statewide, for first-time buyers, through participating lenders. Its Deferred Payment Loan covers up to $14,000 of down payment and closing costs; the Deferred Payment Loan Plus up to $18,000.
Minnesota Housing →First-Generation Homebuyers Community Fund
Statewide. Up to $32,000 for buyers who, like their parents, have never owned a home.
firstgendpa.org →City of Minneapolis
Minneapolis Homes: Access. Up to $20,000 for households below 60% of the area median income, up to $10,000 at or below 80%, for homes in Minneapolis.
City of Minneapolis →Hennepin County
Homeownership Assistance Fund, for first-time buyers in Hennepin County, administered with NeighborWorks Home Partners. The county's page says the countywide program is out of funds until summer 2026, so check it for the current round.
Hennepin County →Metro Home
NeighborWorks Home Partners. Down payment assistance across the Twin Cities metro, not limited to first-time buyers.
NeighborWorks Home Partners →Washington County
First-Generation Homebuyer Grant: $5,000 for first-generation buyers purchasing in Washington County.
Washington County CDA →
Most of these programs ask you to complete a homebuyer education class first, so it's worth booking one early: Minnesota Homeownership Center.
Closed to new applications as of October 2026: Minnesota Housing's First-Generation Homebuyer Loan (since December 2024) and Saint Paul's downpayment assistance (its funds are used up). New rounds open from time to time, so ask on your call.
As of October 2026. Amounts and limits change, and the program's page has today's figures. General information, not lending advice.
Next step
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