First mortgage
Cape Fear Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program (SHLP)
Income limits · single_family
Down payment assistance · New Hanover County
Buying a home in Wilmington, NC
5 Wilmington programs and 6 statewide.Wilmington has 5 programs of its own, and 6 statewide. Here is what each one offers, what the local market looks like, and who near you can walk you through it.
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Only for Wilmington addresses
Wilmington’s own programs
Deferred second loan
City of Wilmington HOP 2gether Program
First-time homebuyers · New construction · Income limits · Single-family detached · Townhome
Second mortgage
Home Ownership Pool (HOP) - City of Wilmington
New construction · Income limits · Single Family
Down-payment assistance
Cape Fear Community Land Trust Affordable Homeownership Program
Income limits · single_family
Forgivable loan
Home Ownership Pool (HOP)
Income limits · Single-family detached, townhouse, condominium.
The Wilmington marketThe Wilmington housing market
Kinds of homes hereWhat’s for sale here, and what the programs accept
Kinds of homes in Wilmington
- 49.9% single-familysingle-family
- 6.6% townhousetownhouse
- 10.5% 2–4 units2–4 units
- 31.4% 5+ unitscondo & apartment buildings (5+ units)
- 1.6% mobile & othermobile home & other
Condos count. 1 of Wilmington’s 5 local and county programs accept condos.
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 5-year (2020–2024). Table B25024.
When Wilmington’s homes were built
pre-19401970s2020+
38.1%
of Wilmington homes were built before 1980. Pre-1978 homes come with a federal lead-paint disclosure.of homes were built before 1980. A home built before 1978 comes with a federal lead-paint disclosure, and some programs require an inspection.
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 5-year (2020–2024). Table B25034.
$109,200
County area median income, 4 people (HUD)HUD area median income, New Hanover County, 4-person household (2026)
$66,738
Wilmington median household incomeMedian household income in Wilmington (Census, 2024)
17 of the 73 programs here set their income limit as a share of New Hanover County’s area median income, adjusted for household size. See the published limits for New Hanover County
Free help nearbyFree help near Wilmington
1 HUD-approved counseling agency within 15 miles1 HUD-approved housing counseling agency within 15 miles
5 programs here ask for a homebuyer class first. Create a free account to see who’s near you and pick one.All 5 local programs here ask for a homebuyer class. A HUD-approved counselor teaches it and can walk you through your options. Create a free account to see who’s near you and pick one.
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Across North Carolina and nationwide
68 statewide & federal programs6 statewide programs, plus federal options
Wilmington questions
Does Wilmington have its own down payment program?
Yes, 5: Cape Fear Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program (SHLP), City of Wilmington HOP 2gether Program, Home Ownership Pool (HOP) - City of Wilmington, Cape Fear Community Land Trust Affordable Homeownership Program and Home Ownership Pool (HOP). Each is for homes inside Wilmington.
Can I use assistance on a condo in Wilmington?
1 of Wilmington’s 5 local and county programs accept condos. Each program’s page lists the kinds of homes it accepts, and the agency confirms it for the home you choose.
What is the income limit in New Hanover County?
Each program sets its own. 17 of the programs here set theirs as a share of HUD’s area median income for New Hanover County, adjusted for household size. HUD publishes the median each year; the 2026 figure is shown above and on the published limits page.
Where can I take a homebuyer class near Wilmington?
HUD-approved housing counseling agencies teach homebuyer classes, and 1 agency is within 15 miles of Wilmington. Create a free account and take the 90-second match to see the ones near you.
ZIP codes
28401 · 28402 · 28403 · 28404 · 28405 · 28406 · 28407 · 28408 · 28409 · 28410 · 28411 · 28412
Nearby in New Hanover
Sources
Sources: agency sites (July–September 2026), Census ACS 2024 5-year, HUD FY2026, HUD counseling list. Hey Prescott is not a lender.Programs: Hey Prescott catalog of 2,000+ programs, each verified with its agency (July–September 2026). Market: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 5-year (2020–2024). Income: HUD FY2026 income limits. Counselors: HUD list of approved housing counseling agencies. Hey Prescott is not a lender.