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FirstHome (MFA)

FirstHome (MFA) is a first mortgage for homebuyers in New Mexico, administered by Housing New Mexico (New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority / MFA).

Last verified Source: Housing New Mexico (New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority / MFA)

The program asks for

  • First-time homebuyer — with exceptions: Buyers who have not owned/occupied a primary residence in the past three years qualify as first-time; requirement may be waived in MFA-designated targeted areas.
  • The home is occupied as a primary residence
  • On credit: Minimum 620; alternative credit qualification accepted in certain cases for borrowers with no score.
  • A completed homebuyer education course, through eHome America (MFA online) or a HUD-approved counseling agency
  • Single-family only; no income-generation/business use. Income and purchase price limits vary by county/household size (not enumerated on fact sheet). DTI, prepayment penalty, and new-construction eligibility not stated on official fact sheet.
  • A home in New Mexico

These are the program's own published rules, not a decision about any individual — the administering agency and a lender determine who actually qualifies.

Where it applies

New Mexico’s homes

  • 64.5% single-family
  • 3.8% townhouse
  • 5.8% 2–4 units
  • 10.1% 5+ units
  • 15.9% mobile & other

A tick marks a kind of home the program’s record lists. The agency confirms it for the home you choose.

$248,100

New Mexico median home value

42.7%

built before 1980

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 5-year.

How to apply

  1. Take a homebuyer education course

    Required by the program, through eHome America (MFA online) or a HUD-approved counseling agency.

  2. Contact Housing New Mexico (New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority / MFA) to reserve funds

    Funds are reserved through MFA PowerLender (mfa.powerlender.com) via participating lenders, and are subject to availability.

  3. Work with a lender who handles the program

    Hey Prescott is not a lender and does not accept applications; this page describes the program so a homebuyer can take it to a lender or housing counselor.

Questions about this program

What is FirstHome (MFA)?

FirstHome (MFA) is a first mortgage for homebuyers in New Mexico, administered by Housing New Mexico (New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority / MFA). FirstHome is Housing New Mexico's primary first-mortgage program for first-time New Mexico homebuyers with low-to-moderate incomes. It can be used as a stand-alone first mortgage or combined with MFA down payment assistance second mortgages such as FirstDown or HomeNow. Buyers must occupy the property as their primary residence within 60 days of closing. Competitive fixed-rate first mortgage. Available to first-time homebuyers. Can be combined with MFA down payment assistance. Works with FHA, VA, USDA, HUD 184 and HFA conventional loans. Finances manufactured homes. Funding comes from Mortgage revenue bonds / Housing New Mexico (MFA).

Do you have to pay it back?

FirstHome (MFA) is a first mortgage and is repaid under the terms set by Housing New Mexico (New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority / MFA). The assistance is recorded in First position. Forgiveness and repayment terms are set by the program and can change — confirm them on the official program page before applying.

Who qualifies?

FirstHome (MFA) is open to first-time homebuyers and homebuyers who will live in the home as their primary residence. "First-time" has exceptions here: Buyers who have not owned/occupied a primary residence in the past three years qualify as first-time; requirement may be waived in MFA-designated targeted areas. On credit, the program states: Minimum 620; alternative credit qualification accepted in certain cases for borrowers with no score. A homebuyer education course is required, through eHome America (MFA online) or a HUD-approved counseling agency. Single-family only; no income-generation/business use. Income and purchase price limits vary by county/household size (not enumerated on fact sheet). DTI, prepayment penalty, and new-construction eligibility not stated on official fact sheet.

What are the income limits?

FirstHome (MFA) sets its income limit as follows: Household income limits vary by county and household size; see MFA income and purchase price limits page. Area median income figures are published by HUD and updated annually, so check the current table for the county before relying on a number.

What kind of home can it be used for?

FirstHome (MFA) caps the purchase price as follows: Purchase price limits vary by county; see MFA limits page. Eligible property types include Single Family. Manufactured homes are eligible.

Where does it apply?

FirstHome (MFA) serves homebuyers purchasing anywhere in New Mexico. The program gives priority to designated target areas, so the address matters as well as the county.

How do you apply?

Applications for FirstHome (MFA) go through Housing New Mexico (New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority / MFA), which publishes the current terms and the application steps on its own site. Funds are reserved through MFA PowerLender (mfa.powerlender.com) via participating lenders. Hey Prescott is not a lender and does not accept applications; this page describes the program so a homebuyer can take it to a lender or housing counselor.

Also for New Mexico homebuyers

Whether two programs can be combined is up to each agency. Ask before you apply.

All 71 programs for New Mexico

Program terms are set by Housing New Mexico (New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority / MFA) and can change; confirm on the official site before you apply.