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Home First

Nevada Housing Division (NHD) · Nevada

Last verified
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Assistance

$15,000

The maximum the program publishes — not an offer

Income limit

$93,600

The household income limit the program publishes

Price cap

$570,000

Highest purchase price the program allows

Repayment

Forgivable

Forgiven after 3 years

What is Home First?

Home First is a forgivable loan for homebuyers in Nevada, administered by Nevada Housing Division (NHD).

  • Home First is a Nevada Housing Division statewide program offering first-time homebuyers a flat $15,000 in down payment assistance (down payment only) as a 0% interest second mortgage forgivable after 3 years of continued owner-occupancy. It pairs with a 30-year fixed-rate first mortgage and allows purchase prices up to $570,000. Structurally distinct from NHD's 'Home Is Possible for First-Time Homebuyers' (a 4% percentage-based, 7-year-forgivable DPA).
  • $15,000 flat down payment assistance.
  • 0% interest, no monthly payments.
  • Forgivable after 3 years.
  • 30-year fixed first mortgage.
  • Purchase price up to $570,000.
  • Statewide.
  • Funding comes from Nevada Housing Division (state housing program).

How much assistance does it provide?

Home First offers up to $15,000 in assistance.

  • Amounts are the program's published maximums, not an offer — Nevada Housing Division (NHD) determines any individual award.

Do you have to pay it back?

Home First is forgiven after 3 years, so a buyer who stays that long does not repay it.

  • Repayment is triggered by Sale, transfer, refinance, or cessation of owner-occupancy before the end of the 3-year forgiveness period; prorated/forgivable over 3 years if borrower remains in the home.
  • The assistance is recorded in second position.
  • Forgiveness and repayment terms are set by the program and can change — confirm them on the official program page before applying.

Who qualifies?

Home First is open to first-time homebuyers and buyers who will live in the home as their primary residence.

The program requires

  • First-time homebuyer — with exceptions: First-time homebuyer defined as not having owned a home in the last 3 years
  • The home is occupied as a primary residence
  • On credit: Minimum credit score 640 (680 for manufactured homes)
  • A completed homebuyer education course
  • Residency: Minimum 6 months Nevada residency
  • DRAFT/FUNDING-STATUS NOTE — VERIFY BEFORE PUBLISH: the live NHD site (d9.homeispossiblenv.org) markets Home First as active, but an eHousingPlus PDF dated 05/19/24 states the program 'ended as of 03/19/24 ... no new reservations / completely funded', and the 02/12/25 HiP Administrator's Guidelines removed all Home First references. Likely relaunched/refunded but no primary press release confirming a relaunch date was located. Confirm current funding/reservation availability with a participating NHD lender or NHD (HIP@housing.nv.gov / 800-227-4960) before borrower-facing publish. Eligibility: first-time homebuyer (no ownership in last 3 years); 6-month NV residency; 640 min credit (680 manufactured); homebuyer education required; income within 300% FPL / 80% AMI limits; assistance cannot cover closing costs.

The program excludes

  • Purchases above the $570,000 price cap
  • Households above $93,600

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

What are the income limits?

Home First limits household income to $93,600.

  • The limit applies to total household income, not only the borrower’s.
  • 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?

Home First caps the purchase price at $570,000.

  • Eligible property types include Single Family, Condo, Townhouse, and Manufactured.
  • New construction is eligible.
  • Manufactured homes are eligible.

Where does it apply?

Home First serves buyers purchasing anywhere in Nevada.

  • The program targets specific areas: NHD/HUD-approved targeted areas (Qualified Census Tracts) generally allow higher income/price limits; confirm applicability to Home First with lender.

How do you apply?

Applications for Home First go through Nevada Housing Division (NHD), which publishes the current terms and the application steps on its own site.

  1. Take a homebuyer education course

    Required by the program before funds are reserved.

  2. Contact Nevada Housing Division (NHD) to reserve funds

    Funds are reserved through eHousingPlus eHPortal (rate-lock/reservation 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 buyer can take it to a lender or housing counselor.

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