If you’ve dreamed of a move in North Carolina, now might be the time. Beyond the excitement of the spring homebuying season, the Tarheel State is currently offering a significant financial boost to help residents plant roots.
The NC 1st Home Advantage Down Payment program gives first-time home buyers and veterans access to homes priced up to $495,000 with a major perk: $15,000 in down payment assistance.
The catch? Well, the 0% interest, deferred second mortgage is only forgiven over 15 years. If you move out before the full amount is forgiven, you might be on the hook for paying back the loan — and any taxes owed.
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We’ll break down exactly how this program works, the eligibility requirements you need to know, and the tax implications of a North Carolina forgivable home loan to help you determine whether it’s right for you.
The $15,000 NC 1st Home Advantage Down Payment
(Image credit: Getty Images)
The NC 1st Home Advantage Down Payment program is designed to bridge the gap between rising home prices and local salaries. The program acts as a $15,000 second mortgage at 0% interest, but the deferred loan is only forgiven over time.
Here’s how the program’s loan forgiveness works in 2026:
- Years 1 to 10: You owe the full $15,000 if you sell or move.
- Years 11 to 15: The loan is forgiven at a rate of 20% per year.
- After year 15: The debt is completely forgiven.
NC first-time home buyers qualify in 2026
To qualify for the NC 1st Home Advantage Down Payment, you must enter into a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FHA, VA, USDA, or conventional). 15-year terms are ineligible.
Plus, you must meet certain criteria across four different categories:
- Buyer status. You must be a first-time homebuyer (haven’t owned a primary residence in 3 years) or a U.S. military veteran.
- Credit score. A minimum score of 640 is required (660 for manufactured homes).
- Property value. The home price must generally be under $495,000.
- Income limits. Your annual income must fall under the amount listed for your area and the number of persons in your household.
What does the last bullet mean? Let’s look at an example.
Suppose you buy a home in Wake County for you, your spouse, and a child; according to the NC Housing Finance Agency (NCHFA), your annual income must be under $152,000.
Meanwhile, if you buy a home in Granville County for just yourself, your income must be under $114,000 to qualify for the NC 1st Home Advantage Down Payment.
You can use the NCHFA’s online search tool to see if your household income qualifies in your desired area. Income limits are typically adjusted for inflation each summer.
Taxes on your new NC home loan
The IRS generally does not treat state-led forgivable down payment assistance as taxable income.
- This means you’ll likely owe no additional taxes on your federal return with a NC 1st Home Advantage Down Payment.
- And most states, including North Carolina, exclude state-led housing assistance from state taxable income.
- However, if you sell the home before the 15 years are up, you might owe federal taxes on the cancelled debt or home sale. Plus, you’ll need to repay the outstanding loan amount to the NCHFA.
Eligible property types and property tax relief
To be eligible for the NC 1st Home Advantage Down Payment, your house must be one of the following types:
- Single-family homes
- Townhouses
- Condominiums
- Manufactured homes
But if you’re a new homebuyer (like most who qualify for this program), you might be feeling anxious about paying property taxes. However, several federal homeowner and homebuyer tax breaks in 2026 could help ease that burden.
- The state and local tax (SALT) deduction for itemized filers. This tax break allows you to deduct property tax and state income tax up to $40,400 in 2026, and may be particularly significant for those who buy in high-tax areas like Chapel Hill or Raleigh.
- Capital gains exclusion when selling your home. Although you’re locked into a 15-year stay under the NC 1st Home Advantage Down Payment program, once it’s time to move, your house sale could qualify for up to $250,000 (per individual) in federally tax-exempt gains.
Tax savings with a mortgage credit certificate
For further savings, you may also be eligible to claim the North Carolina Home Advantage Tax Credit.
This is a mortgage credit certificate (MCC) that allows you to claim 30% to 50% of your annual mortgage interest (up to $2,000) as a direct tax credit on your federal taxes.
It’s available every year you live in the home as your primary residence until your loan is paid off. However, like the home advantage loan, you must apply for this financial incentive before closing on your home.
How to start the NC home affordability loan process
No government office appointment is needed for the NC 1st Home Advantage Down Payment. You can simply apply through participating private lenders (banks and mortgage companies) in North Carolina. Here are the steps:
- Find a lender. Search the NCHFA website for “preferred lenders” in your North Carolina county.
- Get pre-approved. Tell the lender specifically that you want to use the NC 1st Home Advantage Down Payment.
- Lock the rate. The NCHFA sets the interest rates for these loans daily, so ensure you get a competitive market rate.
Also, if you’re unable to locate a lender in your area, call the NCHFA at 1-800-393-0988 and ask to speak to the Home Ownership department for assistance.
More NC affordable home loan programs
While the NC 1st Home Advantage Down Payment is one route to potential North Carolina home affordability, it isn’t the only way to save. The Tarheel State offers other paths to homebuying depending on your credit score, income level, and location.
- The NC Home Advantage Mortgage™ provides up to 3% down payment assistance for FHA, USDA, VA, or conventional loans. You don’t have to be a first-time homebuyer to qualify, but credit score minimums apply.
- Community Partners Loan Pool (CPLP). Designed for low or moderate-income households, the CPLP provides up to 25% of the sales price (capped at $50,000) in subordinate financing.
- Location-specific home loan assistance programs in different areas can help you afford a North Carolina home. A couple of examples include the Enhanced Homebuyer Assistance Program, worth up to $60,000 for certain areas in Raleigh, and the HouseCharlotte Program, for homebuyers in Charlotte.
Be sure to read all eligibility requirements before applying for these loan programs. You can visit the NCHFA website for more information on the NC Home Advantage Mortgage™ and the CPLP.