Homeownership Programs

The Start Up program is for first-time homebuyers, which is someone who "has not had an ownership interest in a principal residence in the last three years." If you’ve never owned a home, or it's been more than three years since you've been a homeowner, you may be considered a first-time homebuyer.

Start Up program guidelines and options may include:

• Income limits up to $142,800 based on county.
• House price purchase limits up to $515,200 in the 11-county Metro area and $472,030 for all other counties
• Downpayment and Closing Cost Loan options – up to $18,000 available!
• Minimum credit score
• Owner-occupancy requirement
• Homebuyer education:  At least ONE borrower must complete an approved homebuyer education course before closing on the home. 

If you are a first-time homebuyer but exceed the income or purchase price limits for Start Up, you may be eligible under the Step Up program (Information on Step Up is under “Repeat Homebuyers” below). 

If you’re not a first-time homebuyer – or you’re a first-time homebuyer who exceeds the income or purchase limits for Start Up – the Step Up program might be a great option.

Step Up program guidelines and options may include:

• Income limits up to $185,700 based on county
• House price limits up to $515,200 in the 11-county Metro area and $472,030 for all other counties
• Downpayment and Closing Cost Loan options – up to $18,000 available!
• Minimum credit score
• Owner-occupancy requirement
• Homebuyer education:  If ALL borrowers are first time buyers, at least ONE borrower must complete an approved homebuyer education course before closing on the home.

Step Up can also be used to refinance your current mortgage and offers borrowers the option to use our Monthly Payment Loan to cover closing costs. You do not need to be an existing Minnesota Housing borrower to use this program, but if you are, and have one of our second mortgages, you may be able to subordinate it when you refinance with Step Up.

Step Up program guidelines and options may include:

• Income limits up to $185,700 based on county
• Loan amount limits up to $515,200 in the 11-county Metro area and $472,030 for all other counties
• Downpayment and Closing Cost Loan options – up to $18,000 available!
• Minimum credit score requirement
• Owner-occupancy required

When you qualify for a loan and are eligible for the Minnesota Housing Start Up or Step Up programs, you also have the option to access one of our downpayment and closing cost loan programs. These loans, with amounts up to $18,000, are not grants, must all be repaid in full, have eligibility requirements of their own, and can only be used with a Minnesota Housing first mortgage.

Downpayment and closing cost loan program options main features:

* Interest-free deferred balloon loan must be fully repaid in a lump sum at the end of the mortgage term, or when the borrower moves, the property is sold or refinanced (unless refinancing with our Step Up program) or the first mortgage is paid off.

Find a participating Minnesota Housing lender of your choice through our Lender Search tool.

• Contact them to learn about these and other guidelines and options for the programs listed
• Get answers to your questions
• Let them know you are interested in working with them to see which Minnesota Housing program may be right for you