First Time Homebuyers are eligible to apply for downpayment and closing cost assistance loans of $8,500, depending on household size and income.
Downpayment & Closing Cost Assistance 2nd Mortgage Loan Terms
- 0% interest deferred
- No monthly payments
- Borrowers must contribute a minimum of $1,000 towards the purchase of their home.
- Loan is repaid when the primary mortgage is paid off upon sale of the home, refinancing or the primary loan is paid in full.
The loan can always be pre-paid in full or in part at any time.
First Time Homebuyers may be eligible for a Mortgage Credit Certificate. The Mortgage Credit Certificate benefits can provide thousands of dollars in savings on interest over the life of a homeowners’ mortgage.
A Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC) is a certificate provided by the IRS that allows homebuyers to take 30% of their first mortgage interest, up to $2,000 each year, as a credit against what is owed on their Federal income taxes. This is a special program provided by the IRS that is not available to all homeowners.
Example of the maximum benefit
Below is a table that provides an example of the maximum benefit a MCC can provide to borrowers over the life of their first mortgage.
Please note: this is only an example and does not guarantee that every borrower will be able to take full advantage of the MCC each year that they own their home.
| Amount of First Mortgage Loan |
$175,000 |
$200,000 |
$250,000 |
| |
First Mortgage Interest Rate |
4.25% |
4.25% |
4.25% |
| Year 1 |
Interest Paid after 1 year |
$7,380 |
$8,435 |
$10,544 |
| |
MCC Benefit at Year 1
(30% of interest paid, up to $2,000/year) |
$2,000 |
$2,000 |
$2,000 |
| Year 10 |
Interest Paid after 10 years |
$67,332 |
$76,952 |
$96,190 |
| |
MCC Benefit at Year 10
(30% of interest paid, up to $2,000/year) |
$19,525 |
$20,000 |
$20,000 |
| Year 30 |
Interest Paid after 30 years |
$134,922 |
$154,197 |
$192,746 |
| |
MCC Benefit at Year 30
(30% of interest paid, up to $2,000/year) |
$39,801 |
$43,174 |
$47,329 |
Maximum Income Limits
- 1 person or 2 person households: $94,300
- 3 or more person households: $108,400
Maximum Purchase Price
Please note that income and purchase price limits are subject to change.
Eligibility Requirements
Participants of the First Time Homebuyer Program must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Homebuyers must be first time homebuyers or someone who has not owned a home in the last three years.
- Honorably discharged Veterans are eligible whether or not they are a first time buyer. However, a Veteran cannot have used a similar program to purchase a home in the past.
- Properties must be located in Dakota County.
- Homebuyer must occupy the home as their primary place of residence after purchase
- Homebuyers must have a minimum credit score of 640.
- Homebuyers must meet income criteria.
- The purchase price of the home must not exceed $304,050.
- All participants of the First Time Homebuyer Program must complete an approved homebuyer education course before closing on their loan. Approved courses include:
We have a network of loan officers that are trained to offer the Dakota County CDA First Time Homebuyer Program.
To apply, contact one of the loan officers in our Participating Lender network. The lender will work with you to qualify for your mortgages and to complete the loan process.
Click on the link below to view our network of participating lenders.
First Time Homebuyer Participating Lender Network
Please note: this list is updated as additional lenders sign up to participate in the program.
The First Time Homebuyer Program may only be used with 30-year amortizing fixed-rate FHA or VA mortgage loans or HFA Preferred conventional mortgage loans.
- FHA/VA: 5.375% – Effective rate as low as 3.76% with Mortgage Credit Certificate
- Conventional HFA Preferred: 5.75% – Effective rate as low as 4.03% with Mortgage Credit Certificate
Interest rates are subject to change.
The Dakota County CDA partners with mortgage lenders to qualify homebuyers for the loans.
The First Time Homebuyer Program has been reloaded with $30 million in funding. This program provides low-interest first mortgage financing along with a mortgage credit certificate option and downpayment assistance to eligible households purchasing a home in Dakota County.
Invitation to Lenders
Participation Agreement
To review Lender Guidelines & Forms, click on the link below:
Lender Guidelines & Forms
If you’re interested in becoming a participating lender, contact the First Time Homebuyer Specialist at 651-675-4472.
