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Homebuying Support Hub

A collection of resources to support you throughout your homebuying journey.

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Financial Assistance Programs

Financial Assistance
BENEFITS
  • Provides income-eligible homebuyers in Boston with financial assistance
  • Grant amount is five percent of the purchase price plus closing costs if applicable

 First-Time Homebuyer Program

QUALIFICATIONS
  • Be a first-time homebuyer
  • Graduate from a Homebuyer 101 class
  • Get a first mortgage pre-approval from one of our participating mortgage lenders
  • Have a household income less than 135 percent of AMI
  • Have assets less than $75,000
BENEFITS:
  • Down Payment Assistance of up to $30,000 when purchasing a home in every city and town in Massachusetts

 Down Payment Assistance

QUALIFICATIONs:
  • Be an income-eligible first-time homebuyer
  • Purchase a single-family home, condominium, or 2-, 3-, or 4-family property that will be your primary residence
  • Pair Down Payment Assistance with an affordable MassHousing Mortgage Loan to purchase your home
BENEFITS:
  • Offers the lowest fixed interest rates available for a 30-year mortgage
  • Provides access to down payment and closing-cost assistance

 First-Time Homebuyer Program

qualifications:
  • Be a current resident of the City of Boston and be purchasing within the City of Boston
  • Be a first-time homebuyer
  • Take a homebuyer class
  • Meet the down payment requirements
  • Have a total household income under the ONE+Boston income limits
  • Have less than $75,000 in total household assets
  • Meet the credit score limits
  • Agree to live in the property as your primary residence
BENEFITS
  • Low down payment
  • Low fixed interest rates
  • Banks do not charge points for ONE Mortgage loans
  • Some ONE Mortgage buyers qualify for a zero percent interest subsidy payment from the Massachusetts Housing Partnership
  • Qualifiers for a ONE Mortgage are not required to pay Private Mortgage Insurance
QUALIFICATIONS
  • Meet the minimum down payment for a ONE Mortgage Program loan
  • Attend certified pre- and post-purchase classes offered by MAHA and other non-profit organizations

 One Mortgage Program

BENEFITS

  • Can be used to buy a home in every city and town in Massachusetts!

 Mortgage Loans

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Earn less than $190,755 per year

  • Buying a single-family home, condo or 2-4 family property in Massachusetts
  • The home will be your primary residence
BENEFITS
  • Homes are produced using pre-approved model designs to create homes efficiently and at lower cost without sacrificing quality
  • Homes will be priced between $250,000 - $400,000, and will be affordable to households with a combined income between $60,000 - $100,000

 Neighborhood Homes Initiative

QUALIFICATION
  • Complete the Neighborhood Housing Initiative Application
  • Be a first-time homebuyer who has completed an approved homebuyer education course
  • Meet the Maximum Household Limits at 100% of Area Median Income (AMI)
  • Have a pre-approval for the property type being offered, and its purchase price
  • Meet the minimum household size for the property being offered
  • Have sufficient savings
BENEFITS

This program has two components:

  1. Down payment and closing cost assistance: up to $50,000 in financial aid for income-eligible, first-time homebuyers to buy in the Allston and Brighton neighborhood
  2. Heating system repairs: older residents can receive up to an $8,000 grant to replace a heating system that is at least 12 years old or not functioning

 Allston/Brighton Homeownership Program

QUALIFICATIONS



Down Payment and closing cost assistance:

Heating System Repairs:

  • Be 60 or older and earn less than 120% of the Area Median Income (see income limits page for specifics)
  • Be an owner-occupant of a home in Allston or Brighton
  • Live in a one- to four-unit property
  • Be current on Boston real estate taxes
  • Be current on Boston Water and Sewer payments
BENEFITS
  • STASH First-Gen Home equips graduates with confidence, knowledge, and resources to inform first-time homebuying
  • The course consists of 8 seminar topics essential to preparing for the home buying process and sustaining homeownership

 STASH First-Gen Home 

QUALIFICATIONS
  • Be a first-generation homebuyer
  • Be a graduate of MAHA's (or another CHAPA approved) first time homebuyer class
  • Earn 100% of area median income and below for each household
  • Earn a minimum household income of $45,000 per year
  • Must be mortgage ready, meaning:
    • have a minimum credit score of 640
    • less than two adverse issues on credit report
    • savings minimum of $3,000, not to exceed $75,000

Affordable Housing

Affordable Housing

Housing Navigator is the official online listing and search tool for accessible and affordable rental homes in Massachusetts.

Housing Navigator MA

Metrolist is a housing clearinghouse which facilitates housing access throughout the metropolitan area by providing Boston residents with comprehensive housing information and a broad range of counseling services.

Metrolist

MassHousing has a listing of affordable rental properties and additional helpful links.

MassHousing

The Massachusetts Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program Centralized Waiting List opened on January 6, 2003 in accordance with provisions contained in the United States Housing Act of 1937, as amended. Ninety One (91) Massachusetts housing authorities utilize this one computerized list.

Section 8

MyMassHome is the official online listing and search tool for accessible and affordable homeownership opportunities in Massachusetts.

MyMassHome

Hear From Experts

" It all starts with the Homebuyer 101 class, all things fall into place after taking that class. "
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Urban Edge
" Building your team with people you trust is extremely important. They will lead the way. "
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Boston Home Center
" Never waive your inspection. You might be excited to close on your home but you can’t skip this. "
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Realtor
" Ensure that everyone understands your priorities, budget, and timeline. Strong communication is key. "
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Boston Home Center

Hear From Homebuyers

" Don't be apologetic about asking for help or following up with people. Stay on top of your progress! "
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Jennifer
" Stay patient! Listen to your team and don't be too quick to agree to anything with the seller. "
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Petasch
" You're going into a major life decision, a lot of it will be out of your control. Keep an open-mind! "
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Brian
" Building my team was pretty confusing, there's so many options! Be patient and consider them all. "
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Matthew

Organizations

A comprehensive collection of external organizations

MassHousing

MassHousing has provided more than $16 billion in financing for homebuyers and homeowners.
Section 8 Centralized Waiting List

The Massachusetts Section 8 Centralized Waiting List opened in accordance with provisions in the U.S. Housing Act of 1937.
MassAccess

MassAccess Housing Registry helps people find affordable housing. This features homes for those who need accessible housing.
Action for Boston Community Development

ABCD has provided services and innovative programs that help empower those in Boston to overcome poverty.
Housing Authorities in Massachusetts

Get a local list of HA websites here.
Housing Authorities Nationwide

Get a national list of HA websites here.

Glossary

Glossary

An assessment of a property's value to determine its worth for potential buyers and lenders. 

A legal advisor who ensures legal compliance and protects client interests during property transactions.

The expenses over and above the property's price that buyers and sellers incur to complete a real estate transaction (e.g. loan origination fees, discount points, appraisal fees, credit report charges)

The Declaration, the By-Laws and any other agreements or documents relating to the establishment, ownership, membership, management, use or operation of the Condominium.

a clause in a purchase agreement specifying an action or requirement that must be met for the contract to become legally binding

 

An amount of money that a government or other institution gives to an individual or to an organization for a particular purpose such as education or home improvements

 

A legal agreement by which a bank or other creditor lends money at interest in exchange for taking title of the debtor's property, with the condition that the conveyance of title becomes void upon the payment of the debt.

The Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System (NMLS) is a centralized online database that mortgage and finance regulatory agencies use to maintain state licensing programs.

 

A document containing the key legal details and history of a piece of property found during a title search.

Miscellaneous

Miscellaneous

MI Plus offers homebuyers peace of mind. Discover the uses of MI Plus and how it can aid you throughout your homebuying journey. 

If you are at risk of losing your housing, please contact:

If you have lost your housing, and need help finding emergency or transitional housing, please contact:

  • Emergency Shelter Commission: The Emergency Shelter Commission at the Boston Public Health Commission helps with referrals to emergency housing services.
  • The Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community a Development has a guide to homelessness resources. Click on your town or city to get links to local resources.

Housing Search Guide for People with Disabilities This guide, produced by CHAPA, provides guidance for people with disabilities searching for housing.

Metro Housing|Boston's Housing Portal is the agency's "Front Door". The portal offers information and referrals, brief counseling, education and workshops, and emergency financial assistance. Metro Housing|Boston also administer's the State Section 8 voucher program.

Contact them at info@metrohousingboston.org or 617.859.0400.

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