Maine · Increase your buying power

Increase your buying power in Maine

8 homebuyer assistance programs in Maine put grants, forgivable loans and special mortgages toward your down payment and closing costs, so your budget goes further. Add creative financing like seller credits and rate buydowns, and it stretches even more.

Maine at a glance
5
programs available anywhere in Maine, whatever the address
$12,000
median award across 4 programs with a dollar cap
25%
never repaid if you meet the terms (2 grants and forgivable loans)
15
multi-state programs from banks, credit unions and FHLBanks also open here
See which ones fit you
What the data shows

What 8 programs tell us about buying in Maine

01

MaineHousing is most of the list

5 of Maine’s 8 programs come from MaineHousing, the state housing agency, and all 5 are available statewide.

02

Regional lenders nearly double the options

15 multi-state programs serve Maine, led by FHLBank Boston’s Lift Up Homeownership at up to $50,000.

03

Help for first-generation buyers

MaineHousing’s First Generation Program puts up to $10,000 toward closing costs for qualified buyers.

How the help arrives · 8 programs

2 grants or forgivable loans
2 deferred or repayable loans
4 other paths: shared equity, savings match, below-market homes

Award sizes · grants and loans with a dollar cap

Under $10K
1 $10K to $24,999
2 $25K to $49,999
1

Your award depends on income, price and location.

Who runs them

State agency
5 City or county
2 Nonprofit
1

5 programs are available statewide. 3 are limited to a city, county or region, so the address you buy at changes what you can get.

More programs, more buying power. Most buyers qualify for more than one. The Wallet Wizard checks income limits, price caps and location rules across all 8 Maine programs and 15 multi-state programs at once, and shows where creative financing like seller credits can stack on top.

Check my eligibility
Programs to know

Programs to know in Maine

A few of the 8 programs we track, chosen for reach, award size and terms. Amounts are program maximums; what you receive depends on income, price and location.

Grant Statewide
$10,000

First Generation Program

MaineHousing

Up to $10,000 toward closing costs for qualified first-generation buyers.

Repayment: None. It is a grant.
Check your eligibility
Down payment help Statewide
$5,000

First Home Loan Advantage

MaineHousing

An extra $5,000 toward the down payment with a MaineHousing First Home Loan; only 1% down is needed, and it can be gifted.

Repayment: Terms set by MaineHousing; confirm with a participating lender.
Check your eligibility
0% interest loan Statewide
$14,000

First Home Loan Multi-Unit Advantage

MaineHousing

$8,000 for a two-unit, $11,000 for a three-unit or $14,000 for a four-unit home you will live in.

Repayment: Terms set by MaineHousing; confirm with a participating lender.
Check your eligibility
Rate discount Statewide
0.5% rate cut

SaluteME

MaineHousing

A 0.50% discount off the First Home Loan 30-year fixed rate for eligible service members and veterans.

Repayment: Standard 30-year fixed mortgage.
Check your eligibility
Forgivable grant Statewide
$35,000

Pre-1976 Mobile Home Replacement Initiative

MaineHousing

For owners of pre-1976 mobile homes at or below 80% of area median income: a $35,000 grant plus financing to replace them with new ENERGY STAR units.

Repayment: Grant requires 10 years of occupancy; the mortgage portion is amortizing.
Check your eligibility
Voucher to own Portland
Voucher

Voucher Homeownership Program

Portland Housing Authority

Lets Housing Choice Voucher holders apply their voucher toward a mortgage payment.

Repayment: Assistance based on income and housing costs; no repayment listed.
Check your eligibility
Multi-state programs

15 multi-state programs also serve Maine

Offered by banks, credit unions and Federal Home Loan Banks in several states at once. Most are tied to that lender's own mortgage, so the lender you choose decides whether you can use them. The Wallet Wizard shows which ones you can pair.

$50,000

FHLBank Boston Lift Up Homeownership

Forgivable loan · 6 states Check eligibility
$25,000

FHLBank Boston Housing Our Workforce

Forgivable loan · 6 states Check eligibility
$25,000

FHLBank Boston Equity Builder Program

Forgivable loan · 6 states Check eligibility
$10,000

TD Bank TD Home Access Mortgage

Lender credit · 15 states + DC Check eligibility

These are 4 of the 15 multi-state programs open to Maine buyers. See which ones you qualify for

For homebuyers

See how much more home you can afford in Maine

  1. 1
    Answer a few questions in the Wallet WizardWhere you want to buy, household size, income range, job and military status.
  2. 2
    Get matched against every program we trackIncome limits, price caps, location rules and repayment terms, checked for you.
  3. 3
    Work with a pro who knows creative financingAgents and loan officers on Homebuyer Wallet see the same matches you do, and can layer in seller credits, lender credits and rate buydowns.
For agents, loan officers and MLSs

Every Maine program, matched to your buyer in seconds

Homebuyer Wallet gives professionals the full program record: income tables, price caps, approved lenders, provider contacts and application steps. Close the deals that stall on cash to close.

Maine homebuyer assistance FAQ

How much down payment assistance can I get in Maine?

It depends on where you buy and your household income. Among the 4 Maine programs we track that publish a dollar cap, the median award is $12,000. Others pay a percentage of the price or loan. The Wallet Wizard shows the amounts you could get for the home you want.

How do these programs increase my buying power?

Assistance covers part of your down payment or closing costs, or lowers your rate, so less of your own cash goes in upfront. The same savings and income can then support a higher purchase price or a lower monthly payment. Many buyers stack a statewide program with a local one to stretch further.

Can I combine these programs with seller credits or other creative financing?

Usually, yes. Seller credits toward closing costs, lender credits and rate buydowns can often be used alongside assistance programs, within your loan’s limits. The Wallet Wizard shows what fits together, and Homebuyer Wallet agents and loan officers can help you structure it.

Do I have to pay the assistance back?

2 of the 8 active programs (25%) are grants or forgivable loans: you repay nothing if you keep the home as your primary residence for the required period. 2 more are deferred or repayable second loans, due when you sell, refinance or move out, or paid monthly.

Do I need to be a first-time homebuyer?

Not always. 1 of the 8 Maine programs we track explicitly require first-time status, and most of those count anyone who has not owned a home in the past three years. The Wallet Wizard checks each program’s ownership rule for you.

Are there programs for teachers, first responders or other workers?

Yes. 2 programs we track in Maine are tied to a specific employer or profession, such as public employees, educators, first responders, healthcare workers or service members. Job-based programs often stack with income-based ones.

Can I combine more than one program?

Sometimes. Maine has 5 programs available statewide and 3 limited to a city, county or region. Many local programs are built to layer on top of a statewide loan; others prohibit stacking. Your lender confirms what combines with your first mortgage.

How do I find out which programs I qualify for?

Answer a few questions in the Wallet Wizard: where you want to buy, household size, income range and job. It checks income limits, price caps, location rules and funding status across every program we track in Maine, plus multi-state and national programs, and shows the ones that fit.

How current is this information?

Our team reviews every program against the provider’s own materials on a rolling basis. Funding opens and closes often; the Wallet Wizard shows each program’s current status.

Still have questions about your situation?Check your eligibility