Updated · Mike Certo, NMLS #260555
Nevada First-Time Home Buyer Grants Explained
"Grant" is the most-searched DPA term in Nevada, but most assistance isn't technically a grant. Here's what an Nevada FTHB grant actually is, how it differs from forgivable and repayable assistance, and how to pick one for your scenario.
Estimate your options with our free tools: the Nevada DPA eligibility estimator shows which programs you may qualify for, and the maximum home price calculator back-solves your affordability.
Grant vs. forgivable second vs. repayable second
Three structures cover most Nevada DPA programs, and search-volume language uses "grant" loosely. The actual structures:
- True grant: Non-recoverable assistance. Once received, it's yours — no payment, no payoff, no recapture. Rare in Nevada DPA.
- Forgivable second mortgage: A silent second lien that forgives after a stay period (3, 5, 7 years). No monthly payment. If you sell or refinance during the forgiveness window, you owe the unforgiven portion.
- Repayable second mortgage: A second lien with its own monthly payment over 10-30 years. Lower first-mortgage pricing in exchange for the second payment.
Nevada "grant" programs by name
Search-volume buyers use "grant" but the technical structure varies:
- Home At Last (Nevada Rural Housing) — rural Nevada, Las Vegas city limits excluded. Often called a "grant" because it carries 0% interest and no monthly payment. Household income up to $165,000, 620 FICO.
- Home Is Possible (Nevada Housing Division) — statewide NV, including Las Vegas. Up to 5% as a 0%-interest, three-year forgivable second. Qualifying income up to $165,000, 640 FICO, purchase price up to $832,750.
- WISH grant (FHLB San Francisco) — through a participating member bank. A 4:1 match of your own savings, up to $32,837, for first-time buyers under 80% of area median income; forgivable over five years.
- Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC) — Nevada Housing Division, statewide. A yearly federal tax credit on your mortgage interest. Nevada Rural Housing's MCC is paused for new applications as of January 1, 2026.
- Chenoa Fund — national. Forgivable variant available with stay period.
- Arrive Home — national. Forgivable after 36 months occupancy.
- Essex/NHF — national. Down payment + closing cost assistance.
One DPA program per transaction
You pick ONE DPA program per home purchase. Most Nevada DPA programs do not combine with another DPA. DPA pairs with the underlying first mortgage (FHA, VA, USDA, or conventional) — that's the standard arrangement, not "stacking" multiple DPA programs.
Eligibility checklist by program
| Program | FTHB required? | Min FICO | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home At Last | No | 620+ | Rural Nevada buyers outside Las Vegas city limits |
| Home Is Possible | No | 640+ | Statewide NV, including Las Vegas and Clark County |
| WISH grant | Yes | Loan floor | Buyers under 80% AMI who can save toward a 4:1 match |
| Mortgage Credit Certificate | Often | 640+ | Buyers who want an annual federal tax credit |
| Chenoa Fund | No | 600+ | Lower-FICO buyers or income above local program caps |
| Arrive Home | No | 620+ | Buyers wanting forgiveness without first-time requirement |
| Essex/NHF | No | 640+ | Closing cost + down payment combination need |
How to pick the right one
Your decision drivers, in order: county (Home At Last only works in Clark County; Washoe HBS only in Washoe; Nevada Rural Housing Home At Last only Carson City city), credit score (Chenoa for sub-620), first-time buyer status (Home At Last is FTHB-flexible; Washoe HBS requires FTHB), and income (local programs have caps; national programs typically don't).
Next step
The Nevada DPA Program Matcher on our sister site walks through five questions and returns a likely-fit shortlist. Or call us for a 20-minute consult.
Related
Frequently asked questions
Is there a true Nevada first-time home buyer grant?
True non-recoverable grants are rare in Nevada. Most programs marketed as "grants" are forgivable second mortgages with a stay period. Home At Last (Nevada Rural Housing) acts like a grant because it carries 0% interest and no monthly payment. It serves rural Nevada, so Las Vegas city limits are excluded; the balance is repaid only if you sell or refinance while the second is still on title.
How much down payment assistance can I get in Nevada?
It depends on the program. Nevada Rural Housing's Home At Last offers 0%-interest, no-payment assistance in rural areas, though Las Vegas city limits are excluded. Home Is Possible offers up to 5% statewide as a three-year forgivable second. The federal WISH grant matches eligible first-time buyers' savings 4:1 up to $32,837, and a Mortgage Credit Certificate returns a yearly federal tax credit on your mortgage interest.
Can I combine multiple DPA grants?
No. You use one DPA program per home purchase, and Nevada programs do not stack with each other. The DPA you choose does layer on top of your first mortgage, whether that is FHA, VA, USDA, or conventional. So you get one source of down payment help paired with one loan, not two assistance programs at once.
What FICO score do I need for Nevada down payment assistance?
Minimum FICO varies by program: Home Is Possible requires 640 and Home At Last requires 620. The Chenoa Fund accepts scores from 600. Below 600 usually means working on credit first before you apply. Your underlying loan has its own floor too: FHA allows 580 with 3.5% down, or 500 to 579 with 10% down.
What are the income limits for Nevada DPA programs?
Income caps vary by program. Home Is Possible allows qualifying income up to $165,000. Home At Last allows household income up to $165,000 as of 6/10/2026. National programs like Chenoa Fund often have no income cap, which makes them useful when you earn above a local program's limit.
Do grants affect my mortgage rate?
DPA programs usually fund the assistance through the pricing on your first mortgage, so the structure can affect your loan pricing. We don't quote rates here because they change daily and pricing is file-specific. The right way to compare is a full review of your scenario, where we show you the total cost of the assisted loan versus a standard loan.