Down payment assistance in Maine
Maine's primary statewide down payment assistance program, run by MaineHousing. Numbers and eligibility reflect the program's published 2025 guidelines.
Advantage Down Payment + Closing Cost
Grant (no repayment)- Maximum assistance
- $5,000 grant toward down payment and closing costs
- Income limit
- Up to $128,800 (varies by county and family size)
- Home price limit
- Up to $498,550 statewide
- First-time buyer
- Required
- Eligible loan types
- FHA, VA, USDA, Conventional
- •Pairs with the MaineHousing First Home Loan first-mortgage program.
- •Buyer must complete a homebuyer education course.
How Maine DPA fits into your purchase
Down payment assistance reduces the cash you need at the closing table. Maine's Advantage Down Payment + Closing Cost pairs with the standard FHA, VA, USDA, or conventional first mortgage from a participating lender; the DPA flows through the same closing.
Two things to budget for: most state DPA requires a homebuyer-education course (typically online, 6-8 hours, ~$75) and you usually have to use a lender on the agency's approved list. The agency keeps the list public on its website.
Common questions
Maine's primary statewide DPA is Advantage Down Payment + Closing Cost from MaineHousing. $5,000 grant toward down payment and closing costs. Many Maine cities and counties also run additional DPA layered on top.
Yes. The Advantage Down Payment + Closing Cost requires that you have not owned a primary residence in the past 3 years. Veterans and target-area buyers are sometimes exempt.
Yes. Advantage Down Payment + Closing Cost works with these loan types: FHA, VA, USDA, Conventional. The DPA is layered behind your first mortgage as a separate lien (or grant), and both close together.
No. A grant has no repayment requirement, so it is not counted as debt for DTI purposes.
A grant is yours to keep with no payback obligation.