MSHDA Down Payment Assistance

The Michigan State Housing Development Authority or MSHDA program has two basic options for home buyers.  The first is a down payment assistance program available to home buyers in Michigan.   The second is a program that offers a significantly reduced interest rate.   We work with both loan programs.  Lets dive into the down payment assistance option.  The easiest way to explain this program is that its an add on to an FHA, Conventional, or Rural Development loan.   Kind of like when you are purchasing a car and opt for the leather seats instead of fabric.  Its the same car just with additional features.    In the case of using the MSHDA option, the state is covering part of the down payment that is required and also some of the closing costs with an zero interest loan.   That’s right MSHDA is not “free” money, it’s a loan from the state at a zero percent interest rate that is paid back when the house is sold or mortgage refinanced.   Lets look at a quick example.

Example: FHA Loan with MSHDA DPA

Price $200,000

FHA requires 3.5% down or $7,000

MSHDA requires the buyer cover 1% of that or 2,000

7,000 Needed – 2,000 buyer contribution = 5,000 used from MSHDA to cover the remaining down payment

We have $10,000 in down payment assistance funds that would leave $5,000 in the MSHDA pot of money that could be used towards closing costs.

After closing the buyer owes on two loans, the main mortgage that had 3.5% put down on it and the 2nd mortgage with MSHDA for $10,000.  When the house is sold or refinanced those two loans get paid back.

Pros, Cons, and Weird Stuff with MSHDA Down Payment Assistance

• Michigan down payment assistance up to $10,000.
• Homebuyer Education Required
• Works with FHA, VA (note VA is only available for the rate reduction program), RD, and Conventional loan programs
• 2024 MSHDA Income Limits
• Sales Price limit – $224,500 statewide (slated to increase in May)
• Minimum credit score of 640 for stick built homes and manufactured homes
• There is a list of Targeted Areas that affects first time buyer requirements for some of the programs (doesn’t apply to 1st Gen Program)
• Collections must be paid with one of the MSHDA programs
• No more than 2 acres (there are some exceptions)
• No more than 1 buildable lot

First Generation Pilot Program

On Feb. 18th 2025 MSHDA rolled out a First Generation Down Payment assistance program.  The program works like the normal MSHDA but bumps the down payment assistance amount up to $25,000.  To qualify for the additional funds the borrower and the borrowers parents cant have owned a home in the last 3 years.    If they have not they are considered first generation buyers and eligible for the additional down payment. Check out the flyer  ** Caution this is a pilot program available for a limit time.  The state received 8 million from the federal government and when the money runs out the program ends.  That means about 320 buyers will be able to use the funds.  There is no limit on the $10,000 in assistance.

You can see there is a lot there!  This stuff can get confusing and everyone’s situation is different.  The bottom-line is that there are lots of options when buying a home and we are here to help figure out the options that is best for YOU!   Feel free to reach out at (269) 360-7109 and we can help answer all of your questions.   If you would like to get qualified for one of these programs you can start with filling out the loan application.