Buying a home
Data from November 2026
Buying a home in North Dakota
A typical home in North Dakota is worth $249,900 (Average 2020–2024). The FHA limit for one unit is $541,287 depending on the county. Here is the minimum down payment each loan type asks at that price, every county’s limit, and the state’s assistance programs.
Key numbers in North Dakota
- Typical home
- $249,900
- median value, Average 2020–2024
- 25% less than the U.S.
- FHA limit
- $541,287
- one unit, by county
- All of North Dakota uses the national floor ($541,287).
- Conforming limit
- $832,750
- one unit, 2026 data
- Above this amount, the loan is a “jumbo” loan.
- Minimum FHA down payment
- $8,747
- 3.5% of a $249,900 home
- VA and USDA ask for no down payment if you qualify.
Down payment
How much each loan asks up front
For a $249,900 home, the typical value in North Dakota. The minimum down payment is each program’s rule. The monthly figure is an example of principal and interest over 30 years at the 7.18% average rate (November 5, 2026): no taxes, insurance or mortgage insurance.
Your price, rate and down payment will differ: run the calculator with your numbers. Closing costs are extra.
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FHA Program rule
Minimum down3.5%
In dollars$8,747
Per month$1,634
With a credit score of 580 or more. Carries mortgage insurance (MIP) up front and every month.
HUD Handbook 4000.1 (Update 18), II.A.2.a.iv — Minimum Required Investment · In effect since September 14, 2016
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Conventional Program rule
Minimum down3%
In dollars$7,497
Per month$1,642
3% is the lowest standard option. With less than 20% down you pay private mortgage insurance (PMI) until you have more equity.
Fannie Mae Selling Guide B5-6-01 — HomeReady Mortgage Loan and Borrower Eligibility · In effect since January 1, 2024
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VA Program rule
Minimum down0%
In dollars$0
Per month$1,693
For veterans, service members and some spouses. No down payment as long as the price is not above the appraisal; charges a one-time funding fee.
VA: Purchase loan — benefits · In effect since January 1, 2020
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USDA Program rule
Minimum down0%
In dollars$0
Per month$1,693
Only homes in eligible rural areas and households within USDA’s income limit. Finances the full price.
7 CFR §3555.103 — Maximum loan amount (Guaranteed Rural Housing Program) · In effect since December 9, 2013
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ITIN loans follow no federal rule: each lender sets its own down payment and rate, and usually asks for more. 15% is an example.
Loan limits
FHA and conforming limit in every county
In 2026 data, every county in North Dakota uses the national FHA floor ($541,287) for one unit. The conforming limit is the most Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will buy; above it, the loan is a “jumbo”.
| McKenzie County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $349,600 | National floor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Billings County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $331,000 | National floor |
| Burleigh County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $324,000 | National floor |
| Cass County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $298,000 | National floor |
| Williams County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $284,800 | National floor |
| Dunn County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $275,000 | National floor |
| Stark County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $271,700 | National floor |
| Ward County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $267,100 | National floor |
| Morton County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $263,900 | National floor |
| Grand Forks County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $252,700 | National floor |
| Mountrail County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $232,700 | National floor |
| McLean County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $227,100 | National floor |
| Oliver County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $215,700 | National floor |
| Stutsman County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $208,400 | National floor |
| Traill County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $200,700 | National floor |
| Ramsey County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $199,300 | National floor |
| Mercer County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $198,500 | National floor |
| Bottineau County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $193,200 | National floor |
| Ransom County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $193,000 | National floor |
| Richland County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $183,600 | National floor |
| Barnes County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $173,700 | National floor |
| Divide County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $167,600 | National floor |
| Foster County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $167,500 | National floor |
| Renville County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $166,000 | National floor |
| Bowman County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $164,900 | National floor |
| Sargent County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $163,200 | National floor |
| Dickey County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $162,400 | National floor |
| Burke County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $158,100 | National floor |
| Kidder County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $156,600 | National floor |
| McHenry County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $151,000 | National floor |
| Pierce County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $147,300 | National floor |
| Nelson County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $139,700 | National floor |
| Towner County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $134,800 | National floor |
| Walsh County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $132,700 | National floor |
| Steele County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $130,700 | National floor |
| Cavalier County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $125,800 | National floor |
| Eddy County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $124,000 | National floor |
| Golden Valley County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $123,900 | National floor |
| Griggs County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $119,300 | National floor |
| Pembina County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $119,200 | National floor |
| Hettinger County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $117,300 | National floor |
| Emmons County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $117,200 | National floor |
| LaMoure County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $117,200 | National floor |
| Wells County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $114,500 | National floor |
| Adams County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $113,200 | National floor |
| Sheridan County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $110,300 | National floor |
| Rolette County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $103,800 | National floor |
| Logan County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $102,000 | National floor |
| Grant County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $93,200 | National floor |
| Benson County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $90,000 | National floor |
| Sioux County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $85,400 | National floor |
| McIntosh County | $541,287 | $832,750 | $84,200 | National floor |
| Slope County | $541,287 | $832,750 | — | National floor |
- McKenzie $541,287$832,750
- Billings $541,287$832,750
- Burleigh $541,287$832,750
- Cass $541,287$832,750
- Williams $541,287$832,750
- Dunn $541,287$832,750
- Stark $541,287$832,750
- Ward $541,287$832,750
- Morton $541,287$832,750
- Grand Forks $541,287$832,750
- Mountrail $541,287$832,750
- McLean $541,287$832,750
- Oliver $541,287$832,750
- Stutsman $541,287$832,750
- Traill $541,287$832,750
- Ramsey $541,287$832,750
- Mercer $541,287$832,750
- Bottineau $541,287$832,750
- Ransom $541,287$832,750
- Richland $541,287$832,750
- Barnes $541,287$832,750
- Divide $541,287$832,750
- Foster $541,287$832,750
- Renville $541,287$832,750
- Bowman $541,287$832,750
- Sargent $541,287$832,750
- Dickey $541,287$832,750
- Burke $541,287$832,750
- Kidder $541,287$832,750
- McHenry $541,287$832,750
- Pierce $541,287$832,750
- Nelson $541,287$832,750
- Towner $541,287$832,750
- Walsh $541,287$832,750
- Steele $541,287$832,750
- Cavalier $541,287$832,750
- Eddy $541,287$832,750
- Golden Valley $541,287$832,750
- Griggs $541,287$832,750
- Pembina $541,287$832,750
- Hettinger $541,287$832,750
- Emmons $541,287$832,750
- LaMoure $541,287$832,750
- Wells $541,287$832,750
- Adams $541,287$832,750
- Sheridan $541,287$832,750
- Rolette $541,287$832,750
- Logan $541,287$832,750
- Grant $541,287$832,750
- Benson $541,287$832,750
- Sioux $541,287$832,750
- McIntosh $541,287$832,750
- Slope $541,287$832,750
One unit. For 2- to 4-unit homes, each county page has the full table. Source: FHA mortgage limits (HUD) Data from 2026 data FHA mortgage limits (HUD) (external site)
Down payment help
North Dakota programs for buyers
2 verified programs that put money toward the down payment or closing costs, or give a tax credit. With the source wording and the date we checked it.
Some help is a grant you never repay; other help is a second loan that is forgiven over the years or repaid when you sell. Each program’s tag says which kind it is.
See all programs-
FirstHome Start
Verified November 5, 2026
With the North Dakota state agency's FirstHome mortgage, the buyer gets 3% of the loan as a credit toward the cash due at closing (down payment, closing costs and prepaid expenses); it cannot be combined with other assistance
- Grant
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DCA
Verified November 5, 2026
North Dakota state agency help for low-income buyers with an agency mortgage: 3% of the loan as a credit toward the cash you need at closing (down payment, closing costs and prepaid expenses); it cannot be combined with other assistance
- Grant
What the state publishes
North Dakota rules that change the math
Exemptions that lower property tax and taxes paid when the deed is recorded, summarized from the official page each one cites.
Property tax in North DakotaExemptions and caps
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Primary Residence Credit
Each year you can apply to the Office of State Tax Commissioner for this state credit against property tax. If your application is approved, you may receive up to $1,600. It is for people who own a home in North Dakota (house, mobile home, town home, duplex or condo) and live in it as their primary residence. Homes held in trusts also qualify. There are no age or income limits. Only one credit is available per household.
N.D.C.C. §57-02-08.9 · North Dakota Office of State Tax Commissioner · Verified October 24, 2026
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Homestead credit for people 65 or older or with a disability
If you are 65 or older, or permanently and totally disabled, and your income is within the limit, the taxable valuation of your homestead is reduced. With income up to $40,000, the reduction is 100 percent of the taxable valuation, up to a maximum of $9,000 of taxable valuation. With income over $40,000 and up to $70,000, the reduction is 50 percent, up to a maximum of $4,500 of taxable valuation. The reduction continues if you do not live in the home because you are in a nursing home, hospital or other care facility, as long as the part of the home you lived in is not rented to another person.
N.D.C.C. §57-02-08.1(1) · North Dakota Legislative Branch (North Dakota Century Code, chapter 57-02) · Verified October 24, 2026
When the sale is recorded
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The constitution bars real estate transfer and mortgage taxes
Neither the state nor counties, townships, cities or other political subdivisions may impose mortgage taxes, or sales or transfer taxes on the mortgage or transfer of real property. There is no state transfer tax when you buy a home in North Dakota.
N.D. Const. art. X, §27 · North Dakota Legislative Branch (North Dakota Constitution, Article X) · Verified October 24, 2026
Your next steps
Where to go next in North Dakota
What you can do today, free and without giving personal information. Go in order: your numbers first, then the help.
- Run the numbers with your figures
The North Dakota calculator already has the typical value, the average rate and the state’s property tax.
- Check whether you qualify for help
Each program says what it gives, who qualifies and when we checked it.
- Talk to a counselor for free
3 HUD-approved agencies help you prepare to buy; none says it serves in Spanish.
- Follow the steps to buy a home
From the budget to the keys, in order.
Frequently asked questions
How much down payment do I need for a typical home in North Dakota?
For a $249,900 home (typical value, Average 2020–2024), the FHA minimum (3.5%) is $8,747 and the conventional minimum (3%) is $7,497. VA and USDA ask no down payment if you qualify. State programs can cover part of it.
Are there high-cost counties in North Dakota?
No. In 2026 data, every county in North Dakota uses the national FHA floor ($541,287) for one unit.
What is the conforming loan limit in North Dakota?
In 2026 data, the conforming limit for one unit is $832,750 in every county in North Dakota: the most Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will buy. Above it, the loan is a “jumbo” and each lender sets its own terms.
What would the monthly payment be on a typical home in North Dakota?
With $249,900, the FHA minimum down payment ($8,747) and the 7.18% average rate (November 5, 2026), principal and interest over 30 years comes to about $1,634 a month. Tax, insurance and mortgage insurance are missing: the calculator adds them.
What down payment help is there in North Dakota?
We have verified 2 state programs in North Dakota that put money toward the down payment or closing costs, or give a tax credit. Each shows the source wording, who qualifies and the date we checked it.