About This North Carolina Down Payment Assistance Site
Straight, current information on NCHFA and NC Home Advantage, from a lender who originates these loans directly, not a lead broker.
Why this site exists
Search "down payment assistance in North Carolina" and you will hit pages that blur the two NCHFA amounts, get the forgiveness schedule wrong, or quote a stale income limit. We keep this site current to the actual NCHFA rules, the up-to-3% option, the flat $15,000 for first-time buyers and veterans, the years-11-through-15 forgiveness, and the statewide income limit. It is a strong, generous program for a lot of North Carolina buyers. When it is not the right fit, we say so.
What we do
- Originate NC Home Advantage loans directly, both the 3% and the $15,000 options.
- Match the amount to your situation, first-time vs. move-up, veteran status, FHA vs. conventional.
- Serve North Carolina statewide, Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro, Fayetteville, Asheville, and every county.
- Give honest tradeoff advice, including when saving your own down payment beats taking assistance.
Who you work with
Mike Certo is a branch manager and licensed mortgage loan officer with Cornerstone First Mortgage (NMLS #260555; company NMLS #173855). He is an approved participating lender for NCHFA and closes these loans across the state. This site is an educational resource, not the program administrator; the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency (NCHFA) runs the programs.
Have a question? Talk to Mike
Tell us your county, credit range, and price target, and we’ll map your North Carolina path in a no-pressure 20-minute call. No obligation.