The short answer: Home Is Possible (HIP) is Nevada Housing Division's down payment assistance. It offers up to 5% of the loan amount toward your down payment and closing costs. Most options are second mortgages you repay, not grants. Credit score minimum is 640, education is required, and Clark County first-time buyer limits are $566,354 for price and $105,500 for income (1 to 2 people).
This post is for you if:
- You are buying in Las Vegas, Henderson or North Las Vegas and the down payment is the hard part.
- You want to know if down payment help is a grant or a loan.
- You are a repeat buyer and think you cannot qualify.
Not sure if you qualify? Tell me about your situation and I will help you map out the numbers.
Book a free callWhat is the Home Is Possible program?
Home Is Possible is run by the Nevada Housing Division (NHD). It helps buyers pay for a down payment and closing costs. NHD says it offers up to 5% of the loan value, statewide, and there is no first-time buyer requirement for the main program.
I am a licensed Nevada loan officer, and I want you to see the full picture before you fall in love with a headline. Down payment help is real money, and it comes with real terms.
How much help can you get?
| Track | Assistance | How it works |
|---|---|---|
| First-time buyer, government loan | 2% or 4% | Non-forgivable second mortgage |
| Repeat buyer, government loan | 3% | No interest, no payment, 30-year note |
| Repeat buyer, government loan | 5% | Non-forgivable second mortgage |
| Teacher track | $7,500 | Forgiven over 5 years if you stay (through December 31, 2026) |
NHD also lists first-time conventional options at 2% or 4%, with separate income limits. Government loans means FHA, VA and USDA. Figures are from NHD as of October 28, 2026.
The catch: "non-forgivable second mortgage" means you pay it back. It is not a gift. Read the signed note with your lender before you commit.
Who qualifies in Clark County?
- First-time buyer: you could not have owned a primary residence in the last 3 years.
- Clark County price limit: $566,354 for first-time buyers.
- Clark County income limit: $105,500 for 1 to 2 people, $121,325 for 3 or more (effective June 15, 2026).
- Repeat buyers: statewide caps of $165,000 income and $832,750 price.
- Credit score: minimum 640 (660 for manufactured homes).
- Education: every buyer on the note or deed must complete an approved homebuyer course.
- Occupancy: the home must be your primary residence.
Debt-to-income limits vary by loan and score. Agency limits for FHA, VA or USDA can also apply, so a number on this page is not the whole answer. See my first-time buyer guide for Las Vegas and Nevada loan limits for 2026.
Want a second set of eyes on your down payment plan? Book a free call and we will map it out.
Book a free callWhat are the catches?
- It is a loan, usually. The 2%, 4% and 5% options are non-forgivable seconds. The 3% repeat-buyer option has no payment, but it is still a note.
- Refinancing is harder. NHD says the second cannot be subordinated and must be paid off when you refinance.
- One time only. If you used any HIP down payment assistance before, you cannot get more.
- Not every lender can offer it. A lender has to be approved by NHD, with a Nevada presence and a direct U.S. Bank relationship. NHD's lender finder lists more than 80 companies.
Ask any lender you talk to, including me, whether they offer HIP today and which tracks they can use. Do not assume.
How do you start?
- Pick a lender who is approved for HIP. NHD has a lender finder by city or ZIP.
- Ask the lender to review your eligibility and recommend a track.
- Finish the homebuyer education course.
- Find an agent, make an offer, and close.
While you do that, get your numbers straight. My Nevada down payment assistance page lists other options, and the Las Vegas home buying process page walks the whole timeline.
Frequently asked questions
Is Home Is Possible a grant?
Usually no. First-time 2% and 4% and the repeat-buyer 5% options are non-forgivable second mortgages. The teacher track is a forgivable note.
Do I need to be a first-time buyer?
Not for the repeat-buyer HIP down payment assistance. First-time tracks require no primary residence ownership in the last 3 years.
What credit score do I need?
NHD lists a minimum of 640, or 660 for manufactured homes. Your lender may require more.
What are the Clark County limits?
For first-time buyers, $566,354 price and $105,500 income for 1 to 2 people, or $121,325 for 3 or more, per NHD effective June 15, 2026.
Can I refinance later?
Yes, but NHD says the second mortgage cannot be subordinated and must be paid off when you refinance.
Can I use HIP twice?
No. NHD says prior use of HIP down payment assistance makes a buyer ineligible for more.
Sources
Last verified October 28, 2026. Programs, limits and fees change, so confirm the current numbers before you rely on them.
- Nevada Housing Division: Home Is Possible
- NHD: Today's rates and assistance options
- NHD: First-time buyer income and price limits
- NHD: Homebuyer FAQ
- NHD: Lender FAQ
- NHD: How to become a lender
- NHD: Find a lender
- NHD: Teacher program
Ready to see what you can afford in Nevada? Book a free call and let us run the numbers together.
Book a free callI am Fabion Medhanie, a retired U.S. Army Captain and mortgage broker in Las Vegas. This is education, not a rate quote or a loan approval. Your loan options depend on your full file.
Based in Las Vegas? Meet a veteran-led mortgage broker in North Las Vegas, or see VA loans and all loan options.
