NC Home Advantage Mortgage with Down Payment Assistance · Cumberland County
Cumberland County, North Carolina: down payment help, step by step
Cumberland County, home to Fayetteville and Fort Bragg, has a large veteran community, and veterans get a special break on the $15,000 option.
Step 1: Know the local market
Many veterans settle near Fayetteville, Hope Mills and Spring Lake after leaving the service. If you served 181 or more consecutive days of active duty, were honorably discharged and are applying before the 25th anniversary of leaving active service, you can use the $15,000 NC 1st Home Advantage Down Payment once, even if you owned a home before.
Cumberland County Schools is a major local employer, along with the Fayetteville Police Department, Cumberland County Sheriff's Office, Fayetteville Fire Department and Cape Fear Valley EMS. Many of those workers are veterans too.
The NC Home Advantage Mortgage can be a VA loan, so a veteran can pair VA financing with NCHFA's forgivable help. Smaller communities like Stedman and Eastover may also open the door to USDA loans.
Step 2: Check the Cumberland County caps
| Income cap, 1 or 2 people | Income cap, 3 or more | Highest price allowed |
|---|---|---|
| $117,000 | $137,000 | $525,000 |
The $15,000 option's $525,000 price cap applies in Cumberland. Total family income can reach $117,000 for 1 or 2 people, or $137,000 for a household of 3 or more. Statewide figures are in the limits table; to test a price against your income, use the budget calculator.
Step 3: Add local help in Cumberland County
Our last check turned up no program run just for Cumberland County. The statewide options still work here. Open the North Carolina program directory.
Step 4: Book your homebuyer class near Cumberland County
Plan on a homebuyer class; most programs want the certificate in hand before you close. Below are HUD-approved agencies within driving distance of Cumberland County, with the services, languages and meeting formats each one lists.
| Counseling agency | Town | Miles | Services | Spoken in | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kingdom Community Development Corporation | Spring Lake | 12 mi | homebuyer education class, pre-purchase counseling | English, Spanish | Face to Face, Phone, Internet |
| Sandhills Community Action Program, Inc. | Southern Pines | 34 mi | homebuyer education class, pre-purchase counseling | English | Phone |
| Brick Capital Community Development Corporation | Sanford | 35 mi | homebuyer education class, pre-purchase counseling | English, Spanish | Face to Face, Phone, Internet |
Pulled from the HUD housing counseling directory. Ask before you enroll, because programs differ on which classes count.
Major public employers in Cumberland County
Some of the larger schools and public safety agencies here:
- Cumberland County Schools
- Fayetteville Police Department
- Cumberland County Sheriff's Office
- Fayetteville Fire Department
- Cape Fear Valley EMS
Any eligible Cumberland County buyer can use these programs, whether or not you work for one of these employers. Every job the program covers
Cumberland County: questions and answers
I'm a veteran who owned a home in another state. Can I get $15,000?
Yes, once, if you meet the service rules and own no other home at closing. Bring your DD214.
Can I use a VA loan?
Yes. VA is one of the allowed loan types for the NC Home Advantage Mortgage.
Do active-duty service members get the veteran exception?
The exception is for veterans with an honorable discharge. Active-duty buyers can still qualify as first-time buyers or use the 3% option.
Nearby county guides: Wake CountyMecklenburg CountyGuilford CountyForsyth CountyDurham CountyBuncombe CountyUnion CountyJohnston County All counties
