High Point Down Payment Assistance for First-Time Buyers: What to Confirm Before You Shop

High Point buyers often hear two things at once: homes feel expensive, and the city has a down payment program. Both can be true—and the smart move is to understand the city’s homebuyer assistance path before you write an offer on a house that may (or may not) fit the rules.

This article is a soft overview for first-time and first-time-again buyers looking at High Point city limits. It is not a rate quote, not a promise of approval, and not a substitute for confirming live amounts with the City of High Point.

Jill Burgess, VP NC Mortgage Production Manager at Ameris Bank (Mortgages By Jill), helps High Point and greater Guilford County buyers sort city assistance, NCHFA options, and everyday loan programs. Local page: High Point mortgage lender (https://www.mortgagesbyjill.com/high-point-mortgage-lender).

What High Point’s city program is for

High Point’s City-Wide Homebuyer Assistance Program is designed to help qualifying very low-to-moderate income buyers with deferred assistance toward down payment, closing costs, and prepaid expenses (not earnest money). The official city page is the place to start:

https://www.highpointnc.gov/247/City-Wide-Homebuyer-Assistance-Program

Assistance is typically tied to buying a home within High Point city limits as your primary residence, meeting income and purchase-price rules, working with a participating lender, and remaining in the home for the program term (often described as about five years—early move or sale can trigger repayment under city rules). Confirm every requirement on the current city flyer or with Community Development staff.

Please confirm with the city before you rely on any number. The live city webpage and staff guidance are the source of truth for the current maximum, income limits, purchase-price caps, neighborhood add-ons (if any), and participating-lender rules. Jill can help you ask the right questions—she cannot override city program administration.

Typical requirements buyers should verify

Program materials and city reporting have commonly mentioned items like:

• Income eligibility (often described relative to area median income—confirm the current percentage and household calculation)

• - Contributing a small amount of your own funds toward the purchase (city materials have referenced about $500—confirm)

• - Primary residence inside High Point city limits

• - Use of a participating lender

• - Occupancy for the required program term

• - Purchase-price limits tied to city guidelines

None of the above is a determination of your eligibility. Final decisions rest with the City and lender underwriting.

City help, state help, and Triad neighbors

High Point buyers often explore more than one path:

• City DPA — High Point’s City-Wide Homebuyer Assistance Program (confirm live amounts with the city)

• - NCHFA — NC Home Advantage / NC 1st Home Advantage when you qualify (https://www.mortgagesbyjill.com/nc-home-advantage-mortgage)

• - Nearby city programs — Greensboro’s Housing Connect if your search shifts north (https://www.mortgagesbyjill.com/housing-connect-greensboro)

• - Education — Homebuyer classes that High Point buyers can use when scheduled (https://www.mortgagesbyjill.com/homebuyer-education-classes)

Stacking city and state assistance is educational territory only—it is not automatic. Each program has its own income, price, property, and lender rules. Jill’s job is to map what may fit your household against current guidelines.

Soft language on the ~$20k Council-approved amount

You may see older materials that still reference a lower maximum. High Point City Council has approved raising city down payment assistance toward up to about $20,000 for qualifying buyers (with some reports also noting possible additional help in named target neighborhoods when rules allow).

Loan types High Point buyers commonly discuss

No rates or payment examples here—just product names buyers ask about:

• FHA, VA, USDA, and conventional when eligible

• - NCHFA mortgage products when you qualify

• - Medical professional options when they fit (https://www.mortgagesbyjill.com/medical-professional-mortgages)

All loans are subject to credit approval and program guidelines.

Why work with a Triad loan officer who knows High Point

High Point contracts sit in Guilford County’s everyday market—but city DPA adds a second checklist. A local loan officer who regularly talks through participating-lender status, soft confirmation of city amounts, and NCHFA stacking questions can save you weeks of guesswork.

Jill Burgess works by appointment from Winston-Salem (3500 Vest Mill Road, Suite 1) with Greensboro satellite access for Triad clients. She was named a 2025 NCHFA Top Loan Officer (“Burgess, Jill Ameris Bank”). Other lenders also serve High Point; choose the loan officer who returns calls, explains tradeoffs, and stays with your file.

FAQ

Is High Point city DPA still the older lower amount?

Do I have to live in High Point city limits?

For the city program, yes—primary residence within city limits as defined by High Point. Confirm address eligibility early.

How do High Point buyers start with Jill?

A short call or contact form is enough to sketch education, city DPA questions, and pre-approval next steps: High Point mortgage lender (https://www.mortgagesbyjill.com/high-point-mortgage-lender).

Compliance footer

Jill Burgess | NMLS #100425 | Ameris Bank | Equal Housing Lender. This article is general information only—not a commitment to lend. All loans subject to credit approval and program guidelines. City and state assistance amounts and rules change; confirm with the City of High Point and your loan officer.Buying in High Point and want a calm plan on city DPA (confirm current amounts with the city) plus your loan options? Start here: High Point mortgage lender (https://www.mortgagesbyjill.com/high-point-mortgage-lender).

Jill Burgess | NMLS #100425 | Ameris Bank | Equal Housing Lender. This article is general information only—not a commitment to lend. All loans subject to credit approval and program guidelines. City and state assistance amounts and rules change; confirm with the City of High Point and your loan officer.You may still see older figures on public pages. Council-approved increases toward up to about $20,000 for qualifying buyers have been reported—confirm the live amount with the city and with Jill before you shop.

Can I combine city help with NCHFA?

Often buyers explore both. Eligibility and stacking rules must be confirmed for your household.