Short answer
You may be if neither you nor your parents or guardians have owned a home in your lifetime. NH Housing's 1st Generation Homebuyer pilot (1stGenHomeNH) adds cash assistance for these buyers when they use an NH Housing mortgage through an approved lender and take face-to-face homebuyer education. Funding is limited, and NH Housing can end the pilot at any time, so check early.
Who counts as a first-generation homebuyer for NH Housing?
NH Housing defines it as:
- You (and any co-borrower) don't own a home now and never have.
- Your parents or legal guardians haven't owned a home during your lifetime.
- A spouse who isn't on the loan doesn't own and hasn't owned a home.
You also qualify if you were in foster care, or you legally live in the U.S. as a refugee or under asylum status granted by USCIS.
What are the requirements?
- Buy a 1 to 4 unit home in New Hampshire as your primary residence.
- Finance it through one of NH Housing's mortgage programs and one of its approved lenders.
- Complete face-to-face homebuyer education through AHEAD, HOMEteam or the Housing Partnership.
- Meet the income and price limits of the NH Housing program you use.
NH Housing lists the current assistance amount on its mortgage programs page. It's a pilot with limited funding.
Is this the same as Fannie Mae's first-generation definition?
No. Fannie Mae's Selling Guide (B2-2-07) uses a different test for flagging first-generation loans: no ownership interest in a home in the three years before closing, and either no parent with an ownership interest in the last three years, or having aged out of foster care or been emancipated. Lenders currently aren't required to use it. The NH Housing definition is the one that matters for the NH Housing pilot.
How is this different from a first-time buyer?
Many programs call you a first-time buyer if you haven't owned a home in the past three years. First-generation is narrower because it also looks at your parents. See who counts as a first-time homebuyer and where to take a homebuyer class in NH.
What should I do next?
Sign up for the face-to-face class early, since it's required, and gather your income and savings documents. Then compare the NH Housing route with other options in the NH Housing guide and down payment sources guide.
Sources
- New Hampshire Housing, Mortgage Programs (1st Generation Homebuyer)
- Fannie Mae Selling Guide B2-2-07, First-Generation Homebuyer Loans
Checked November 2, 2026. Rules and dates change, so confirm current details before you rely on them.
General information only, not tax or legal advice. Program availability, eligibility and terms vary by lender and are subject to change and to underwriting approval. Not a commitment to lend.