Mortgage Navigator • New Mexico DPA

New Mexico down payment assistance, deep-checked against current state program sources.

A current inventory of state-run and state-administered assistance in New Mexico, plus national DPA options. Funding and rate sheets can still change after this review date.

Reviewed September 11, 2026 • Joshua Dobson, NMLS #190260

Published Minimum FICO: Published minimum FICO is shown only where the administering agency currently publishes one. If a universal score is not established, Mortgage Navigator labels it product/program specific rather than inventing a number.

Quick comparison

ProgramPotential assistancePublished min. FICORepayment/ForgivenessBiggest catch
Housing New Mexico FirstDownCurrent FirstDown amount per live fact sheet620Fixed-rate second-mortgage DPA paired with FirstHomeMust be combined with FirstHome; live fact sheet controls current amount/rate.
Housing New Mexico FirstDown PlusAdditional DPA amount per current fact sheet620Third-mortgage DPA used with FirstHome + FirstDownCannot be used by itself; requires both FirstHome and FirstDown.
Housing New Mexico HomeNow — funding watch$7,000 standard historical structure; temporary $14,000 tranche was exhausted620/program specific0% non-amortizing 10-year forgivable second under program rulesOfficial Housing New Mexico notice says HomeNow funds were depleted; keep as watchlist, not active assistance.
State program

Housing New Mexico FirstDown

Housing New Mexico FirstDown is a current state-administered homebuyer assistance option. Mortgage Navigator uses the administering agency as the controlling source and avoids filling changing details with stale third-party numbers.

Published minimum FICO: 620

Biggest catch: Must be combined with FirstHome; live fact sheet controls current amount/rate.
State program

Housing New Mexico FirstDown Plus

Housing New Mexico FirstDown Plus is a current state-administered homebuyer assistance option. Mortgage Navigator uses the administering agency as the controlling source and avoids filling changing details with stale third-party numbers.

Published minimum FICO: 620

Biggest catch: Cannot be used by itself; requires both FirstHome and FirstDown.
State program

Housing New Mexico HomeNow — funding watch

Housing New Mexico HomeNow — funding watch is a current state-administered homebuyer assistance option. Mortgage Navigator uses the administering agency as the controlling source and avoids filling changing details with stale third-party numbers.

Published minimum FICO: 620/program specific

Biggest catch: Official Housing New Mexico notice says HomeNow funds were depleted; keep as watchlist, not active assistance.

National programs New Mexico buyers should also check

National

National Homebuyers Fund

NHF multi-state assistance may be available through participating lenders. Current lender/product terms control credit, pricing, assistance and repayment or forgiveness.

Published minimum FICO: product/lender specific

Biggest catch: Compare first-mortgage pricing and DPA terms together.
National

Chenoa Fund

Chenoa Fund provides FHA down-payment assistance through approved lender partners. Current matrices control credit, pricing and second-mortgage terms.

Published minimum FICO: product/lender specific

Biggest catch: Current lender/program matrix controls.

New Mexico's biggest DPA lesson

New Mexico’s active DPA architecture is FirstDown plus optional FirstDown Plus. HomeNow remains important historically but is explicitly flagged as depleted based on the agency’s official funding notice.

Buying in New Mexico?

Let Josh compare the available programs.

Send the city/ZIP, purchase price, credit range, household income and first-time-buyer status.

Check My New Mexico DPA Options

Official sources