Bertie County NCHFA Down Payment Assistance Estimator
See your estimated monthly payment plus how the NCHFA $15,000 down payment assistance program reduces your actual cash to close.
NCHFA Down-Payment Assistance
The assistance above is a 0%, deferred second mortgage — not a grant. Repayment can become due under certain conditions, such as selling or refinancing. Confirm your household's exact eligibility and the current repayment terms with a participating lender.
*Illustrative only, using the Bertie County ad valorem rate (no municipal or fire-district add-on). Verify all figures with a lender before relying on them.
What NCHFA offers
The North Carolina Housing Finance Agency (NCHFA) runs two programs that layer on top of a first mortgage rather than replacing it:
- Down payment assistance — up to $15,000. Structured as a 0% interest, deferred second mortgage. No monthly payment is due on the assistance itself; it is repaid under specific conditions such as sale or refinance of the home.
- Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC). An annual federal tax credit on a portion of the mortgage interest paid each year — a direct credit against federal income tax owed, on top of any standard mortgage interest deduction.
Targeted census tracts: likely common in Bertie, not confirmed for every parcel
The full $15,000 assistance amount, and MCC eligibility more broadly, are typically widened for properties located in an NCHFA-designated "targeted census tract." Bertie County is one of North Carolina's more economically distressed counties, and in a county with that profile, targeted census tracts are likely common — potentially covering much of the county.
Verify the specific address
Targeted census tract status is not confirmed for every specific tract in Bertie County on this page. It is determined address by address. Before assuming a property qualifies for expanded assistance, consult NCHFA's tract eligibility lookup tool at nchfa.com to verify the specific address.
Stacking NCHFA with your first mortgage
NCHFA down payment assistance and the MCC are typically designed to stack on top of a qualifying first mortgage — USDA Guaranteed, FHA, or conventional. Whichever loan program fits your income and the property, NCHFA assistance can help cover the down payment and closing costs on top of it:
- See Bertie USDA Eligibility for zero-down financing across most of rural Bertie County.
- See Bertie FHA Loan Limits for a 3.5%-down option with no income cap.
Frequently asked questions
How much down payment assistance does NCHFA offer?
Up to $15,000, structured as a 0% interest, deferred second mortgage. The exact amount available depends on the specific program and, in some cases, on whether the property is in a targeted census tract.
What is a Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC)?
An MCC is a federal tax credit that lets an eligible borrower claim a portion of the annual mortgage interest paid as a direct credit against federal income tax owed — on top of, and separate from, the standard mortgage interest deduction.
Is my Bertie County property in a targeted census tract?
Likely, but not confirmed for every specific tract. Bertie is an economically distressed county, and targeted census tracts tend to be common in counties like it — but tract designation is address-specific. Consult NCHFA's tract eligibility lookup tool at nchfa.com to verify a specific address before relying on targeted-tract benefits.
Can I combine NCHFA assistance with a USDA or FHA loan?
Yes. NCHFA down payment assistance and MCC programs are typically designed to stack on top of a first mortgage — including USDA Guaranteed, FHA, and conventional loans. See our USDA and FHA pages for details on those first-mortgage options.
Do I have to repay the NCHFA down payment assistance?
It is structured as a deferred, 0% interest second mortgage — meaning no monthly payment is due, but the assistance amount can become due under certain conditions (such as selling or refinancing the home). Confirm the specific repayment terms with NCHFA or a participating lender before relying on this program.
Want to know what you might qualify for?
Travis can help you figure out whether a specific Bertie County property falls in a targeted census tract, and connect you with an NCHFA-participating lender.
Data note: NCHFA program amounts, targeted census tract designations, and MCC terms are subject to change and are not confirmed for every specific address in this page. This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or lending advice. Verify current terms and specific-address eligibility at nchfa.com and with an NCHFA-participating lender before making financial decisions.