Alaska First-Time Home Buyer: 2024 Programs and Grants

By: Peter Warden Reviewed By: Paul Centopani
February 27, 2024 - 8 min read

What to know about buying a house in Alaska

Recent home prices in Alaska are below the nationwide average, which is good news for first-time home buyers in the state.

On top of that, Alaska can offer special mortgages with low interest rates, as well as down payment and closing cost assistance to help you buy a home more affordably. Here’s how to get started.

Verify your home buying eligibility in Alaska. Start here


In this article (Skip to ...)


Alaska home buyer overview

The median home price in Alaska reached $346,800 in January 2024, according to Redfin. That fell 2.3% year-over-year.

Verify your home buying eligibility in Alaska. Start here

So home prices in Alaska are actually a bit lower on average and growing more slowly than in many other states.

Alaska home buyer stats

Average Home Sale Price in AK$346,800
Minimum Down Payment in AK (3%)$10,404
20% Down Payment in AK$69,360
Average Credit Score in AK1717
Maximum AK Home Buyer Grant2Up to 20% of the purchase price
as repayable loan in some locations

Down payment amounts are based on the state's most recently available average home sale price. "Minimum" down payment assumes 3% down on a conventional mortgage with a minimum credit score of 620.

If you're eligible for a VA loan (backed by the Department of Veterans Affairs) or a USDA loan (backed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture), you may not need any down payment at all.

First-time home buyer loans in Alaska

If you’re a first-time home buyer in Alaska with a 20% down payment, you can get a conventional loan with a low interest rate. And you never have to pay for private mortgage insurance (PMI).

Find the best first-time home buyer loan for you. Start here

Of course, few first-time buyers have saved enough for 20% down. But the good news is, you don’t need that much. Not by a long shot.

Borrowers can often get into a new home with as little as 3% or even 0% down using one of these low-down-payment mortgage programs:

  • Conventional 97: From Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae. 3% down payment and 620 minimum credit score. You can usually stop paying mortgage insurance after a few years
  • FHA loan: Backed by the Federal Housing Administration. 3.5% down and a 580 minimum credit score. But you’re on the hook for mortgage insurance premiums (MIP) until you refinance to a different type of mortgage, move, or pay off your loan
  • VA loan: Only for veterans, active military members, reservists, and National Guard. Zero down payment is required. Minimum credit score varies by lender but often 620. No ongoing mortgage insurance after closing. These are arguably the best mortgages available, so apply if you’re eligible
  • USDA loan: For those on low-to-moderate incomes buying in designated rural areas. Zero down payment required. Credit score requirements vary by lender but often 640. Low mortgage insurance rates
  • Alaska Finance Housing Corporation loan: May include low mortgage rates and down payment assistance. More information below

Note that government loan programs (including FHA, VA, and USDA home loans) require you to buy a primary residence. That means you can’t use these loans for a vacation home or investment property.

In addition, most programs let you use gifted money or down payment assistance (DPA) to cover your down payment and closing costs. Depending on the mortgage loan you choose, you could potentially get into your new house with minimal cash out of pocket.

If you’re unsure which program to choose for your first mortgage, your lender can help you find the right match based on your finances and home buying goals.

Alaska first-time home buyer programs

The Alaska Finance Housing Corporation (AFHC)3 offers first-time home buyers special mortgages with low interest rates. Click that link for more details, including help for low-income borrowers. You may also be in line for down payment assistance, which we’ll cover in the next section.

Verify your home buying eligibility in Alaska. Start here

In order to qualify for any of those, you’ll need an income that’s below local household income limits4. If you’re buying in a targeted area (a census tract designated for extra assistance), your income may be higher, as shown on this list. And the home you’re buying has to be below a specified price that varies by area. You can check purchase price limits here.

If you want to use one of these mortgages, you’ll have to choose your lender from a list of mortgage companies approved by the AFHC5. The lender will tell you whether you’re eligible, answer your initial questions, and help you through the application process.

Alaska first-time home buyer grants

The AFHC provides down payment assistance to many Alaska first-time home buyers. But it’s pretty vague on its website about the program details.

Let us help find the right mortgage for you

It says, “The assistance may be a grant, deferred payment(s), a forgivable loan, or a combination of these options and may come from a local, state or federal governmental agency, nonprofit agency, or regional housing authority. Borrowers must meet the provider’s requirements.”

To learn how much assistance is available, what form it will take, and whether or not you’re eligible, choose one of the lenders on the AFHC’s list6 and reach out for more information.

You may also be able to get help with your closing costs if you’re applying for a government-backed mortgage (FHA, VA, or USDA). If you qualify, you can borrow 3% or 4% of your mortgage balance. But, again, some of the details about repayment and terms are vague. So you should contact an approved lender to learn more.

If you’re an Alaska Native or Native American, be sure to check the list of organizations that might be able to help you. You’ll find it further down this webpage.

Buying a home in Alaska’s major cities

Juneau is the most costly of Alaska’s three biggest cities for home buyers. Anchorage comes in second and Fairbanks third. Over the 12 months ending in May 2023, only Anchorage saw home prices grow.

Verify your home buying eligibility in Alaska. Start here

Anchorage first-time home buyers

The median list price in Anchorage was $399,000 in January 2024, according to Realtor.com. That fell 6.1% year-over-year.

At that median price, your down payment options might fall between:

  • $11,970 for 3% down payment
  • $79,800 for 20% down payment

The city of Anchorage doesn’t appear to have its own down payment assistance (DPA) program. But Anchorage Borough does seem to be covered by the Cook Inlet Lending Center’s program, which is a social enterprise of the Cook Inlet Housing Authority.

Under this program, you may be able to borrow up to 20% of your next home’s purchase price (capped at $60,000) toward your down payment. Putting 20% down could save you from ever having to pay private mortgage insurance. And it will reduce your loan amount, which means smaller monthly mortgage payments over the life of the loan.

When we visited the website in March 2024, it said: “The DPA Loan currently offered has a 5% fixed interest rate over a 30-year term with an annual percentage rate (APR) of 5.089%. Interest rates are subject to change.” You should check to see current rates before you apply.

To be eligible, you must have a household income below certain caps, which vary by household size. If you don’t qualify on those or other grounds, explore the Alaska Finance Housing Corporation’s DPA offering. Cook Inlet uses the same list of approved lenders as the AFHC (link to list above), and you should raise any queries with one of those. But explore the website first. It includes a lot of information, including further terms and conditions.

Juneau first-time home buyers

The median list price in Juneau was $440,000 in January 2024, according to Realtor.com. That rose 2.3% year-over-year.

At that median price, your down payment options might fall between:

  • $13,200 for 3% down payment
  • $88,000 for 20% down payment

We couldn’t find a down payment program (besides that of the Alaska Finance Housing Corporation) when we checked the housing page on the Juneau Economic Development Council’s website. But you could call (907) 523-2300 to check. If no local program exists, you can still apply for the AFHC’s DPA program.

Fairbanks first-time home buyers

The median list price in Fairbanks was $267,500 in January 2024, according to Realtor.com. That decreased 10.8% annually.

At that median price, your down payment options might fall between:

  • $8,025 for 3% down payment
  • $53,500 for 20% down payment

Fairbanks Neighborhood Housing Services has two down payment assistance programs:

Be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully at those links. And contact one of the approved lenders on the Alaska Finance Housing Corporation’s list (link above) to talk things through.

Where to find home buying help in Alaska

All the organizations we’ve listed above should provide advice freely to any first-time home buyer in Alaska or their local area.

Verify your home buying eligibility in Alaska. Start here

In addition to our selection, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) provides a few lists of statewide and regional resources:

Statewide Alaska first-time home buyer programs

Alaska home buyer programs by city/town

Housing opportunities for Alaska Native/Native American families across the state (regional housing authorities):

What are today’s mortgage rates in Alaska?

You can see today’s live mortgage rates in Alaska here.

When you’re ready to start the home buying process, make sure you get personalized rate quotes from at least three mortgage lenders.

Don’t just look at advertised rates online; actually apply for preapproval and compare the interest rates and fees you’re offered. That’s the only way to know you’re getting the best deal possible on your new home loan.

Time to make a move? Let us find the right mortgage for you


1Source: Experian.com 2022 study of 2021 data

2Based on a review of the state's available DPA grants at the time this was written

3The Alaska Finance Housing Corporation (AFHC)

4AHFC Local Household Income Limits

5AHFC Approved Mortgage Companies

6AFHC Approved Lender List

Peter Warden
Authored By: Peter Warden
The Mortgage Reports Editor
Peter Warden has been writing for a decade about mortgages, personal finance, credit cards, and insurance. His work has appeared across a wide range of media. He lives in a small town with his partner of 25 years.
Paul Centopani
Reviewed By: Paul Centopani
The Mortgage Reports Editor
Paul Centopani is a writer and editor who started covering the lending and housing markets in 2018. Previous to joining The Mortgage Reports, he was a reporter for National Mortgage News. Paul grew up in Connecticut, graduated from Binghamton University and now lives in Chicago after a decade in New York and the D.C. area.