How does Murfreesboro's homebuyer assistance work?
The Murfreesboro Affordable Housing Assistance Program is run by the city's Community Development Department with federal CDBG money. It provides up to $10,000 as a 0% second mortgage with no monthly payments, repaid when you sell. Help is limited to low-income first-time buyers who purchase inside Murfreesboro city limits. You must finish HUD-approved homebuyer education and bring 1% in cash toward closing. Income is measured against HUD's low-income limits, which change every year, and the city does not post the dollar figures. Call Community Development at 615-890-4660 for the current numbers and to ask whether funds remain this year.
That income test is much stricter than the state's. Rutherford County shares THDA's top tier with Davidson, at $139,320 for one or two people and $162,540 for three or more. So many households earn too much for the city loan but still fit Homeownership for Heroes or Great Choice. Murfreesboro Police, Murfreesboro Fire Rescue, Rutherford County Fire Rescue crews and teachers in Murfreesboro City Schools or Rutherford County Schools can use the Heroes 0.5% rate cut and its forgivable or repayable down payment options. A lower-income first-time buyer may be able to layer the city's $10,000 on top. A lender confirms whether both can sit behind the same first mortgage.
Smyrna, La Vergne and Eagleville buyers are outside the city line and should start with the Rutherford County guide. Our guide on how much money you need to buy a house helps you plan the 1% contribution and closing costs.
Programs in Murfreesboro
City of Murfreesboro
- For
- Low-income first-time homebuyers
- How much
- Up to $10,000
- Kind of help
- Deferred loan, due later
- Income cap
- HUD low-income limits (updated annually; dollar figures not posted)
- First-timers only?
- Yes
- Fine print
- HUD-approved homebuyer education; 1% cash toward closing; inside Murfreesboro city limits
0% second mortgage, no monthly payments, repaid on sale. Contact 615-890-4660.
Checked against the source November 2026 · how we check
The long versionHelp that covers the whole state
Buyers in Murfreesboro can also use 4 programs that reach every corner of Tennessee, Homeownership for Heroes among them. See the full Tennessee list or try the program matcher.
Your county page: Rutherford County
Homebuyer class options near Rutherford County
Plan on a homebuyer class; almost every assistance program makes you take one before the closing date. Here is who near Rutherford County is HUD-approved to teach it or sit down with you one on one:
| Agency | Office in | Miles away | Help offered | Spoken in | Ways to attend |
|---|
| You Can Make It Home Ownership Center, Inc. | Smyrna | 13 mi | homebuyer education class, pre-purchase counseling | English | Face to Face, Phone, Internet |
| Woodbine Community Organization | Nashville | 27 mi | homebuyer education class, pre-purchase counseling | English | Face to Face, Phone, Internet |
| Aaa Residential Resources, Inc. | Nashville | 30 mi | homebuyer education class, pre-purchase counseling | English | Phone |
Pulled from HUD's housing counseling agency list. Programs don't all accept the same classes.
Which class does your program want? Ask a loan officer who does Tennessee programs. They'll name the class that counts and can get your pre-approval going at the same time.
See if I qualify
What people in Murfreesboro ask
How much is Murfreesboro down payment assistance?
Up to $10,000 as a 0% deferred second mortgage with no monthly payments, repaid when you sell. It depends on available CDBG funding.
Who qualifies for Murfreesboro's homebuyer program?
Low-income first-time buyers under HUD's annual low-income limits, buying inside Murfreesboro city limits, who complete HUD-approved homebuyer education and put 1% toward closing.
Can Murfreesboro first responders use THDA Homeownership for Heroes?
Yes. Police, firefighters, EMTs and teachers employed in Tennessee can use it. Rutherford County's THDA income limits are $139,320 for 1-2 people and $162,540 for 3 or more.
