Home Buyers in Greater Boston should start with a lender preapproval, finish a city-approved Homebuying 101 class, and check city and state assistance before touring seriously. The City of Boston's program requires the first two, and doing them in this order keeps you from learning about a requirement after you've found a place you love. Recent local market data shows a median sale price of $800,000 and a median of 15 days on market across Boston, so being ready matters wherever you're looking.
First-Time Home Buyers in Greater Boston, Step by Step
What should first-time Home Buyers in Greater Boston do first?
Home Buyers in Greater Boston should start with a lender preapproval, finish a city-approved Homebuying 101 class, and check city and state assistance before touring seriously. The City of Boston's program requires the first two, and doing them in this order keeps you from learning about a requirement after you've found a place you love. Recent local market data shows a median sale price of $800,000 and a median of 15 days on market across Boston, so being ready matters wherever you're looking.
Key Takeaways
- Recent local market data for Boston shows a median sale price of $800,000, a median of 15 days on market, and 1,933 active listings.
- The City of Boston's First-Time Homebuyer Program requires a first-mortgage preapproval from a participating lender, a city-approved Homebuying 101 class, and household income under 135% of area median income.
- MassHousing's down payment assistance advertises up to $30,000 for income-qualified first-time buyers anywhere in Massachusetts, paired with an eligible MassHousing mortgage.
- The expanded 0% MassHousing round required a mortgage lock by early July 2026, so treat it as closed unless the state announces an extension or replacement.
- City of Boston programs generally require the property to be in Boston, while MassHousing programs apply statewide.
What are the steps to buy your first home in Greater Boston?
The sequence is: get preapproved, take the homebuyer class, line up assistance, decide on property type and location, then make an offer with a clear plan for inspections and closing. Every first-time buyer's path looks a little different across Greater Boston, and I always start by listening to where you're trying to get to before I talk strategy.
Step 1: Get a mortgage preapproval from a participating lender
A preapproval tells you what you can afford and keeps you eligible for city assistance. For the City of Boston's program, a first-mortgage preapproval from a participating lender is part of the eligibility process, per the City of Boston.
Compare more than one lender, set a maximum comfortable monthly payment, and ask each lender whether they work with the assistance programs you're considering. Don't let a lender talk you up to your absolute ceiling. The number you qualify for and the number you're comfortable with are often different.
Step 2: Complete a CHAPA-approved Homebuying 101 class
Boston's program requires graduation from an approved Homebuying 101 course. Take it before you make an offer, not after. The class surfaces documentation requirements and assistance options while there's still no deadline pressure.
The City also runs homebuyer education and counseling through the Boston Home Center as part of its ONE+Boston initiative.
Step 3: Decide on property type and location
Condo, single-family, or multifamily is a financial decision as much as a lifestyle one. The main programs can cover condominiums and one- to four-family homes, but the permitted property type varies by program. If you're considering a two- or three-family, confirm owner-occupancy, underwriting, and property-condition requirements with your lender before you rely on assistance.
Location matters for eligibility too. City programs generally require a Boston address, and a purchase in Quincy, Newton, Brookline, Cambridge, Somerville, or another nearby community may be governed by that municipality's own rules. Verify before you fall for a house across a city line.
Step 4: Work with an agent and understand your agreement
Before we tour homes together, we'll go over a written buyer agreement so you know exactly what we're each responsible for. Broker compensation is fully negotiable and not set by law, and we'll talk through it openly up front. I explain this in detail in my post on the buyer broker agreement in Massachusetts.
Step 5: Make an offer, protect yourself, and close
Your offer is where preparation pays off. In a market where homes can sell in a matter of weeks, a strong preapproval and a clear understanding of your protections let you move quickly without taking on unnecessary risk. Read my breakdown of contingencies in a Massachusetts offer before you write one, and see the things you shouldn't do when buying a home so nothing disrupts your financing between offer and closing. A closing agent handles the closing and settlement itself.
Which first-time buyer assistance programs can you actually use?
The programs you can realistically use are the City of Boston's First-Time Homebuyer Program and ONE+Boston, MassHousing's down payment assistance, and, for a narrow group, the BHA First Home Program. Eligibility, income limits, and funding windows change, so confirm each one with the agency and your lender before you plan around it.
City of Boston First-Time Homebuyer Program and ONE+Boston
The City's program applies to buyers purchasing a one- to three-family property or condominium in Boston as a primary residence. Applicants generally must qualify as first-time buyers, meaning they haven't owned property in the previous three years. They must also complete the Homebuying 101 class, get a preapproval from a participating lender, and have household income below 135% of area median income, according to the City of Boston. For non-Boston residents, the assistance is structured as a 0% interest deferred loan secured by a mortgage and promissory note.
ONE+Boston pairs fixed-rate mortgage options and low down-payment requirements with City-funded assistance and no private mortgage insurance, as described in the City's announcement of its 1,000th assisted homebuyer.
MassHousing down payment assistance
MassHousing offers assistance of up to $30,000 to income-qualified first-time buyers purchasing a primary-residence single-family home, condominium, or two-, three-, or four-family property anywhere in Massachusetts. It must be paired with an eligible MassHousing mortgage, per the MassHousing program page. The agency says its homebuying programs can be used in every Massachusetts city and town, subject to eligibility and lender requirements.
Watch for expired headline offers
You may have seen a $25,000, 0% interest deferred assistance round advertised for 2026. The state's Unlocking Homeownership page shows buyers had to lock a MassHousing mortgage between late April and early July 2026. That deadline has passed. I covered that round while it was open in an earlier post on the $25,000 assistance, but don't plan around it unless MassHousing or state officials announce an extension or replacement.
BHA First Home Program
Eligible Boston Housing Authority tenants can receive enhanced down payment assistance of $75,000 from the City of Boston. It isn't a general benefit for all first-time buyers, and the BHA program page says the funding is in its final year and expected to end in late 2026. If you're a BHA tenant, contact BHA directly about remaining availability and submission requirements.
What does the market look like for Home Buyers in Greater Boston right now?
Recent local market data shows a median sale price of $800,000 for Boston, a median of 15 days on market, and 1,933 active listings. About 960 new listings came on in the last 30 days, and 1,136 homes sold over roughly the past 90 days. That's a market where good homes move, so your financing needs to be in place before you tour.
Home Buyers in Greater Boston will also see how much the numbers change depending on where they look. Here's an area-level snapshot.
| Area | Median Sale Price | Median Days on Market |
|---|---|---|
| Charlestown | $955,000 | 62 |
| Dorchester | $637,500 | 50 |
| Hyde Park | $610,000 | 51 |
| Roslindale | $722,500 | 73 |
| Mattapan | $539,000 | 61 |
| East Boston | $677,500 | 56 |
| Quincy | $681,500 | 47 |
| Newton | $1,560,000 | 63 |
These are area-level medians. The citywide figures and the area table come from different slices of the listing data, so don't expect them to line up line by line. What a specific home is worth depends on its condition, street, build year, and timing. That's where a local market analysis from someone who knows these streets matters more than any median. For tactics on writing an offer that holds up against other buyers, see my post on how to win in a competitive Greater Boston market.
FAQ
What qualifies someone as a first-time homebuyer in Boston?
Under the City of Boston's program, you generally qualify if you haven't owned property in the previous three years. You must also buy a one- to three-family property or condominium in Boston as your primary residence and meet the income limit of less than 135% of area median income. Confirm the current details on the City's program page and with your lender.
How much money do I need saved before buying a home in Boston?
The amount depends on your loan type, the price of the home, and whether you qualify for assistance, so your lender's preapproval is where to get a real answer. Plan for your down payment, closing costs, inspections, moving expenses, and some cash reserves after closing. I'll help you map those categories to your situation in a consultation.
Can I use MassHousing down payment assistance to buy a condo or multifamily home?
Yes, MassHousing's assistance can apply to condominiums and two-, three-, and four-family properties, as well as single-family homes. The property must be your primary residence, and the assistance must be paired with an eligible MassHousing mortgage. Check the MassHousing program page and talk with a participating lender about multifamily requirements.
Do I need a mortgage preapproval before touring homes in Greater Boston?
Not to walk through a home, but you should have one before you tour seriously. Boston's assistance program requires a preapproval from a participating lender, and with homes selling in a median of 15 days citywide, you'll want to be ready to make an offer.
Can BHA tenants get help with a down payment through the First Home Program?
Yes, eligible Boston Housing Authority tenants can receive $75,000 in enhanced down payment assistance from the City of Boston. The program is in its final year and expected to end in late 2026, so verify availability directly with BHA right away.
Ready to map out your first purchase?
Getting preapproved, completing the class, and checking assistance before you tour is the core of the process for Home Buyers in Greater Boston, and every one of those steps depends on your income, your lender, and the property you choose. My team and I work across Boston, the North Shore, South Shore, MetroWest, and Southeastern Massachusetts, so we can help you compare the city and the suburbs on the same footing. Schedule a consultation with the John Hollis Group and we'll build your plan together.
Equal Housing Opportunity. This article is general information, not legal, tax, or financial advice. Confirm your own numbers and program eligibility with your closing agent, tax advisor, or lender.
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