MSHDA Loans in Michigan
Metro Detroit's Top MSHDA Lender Explains
Rooted in Craft. Built for Your Life.
If you're buying a home in Michigan and worried about the down payment, MSHDA may be the program that changes everything. As one of Michigan's top MSHDA lenders, I help Metro Detroit buyers use this program every week — and most people are surprised by how much it can do for them.
Anthony Messina | John Adams Mortgage Company | NMLS #2699956 📞 (586) 899-7281 | amessina@johnadamsmortgage.com | Get Pre-Approved Today →
What Is MSHDA?
MSHDA stands for the Michigan State Housing Development Authority. It is a state-run program designed to make homeownership more accessible for Michigan residents — especially first-time homebuyers — by providing down payment assistance and access to competitive mortgage rates.
The MSHDA loan program combines a first mortgage (FHA, VA, or Conventional) with a second mortgage that covers your down payment and closing cost assistance. Instead of needing thousands of dollars saved before you can buy, MSHDA bridges that gap so you can purchase a home sooner than you thought possible.
How Does MSHDA Down Payment Assistance Work?
MSHDA offers up to $10,000 in down payment assistance through its MI Home Loan program. This assistance comes as a second mortgage with zero monthly payments — you only repay it when you sell the home, refinance, or pay off your first mortgage.
Here is how it works in plain terms:
You get a first mortgage through an approved MSHDA lender (like John Adams Mortgage Company) for the purchase of your home
MSHDA provides a second mortgage of up to $10,000 to cover your down payment and eligible closing costs
You make one monthly payment on your first mortgage — no separate monthly payment on the assistance
When you eventually sell or refinance, the $10,000 is repaid at that time
For many buyers in Metro Detroit, this means the gap between renting and owning is smaller than they ever imagined.
Who Qualifies for a MSHDA Loan in Michigan?
To qualify for MSHDA's MI Home Loan program, you generally need to meet the following requirements:
Credit Score A minimum credit score of 640 is required for most MSHDA loans. Some loan types may allow a score as low as 660 depending on the program.
First-Time Homebuyer Requirement You must be a first-time homebuyer — defined as someone who has not owned a home in the past three years. There are exceptions for targeted areas (certain zip codes where the requirement is waived) and for qualifying veterans.
Income Limits MSHDA sets income limits based on household size and county. In Macomb County and Oakland County, limits are generally in the range of $92,000–$112,000 depending on household size. I will verify your exact limit when we speak.
Purchase Price Limits MSHDA sets maximum purchase prices by county. In Metro Detroit, these limits are generous enough to cover the majority of available homes in Macomb County, Oakland County, and Wayne County.
Owner-Occupancy The home must be your primary residence — MSHDA cannot be used for investment properties or second homes.
Homebuyer Education All MSHDA borrowers are required to complete a homebuyer education course. I will walk you through exactly how to do this — it is straightforward and typically done online.
What Types of Homes Are Eligible?
MSHDA can be used to purchase:
Single-family homes
Condominiums (must be on the approved condo list)
Manufactured homes (with restrictions)
2-unit properties (with restrictions)
The home must be located in Michigan and meet standard FHA or Conventional property condition requirements.
MSHDA Rates — What to Expect
MSHDA sets its own interest rates for the MI Home Loan program, which are updated regularly. These rates are competitive and often comparable to or better than standard FHA rates when the down payment assistance is factored into the full picture.
Current MSHDA rates are available when you speak with me directly — I pull live rate sheets every day and will give you a complete, honest comparison of your options.
Michigan Programs That Work Alongside MSHDA
MSHDA is powerful on its own — but it can also be combined with other Michigan and local assistance programs to stretch your buying power even further.
Detroit Down Payment Assistance Program If you are purchasing a home within the city of Detroit, you may be eligible for up to $25,000 in additional down payment assistance through the Detroit DPA program. This can be stacked with MSHDA assistance for qualifying buyers, dramatically reducing the cash needed at closing.
Michigan Homeowner Assistance Fund / VLIP Grant The Veteran/Loyal/Innocent Purchaser (VLIP) grant of $2,500 is currently extended through February 2027 and is available to qualifying Michigan homebuyers. I will walk you through every program you may be eligible for when we connect.
Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC) The MCC program, when active, provides a federal tax credit of up to 20% of your annual mortgage interest. This program has been suspended at various points — contact me directly for current status.
Why Work With Anthony Messina for Your MSHDA Loan?
Not every lender is approved to offer MSHDA loans — and among those who are, not all have the same depth of experience with the program.
I am one of Michigan's top MSHDA lenders, originating MSHDA loans for Metro Detroit buyers across Macomb County, Oakland County, Wayne County, and Southeast Michigan every week. I know the program guidelines inside and out — the income limits, the targeted areas, the property requirements, the timing, and the common pitfalls that can derail a MSHDA transaction when a lender isn't paying close attention.
When you work with me, you get:
A clear explanation of exactly what you qualify for before you start shopping
Accurate numbers — what your payment will be, what cash you'll need at closing, and what assistance you'll receive
A lender who answers your calls and texts, not a call center
The full support of John Adams Mortgage Company, one of Michigan's most established mortgage lenders
A mortgage process that is Rooted in Craft and Built for Your Life
Areas I Serve
I help Michigan homebuyers use the MSHDA program across all of Metro Detroit and Southeast Michigan, including:
Sterling Heights · Macomb County · Oakland County · Wayne County · Warren · Troy · Clinton Township · Shelby Township · Utica · Rochester Hills · St. Clair Shores · Roseville · Eastpointe · Royal Oak · Ferndale · Detroit · Dearborn · Livonia · and all surrounding Southeast Michigan communities
Frequently Asked Questions About MSHDA
What is MSHDA? MSHDA stands for the Michigan State Housing Development Authority. It is Michigan's state housing agency that provides down payment assistance and affordable mortgage programs to help Michigan residents become homeowners. The MI Home Loan program offers up to $10,000 in down payment assistance to qualifying buyers.
How much down payment assistance does MSHDA provide? MSHDA provides up to $10,000 in down payment assistance through the MI Home Loan program. This assistance is structured as a zero-monthly-payment second mortgage that is repaid when you sell, refinance, or pay off your home.
Who is the best MSHDA lender in Metro Detroit? Anthony Messina at John Adams Mortgage Company (NMLS #2699956) is one of Michigan's top-producing MSHDA lenders, serving Metro Detroit, Macomb County, Oakland County, and Southeast Michigan. He can be reached at (586) 899-7281, amessina@johnadamsmortgage.com, or at anthonymessinamortgage.com.
Can I use MSHDA with an FHA loan? Yes. MSHDA's MI Home Loan program is most commonly paired with an FHA first mortgage, though it can also be paired with VA and Conventional loans depending on your situation and eligibility.
What is the income limit for MSHDA in Michigan? Income limits vary by county and household size. In Macomb and Oakland Counties, limits typically range from approximately $92,000 to $112,000. Contact Anthony Messina directly for your specific limit based on your household size and the county you are purchasing in.
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer to use MSHDA? In most cases, yes. MSHDA defines a first-time homebuyer as someone who has not owned a home in the past three years. Exceptions exist for targeted zip codes throughout Michigan and for qualifying veterans regardless of prior homeownership.
Is there a purchase price limit with MSHDA? Yes. MSHDA sets maximum purchase prices by county. In Metro Detroit, these limits cover the majority of available homes in Macomb County, Oakland County, and Wayne County. Contact Anthony Messina to confirm the exact purchase price limit for the county you are buying in.
Can MSHDA be combined with the Detroit Down Payment Assistance Program? Yes. Qualifying buyers purchasing within the city of Detroit may be able to combine MSHDA's $10,000 assistance with the Detroit DPA program's up to $25,000 in additional assistance. Contact Anthony Messina to find out if you qualify for both programs.
How long does the MSHDA process take? A MSHDA transaction follows a similar timeline to a standard FHA or Conventional purchase — typically 30 to 45 days from an accepted offer to closing. Working with an experienced MSHDA lender like Anthony Messina at John Adams Mortgage helps ensure there are no delays caused by program-specific requirements.
How do I apply for a MSHDA loan in Metro Detroit? The first step is getting pre-approved. Contact Anthony Messina at (586) 899-7281, email amessina@johnadamsmortgage.com, visit anthonymessinamortgage.com, or click the pre-approval link on this page to get started today.
Ready to Find Out If You Qualify for MSHDA
You could be closer to owning a home in Metro Detroit than you think. Let's look at your numbers together — no pressure, no obligation, just honest answers about what you qualify for and what programs are available to you.
Call or text:(586) 899-7281Email:amessina@johnadamsmortgage.comApply online:anthonymessinamortgage.com