If you're a nurse or healthcare professional dreaming of owning a home, we're here to help make it happen. Through the Nurse Next Door Program®, eligible nurses, LPNs, CNAs, and medical professionals can access housing grants, down payment assistance, and personalized guidance from specialists who understand your unique needs.
Below you'll find answers to the most common questions about how the program works, who qualifies, and how to get started.
Check Your Eligibility NowThe Nurse Next Door Program® was created to help nurses, LPNs, CNAs, and all other healthcare professionals become homeowners while supporting community development and fair access to housing. The program simplifies the home loan and buying process by matching you with the best available programs based on your unique needs. Your Nurse Next Door agent will help you find the right home, negotiate the best price, and guide you through every step of the purchase, financing, and closing process.
As of 2026, there are many different federal, state, and local programs available to Nurse Next Door Program® participants, including the Nurse Next Door Grant, the State Housing Initiative Program (SHIP), USDA Rural Program, and others. These can often be combined with national and state-specific programs such as Arizona Home in Five, California CalPlus, and Texas SETH 5-Star Advantage. Programs vary by city and state. Your Certified Nurse Next Door Program Specialist will help determine which programs you qualify for, and which can be combined.
Find Out What You Qualify ForNo. Nurse Next Door grants never have to be repaid and can be applied toward closing costs and other home buying expenses.
Learn MoreAs of 2026, Nurses and healthcare workers may qualify for up to $9,000 in grants and up to $24,000 in down payment assistance (possibly more in high-cost areas).
Check Your Eligibility NowAll nurses and healthcare workers are eligible for the Nurse Next Door Program®. This includes RNs, LPNs, CNAs, hospital staff, administrators, and medical support personnel. If you are not in the medical field, please visit www.NextDoorPrograms.us to learn more about other programs available for teachers, first responders, and public servants.
See If You QualifyNo. The Nurse Next Door Program® does not have any income limitations to apply. Some assistance programs may have specific debt-to-income (DTI) requirements.
No. You do not have to be a first time buyer. Even if you currently own a home or have owned one in the past three years, you may still take advantage of all Nurse Next Door Program® benefits.
Your Certified Nurse Next Door Program Specialist will match you with the best program based on your individual circumstances, including credit, available down payment, and property location.
Check EligibilityNo. Nurse Next Door Program® participants are not required to take any HUD home buyer classes or courses to use the program.
Absolutely nothing! One of the best parts of the Nurse Next Door Program® is that there is no cost to home buyers. You can use our specialists, grants, and down payment assistance completely free.
No. Nurse Next Door® will never pull your credit or have access to your financial information. When you click Apply Now and complete the short pre-application, a Program Specialist will contact you to review your options and discuss potential grants and assistance programs. Your credit is only pulled during the mortgage process.
Start Pre-ApplicationNo. You may purchase any home on the market, in any neighborhood, as long as it meets your loan approval guidelines.
No. The Nurse Next Door Program® does not have minimum residency requirements, although a few specific down payment programs may require a three- to five-year occupancy period.
Yes. Zero-down programs depend on your location and eligibility. If a no-money-down loan isn't available, most buyers contribute around 1%–3.5% of the purchase price, which can come from savings, gifts, or 401(k) disbursements. Your Program Specialist will help you explore your best options.
With Nurse Next Door's Simple Docs™, our preferred lenders can often access your documentation online (with permission), reducing paperwork and saving time. Simple Docs™ is not available in all areas.
Once approved, one of our licensed Realtor® Partners will work with you as your dedicated buyer's agent. They'll help you find homes, tour properties, negotiate offers, and handle paperwork throughout the purchase process.
Yes. To receive the full benefit of the program, including the agent rebate, you must work with a Nurse Next Door Program® Agent Partner. These licensed agents agree to contribute a portion of their commission toward your closing costs.
Your agent may contact our business office to become an approved Next Door Programs® Agent Partner. If you're a licensed Realtor®, Click Here
Yes! There's no minimum credit score required to apply, and we don't do a credit check up front. Anyone can complete the short pre-application to get started. If your credit is below average, our preferred lenders may offer hand-underwriting programs for scores under 580. We also provide a Fresh Start Credit Repair Program for nurses and healthcare professionals who want to improve their credit before buying a home.
Learn About the Fresh Start ProgramApplying is simple! Click the Apply Now button and complete the short pre-application form. There's no credit check required at this stage. Once submitted, a Nurse Next Door Program Specialist will contact you the same day to review your goals, explain your options, and go over available grants and assistance programs.
Apply NowApprovals may be available in as little as 24 hours, subject to verification of the information submitted and applicable program requirements. Your Program Specialist will guide you through the process, explain your options, and answer your questions so you know what to expect every step of the way.
Upon approval, we'll connect you with one of our licensed real estate agents in your area who specializes in working with nurses and healthcare professionals. Our preferred lender will provide a pre-approval letter, and your Nurse Next Door agent will help you find the right home, make an offer, and handle the paperwork and negotiations. We'll be with you every step of the way—from pre-approval through closing and beyond.
Begin Your ApplicationIf you're ready to take the next step, complete the short Nurse Next Door pre-application. There's no credit check, and a Program Specialist will contact you the same day to explain your grant and down payment options. We'll guide you from pre-approval through closing and beyond—making the entire process simple and stress-free.
Join thousands of nurses nationwide who’ve achieved homeownership with the help of the Nurse Next Door Program®.
Apply NowYes. As of 2026, Nurse Next Door Programs® Simple Docs Refinance™ is available. You can use this program to lower your payment, shorten your loan term, remove mortgage insurance, or even take cash out to improve financial stability.
See If You Qualify for Simple Docs RefinanceYes. Simple Docs Refinance™ also offers a no-closing-cost option in certain cases.
Whether you're looking to lower your payment, remove mortgage insurance, or tap into your home's equity, the Simple Docs Refinance™ Program makes it quick and easy. Nurse Next Door's streamlined process eliminates unnecessary paperwork and connects you with a licensed specialist who can help you review your best options—often within 24 hours.
Simple Docs Re-Fi Apply Now