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First-time home buyer programs in Kearney, NE

Quick answer

First-time buyers in Kearney, NE can use 3%-down conventional loans (up to the $832,750 Buffalo County conforming limit), 3.5%-down FHA, or VA and USDA where eligible, plus 1 verified city, county or statewide assistance program. On the $235,800 median home, 3% down is about $7,074 and the estimated payment is $2,117/month at 7.18%.

By Purchase Mortgage Loan Editorial Team Checked against official sources per our editorial standardsData last updated

Median household income: $69,790; value-to-income ratio 3.38. Kearney ranks 4 by home value and 5 by population among 17 places in our NE dataset.

What does a first-time buyer loan cost on a typical Kearney home?

ItemKearney
Median home value (Census ACS)$235,800
Nebraska median home value$223,800
Down payment (3%)$7,074
Loan amount$228,726
Estimated monthly payment (PITI + MI)$2,117
Income needed (28% / 36%)$91,000 / $71,000
Buffalo County 2026 conforming limit (1 unit)$832,750
Max purchase price at the limit$858,000

Rate assumption: 7.18% (Freddie Mac PMMS 30-year fixed average, week of November 5, 2026). Change it in the payment calculator.

Payment includes Nebraska's 1.50% effective property tax rate (Census ACS), $2,142/yr homeowners insurance (NAIC state average) and an estimated 0.5% PMI.

What is the 2026 conforming loan limit in Kearney?

Kearney is in Buffalo County. Conventional 3%-down loans go up to the $832,750 conforming limit (price ≈ $858,000); FHA loans go up to $541,287.

The Kearney median home value of $235,800 is 5% above the Nebraska median, and within what the county limit supports.

Which down payment assistance programs can Kearney buyers use?

First-time buyer loans in nearby cities

LexingtonHastingsGrand IslandNorth PlatteColumbusNorfolk

First-time buyer loan FAQs for Kearney

On the $235,800 median: 3% conventional ≈ $7,074, 3.5% FHA ≈ $8,253, and 0% for eligible VA or USDA buyers. Conventional loans above $832,750 in Buffalo County become jumbo loans.

At the $235,800 median value (above the Nebraska median of $223,800), the estimated payment of $2,117/month at 7.18% needs about $91,000 a year under the 28% housing guideline, or $71,000 if your total debts stay under 36%.

0 city-level, 0 county-level and 1 statewide programs are verified for this city (1 total). Check each official administrator's eligibility rules and available funds.

Sources

Data last updated October 23, 2026.

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Figures on this page are estimates for educational purposes only and are not a loan offer or commitment to lend. Rates, loan limits, fees and assistance programs change frequently and vary by lender, location and borrower profile. Confirm current terms with a licensed loan officer.