Buying a home in Fort Drum, NY

What are the 2026 loan limits for Fort Drum?

Fort Drum is in Jefferson County, where the single-family FHA limit is $541,287 (max price ≈ $560,000 with 3.5% down) and the conforming limit is $832,750. Loans above that are jumbo loans.

Is there down payment assistance in Fort Drum?

• SONYMA Down Payment Assistance Loan (DPAL) — 3% of the purchase price (up to $15,000) or $3,000, whichever is highest; forgivable; state-level. State of New York Mortgage Agency · Verified October 23, 2026

What mortgage options do Fort Drum buyers have?

• Conventional Loan — Not government-backed; as little as 3% down for first-time buyers, PMI removable at 20% equity.
• FHA Loan — Government-insured; 3.5% down with a 580 credit score and flexible debt-to-income rules.
• VA Loan — For eligible veterans, service members and surviving spouses: 0% down and no monthly mortgage insurance.
• USDA Loan — 0% down for moderate-income buyers in eligible rural and suburban areas.
• Jumbo Loan — For loan amounts above the conforming limit; usually 10–20% down and 700+ credit.
• First-Time Home Buyer Loans — Low-down-payment loans plus state assistance programs designed for first-time buyers.
• Self-Employed Mortgage — Options for business owners and 1099 earners, including tax-return and bank-statement loans.
• DSCR Purchase Loan — Investment-property loans qualified on the rental income of the property, not personal income.
• New Construction Home Loans — Financing for a newly built home from a builder, or for building your own with a construction-to-permanent loan.

How much will I pay in property taxes in Fort Drum?

Homeowners in New York pay a median of $6,450 a year in property taxes — an effective rate of about 1.60% of the median home value, among the highest in the country, so taxes are a major part of the monthly payment (Census ACS). Actual rates vary by county and municipality. Ask your agent for the specific property's tax history.