MSHDA program
MSHDA income & purchase-price limits
In short
MSHDA sets two limits that decide eligibility for the MI Home Loan and MI 10K DPA: a household income limit and a purchase-price cap, both varying by county. Income limits run roughly $80,000–$120,000 in most counties and are counted for everyone living in the home, not just the borrower. Purchase-price caps comfortably cover the median home statewide but can squeeze in higher-cost markets like Ann Arbor. Exact figures change, so confirm current numbers with a MSHDA-approved lender.
How the income limit works
MSHDA's income limit is household-wide: it counts the income of everyone who will live in the home, not only the people on the loan. That catches buyers off guard when, say, an adult child's or partner's income pushes the total over the county cap. Limits vary by county and are adjusted periodically, generally landing between about $80,000 and $120,000 across Michigan. A buyer just under the cap in one county may be over it in a wealthier neighboring one.
Because the calculation includes all household income and can differ from your taxable income, the reliable way to check is to have a MSHDA-approved lender run your specific situation rather than eyeballing a published number.
The purchase-price cap
Separately, the home's price must fall under a county-specific cap. Across most of Michigan the cap sits comfortably above the county's median price, so it rarely blocks a purchase — but in higher-cost markets like Ann Arbor and parts of Oakland County, it can rule out otherwise-eligible buyers. If you're shopping near the top of your county's market, check the cap before you fall for a listing above it.
Why the limits are worth checking early
Both limits gate the same prize — up to $10,000 in down payment assistance plus MSHDA's competitive pricing — so confirming you're under them is step one, not an afterthought. Combined with the 640 credit minimum, they form the three-part test for the MI Home Loan. Check all three before you get attached to a home, and a MSHDA-approved lender can tell you in minutes whether you and the property qualify.
Frequently asked questions
What are the MSHDA income limits in Michigan?
They vary by county and household size, generally between about $80,000 and $120,000, and count everyone living in the home — not just the borrower. Because they change and depend on your county, confirm current figures with a MSHDA-approved lender.
Is MSHDA income based on my tax return?
Not exactly — it's household income for everyone who will live in the home, which can differ from your taxable income. That's why running your specific situation with a lender is more reliable than a published estimate.
What is the MSHDA purchase-price limit?
A county-specific cap on the home's price. It comfortably covers the median home in most of Michigan but can be limiting in higher-cost markets like Ann Arbor. Check your county's current cap before shopping at the top of the market.