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 $95,000–$121,000 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.
Limits vary by county and are adjusted periodically, generally landing between about $95,000 and $121,000 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.
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. 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:
- Credit: 640 minimum score
- Income: household income under the county limit
- Price: home price under the county cap
Frequently asked questions
What are the MSHDA income limits in Michigan?
They vary by county and household size, generally between about $95,000 and $121,000, 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.