Clark County Down Payment Assistance — 2026 Unincorporated Area Guide
Program figures verified July 2026 — details change; confirm your scenario with us.
The 60-second answer
Clark County DPA Program provides assistance for first-time buyers purchasing in unincorporated Clark County (NOT within City of Las Vegas, City of Henderson, or City of North Las Vegas city limits):
- Up to $25,000 silent second loan
- 0% interest, deferred (due at sale/refinance/payoff)
- Unincorporated Clark County only — includes Paradise, Spring Valley, Sunrise Manor, Enterprise, Whitney
- 80% AMI income limit
- First-time buyer required (3+ year exception)
- Combines with FHA, VA, USDA, conventional first mortgages
For first-time buyers shopping outside the three Clark County cities, this is a competing DPA program to consider alongside HIP, Worker Advantage, and other state options.
What is unincorporated Clark County?
Many residents don't realize Clark County has separately incorporated cities (Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas, Boulder City, Mesquite) AND large unincorporated areas where Clark County government provides services directly.
Unincorporated Clark County includes:
- Paradise (Las Vegas Strip area, McCarran Airport area, Spring Mountain area)
- Spring Valley (west Las Vegas valley, Tropicana to Sahara)
- Sunrise Manor (east Las Vegas valley, Sahara to Lake Mead, Hollywood to Boulder Hwy)
- Enterprise (south of city, near Henderson border)
- Whitney (south central LV)
- Winchester (central, near Strip)
- Indian Springs, Searchlight, Laughlin, Pahrump area (rural)
What's NOT unincorporated Clark County:
- City of Las Vegas city limits (downtown, west side, north LV proper)
- City of Henderson (Henderson Inspirada, Anthem, Green Valley Ranch, etc.)
- City of North Las Vegas (NLV, Eldorado, Aliante)
- City of Boulder City (separate small city near Hoover Dam)
- City of Mesquite (separate small city, NV-AZ border)
Why this matters
- Clark County DPA only works for properties in unincorporated areas
- Different city DPA programs exist for City of LV, Henderson, NLV
- Verify your target property address with Clark County GIS
How Clark County DPA works
Program structure
- Silent second mortgage at 0% interest
- Deferred until sale, refinance, or payoff
- Some HOME Funds variants forgive over time
- Recorded against title alongside first mortgage
Eligibility
- Income at or below 80% Area Median Income (AMI)
- First-time homebuyer (or 3+ years since last ownership)
- Owner-occupied primary residence
- Property within unincorporated Clark County
- HUD-approved homebuyer education
- Pre-approval before house-hunting
Income limits (2026)
| Household Size | 80% AMI Limit |
|---|---|
| 1 person | ~$58,500 |
| 2 persons | ~$66,850 |
| 3 persons | ~$75,200 |
| 4 persons | ~$83,500 |
| 5 persons | ~$90,200 |
| 6 persons | ~$96,900 |
Same AMI table as City of Las Vegas + City of NLV programs (federally aligned).
Stacking Clark County DPA with first mortgages
Stack 1: County DPA + FHA (most common)
Best for: Lower credit + minimal down buyers
- Clark County DPA: $25K silent second
- FHA: 3.5% down (covered by DPA)
- Result: Near-zero out-of-pocket beyond closing reserves
Stack 2: County DPA + Conventional 97
Best for: 720+ credit buyers wanting PMI flexibility
- Clark County DPA: $25K silent second
- Conventional 97: 3% down (covered by DPA)
- Result: Near-zero out-of-pocket; PMI removable later
Stack 3: County DPA + USDA (rural pockets)
Best for: Properties in eligible USDA areas
- Clark County DPA: $25K silent second (closing costs/reserves)
- USDA: $0 down
- Result: $0 down + $0 closing if DPA covers
- USDA eligible: Pahrump area especially
Stack 4: County DPA + VA
Best for: Veterans in unincorporated Clark
- Clark County DPA: closing costs/reserves
- VA: $0 down
- Result: $0 down + minimal closing out-of-pocket
Application + closing timeline
Step 1: Eligibility verification (1 week)
- Cornerstone collects documentation
- Submit to Clark County Community Resources
- Verify income, household size, first-time status
Step 2: Pre-approval (1-2 days)
- Mike issues pre-approval with County DPA included
- Confirms target purchase price
Step 3: Homebuyer education (4-8 hours)
- HUD-approved course
- Clark County may offer specific options
Step 4: House hunt + offer
- Find home in unincorporated Clark County
- Make offer with County DPA assumed
- Sellers typically accommodate standard 30-45 day close
Step 5: Underwriting + Closing (30-40 days)
- Parallel first + second underwriting
- Coordinated close
Total: 30-45 days typical
Examples: Clark County DPA in action
Scenario 1: Spring Valley first-time buyer
- 32-year-old, $55K income (1 person)
- 705 credit, $7K saved
- Wants $325K Spring Valley home (unincorporated Clark)
- Path: Clark County DPA $25K + FHA (County DPA chosen over HIP — one program per transaction)
- Result: ~$1,500 out-of-pocket
Scenario 2: Sunrise Manor family
- 34-year-old + spouse + child, $78K combined
- 695 credit, $12K saved
- Wants $385K Sunrise Manor home (unincorporated)
- Stack: Clark County DPA $25K + FHA
- Result: ~$2,500 out-of-pocket
Scenario 3: Paradise area young professional
- 28-year-old, $58K income
- 715 credit, $10K saved
- Wants $345K Paradise (near Spring Mountain)
- Stack: Clark County DPA $25K + Conventional 97
- Result: ~$2,000 out-of-pocket; PMI removable
Scenario 4: Pahrump (rural Clark) buyer
- 36-year-old + spouse, $72K combined
- 685 credit, $10K saved
- Wants $285K Pahrump home (USDA eligible)
- Path: USDA $0 down + Clark County DPA $25K (or Worker Advantage instead, if essential worker — one program per transaction)
- Result: $0-$500 out-of-pocket; near-perfect stack
Scenario 5: Whitney + essential worker
- 30-year-old paramedic + spouse $85K combined
- 720 credit, $15K saved
- Wants $385K Whitney home (unincorporated)
- Path: Clark County DPA $25K + Conventional 97 (one DPA program per transaction)
- Result: $0-$2K out-of-pocket close; substantial stack
Clark County DPA vs City DPA programs
| Program | Where | Amount | Income Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clark County DPA | Unincorporated only | $25K | 80% AMI |
| City of Las Vegas DPA | LV city limits | $25K | 80% AMI |
| City of NLV DPA | NLV | $25K | 80% AMI |
| HIP (state) | Statewide | 5% of loan | Higher limits |
| Worker Advantage (state) | Statewide essential | $20K | None stated |
Key: Geographic location matters. Verify your target property's jurisdiction before committing.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my property is unincorporated Clark County?
Check Clark County GIS at clarkcountynv.gov/realproperty. Enter address; result shows city/jurisdiction.
What if my property is in Henderson?
Henderson has no city-run DPA program — Henderson buyers use statewide options (Home Is Possible, Worker Advantage) or national DPA instead. Mike routes your file accordingly.
Can I combine Clark County + HIP?
No — one down payment assistance program per transaction. You choose Clark County DPA or HIP, whichever fits your file better.
What's the difference vs City of Las Vegas DPA?
Geographic only. Same income limits, similar terms. Property location determines which program.
Can I combine with USDA in Pahrump?
Yes — Pahrump area often USDA eligible (verify property-specific). USDA $0 down + Clark County DPA is a powerful pairing (one DPA program per transaction).
Is homebuyer education required?
Yes — HUD-approved 4-8 hour course. Clark County may offer specific recommended courses.
How fast can I close?
30-45 days typical. Pre-approval + ready paperwork: 21 days possible.
What if I'm above 80% AMI?
Consider HIP (different income limits), Worker Advantage (if essential worker), or other programs. Mike matches you.
Can investors use Clark County DPA?
No — first-time buyer + owner-occupied only. Investor programs are separate.
Mike's experience with Clark County DPA?
Mike originates Clark County DPA loans regularly. Full Cornerstone First Mortgage approval for the program.
Talk to Mike about your Clark County DPA scenario
Free 30-minute consultation. Pre-call: household size, income, savings, target home in unincorporated Clark County area.
(480) 296-6513 · Mike Certo, NMLS #260555 · Cornerstone First Mortgage NMLS #173855
Sources
Mike Certo · NMLS #260555 · Cornerstone First Mortgage NMLS #173855 · Equal Housing Lender. Educational content, not a loan commitment. Loans subject to buyer and property qualification.