Buying a newly constructed home in Eastern Oregon? Qualifying homeowners may receive a $6,000 incentive plus up to $15,000 in property tax reimbursements over 10 years. VA, FHA & conventional financing available. Subject to eligibility and funding.
Building or buying a brand-new home near the Idaho border in eastern Oregon? The Eastern Oregon Border Board’s Competitive Housing Incentive Program may pay qualifying owner-occupants $6,000, plus up to $1,500 a year in property tax reimbursements for up to 10 years.
The Competitive Housing Incentive Program is for owners of newly constructed, owner-occupied homes in participating areas of the Eastern Oregon Border Region. Based on the Board’s current application and program pages, a home must meet all of the following:
The Eastern Oregon Border Region is the part of Oregon within 20 miles of the Idaho border. It includes, but is not limited to, the cities of Ontario, Nyssa and Vale, the communities of Willowcreek and Brogan, the area across the border from Weiser, Idaho, and an area extending 10 miles southwest of Vale. The Board publishes a Border Region map.
Being inside the region is not enough on its own. The local taxing district must also participate. The Board’s current application says homes in the Annex School District are not eligible because that district is not participating.
Example: A homeowner whose property taxes are $1,500 or more each year, who receives the $6,000 and is approved for the full reimbursement for all 10 years, would receive $21,000. If your annual tax bill is lower than $1,500, the reimbursement is capped at the taxes you actually paid, so the total would be lower. The incentives are non-transferable. If you sell, the next owner cannot take over the remaining reimbursements.
The Board’s current application says the $6,000 application must be submitted within 30 days of occupancy. The Oregon Community Foundation program page states it as no more than 30 days after closing. Treat whichever date comes first as your deadline.
The incentive and your mortgage are two separate approvals. The Board decides the incentive. Your lender decides the loan, based on borrower, property, builder and program guidelines. As a mortgage broker licensed in Idaho and Oregon, 1st Choice Mortgage can compare options across multiple wholesale lenders for qualifying new construction in Malheur County.
Eligible veterans, service members and qualifying surviving spouses may be able to buy a newly built home with no down payment, subject to entitlement, appraisal, builder, property and lender requirements. Learn about our VA loan expertise.
FHA financing allows down payments as low as 3.5% for eligible borrowers, subject to credit, underwriting, property and new construction requirements. Explore FHA financing.
Conventional financing offers low-down-payment options for qualified buyers and several mortgage insurance structures. Property and construction eligibility vary by lender and loan product.
Up to $6,000 after completion and occupancy, plus reimbursement of property taxes paid of up to $1,500 per year for up to 10 consecutive years. The maximum combined total is $21,000. Actual reimbursements may be lower, and every award is subject to Board approval and available funding.
No. The home must be in a participating part of the Eastern Oregon Border Region, generally the part of Oregon within 20 miles of the Idaho border, including Ontario, Nyssa, Vale, Willowcreek and Brogan. Homes in the Annex School District are currently excluded because that taxing district is not participating.
The Board's current application (December 2025) lists only the Annex School District as excluded, so Vale appears to be participating. An older 2023 version of the application excluded the Vale School District, so confirm a specific Vale address with the Board before you rely on the incentive.
The Board's current application requires a tax-assessed value of at least $175,000 at completion. Some older program pages still show $125,000. Use the current application and confirm with the Board.
No. Eligible homes are stick-built single-family homes on a foundation, or townhomes, duplexes and multiplexes where at least one unit is owner-occupied.
The current application says applications must be submitted within 30 days of occupancy, and the Oregon Community Foundation program page says no more than 30 days after closing. Plan to have your documents ready before you move in and apply as early as you can.
A Certificate of Occupancy, evidence that the property taxes have been paid in full, and evidence that the property is assessed at or above the program minimum. The closing must also take place at a title or escrow company.
No. The incentive is reviewed and mailed after completion, occupancy and Board approval, so it is not available at closing. Your down payment and closing funds must come from other sources.
Each year, submit the re-application and your paid property tax receipt to the Board by December 1 of the current tax year. Reimbursement is up to $1,500 per year for up to 10 consecutive years while you remain eligible.
No. The incentives are non-transferable, so a later buyer cannot take over the remaining annual reimbursements.
Potentially. Your mortgage approval and the Board's incentive approval are separate decisions. The loan depends on borrower, property, builder and lender requirements, and the incentive depends on the Board's rules and funding.
The Board advises applicants to consult a tax advisor about how participation may affect their tax basis, deductions or other tax matters. 1st Choice Mortgage does not provide tax advice.
Download the current application and program documents directly from the Board. These are the primary sources for this page.
Program documents are published by the Eastern Oregon Border Economic Development Board and the Oregon Community Foundation. Where those documents differ (for example, the $175,000 vs. $125,000 minimum value and the occupancy vs. closing deadline), this page follows the Board’s most recent application. The Board’s current rules control.
1st Choice Mortgage Company has served homebuyers since 1992. We can help you plan the mortgage side of a new construction purchase in Malheur County while you confirm the incentive directly with the Board.
President and CEO / Mortgage Broker, 1st Choice Mortgage Company, LLC | NMLS #4475
Gerald Robinson leads 1st Choice Mortgage Company, an Idaho and Oregon mortgage broker that has served homebuyers since 1992. Gerald began his own mortgage career in 2002 and has more than two decades of experience with VA, FHA, conventional, USDA and Idaho Housing financing. He is an Idaho Real Estate Commission certified continuing-education instructor who teaches real estate professionals about VA lending through his Realtor continuing education class.
Explore Gerald’s guides: VA loans | FHA loans | Idaho Housing loans | Full profile
1st Choice Mortgage Company, LLC | Company NMLS #380736 | Licensed in Idaho and Oregon | (208) 375-5626 | 375loan.com1st Choice Mortgage Company, LLC is an Equal Housing Opportunity Lender.
1st Choice Mortgage Company, LLC | Equal Housing Opportunity Lender | NMLS #380736. 1st Choice Mortgage Company, LLC is an independent mortgage broker. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or administering the Eastern Oregon Border Board incentive program, and it is not a government agency. Mortgage eligibility, loan terms, incentive eligibility, award amounts and funding are subject to change and approval. A pre-approval is not a commitment to lend; final approval remains subject to acceptable property, appraisal, title, verification and underwriting review. This information is educational and is not tax advice; consult the Board for current program rules and a tax professional for tax implications. Last reviewed November 2026.
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