5 U.S. Cities Offering Nearly Free Houses and Cash Bonuses To Live There

Do you feel like you missed the boat on buying a home and dread you'll never get ahead with the ever-rising real estate prices? You're not alone, but don't despair. Some cities across the country offer generous housing incentives, including homes priced at $1, to both existing and new residents.

With the median sale price of a home across the country being $427,844, according to Redfin, owning a home for little to no cost is a smart move for homeowners. Here are five places where you can fulfill your homeownership dream.

If you're a resident of Baltimore, you can buy a property for $1 through the city's Fixed Pricing Program, as long as you intend to use it as your primary residence and have a budget of $90,000 to complete necessary renovations.

An application fee of $100 is required. The city will also vet your application beyond the $90,000 budget and ensure that you are ready to rehabilitate a home. They will also verify that there aren't any legal matters, open federal judgments, or liens that could prevent you from finishing the rehabilitation.

You won't be able to get a free house in Claremont, but the city has a Lot Program that can offer nine homes to residents earning more than $75,000 and less than $129,000 who qualify for a mortgage.

The incentive for homeowners includes a free lot and up to $64,000 in down payment assistance. For an estimated monthly cost of $2,300, you can get a 1,000-square-foot, two-bedroom home. If you qualify, you can also   add two more bedrooms in the basement.

The city of Jackson has committed to building 100 new houses on its vacant residential lots. These houses are either one-story ranches (two bedrooms and a full basement) or two-story colonials (three bedrooms and a full basement).

To qualify for one of these new homes, you must be a current or prospective resident of Jackson and earn up to 120% of the area median income. The city won't start construction until you're pre-approved for a mortgage.

This program also offers $25,000 in down-payment assistance. Michigan can also provide an additional $10,000 toward your down payment for approved applicants.

While you won't get a free house in Newton, you can purchase a relatively affordable $240,000 single-family house, much less expensive than the national median house price, and get $10,000 in cash as an incentive.

To qualify for the incentive, you must first close on your mortgage and prove you can provide improvements that exceed the value of the land. This initiative is part of Newton's urban revitalization plan, which aims to boost the local economy and neighborhoods.

This bustling city manages the Choose Topeka program, which rewards would-be residents with a $15,000 incentive for buying a house in Shawnee County. Likewise, remote and in-person workers willing to rent or buy a home in Topeka could receive a $10,000 incentive. This is a great way to boost your bank account. 

To qualify, you need to move to the city to work a full-time job, have your employer apply on your behalf, and buy a primary residence within a year of your relocation. Additionally, you must complete a survey and take part in the Choose Topeka immersion program.

Getting a new house for free isn't only possible if you inherit property. Depending on your needs and willingness to live in a new community, you can make these affordable locations your home.

That way, you'll be ahead of most people in the U.S. who spend an average of 34.9% of their total expenditures on housing and related costs, making them "housing cost burdened."

Depending on the size of your down payment, you may also be able to avoid rising mortgage interest rates and protect your home budget.