The help you might not know you qualify for.
California and many local governments offer programs that help qualified buyers cover the down payment or closing costs. Availability and funding change, so the real question is which programs are live and whether you qualify right now.
What to know.
The honest version, in plain language, so you can decide for yourself.
CalHFA programs
California runs statewide assistance through CalHFA, which has offered programs like MyHome and, at times, Dream For All. Availability and funding change, so current status must always be verified.
City and county programs
Many cities and counties in our markets run their own assistance programs, including areas across the Inland Empire and San Gabriel Valley. These are easy to miss because they are not advertised widely.
Second loan or grant
Assistance is often structured as a second loan or a grant that helps with the down payment or closing costs. Terms vary by program, and some are forgivable under certain conditions.
Usually income-based
Most programs depend on income limits, purchase price limits, property location, and first-time buyer status. Being close to a limit is where the details matter, and where we can help.
Questions we get about this.
What is down payment assistance?
Down payment assistance is money offered by state, county, or city programs to help qualified buyers cover the down payment or closing costs on a home. It is commonly structured as a second loan or a grant, and some programs are forgivable if you meet certain conditions, such as staying in the home for a set number of years. Assistance is usually layered on top of a first mortgage like an FHA or conventional loan. Because programs have specific rules and limited funding, current eligibility should always be confirmed rather than assumed.
Do I qualify for down payment assistance in California?
Eligibility usually depends on your income, the purchase price, the property location, and whether you are a first-time buyer, which many programs define as not having owned a home in the past three years. Limits vary by program and by area, so two buyers in different cities can qualify for different help. The honest answer for any specific person comes from checking the current programs against your numbers. If you are near an income limit, the details of how income is counted can decide it, which is worth reviewing before you assume you do not qualify.
Can I combine down payment assistance with an FHA or conventional loan?
Often yes. Assistance programs are typically designed to pair with a standard first mortgage, most commonly FHA and in many cases conventional. The assistance helps with the down payment or closing costs, while the first loan finances the bulk of the purchase. Which combinations are allowed depends on the specific assistance program and the loan type, and the rules change over time. We will confirm what currently works together for your situation so nothing falls apart late in the process.
Is down payment assistance still available right now?
It changes. Statewide programs through CalHFA and various local programs open, pause, and update their funding over time, and some high-demand programs have run out of funds quickly in the past. That is exactly why we do not rely on what was true a few months ago. When you are ready to buy, we check what is actually live and whether you qualify at that moment, rather than pointing you to a program that may no longer be funded.
See what you might qualify for.
Programs and funding change constantly. Tell us your situation and we will check what is currently available for you.