Buy a Home With Little to Nothing
Out of Pocket
Tiegen Boberg, REALTOR® with Nick Sadek Sotheby's International Realty, helps first-time and income-qualified buyers use CalHFA's MyHome Assistance Program and other California down payment assistance to get into a home faster than they thought possible.
Most buyers don't realize how much help is actually available.
Saving a full down payment is one of the biggest barriers to homeownership in California — but it doesn't have to be. Programs like CalHFA's MyHome Assistance Program are designed to bridge that gap for first-time and income-qualified buyers, covering down payment and closing costs so you can stop renting and start building equity sooner. This guide walks through eligibility, the application process, and what to expect — using CalHFA's MyHome program as the primary example.
How the MyHome Assistance Program actually works.
CalHFA Government Loans (FHA)
A deferred-payment junior loan of up to 3.5% of the purchase price or appraised value (whichever is less). Funds can be used for down payment and/or closing costs.
CalHFA Conventional Loans
A deferred-payment junior loan of up to 3% of the purchase price or appraised value (whichever is less). Assists with down payment and/or closing costs.
MyHome is designed to bridge the financial gap many first-time homebuyers face. As a deferred-payment loan, you won't make monthly payments on the assistance amount during your primary mortgage term — you repay it when you sell, refinance, or pay off the first mortgage.
Four requirements to qualify.
In cases where guidelines conflict between different program requirements, the more restrictive guideline must be followed — your loan officer can help navigate these situations.
First-Time Homebuyer Status
You must not have owned and occupied a home as your primary residence in the last three years.
Primary Residence
You must occupy the property as your primary residence. Non-occupant co-borrowers are not permitted.
Homebuyer Education
Completion of a homebuyer education counseling program and a certificate of completion is required.
Income Limits
Your household income must fall within CalHFA's income limits for your county, which vary by location and household size.
Do you qualify?
CalHFA income limits vary by county and household size. Here's how three local counties compare.
| County | 1–2 Person Household | 3+ Person Household |
|---|---|---|
| El Dorado | $141,000 | $164,500 |
| Sacramento | $135,600 | $158,200 |
| Placer | $141,000 | $164,500 |
Income limits are subject to change. Always check current limits on the CalHFA website or confirm with a CalHFA-approved loan officer.
Four steps from application
to move-in day.
Find a Loan Officer
Locate a CalHFA-approved loan officer who can guide you through the process from the start.
Prepare Documentation
Gather pay stubs, bank statements, employment history, and previous tax returns.
Complete Application
Work with your loan officer to complete the loan application and required documentation.
Finalize Home Purchase
Once approved, work with Tiegen to find your home and complete the purchase.
Sarah & Brian closed on their first home with
Sarah and Brian were renting, raising two small children, and quietly wondering if they'd ever stop paying someone else's mortgage. Like most first-time buyers, they assumed they'd need 10, 15, maybe 20 percent down just to get started — and worried their credit wasn't good enough to qualify at all.
Tiegen walked them through California's down payment assistance programs — the same ones covered in this guide — and connected them with a CalHFA-approved lender who could work with their situation. The CalHFA MyHome Assistance Program covered their down payment as a deferred-payment loan, and closing costs were covered as well. Their total cash due at closing: $58.76.
Not a special circumstance, and not a lucky break — a program that exists for buyers exactly like them, that most people never hear about because most agents don't know how to navigate it.
California down payment assistance options.
MyHome isn't the only program available. Depending on your situation, one of these may fit better — Tiegen and a CalHFA-approved loan officer can help you compare.
CalHFA MyHome
Year-RoundDeferred-payment loan of up to 3.5% (FHA) or 3% (conventional) of the purchase price for down payment and/or closing costs. The focus of this guide.
Visit CalHFA MyHome →CalHFA ZIP
Year-RoundZero-interest deferred loan of 2–3% of the first mortgage, specifically for closing costs, often paired with MyHome.
Visit CalHFA ZIP →GSFA Platinum
Year-RoundA grant of up to 5% of the loan amount for down payment and/or closing costs on a conventional or FHA loan through the Golden State Finance Authority.
Visit GSFA Platinum →CalHFA Dream For All
Lottery / ClosedShared-appreciation loan covering up to 20% of the purchase price (capped at $150,000), repaid with a share of appreciation at sale or refinance. The 2026 window closed March 16 — no confirmed date yet for the next round.
Check Dream For All Status →Down Payment Assistance, Answered
What is the CalHFA MyHome Assistance Program?
MyHome is a CalHFA deferred-payment junior loan that provides up to 3.5% of the purchase price (FHA) or 3% (conventional) toward a down payment and/or closing costs, with no monthly payments during the primary mortgage term.
Who qualifies for California down payment assistance?
Most programs require first-time homebuyer status, owner-occupancy of the property, completion of an approved homebuyer education course, and household income within CalHFA's county-specific limits.
How much can I save with down payment assistance in El Dorado County?
2026 CalHFA income limits for El Dorado County are $141,000 (1–2 person household) and $164,500 (3+ person household). Buyers within those limits may qualify for MyHome plus programs like GSFA Platinum for additional help.
Is CalHFA Dream For All currently accepting applications?
No — Dream For All is lottery-based and only opens for limited windows. The 2026 window closed March 16, with no confirmed date for the next round yet. MyHome, ZIP, and GSFA Platinum remain available year-round in the meantime.
Do I have to repay down payment assistance?
It depends on the program. MyHome and ZIP are deferred-payment loans repaid at sale, refinance, or payoff. GSFA Platinum can be structured as a grant. Dream For All is repaid along with a share of the home's appreciation.
How to Buy a Home Using Down Payment Assistance
A complete guide to CalHFA's MyHome Assistance Program — eligibility, interest rates, the education requirement, and the exact application steps to make your California dream home a reality.
- Eligibility requirements & property qualifications
- Income limits for El Dorado, Sacramento & Placer counties
- The homebuyer education requirement, explained
- A documentation checklist so you're ready to apply
Schedule your free 15-minute consultation.
Talk through your homebuying goals and how down payment assistance could work for your specific situation — no cost, no obligation.
Request Your Free Consultation
Tell us a bit about your situation and Tiegen will follow up personally.
Tiegen Boberg
REALTOR® · Nick Sadek Sotheby's International RealtyWith 12+ years of experience and over $800M in career sales, Tiegen helps first-time buyers in El Dorado Hills, Folsom, Serrano, and greater Sacramento use down payment assistance to buy sooner than they thought possible.