Are you a First Time Home Buyer in California?
Here are the mortgage programs available to first-time homebuyers in your state.
Nationwide first-time homebuyer programs
A “conventional” mortgage sourced from the private market can have demanding requirements, such as a credit score of at least 620 and a minimum down payment of 5%.
More: Use these savings accounts to build up your down payment.
That’s easier said than done for many first-time buyers, so you may want to look into one of these nonconventional mortgages offered through the federal government.
FHA loans
FHA loans were launched by the Federal Housing Administration, which is a division of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, to help more Americans become homeowners.
These loans usually have less stringent requirements. You’ll need a minimum credit score of 580 and a 3.5% down payment, but if you’re able to put down more upfront, you could be eligible with a credit score as low as 500.
The FHA's Loan Requirements Explained.
A walkthrough of how to meet the FHA's requirements.
See GuideVA loans
These loans were created through an act passed by Congress in 1944 to help veterans secure homes. As a result, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) can guarantee or insure home loans made to veterans by various lending institutions.
Active service members, veterans and some surviving military spouses can all qualify for a VA loan. There are fees associated — notably a sizable funding fee — but they are also exempt from down payment and mortgage insurance obligations.
USDA loans
These loans are for lower-income rural and suburban Americans and are guaranteed by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Like VA loans, USDA loans don’t require a down payment or private mortgage insurance.
That said, with a USDA home loan, you’ll have to pay a few fees: an upfront 1% guarantee fee and an annual 0.35% fee. However, the total cost still amounts to less than the amount you’d pay in mortgage insurance on another type of loan.
These loans aren’t meant for most households: They have a strict income limit. The current income limits in most parts of the U.S. are $86,850 for one- to four-member households and $114,650 for five- to eight-member households, but the thresholds may be higher if you live in a county with a steeper-than-average cost of living. The USDA’s website has the exact figures for each region.
Who qualifies for down payment assistance in California?
CalHFA’s programs are also designed to help low- to moderate-income households. On its site, CalHFA has an eligibility calculator where you can find out whether you meet its qualifying criteria.
It’ll take into consideration whether you’ve owned a home in the last three years, your annual income, whether you’re a service member, veteran or spouse of either and in which county you’re hoping to buy.
More: Get a free credit score and credit monitoring from Credit Sesame.
First-time homebuyer programs in California
Working with one of CalHFA’s preferred lenders, you’ll be able to apply for mortgage and down payment assistance programs.
To qualify for assistance, you will have to attend an eight-hour homebuyer education course. The online course costs $99, while the fee for in-person options varies by agency. CalHFA is specific about the course you take because they want to ensure you receive one-on-one counselling and follow-up. You’ll be provided with a certificate of completion once you’re done.
In addition to the income limit requirements, you’ll have to show you have good credit, with credit score requirements of at least 660 to 680.
Who qualifies as a first-time homebuyer?
CalHFA defines a first-time homebuyer as someone who has not owned and occupied their own home in the last three years. So if you've never owned a home, you're a first-time homebuyer. But if you owned a home three or more years ago and sold it, you are right back to being a first-time homebuyer again.
Both groups can take advantage of all of the benefits of CalHFA's first-time homebuyer programs.
More: Use these savings accounts to build up your down payment.
MyHome Assistance Program
The MyHome Assistance Program lends money you can use for the down payment and closing costs on your first home. These loans are “silent seconds,” meaning you don’t have to pay them back until your home is sold, refinanced or paid in full.
The loans range from 3% to 3.5% of the home’s purchase price but are capped at $10,000.
You don’t apply directly to CalHFA for MyHome; rather, you work with your loan officer to compile and submit the required documents, which are likely to include pay stubs, bank statements, employment history and previous tax returns.
CalHFA Zero Interest Program
For conventional and FHA mortgages, CalHFA offers a special CalPlus program.
These mortgages will come with a slightly higher 30-year fixed interest rate but are bundled with the Zero Interest Program (ZIP). Through ZIP, you can get a “silent second” loan — with deferred payments and no interest at all — that you can use for your down payment and closing costs.
To qualify for this program, you’ll have to meet the assistance requirements for both credit and income and you must plan to use the property as your primary residence. You can check the specific eligibility requirements of each loan program through the CalHFA website.
Because CalHFA doesn’t directly loan money, you’ll have to apply for ZIP through your loan officer as well.
The Best Lenders for First-Time Homebuyers
Click HereNext steps
Now you know what programs are out there to help — but where do you even start?
Well, your credit store is crucial if you want to qualify for any of these options. The site Credit Sesame can help you find out your score for free.
CalHFA’s credit requirements are a little higher compared to other states, but don’t despair. There are some great options out there, like Self credit repair, that will help you get the score you need to qualify.
With your score in hand, your next step is to gather the essential documents you need to demonstrate that you’ve got a steady income.
Once you’re all set, it’s time to get pre-approved for a mortgage so you can start house hunting.
Support for new homebuyers in other states
| Arizona Department of Housing (ADOH) | Read More |
| Arkansas Development Finance Authority (ADFA) | Read More |
| California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA) | Read More |
| Colorado Housing and Finance Agency (CHFA) | Read More |
| Connecticut Housing Finance Authority (CHFA) | Read More |
| Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA) | Read More |
| Florida Housing Finance Corp. (Florida Housing) | Read More |
| Georgia Dream | Read More |
| Hawaii Housing and Finance Development Corporation (HHFDC) | Read More |
| Idaho Housing and Finance Association | Read More |
| Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) | Read More |
| Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA) | Read More |
| Iowa Finance Authority (IFA) | Read More |
| Kansas Housing Resources Corporation | Read More |
| Kentucky Housing Corporation (KHC) | Read More |
| Louisiana Housing Corporation (LHC) | Read More |
| MassHousing (Massachusetts) | Read More |
| Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) | Read More |
| Minnesota Housing | Read More |
| Missouri Housing Development Commission (MHDC) | Read More |
| Montana Board of Housing (MBOH) | Read More |
| Nebraska Investment Finance Authority (NIFA) | Read More |
| Nevada Housing Division | Read More |
| New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority (MFA) | Read More |
| State of New York Mortgage Agency (SONYMA) | Read More |
| North Carolina Housing Finance Agency (NCHFA) | Read More |
| Ohio Housing Finance Agency (OHFA) | Read More |
| Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency (OHFA) | Read More |
| Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) | Read More |
| Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) | Read More |
| South Dakota Housing Development Authority (SDHDA) | Read More |
| Tennessee Housing Development Authority (THDA) | Read More |
| Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) | Read More |
| Utah Housing Corp | Read More |
| Virginia Housing | Read More |
| Washington State Housing Finance Commission (WSHFC) | Read More |
| Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) | Read More |
| Wyoming Community Development Authority (WCDA) | Read More |
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