Buy your first home in California with as little as $0 out of pocket.
California can put up to 3.5% of your purchase price toward your down payment. There is no monthly payment on that help. Most buyers never hear about it. Most lenders can't offer it. We guide buyers through it every day.
No credit pull. No obligation. In 60 seconds you'll know where you stand.
Official State-Backed Programs
The down payment help most buyers never hear about
California runs official state programs. They put real money toward everyday buyers' first homes. You just need a guide who knows how to use them. That's us.
MyHome Assistance
A loan with no monthly bill. It waits quietly until you sell. The industry calls it a "silent second." It covers up to 3.5% of your purchase price (FHA) or 3% (conventional). Use it for your down payment or closing costs. You repay it only when you sell or refinance.
Explore MyHomeTeachers & School Employees
Work at a California K-12 public school? Teachers, admins, aides and staff use MyHome, up to 3.5% of the purchase price. It comes as a loan with no monthly payment. Nothing is due until you sell, refinance, or pay the home off. We know how school paychecks work, 10-month pay, stipends and all, and how that reads in underwriting.
See the guide for school employeesCalPLUS + ZIP
A state main mortgage paired with ZIP, the Zero Interest Program. ZIP adds an extra 2-3% of the loan amount at 0% interest for closing costs. It stacks on top of MyHome down payment help.
See how it stacksReal numbers, real homes
That's what state help can cover on a $900,000 San Diego home. It's about your entire minimum down payment. No monthly cost. Nothing is due until you sell or refinance.
From renting to keys in hand
A clear, guided process. Most buyers get pre-approved within 24 to 48 hours.
Check eligibility
Answer a few questions about income, credit and goals. 60 seconds, no credit pull.
Get your game plan
We match you to the right CalHFA program mix and get you pre-approved.
Shop with confidence
House-hunt with a solid pre-approval letter that sellers take seriously.
Close & move in
Your assistance funds arrive at closing. You get the keys and keep your savings.
2026 income limits · effective June 30, 2026
Yes, you can earn six figures and still qualify
The limit depends on the county where you buy. It is not a poverty line. Many two-income California households come in under the cap.
| County | 2026 Program Income Limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| San Diego County | $259,000 | Applies to FHA & conventional programs |
| Orange County | $274,000 | The highest limit in Southern California |
| Los Angeles County | $214,000 | Condo strategy matters. We'll show you |
| Riverside & San Bernardino | $210,000 | Temecula, Corona, Fontana & more |
| All other counties | Varies | Limits update every year. Ask us |
Local expertise
San Diego roots. Statewide reach.
Every city has its own prices, condo stock, and strategy. We know which neighborhoods work for CalHFA buyers, across Southern California and beyond.
San Diego
Condos & townhomes citywide
Chula Vista
South Bay's best value
Oceanside
Coastal living, prices in reach
Escondido
North County single-family homes
El Cajon
East County homes for less
Vista
First-time buyer favorite
National City
SD County's entry point
Temecula & Murrieta
More home for the money
Orange County
A $274,000 income limit
Los Angeles
Big city, smart game plan
Inland Empire
SoCal's best first-home math
All of California
CalHFA works statewide. So do we
Why buyers come to us instead of their bank
Most lenders don't offer these programs. We do. They are our specialty. Marvin Younan (NMLS #1544003) and the Simpler Home Loans team personally review every eligibility check. You get a straight answer the same business day: which programs fit, what you'd need, and what it costs. No call centers. No runaround.
Quick answers
The questions every first-time buyer asks, answered straight.
Do I really pay nothing monthly on the down payment assistance?
Correct. MyHome is a second loan with no monthly payment. A small amount of interest adds up slowly in the background. It never compounds. There is no monthly bill. You repay it when you sell, refinance, or pay off your main mortgage. Your monthly budget carries only the main mortgage.
What credit score do I need?
Most of these programs look for a mid-600s score or better. Rules vary by loan type and scenario. Not there yet? We'll give you a clear plan to get there. The plan costs nothing.
I earn over $150K. Am I "too rich" for this?
Probably not. The 2026 program income limit for San Diego County is $259,000 per household. These programs were built for teachers, nurses, military families and tech workers. The very people who feel priced out of Southern California.
What counts as a "first-time buyer"?
Anyone who hasn't owned and lived in a home in the last three years. Owned a home years ago? Owned a rental but never lived in it? You may still count as first-time.
Is this site affiliated with CalHFA or the government?
No. We are an independent, licensed mortgage professional. We arrange CalHFA loan programs through the CalHFA-approved lender network. Program details come from calhfa.ca.gov and can change at any time.
Your down payment might already be waiting for you.
60 seconds. No credit pull. Find out which programs fit you before this year's funds run out.