First-Time Buyer Blog · Updated July 2026
Real numbers on down payments, CalHFA programs, and buying in San Diego County. CalHFA help can be worth up to $22,750 on a $650,000 home. Most people never check if they qualify. A licensed loan officer writes every post here. No fluff. No rate bait.
Most CalHFA loans look for a 660 or higher. Your exact score picks the loan that saves you money. See the tier table, plus a plan if you are not there yet.
July 11, 2026 · 8 min read
ReadThe eligibility check takes 60 seconds. Pre-approval can happen in 24-48 hours. Closing runs 30 to 40 days. See every step, and what slows people down.
July 11, 2026 · 7 min read
ReadThe 4% School Program ended in 2020. Here is what teachers, nurses and first responders really get now. The honest breakdown, job by job.
July 11, 2026 · 8 min read
ReadVA already means $0 down. MyHome can add up to $15,000 for closing costs. There is no monthly bill on that help. Here is how the stack works.
July 11, 2026 · 8 min read
ReadYou do not need 20% down. The real minimums run 0% to 3.5%. With CalHFA MyHome, your down payment can be roughly $0 out of pocket.
July 7, 2026 · 8 min read
ReadA CalHFA FHA loan IS an FHA loan. The state stacks down payment help on top. One table makes the whole thing click.
July 7, 2026 · 7 min read
ReadYes, for real. See what $100k supports and which neighborhoods fit. CalHFA can shrink the cash you need from six figures to a few thousand.
July 7, 2026 · 9 min read
ReadProgram details on this blog are summarized from calhfa.ca.gov as of July 2026. Everything here is educational. It is not a loan offer, approval, or commitment to lend.
New posts land here regularly, but programs, income limits, and funding rounds change fast. Get a personalized CalHFA eligibility check instead of refreshing a blog.