California First-Time Buyer Programs · Reviewed July 2026
California first-time home buyer programs: up to $31,500 toward your down payment.
California lends first-time buyers real money. MyHome covers up to 3.5% of the price. That is up to $31,500 on a $900,000 home. School employees can get up to 4%. You pay nothing on the help each month. And the income limits run higher than most people guess: $259,000 in San Diego County. This guide covers every program, the 2026 limits, and your city. Checking your fit takes about 60 seconds, with no credit pull.
MyHome: up to 3.5% of the price, no monthly payment
MyHome is California's workhorse program. It is a second loan that sits behind your main mortgage. It covers up to 3.5% of the purchase price with a CalHFA FHA loan. It covers up to 3% with a CalHFA conventional loan. There is no monthly bill on it. You repay it when you sell, refinance, or pay off the home. Here is what the help looks like at real California prices:
| Purchase price | MyHome @ 3.5% (FHA) |
|---|---|
| $550,000 condo | Up to $19,250 |
| $650,000 condo | Up to $22,750 |
| $700,000 townhome | Up to $24,500 |
| $900,000 single-family | Up to $31,500 |
FHA's minimum down payment is exactly 3.5%. MyHome lends up to 3.5%. So it often covers the whole minimum down payment. Read the full MyHome guide.
School Program: up to 4% for public school employees
Work for a California K-12 public school district? The School Program lends up to 4% of the price. On a $700,000 home, that is up to $28,000. It covers far more people than teachers. Aides, office staff, custodians, and bus drivers can qualify too. It replaces MyHome, so school staff simply get the bigger loan. Only one borrower needs the school job. See the School Program page.
CalHFA FHA vs. conventional: pick your main mortgage
The help above rides on a CalHFA main mortgage. You pick one of two. Both are 30-year fixed loans from CalHFA-approved lenders.
| CalHFA FHA | CalHFA Conventional | |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum down payment | 3.5% | 3% |
| MyHome pairs at | Up to 3.5% | Up to 3% |
| Credit | Generally mid-600s | Stronger, about 700 and up |
| Mortgage insurance | Generally stays for the life of the loan | Can be removed at 20% or more equity |
Rough rule: mid-600s credit points to CalHFA FHA. Credit around 700 and up should compare the CalHFA conventional loan first.
ZIP: closing cost help at 0% interest
ZIP is the Zero Interest Program. It is a 0% loan for closing costs. It runs roughly 2-3% of your main loan amount. There is no monthly payment. Nothing is due until you sell, refinance, or pay the home off. Per CalHFA Bulletin 2025-04, ZIP pairs with MyHome. See how buyers stack the programs.
What the stack adds up to
One $700,000 example: MyHome covers the $24,500 down payment. ZIP adds roughly $13,500 to $20,300 for closing costs. That is about $38,000 to $44,800 of help with no monthly payments on one purchase.
Dream For All: the honest status
Dream For All lends first-generation buyers up to 20% of the price. You repay it later, plus a share of your home's growth in value. The 2026 application window closed on March 16, 2026. CalHFA expects the program to wind down by the end of 2026. Do not build your plan around a lottery. MyHome is open today. Read the honest Dream For All guide.
2026 CalHFA income limits by county
Every program checks your income against a county cap. These limits took effect June 30, 2026. They run higher than most people guess. Two six-figure earners often still fit.
| County | 2026 income limit |
|---|---|
| Orange | $274,000 |
| San Diego | $259,000 |
| Los Angeles | $214,000 |
| Riverside | $210,000 |
| San Bernardino | $210,000 |
| Imperial | $192,000 |
See the full 2026 income limits page for what counts as income, and your moves if you are over.
What the help looks like in your city
The help is a percent of the price. So the dollars change city by city. Pick your area below, or browse all Southern California guides.
San Diego County
San Diego is our home base. Detached houses run around $1 million here, but most condos sit in CalHFA range. The county's $259,000 income limit fits most two-paycheck families.
- San Diego: condos and townhomes start in the $550s.
- Chula Vista: Otay Ranch and Eastlake townhomes. MyHome help is roughly $24,500 at a $700k price.
- Oceanside: the last beach city where condos still start in the low $500s.
- Escondido: condos start in the high $400s. Three-bedroom houses sell for around $800k.
- El Cajon: condos run near $450k. That is one of the lowest first-home price points in the county.
- Vista: close to the coast without coast prices. Townhomes sell in the $600s.
- National City: the lowest median price in the county. MyHome can cover the full $19,250 down payment on a $550,000 home.
Orange County
Orange County's 2026 income limit is $274,000. That is the highest CalHFA limit in Southern California. Two people earning six figures each can still fit under it. Help worth up to $29,750 could be on the table. See the Orange County guide.
Los Angeles
Los Angeles County's 2026 limit is $214,000, the tightest in SoCal next to prices. The door is still open. MyHome can still cover a full $19,250 down payment on a $550,000 condo. See the Los Angeles guide.
Inland Empire, Temecula and Murrieta
Riverside and San Bernardino Counties use a $210,000 limit. The same programs buy a lot more house here. MyHome can cover the full $21,000 down payment on a $600,000 house. In Temecula and Murrieta, that is $24,500 on a $700,000 home. See the Inland Empire guide.
How to start
- Take the 60-second quiz. No credit pull, no documents, no obligation.
- Get your match. We map which programs fit your income, credit, and county. You see the help in dollars on your price range.
- Shop pre-approved. CalHFA loans only come through approved lenders. That is what we do. We structure the stack, and you shop with real numbers.
California first-time buyer FAQ
What programs does California have for first-time buyers in 2026?
CalHFA runs the statewide lineup. MyHome lends up to 3.5% of the price for your down payment. The School Program lends up to 4% for public school staff. ZIP adds 0% closing cost help on top of a CalHFA FHA or conventional main mortgage. Dream For All exists too, but its 2026 window closed March 16.
How much down payment help can I get in California?
MyHome covers up to 3.5% of the purchase price. That is up to $22,750 on a $650,000 condo and up to $31,500 on a $900,000 home. School employees can get up to 4%, which is up to $28,000 on a $700,000 home. ZIP can add roughly 2-3% of the main loan amount for closing costs. None of it has a monthly payment.
What credit score do I need for California first-time buyer programs?
Generally a mid-600s score for the CalHFA FHA path. The School Program generally asks for 660 or higher. The conventional path fits stronger credit, about 700 and up. Your full file decides it, not the score alone.
Do I have to be a first-time buyer to qualify?
Yes, for CalHFA programs. But the rule is softer than it sounds. You count as first-time if you have not owned and lived in a home in the last 3 years. Past owners can qualify again.
Is there really free money for first-time buyers in California?
Honest answer: the help is real, but it is not free. MyHome, the School Program, and ZIP are loans. You make no monthly payments on them. You repay when you sell, refinance, or pay off the home. For most buyers, that still beats years of saving while paying rent.
Is Dream For All still open in 2026?
No. The 2026 application portal closed on March 16, 2026. Vouchers began releasing May 20, 2026. CalHFA expects the program to wind down by the end of 2026. MyHome is the dependable help open today.
Program details summarized from calhfa.ca.gov as of July 2026. CalHFA sets and may change all program terms, including income limits and assistance percentages. Home prices shown are approximate market figures for illustration. This page is educational and not a loan commitment; not all applicants will qualify.
See which California programs fit you.
One short quiz. About 60 seconds. No credit pull, no documents, no obligation. You see which programs fit and what the help is worth on your price.