CalHFA & down payment assistance in Sacramento — close with less out of pocket.
If you qualify income-wise but haven't been able to save a full down payment, CalHFA programs can layer onto an FHA or conventional first mortgage and cover most — sometimes all — of your down payment and closing costs. I'm an approved CalHFA loan officer and structure these every month for Sacramento, Placer, and El Dorado County buyers.
Why Sacramento buyers choose CalHFA / DPA.
Is CalHFA / DPA right for you?
- First-time buyers (haven't owned in the past 3 years) who qualify on income but can't pull together a 3-5% down payment.
- Teachers, firefighters, and other public-service buyers who fit standard CalHFA programs cleanly.
- Buyers in the Sacramento region targeting starter homes priced under the program's sales price limit.
- Anyone who'd rather keep savings as reserves than drain them on a down payment.
The CalHFA / DPA loan process, step by step.
- 01Homebuyer EducationCalHFA requires an approved homebuyer education course — typically online, 6-8 hours, $99. We start this early so the certificate is in hand by underwriting.
- 02Pre-ApprovalStandard income, credit, and asset review, plus a check against CalHFA income and sales-price limits for your county.
- 03Offer & LockFind the home, lock the rate. CalHFA pricing is set by the state, so it doesn't change with each lender.
- 04Two-Loan ClosingFirst mortgage and MyHome/ZIP second close together. You sign one set of docs and walk in with little to nothing out of pocket beyond earnest money and inspections.
CalHFA / DPA loans in Sacramento — FAQs.
What credit score do I need for CalHFA?+
660 minimum for most CalHFA programs. The FHA version is slightly more forgiving; the conventional version typically wants 680+.
What are the income limits in Sacramento County?+
CalHFA updates limits annually. For 2025, Sacramento County is roughly $235,000 household income (all earners, not just borrowers). Placer and El Dorado are similar. I'll check the current number for your exact scenario.
Do I have to be a first-time buyer?+
For most CalHFA programs, yes — you can't have owned a primary residence in the past 3 years. There are exceptions in federally designated target areas.
Is the MyHome second loan ever forgiven?+
No — MyHome is a deferred loan, not a grant. There's no monthly payment, but the balance is due when you sell, refinance, or pay off the home. It's not forgiven over time.
Can I combine CalHFA with seller credits?+
Yes — seller credits for closing costs work alongside CalHFA and often get a buyer fully to a zero-out-of-pocket close.
What's the sales price limit?+
CalHFA caps the purchase price by county. Sacramento, Placer, and El Dorado limits comfortably cover most starter and mid-range homes in the region. I'll confirm the exact ceiling for the price point you're targeting.
What's the catch?+
There isn't really a catch — but the rate on the first mortgage is set by CalHFA and is typically slightly above market. The trade-off is bringing little to nothing to closing. For buyers short on down payment, it's usually a clear win.