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.
Short answerCalHFA down payment assistance in Sacramento pairs a CalHFA first mortgage with a MyHome junior loan worth up to 3% of the purchase price, letting qualified first-time buyers close with little or nothing out of pocket. Homebuyer education and county income limits apply.
CalHFA / DPA loans in Sacramento at a glance
- Assistance amount
- Up to 3% of purchase price (MyHome)
- Out of pocket possible
- Close to $0 when stacked with a gift or credits
- First-time buyer required
- Yes, for most programs
- Minimum credit score
- 660 typically (680 for manufactured)
- Homebuyer education
- Required before closing
- Income limits
- Vary by county and household size
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 income limits and eligibility rules regularly. I check the current limit and which household income must be counted for your exact program and 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.