California down payment assistance for first-time buyers
CalHFA down payment assistance programs for first-time buyers in California, Texas, Georgia, Tennessee, Oklahoma, and Idaho. MyHome Assistance, CalPLUS, and ZIP programs can cover your down payment and closing costs — CDL Mortgage is an experienced CalHFA-approved lender partner.
Why CDL
CDL Mortgage Services Inc. is a full-service mortgage company focused on securing the best loans at the best rates. As an independent broker, we aren’t tied to one bank’s products — we shop multiple wholesale lenders for every CalHFA loan to find the strongest pricing for your scenario.
Every file is handled start-to-finish by a licensed loan officer, not a call center. From fast pre-approval through underwriting and closing, you’ll always know exactly where your loan stands.
Requirements
General guidelines — final qualification depends on the lender, property, and your full financial profile.
Calculator
Estimates only. Mortgage insurance and HOA dues are not included. Your actual payment depends on your final rate, program, taxes, and insurance premiums.
How It Works
CalHFA is the California Housing Finance Agency. It pairs a standard first mortgage with state down payment assistance, allowing qualified California buyers to purchase with very little cash of their own.
Income limits by county, a CalHFA-approved credit score, and completion of homebuyer education are the core requirements.
CalHFA layers over conventional, FHA or in some cases VA financing depending on your profile.
Programs like MyHome provide a deferred-payment junior loan toward down payment and closing costs.
A required course, completed online in a few hours, that also makes you a materially better-prepared buyer.
Owner-occupied primary residences only, within CalHFA sales price limits for your county.
Many CalHFA buyers close with a fraction of the cash a standard loan would require.
Your Options
CalHFA is a stack, not a single loan. Which layers you use determines your out-of-pocket cost.
Honest Advice
Assistance programs are powerful and they carry trade-offs. Both deserve to be on the table.
If income supports the payment but the down payment is the obstacle, this is exactly what CalHFA solves.
Most programs target first-time buyers, and prior ownership more than three years ago often still qualifies.
County income limits are higher than most buyers assume — always worth checking before ruling it out.
Assistance pricing is often marginally above market. We show the total cost against waiting to save.
The junior loan is repaid on sale or refinance. You need to understand that before closing.
Assistance files take coordination. We prepare listing agents so your offer is not discounted.
Questions
CalHFA (California Housing Finance Agency) programs pair a first mortgage with down payment and closing cost assistance for low-to-moderate income first-time buyers in California. The MyHome Assistance Program provides a deferred-payment junior loan of up to 3.5% of the purchase price or appraised value.
You generally must be a first-time homebuyer (no ownership in the last 3 years), occupy the home as your primary residence, meet county income limits, and complete a homebuyer education course. We’ll check your county’s income limit and walk you through every requirement.
The MyHome junior loan is deferred — no monthly payments are required. It’s repaid when you sell, refinance, or pay off the first mortgage. This lets you get into a home now without draining your savings.
Yes. CalHFA assistance layers on top of an FHA or conventional first mortgage. We’ll compare the CalHFA FHA and CalHFA conventional options side by side to find your lowest total monthly payment.
No — CalHFA is a California-only program. If you’re buying in another state we serve, ask us about that state’s bond and down payment assistance programs, along with FHA and VA low-down-payment options.
About Us
CDL Mortgage Services Inc. is an independent, full-service mortgage company. Instead of pushing one bank’s products, we shop multiple wholesale lenders to secure the best loan at the best rate for every borrower.
Purchase, refinance, and home equity — all under one roof, focused on the best loans at the best rates.
Based at 6524 Lonetree Blvd, Rocklin, CA 95765 and licensed in California, Texas, Georgia, Tennessee, Oklahoma & Idaho.
Every file is handled start-to-finish by a licensed loan officer who knows your name and your goals.
Fully licensed and regulated, with award-winning lender partnerships and 35+ years serving borrowers.
Find CalHFA loans details for your city or county below.
Ready when you are
Same-day pre-approvals, dozens of wholesale lenders shopped for you, and one licensed loan officer from application to keys in hand.