Tag Archive for: down payment assistance

Down Payment Assistance for Oakland and Berkeley Home Buyers

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For a lot of buyers in Oakland and Berkeley, the monthly mortgage payment is actually doable. It's the down payment that stops them cold. Coming up with $26,000 or more upfront is a real barrier, and most people have no idea how much help is available to close that gap. Here's a full breakdown of every major down payment assistance program available to Alameda County buyers in 2026 and how the numbers actually work at local price points.Read More

TSAHC Down Payment Assistance for Texas Buyers

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The Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation (TSAHC) offers some of the most effective down payment assistance programs in the country. Through the Homes for Texas Heroes and Home Sweet Texas programs, eligible buyers can receive grants or forgivable loans to cover down payment and closing costs. This guide explains how TSAHC works, who qualifies, how much assistance is available, and how Texas buyers, including teachers, firefighters, veterans, and first-time homeowners, can use these programs to buy with far less cash out of pocket.Read More

Complete Guide to Down Payment Assistance Programs in 2026

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Many buyers believe they need 20% down to buy a home, but that misconception keeps millions out of the market unnecessarily. In this 2026 guide, we break down the most common down payment assistance programs, including 1% down loans, FHA, VA, HomeReady, CalHFA Dream For All, and state-specific options. You’ll learn how much you really need to buy, who qualifies for each program, and how to choose the option that fits your credit, income, and location, so the down payment doesn’t stand between you and homeownership.Read More

Can You Buy A Home With No Money Down?

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For many aspiring homeowners, the idea of buying a home without a down payment may seem too good to be true. However, there are mortgage programs offering 100% financing that make this possibility a reality. Instead of being held back by traditional upfront cash requirements, buyers now have access to loan options that pave the way to homeownership.Read More

JVM’s In-House Homebuying Assistance: How It Works

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Imagine covering your entire down payment and having extra funds for closing costs—all without the burden of extra lender fees. With JVM’s In-House Homebuying Assistance, eligible homebuyers can receive up to 5% in assistance, making it easier than ever to step into your dream home. This program is designed to lower your cash-to-close requirements, ensuring that the journey to homeownership is both accessible and affordable.Read More

California Down Payment Options for First-Time Home Buyers

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California’s real estate market is among the most competitive in the nation, with the median home price currently hovering around $800,000. For many prospective buyers, the notion of a 20% down payment – a staggering $160,000 at the median price – can feel like a major barrier to homeownership. But here’s the good news: many mortgages do not require such a large upfront investment. In fact, recent data shows that first-time buyers nationwide typically put down just 6-7% on their homes, with many entering the market with even less.Read More

GSFA Platinum Standard Program: Helping CA Essential Workers

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The Golden State Finance Authority’s (GSFA) Platinum Standard Program is a valuable option for California residents seeking financial assistance to make homeownership more accessible and affordable. This program offers support with flexible loan options, interest rate reductions, and generous assistance for down payment and closing costs. Here’s everything you need to know about the GSFA Platinum Standard Program.Read More

Only 10% of Americans Know They Can Put Down 5% or Less! Down Payment Options

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If I were an agent, I would be screaming this from the rooftops to attract buyers: “You don’t need 20% down to buy a house!” Lenders might want to scream this too. Oh wait…I am right now. Read More

Down Payment Assistance Is Finally “Cool;” Labor Market Cracks Open Further

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Unbelievable: “41% of buyers believe they need to put down 20% to purchase.” That is from a recent Inman article. But First – Good Gravy, The Private Sector’s In A […]Read More

CA’s Dream For All (Down Payment Assistance) Program Is Here For 2024, But…

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CalHFA officially announced the re-introduction of its extremely popular Dream For All Program! And … it is not quite as exciting this time around. As a quick reminder – this is probably the most generous down payment assistance program we have ever seen – and that is why the CalHFA is trying to limit it to families that truly need assistance. When the program was previously launched last year, it ran out of funds in 3 weeks.Read More

A Guide to Buying a Home in Oregon

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Buying your first home is a significant milestone, and Oregon is a fantastic place to achieve this dream. As a first-time home buyer in Oregon, it's essential to understand the local real estate market, mortgage rates, and available assistance programs.Read More

CalHFA Dream For ALL Or A Select Few? (Probably a Good Thing); NAR Lawsuit Again

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When CalHFA rolled out their newest (and probably most popular) down payment assistance program, the Dream For All Program, its entire $300 million allotment was gone in just 11 days. Many of us hoped that the program would return this fall, but CalHFA saw what happened during round one, and they are well aware of the potential feeding frenzy that would likely take place if the rules were not changed – so they are very astutely changing the rules. These rules are not finalized and are subject to change, but it does appear that CalHFA is trying to make sure the program is only used to benefit people who truly need assistance.Read More

How To Use Gift Funds with Fannie Mae Loans

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In this blog post, we will demystify the concept of gift funds, explain how they work, and guide you through their utilization with FNMA (Fannie Mae) loans. By the end of this article, you’ll better understand how to navigate using gift funds toward your purchase.Read More

GSFA Platinum Program: Down Payment Assistance Made Easy

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The GSFA Platinum Program is a down payment assistance program designed to help homebuyers overcome the financial barrier of a down payment. It is offered by the Golden State Finance Authority (GSFA), a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing affordable housing opportunities for residents of California. The program provides eligible homebuyers with a gift of up to 5% of the loan amount to be used for their down payment and closing costs.Read More