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California program

CalHFA Homebuyer Programs

California route through California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA). This page stays free for the core public facts. Open paid access only when you need the full state board, related paths, and the decision layer around this program.

Deferred second mortgage Deferred due on exit 2026-04-19
Agency California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA)
Support type Deferred second mortgage
Amount highlight 3.5% of the sales price or appraised value, whichever is less, for CalHFA FHA and CalPLUS FHA first mortgages; 3.0% of the sales price or appraised value, whichever is less, for CalPLUS Conventional, CalHFA Conventional, CalHFA USDA, and CalHFA VA first mortgages.
Last verified 2026-04-19

Decision-ready public facts

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Amount

3.5% of the sales price or appraised value, whichever is less, for CalHFA FHA and CalPLUS FHA first mortgages; 3.0% of the sales price or appraised value, whichever is less, for CalPLUS Conventional, CalHFA Conventional, CalHFA USDA, and CalHFA VA first mortgages.

Type

Deferred second mortgage

Deferred-payment subordinate loan

Repayment

Payments are deferred for the life of the first loan; principal and interest become due on transfer of title, sale of the property, payoff or refinance of the first loan, or formal filing or recording of a Notice of Default unless rescinded.

First-time buyer

Unknown

Program guide

What to know before you click through

This is still the free fact layer. Open the official source when a detail affects eligibility, repayment, lender choice, or whether this path should stay on your shortlist.

Who qualifies?

Low- to moderate-income buyers, First-time homebuyers, HUD Section 184 borrowers, FHA Section 203(h) disaster borrowers

What support do you get?

3.5% of the sales price or appraised value, whichever is less, for CalHFA FHA and CalPLUS FHA first mortgages; 3.0% of the sales price or appraised value, whichever is less, for CalPLUS Conventional, CalHFA Conventional, CalHFA USDA, and CalHFA VA first mortgages.

Do you repay it?

Payments are deferred for the life of the first loan; principal and interest become due on transfer of title, sale of the property, payoff or refinance of the first loan, or formal filing or recording of a Notice of Default unless rescinded.

How do you apply?

Apply through a CalHFA-approved lender or Preferred Loan Officer; CalHFA does not accept applications directly.

Application timing

A CalHFA-approved lender reserves and locks the loan in MAS before compliance review; CalHFA reviews complete submissions first-come, first-served and issues commitment before closing.

Official source evidence

CalHFA MyHome offers deferred-payment subordinate assistance tied to CalHFA first mortgages, with 3.5% support on FHA-family products and 3% support on conventional, USDA, and VA products.

View official source

Last verified

2026-04-19

2022-02-28

Paid preview

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Comparison preview

CalHFA Homebuyer Programs

Amount: 3.5% of the sales price or appraised value, whichever is less, for CalHFA FHA and CalPLUS FHA first mortgages; 3.0% of the sales price or appraised value, whichever is less, for CalPLUS Conventional, CalHFA Conventional, CalHFA USDA, and CalHFA VA first mortgages.

Repayment: Payments are deferred for the life of the first loan; principal and interest become due on transfer of title, sale of the property, payoff or refinance of the first loan, or formal filing or recording of a Notice of Default unless rescinded.

First-time buyer: Unknown

Timing: A CalHFA-approved lender reserves and locks the loan in MAS before compliance review; CalHFA reviews complete submissions first-come, first-served and issues commitment before closing.

Risk checks preview

What gets flagged before you call a lender

  • CalHFA Homebuyer Programs requires a participating lender.
  • CalHFA Homebuyer Programs can trigger repayment on sale or refinance.

Lender questions preview

Questions tied to this exact path

  • Is your team approved to originate CalHFA Homebuyer Programs for this household and loan setup?
  • Which events trigger repayment for CalHFA Homebuyer Programs: sale, refinance, transfer?

Action checklist preview

What you would do next

  • Review the official MyHome program handbook for CalHFA Homebuyer Programs
  • Ask whether your lender is approved for this exact program and loan structure.
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What paid research already covers in California

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