The California Dream for All program
The California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA) under Governor Newsom is launching a new program to benefit first-time homebuyers. The California Dream for All program will provide homebuyers who meet the qualifications with down payment support on the purchase of a California home. The program offers upwards of 20 percent of the purchase price or appraised value (whichever is lower) in the form of a shared-appreciation loan. The loan can be utilized as a down payment or towards closing costs.
As home prices have continued to escalate throughout California, it has become increasingly difficult for homeowners to secure sufficient funds for a down payment. Conventional home loans often require a 20 percent down payment from the buyer. Anything less generally results in a higher interest rate and, potentially, the requirement for Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI), which significantly increases costs.
The California Dream for All program provides a lending vehicle to avoid that situation. Used in conjunction with a Dream For All Conventional mortgage, the program is a shared appreciation product where the State of California provides the homebuyer a down payment loan. The homebuyer agrees to repay the loan plus 20 percent of the appreciation of the home value. The homebuyer pays when they sell or transfer the home to a new lender.