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Get a step-by-step guide on how to navigate this program with our FREE eBook!
Get a step-by-step guide on how to navigate this program with our
FREE eBook!
What is Dream for All?
The California Dream for All program makes homeownership
MORE AFFORDABLE by helping first-time homebuyers with
downpayment and closing costs!
Now... how much assistance are we talking about?
Homebuyers receive a shared appreciation loan to help them reach a down payment of at least 20% of their home’s purchase price!
With the California Dream For All program, you can have an immediate increase in your price range by $100,000 on average!
"Keep your down payment as a "rainy day fund"
What is Dream for All?
The California Dream for All program makes homeownership
MORE AFFORDABLE by helping first-time homebuyers with
downpayment and closing costs!
Now... how much assistance are we talking about?
Homebuyers receive a shared appreciation loan to help them reach a down payment of at least 20% of their home’s purchase price!
With the California Dream For All program, you can have an immediate increase in your price range by $100,000 on average!
"Keep your down payment as a "rainy day fund"
Frequently Asked Questions
Can this program be used for down payment and closing costs?
A: Yes, Shared Appreciation Loans can be used for down payments and closing costs, including permanent interest rate buydowns.
What is the maximum loan amount?
A: The maximum loan amount is up to $150,000 or 20% of the sales price or appraised value, whichever is less.
Do all borrowers have to be first-generation homebuyers?
A: No, only one borrower has to meet the definition of a first-generation homebuyer.
Do all borrowers have to be a current California resident?
A: No, only one borrower has to be a current California resident.
What are the income limits?
A: Income cannot exceed CalHFA Dream for All Income limits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can this program be used for down payment and closing costs?
A: Yes, Shared Appreciation Loans can be used for down payments and closing costs, including permanent interest rate buydowns.
What is the maximum loan amount?
A: The maximum loan amount is up to $150,000 or 20% of the sales price or appraised value, whichever is less.
Do all borrowers have to be first-generation homebuyers?
A: No, only one borrower has to meet the definition of a first-generation homebuyer.
Do all borrowers have to be a current California resident?
A: No, only one borrower has to be a current California resident.
What are the income limits?
A: Income cannot exceed CalHFA Dream for All Income limits.
Homebuying Hub
You May Be Closer to
Buying a Home Than You Think...
First-time buyer? Need help with down payment?
You’re in the right place.
Learn about my favorite top 5 down payment options:
🏡From assistance programs to creative strategies, these are some of the most common ways
buyers reduce the money needed upfront.
Many first-time buyers get help from family—either as a gift or a loan—to cover their down payment or closing costs.
👉Why it helps:
• No strict guidelines like traditional programs
• Can reduce or eliminate your upfront costs
• No monthly payment if structured as a gift
💡What to know:
• Funds must be properly documented for loan approval
• If it’s a loan, it may impact your qualification
• Not everyone has this option—which is why other programs exist
You may be able to borrow from your 401(k) to help with your down payment.
👉Why it helps:
• You’re paying interest back to yourself
• Payments are automatically deducted from your paycheck
• Easier approval compared to traditional loans
💡What to know:
• This is still a loan you’ll need to repay it
• If you leave your job, repayment terms may change
• It can impact your long-term retirement savings
State Down Payment Assistance (CalHFA – MyHome)
California offers programs that can help with your down payment and closing costs through a second loan.
👉Why it helps:
• Provides a percentage of the purchase price to help you buy
• No monthly payment on the assistance portion
• Low interest (typically around 1%)
💡What to know:
• Must be paired with a CalHFA first mortgage
• Income limits and first-time buyer rules may apply
• The assistance is repaid when you sell, refinance, or pay off the home
This program offers assistance that can be used toward both your down payment and closing costs.
👉Why it helps:
• Can provide up to 5% of the purchase price
• Available to repeat buyers (not just first-time buyers)
• Flexible qualification compared to some state programs
💡What to know:
• Comes with a slightly higher interest rate on your loan
• Assistance is built into the loan structure
• Qualification depends on income and credit
Forgivable Assistance Programs (Click & Close)
Some programs offer assistance that can be partially or fully forgiven over time.
👉Why it helps:
• Up to 5% assistance toward upfront costs
• May not need to be repaid if you meet program terms
• Helps reduce out-of-pocket expenses significantly
💡What to know:
• Typically comes with a higher interest rate
• You must stay in the home for a set period for forgiveness
• Not always the best fit depending on your long-term plans
Homebuying Hub
You May Be Closer to
Buying a Home Than You Think...
First-time buyer? Need help with down payment? You’re in the right place.
Learn about my favorite top 5 down payment options:
🏡From assistance programs to creative strategies, these are some of the most common ways buyers reduce the money needed upfront.
Many first-time buyers get help from family—either as a gift or a loan—to cover their down payment or closing costs.
👉Why it helps:
• No strict guidelines like traditional programs
• Can reduce or eliminate your upfront costs
• No monthly payment if structured as a gift
💡What to know:
• Funds must be properly documented for loan approval
• If it’s a loan, it may impact your qualification
• Not everyone has this option—which is why other programs exist
You may be able to borrow from your 401(k) to help with your down payment.
👉Why it helps:
• You’re paying interest back to yourself
• Payments are automatically deducted from your paycheck
• Easier approval compared to traditional loans
💡What to know:
• This is still a loan you’ll need to repay it
• If you leave your job, repayment terms may change
• It can impact your long-term retirement savings
State Down Payment Assistance (CalHFA – MyHome)
California offers programs that can help with your down payment and closing costs through a second loan.
👉Why it helps:
• Provides a percentage of the purchase price to help you buy
• No monthly payment on the assistance portion
• Low interest (typically around 1%)
💡What to know:
• Must be paired with a CalHFA first mortgage
• Income limits and first-time buyer rules may apply
• The assistance is repaid when you sell, refinance, or pay off the home
This program offers assistance that can be used toward both your down payment and closing costs.
👉Why it helps:
• Can provide up to 5% of the purchase price
• Available to repeat buyers (not just first-time buyers)
• Flexible qualification compared to some state programs
💡What to know:
• Comes with a slightly higher interest rate on your loan
• Assistance is built into the loan structure
• Qualification depends on income and credit
Forgivable Assistance Programs (Click & Close)
Some programs offer assistance that can be partially or fully forgiven over time.
👉Why it helps:
• Up to 5% assistance toward upfront costs
• May not need to be repaid if you meet program terms
• Helps reduce out-of-pocket expenses significantly
💡What to know:
• Typically comes with a higher interest rate
• You must stay in the home for a set period for forgiveness
• Not always the best fit depending on your long-term plans
✨Spotlight Program of the Month
Buy a Home + Get Solar + Get Help with Your Costs (All in One Loan!)
What if you could buy a home, lower your future utility bills, and get help covering your upfront costs all at the same time?
This 3 in One bundle makes it possible by allowing you to finance solar panels into your mortgage while receiving up to 5% in forgivable assistance after 90 days for your down payment and closing costs! Learn more>
✨Spotlight Program of the Month
Buy a Home + Get Solar + Get Help with Your Costs (All in One Loan!)
What if you could buy a home, lower your future utility bills, and get help covering your upfront costs all at the same time?
This 3 in One bundle makes it possible by allowing you to finance solar panels into your mortgage while receiving up to 5% in forgivable assistance after 90 days for your down payment and closing costs.
It’s designed to help you get into a home with less out of pocket while setting you up for long-term savings!
Learn more>
More Options. More Opportunities to Buy.
Whether you have lower credit, limited savings, are a first-time buyer or whatever the case is, there are programs and strategies designed to help. I’ll help you explore what you may qualify for and how to take advantage of it.
Are you a first responder or in education?
As a first responder, educator, or healthcare professional, you may have access to special programs that can help cover part of your down payment and make buying a home more affordable than you expect. Read More >
Are you a county employee?
As a county employee, you may qualify for special homebuying programs that can help cover both your down payment and closing costs with flexible options designed to make getting into a home easier. Read More here >
Do you have low credit?
Think your credit is holding you back? You might be surprised. There are loan options specifically designed to help buyers with lower credit scores get into a home sooner than they thought possible.
Read More >
Grant for Low-Income Buyers!
There are programs designed to help make homeownership more accessible including options that can significantly reduce the amount you need for a down payment and closing costs.
Read More here >
More Options. More Opportunities to Buy.
Whether you have lower credit, limited savings, are a first-time buyer or whatever the case is, there are programs and strategies designed to help. I’ll help you explore what you may qualify for and how to take advantage of it.
Are you a first responder or in education?
As a first responder, educator, or healthcare professional, you may have access to special programs that can help cover part of your down payment and make buying a home more affordable than you expect.
Read More >
Are you a county employee?
As a county employee, you may qualify for special homebuying programs that can help cover both your down payment and closing costs with flexible options designed to make getting into a home easier.
Read More here >
Do you have low credit?
Think your credit is holding you back? You might be surprised. There are loan options specifically designed to help buyers with lower credit scores get into a home sooner than they thought possible.
Read More >
Grant for Low-Income Buyers!
There are programs designed to help make homeownership more accessible including options that can significantly reduce the amount you need for a down payment and closing costs.
Read More here >
Rent vs. Buy Calculator
Not sure if buying is the right move? Use this calculator to compare your options and make a confident decision.
Rent vs. Buy Calculator
Not sure if buying is the right move? Use this calculator to compare your options
and make a confident decision.
Common Homebuying Questions
Many buyers qualify with as little as 3% down and some programs offer little to no down payment.
Most programs accept scores starting around 580–620, depending on the loan type.
Pre-approval shows how much you can afford and makes your offer stronger when buying a home.
Yes! There are programs that offer grants, down payment assistance, and lower interest rates.
You may still qualify. Many programs are designed to help buyers with less-than-perfect credit.
Getting started is simple. We’ll guide you through the process and help match you with the right loan and down payment assistance programs.
To begin, we’ll just need:
✅ A completed loan application
✅ Your income documents uploaded
✅ A quick soft credit check (no impact to your score)
Once your file is complete, we’ll review your options and determine what you qualify for. If approved, you’ll receive a pre-approval letter and we’ll schedule a consultation to walk you through your next steps.
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All rights reserved.
John King — Loan Consultant / Branch Manager
NMLS #453426 | Branch NMLS #2468578 | Company NMLS #3029
CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC
CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC does business in the State of New York as CrossCountry Financing. Licensed Mortgage Banker – NYS Department of Financial Services. CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC is an FHA Approved Lending Institution and is not acting on behalf of or at the direction of HUD/FHA or the Federal government. All loans are subject to underwriting approval. Certain restrictions may apply. Call for details. Certificate of Eligibility is required for VA loans.
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