CalHFA Dream For All 2026: What First-Time LA Homebuyers Should Know Before They Start

By Diana L. Marquez, Real Estate Agent | CA DRE #01418705 | eXp Realty of Southern California, Inc., DRE #02187306

Los Angeles starter home at golden hour for first-time homebuyers

Buying your first home in Los Angeles can feel like a lot to manage. Between home prices, mortgage rates, down payment requirements, inspections, and paperwork, it is understandable if you are not sure where to begin.

The good news is that you do not have to understand every part of the process before taking the first step. With the right information and thoughtful guidance, buying a home can become more manageable.

For first-time buyers exploring down payment assistance, the CalHFA Dream For All program may be an important opportunity to understand. Other CalHFA programs, including MyHome, ZIP, and MyAccess, may also provide options depending on your circumstances.

Here is what Los Angeles first-time homebuyers should know in September 2026.

The Short Answer

The 2026 CalHFA Dream For All round has approximately $150 million to $200 million in funding, with vouchers released through a randomized process. If you applied earlier this year, your next step is to check your status through the official Dream For All Voucher Portal.

The program can provide up to 20% of the purchase price or appraised value toward a down payment or closing costs, up to $150,000. However, it is a shared appreciation loan. That means the borrower generally repays the original assistance plus an agreed share of the home’s appreciation when the home is sold, transferred, or the first mortgage is paid in full.

If you were not selected, you may still have other paths to explore.

Check Your CalHFA Status First

The 2026 Dream For All application period is closed. CalHFA accepted applications from February 24 through March 16, 2026, and voucher statuses were released beginning May 20.

If you submitted an application, log into your portal and look for one of these statuses:

Voucher Issued: You were selected and should review the instructions sent through your portal and email.
Waitlist: You may still receive a voucher if funds become available or another applicant does not use theirs. Continue checking your portal and the email address connected to your application.
Not Selected: You were not selected in the current drawing, but you can explore other CalHFA programs with an approved lender.

CalHFA has warned applicants about potential scams. Use the official CalHFA Dream For All page and portal rather than clicking unfamiliar text messages or email links.

If you are waitlisted, there is no need to put your home search on hold indefinitely. You can ask a CalHFA-approved lender to help you compare Dream For All with other available financing options.

First-time homebuyer consultation with Diana Marquez in Los Angeles

How Dream For All Works

Dream For All is designed for first-generation homebuyers who are also first-time homebuyers. In general, the program requires:

At least one borrower to meet CalHFA’s first-generation homebuyer definition
All borrowers to be first-time homebuyers
At least one borrower to be a current California resident
Household income to fall within the applicable CalHFA limits
Use of a CalHFA-approved lender and an eligible first mortgage

The assistance is not a traditional grant. It is a shared appreciation loan, which is why it is important to understand the long-term repayment structure before accepting it.

For example, if the program helps fund 20% of a purchase and the home increases in value, the repayment may include the original assistance plus a share of that increase. The exact calculation can depend on the program rules and the borrower’s income level.

CalHFA provides shared appreciation examples, and applicants must complete the required Dream For All education course. Taking time to understand the future obligation can help you make an informed decision rather than focusing only on the immediate down payment benefit.

Other CalHFA Options Are Still Active

Dream For All is not the only program available to California first-time homebuyers. CalHFA’s current program information also includes:

MyHome Assistance Program: Down payment and closing cost assistance for eligible first-time buyers
CalPLUS with ZIP: A first mortgage option paired with zero-interest assistance
MyAccess: A down payment assistance option available with certain CalHFA conventional and government loan programs

Program availability, income limits, loan amounts, and eligibility rules can change. Review the latest information on the CalHFA homeownership programs page, and work with an approved lender for a personalized review.

The goal is not simply to find the program offering the largest amount of assistance. It is to understand the full monthly payment, closing costs, future repayment requirements, and how each option fits your budget.

What Mortgage Rates Mean for Your Search

As of September 3, 2026, Freddie Mac’s national averages were approximately:

30-year fixed: 6.71%
15-year fixed: 6.04%

Earlier September planning figures placed the 30-year rate near 6.67%. Rates can change daily and will vary based on credit, loan type, down payment, lender fees, property type, and other factors.

FHA and VA loans may offer rates below conventional financing in some cases. Eligible veterans with full VA entitlement may also qualify for $0 down financing, including loan amounts over $1 million, subject to lender approval, income, credit, residual-income requirements, and property value.

Loan limits are another detail to understand. For 2026, the standard one-unit conforming loan limit is $832,750. Los Angeles County is a high-cost area, with a one-unit conforming limit of $1,249,125. Conventional loans above that amount are generally considered jumbo loans.

These numbers do not determine what you can comfortably afford. They simply help explain how a lender may classify your loan. Your monthly payment, taxes, insurance, mortgage insurance, HOA dues, and reserves all matter.

Why the LA Market May Give Buyers More Room

Los Angeles remains expensive, with the median price around $1.05 million. However, the September 2026 market is giving prepared buyers more breathing room than they may have experienced in recent years.

Many homes are sitting approximately 50 to 80 days, depending on neighborhood, condition, price range, and property type. In this buyer’s market, sellers may be more open to:

Inspection or repair credits
Closing-cost assistance
A longer or more flexible escrow period
Price adjustments
Appraisal-related solutions
Negotiation after a home has been on the market for several weeks

That does not mean every seller will accept a steep discount. Well-priced homes in desirable locations can still attract strong interest. It does mean you may have more time to review a property carefully and structure an offer thoughtfully.

Bright Los Angeles home entryway with keys and a buyer folder

Practical First-Time Homebuyer Tips

1. Start with your comfortable payment

Ask a lender to show you several payment scenarios instead of focusing only on the maximum approval amount. Include taxes, insurance, HOA fees, utilities, maintenance, and possible mortgage insurance.

2. Get pre-approved before touring seriously

A pre-approval helps you understand your price range and makes your offer more credible. If you are considering CalHFA assistance, ask whether your lender is approved for the programs you are exploring.

3. Compare assistance programs carefully

Ask:

Is the assistance a grant, deferred loan, or shared appreciation loan?
When must it be repaid?
Is there a required homebuyer education course?
What income and property limits apply?
How will the assistance affect refinancing or selling later?

4. Keep cash available beyond the down payment

You may need funds for inspections, appraisal costs, earnest money, closing costs, moving expenses, repairs, and reserves. Down payment assistance does not always cover every upfront cost.

5. Use the market thoughtfully

A buyer’s market can create negotiating room, but it should not encourage you to skip due diligence. Review disclosures, complete appropriate inspections, confirm your financing timeline, and understand the consequences of contingencies before removing them.

6. Look at the whole opportunity

A home that needs some work may offer more negotiating flexibility, while a move-in-ready home may reduce near-term expenses. Consider the property, neighborhood, commute, monthly payment, and long-term plans together.

How Diana Can Help

I approach first-time homebuying as a partnership. You should have space to ask questions, compare choices, and make decisions without feeling rushed or judged.

I can help you:

Check your current CalHFA status and next steps
Connect with appropriate lending resources
Compare down payment assistance programs
Understand the difference between conventional, FHA, VA, and other financing paths
Build a realistic purchase budget
Identify homes that fit your goals and financing
Evaluate offers, inspections, disclosures, and contingencies
Negotiate thoughtfully in the current Los Angeles market

You do not need to have everything figured out before reaching out. A conversation can simply help you understand where you stand and what would make your next step manageable.

If you are a first-time Los Angeles homebuyer, you can connect with Diana Marquez, Real Estate Agent to begin with clear, personalized guidance.

Diana L. Marquez | CA DRE #01418705 | eXp Realty of Southern California, Inc. — DRE #02187306

Sources and Helpful Resources

Program rules, funding, income limits, rates, and lender requirements may change. This article is for general education and is not a loan approval, financial recommendation, or substitute for guidance from a CalHFA-approved lender.