Financial Assistance for Homebuyers in California
Orange County Housing and Development’s Mortgage Assistance Program (MAP) provides silent, deferred payment, down payment assistance loans to assist low-income first-time homebuyers (FTHB).
Available Assistance
The Mortgage Assistance Program gives eligible applicants assistance funds in the form of second mortgage. The 3% simple interest, deferred payment loan has a 30-year term and a maximum loan amount of $80,000. This amount can be put toward the down payment.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for the Mortgage Assistance Program, applicants must be first-time homebuyers who have not owned a home in the previous three years. Their annual income must not exceed 80% of the area median income (AMI) and the total sales prices cannot exceed 85% of the Orange County median sales price for all homes. Borrowers are also required to occupy the purchased property as their primary residence and contribute a 1% minimum down payment from their own funds.
*Seller-funded down payment programs were eliminated in the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008, but states and local government agencies are still permitted to help borrowers finance their homes with second mortgages and grants. These agencies set different requirements that a borrower needs to meet in order to qualify for the grant programs, such as property location, and purchase price, and income limits.
Note: All figures mentioned above were accurate at the time of publication and may no longer be current. Visit the program website for updated information. 
Down payment assistance programs and/or grants were researched by the team at FHA.com. Please note that all programs listed on this website may involve a second mortgage with payments that are forgiven, deferred, or subsidized in some manner until resale of the mortgaged property.
FHA.com’s compilation is not a complete list, but it can serve as a starting point in your search for the down payment assistance program or grant for your situation. It is up to the consumer to contact these entities and find out the specifics of each program.
Financial Assistance for Homebuyers in California
Orange County Housing and Development’s Mortgage Assistance Program (MAP) provides silent, deferred payment, down payment assistance loans to assist low-income first-time homebuyers (FTHB).
Available Assistance
The Mortgage Assistance Program gives eligible applicants assistance funds in the form of second mortgage. The 3% simple interest, deferred payment loan has a 30-year term and a maximum loan amount of $80,000. This amount can be put toward the down payment.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for the Mortgage Assistance Program, applicants must be first-time homebuyers who have not owned a home in the previous three years. Their annual income must not exceed 80% of the area median income (AMI) and the total sales prices cannot exceed 85% of the Orange County median sales price for all homes. Borrowers are also required to occupy the purchased property as their primary residence and contribute a 1% minimum down payment from their own funds.
*Seller-funded down payment programs were eliminated in the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008, but states and local government agencies are still permitted to help borrowers finance their homes with second mortgages and grants. These agencies set different requirements that a borrower needs to meet in order to qualify for the grant programs, such as property location, and purchase price, and income limits.
Note: All figures mentioned above were accurate at the time of publication and may no longer be current. Visit the program website for updated information.
Down payment assistance programs and/or grants were researched by the team at Down-Payment-Help.com. Please note that all programs listed on this website may involve a second mortgage with payments that are forgiven, deferred, or subsidized in some manner until resale of the mortgaged property.
Down-Payment-Help.com’s compilation is not a complete list, but it can serve as a starting point in your search for the down payment assistance program or grant for your situation. It is up to the consumer to contact these entities and find out the specifics of each program.