San Diego County Buyer Help

You may need less
cash to buy than
you think.

A local real estate and lending team will identify every down payment and closing cost assistance program that may fit your situation — free of charge, no obligation.

$40K
Middle-income
SDHC deferred loan + $10K closing cost grant
19%
Of purchase price
SDHC Low-Income deferred assistance, no monthly payments
0%
VA — zero down
No down payment, no mortgage insurance for those who served
6+
Active programs
City, county, state & federal options reviewed for every buyer
San Diego skyline
San Diego County

Own your piece of
America's Finest City.

Programs exist at the city, county, and state level. We help you find every dollar you're entitled to.

Most buyers leave thousands of dollars on the table.

Assistance programs exist at the city, county, and state level — each with different rules, income limits, and funding. Most buyers never ask because they assume they won't qualify. We help you find out for sure.

1

Assistance programs are confusing.

Each program has different income limits, locations, funding rules, education requirements, and lender guidelines.

2

Online answers get outdated fast.

Funding, amounts, and eligibility change constantly. You need someone checking current details — not a website from last year.

3

Pre-approval should come before the search.

When your financing is clear, you shop with confidence and avoid falling in love with homes that don't fit your program.

Success Stories

San Diego buyers
who made it happen.

Every buyer's situation is different. Here's how assistance programs helped real people in San Diego County get into a home.

First-time homebuyers
We didn't think we could afford San Diego. David showed us programs we had no idea existed. We closed in 60 days.
Marcus & Alicia T.
National City · First-time buyers
Couple at their first home
Joanne walked us through everything — the loan, the assistance, all of it. We finally have a place to call ours.
Carlos & Sofia R.
Chula Vista · First-time buyers
Family in their new home
We were renting for years thinking we'd never qualify. The assistance covered our entire down payment.
The Petrov Family
El Cajon · Growing family
Program Examples

We help you sort through
the options — not guess.

These are examples of programs buyers often ask about in San Diego County and California. Final eligibility depends on income, location, property type, loan approval, and program funding.

City of San Diego
SDHC Low-Income Program
Up to 19%
Of purchase price as a deferred loan + up to $10,000 closing cost grant. No monthly payments. Income at or below 80% AMI.
City of San Diego
SDHC Middle-Income Program
$40,000
Deferred down payment loan + $10,000 closing cost grant. For buyers earning between 80–150% AMI. No monthly payments.
San Diego County
County DCCA Program
Up to 17%
Of purchase price for moderate-income first-time buyers. Available county-wide — Chula Vista, El Cajon, Escondido & beyond.
Statewide · CalHFA
MyHome Assistance
3–3.5%
Of purchase price as a deferred loan for down payment or closing costs. Stackable with other programs for maximum benefit.
Statewide · GSFA
Platinum Program
Up to 5.5%
Of loan amount for down payment and closing costs. Available to first-time and repeat buyers. Min. 640 credit score.
Veterans & Active Military
VA Loan
0% Down
No down payment. No mortgage insurance. One of the best loan products ever created — exclusively for those who've served.

Program details, income limits, funds, and eligibility rules may change without notice. This website does not guarantee eligibility, funding, or loan approval.

Simple Process

From form to keys
in four steps.

01
Send the quick form
Tell us your timing, income range, and buyer situation so we can start in the right direction.
02
Review likely programs
We identify which assistance options may apply based on your location, income, and financing fit.
03
Get financing clarity
Joanne handles loan options, program requirements, and documentation to get you pre-approved fast.
04
Shop strategically
David helps you search, write offers, and stay within the guidelines of your assistance program.
Local Guidance

Real people. Local strategy.
No call center.

David Celaya, Compass real estate agent
David Celaya
Compass · DRE# 01817176

San Diego native with nearly 20 years in real estate — including a VP-level role supporting agents nationwide before launching his own Compass practice. David knows this market and how to get buyers across the finish line.

Joanne Short, mortgage advisor
Joanne Short
Mortgage Advisor · Origin Point

With over 20 years of industry experience and a deep underwriting background, Joanne has a true passion for empowering buyers with knowledge and guiding clients through every step of the process from beginning to end.

Common Questions

What buyers usually
want to know first.

Do I have to be a first-time buyer?
Many programs are designed for first-time buyers, but definitions and exceptions vary. Some options may also apply if you haven't owned in several years.
Can I use assistance for closing costs too?
Some programs may help with closing costs, down payment, or both. The best answer depends on the program, loan type, and property location.
Will this hurt my credit?
Submitting this form does not run your credit. A lender will explain when a credit review is needed as part of the pre-approval process.
What if I'm not ready yet?
That's perfectly normal. The earlier you understand the rules, the easier it is to build a plan around savings, credit, documents, and timing.
What is a deferred loan?
A deferred loan means no monthly payments. The balance is typically repaid when you sell, refinance, or move out of the home.
Can VA buyers stack programs?
VA loans have unique rules around secondary financing. Joanne can walk through what combinations are allowed and how to maximize your benefit.

Start with the one question
that actually matters:
what can I qualify for?

Send the quick eligibility form and we'll help you understand which San Diego County and California assistance options may fit your situation — no pressure, no obligation.

Check my options →
Check my eligibility →