Property Search
Guides
- All Guides
- Buying a Home
- Selling a Home
- Life Transitions
- Investing
- Building and Adding Value
- Commercial Property
- Homeowner Guides
- Blog
Resources
About
Call (916) 436-3776First-Time Buyer Greater Sacramento
How Do I Buy My First Home in Sacramento in 2026?
To buy your first home in the Sacramento region in 2026, plan for a 3.5% FHA down payment on a median-priced home near $500,000, roughly $17,500, then reduce it with state CalHFA assistance plus local Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency (SHRA) programs. Sacramento's relative affordability and negotiating room make it one of the friendlier California markets for first-timers.
Greater Sacramento first-time buyer snapshot (2026)
~$500,000
Median home price, Sacramento region (2026)
~$17,500
FHA 3.5% down on the median home
$192,000
2026 CalHFA income limit (most inland counties)
30 to 45 days
Typical offer-to-close with assistance
Figures reflect 2026 market and program data and change over time; your lender confirms current limits and eligibility. Serve First Realty is a licensed California brokerage, not a lender, we help you find and buy the home.
Down payment assistance programs for Greater Sacramento buyers
Sacramento buyers have a strong combination working in their favor: the region is more affordable than the coast, gives buyers real negotiating room, and layers state CalHFA assistance with local funds from the Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency (SHRA). There's no single program, it's a stack of state and local resources.
CalHFA MyHome Assistance
A deferred silent-second of about 3.5% (FHA) or 3% (conventional) of the purchase price toward your down payment, repayable when you sell or refinance. Requires first-time status, homebuyer education, and a CalHFA-approved lender.
CalHFA ZIP (Zero Interest Program)
Pairs with CalPLUS FHA to cover closing costs at zero interest, you repay exactly what you received, when you sell or refinance.
SHRA local assistance
The Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency administers county and city down payment help; funding runs in cycles, so timing and current availability matter.
GSFA Platinum
Up to about 5% as a grant with no strict first-time requirement, a strong option for repeat buyers.
Golden Opportunities / Chenoa Fund
Grant and DPA options that pair with FHA financing; Chenoa can accept credit scores as low as 600.
CalHFA MCC (tax credit)
A Mortgage Credit Certificate worth up to about $2,000/year in federal tax savings for the life of the loan, ongoing help, not upfront cash.
Important for 2026: CalHFA's Dream For All shared-appreciation loan is closed, the 2026 application window ended March 16, 2026, with no new round announced. Focus on MyHome, ZIP, SHRA local funds, and GSFA, which are available now.
One family. Two ways we help.
The loan and the home, handled together
Buying your first home usually means two jobs at once: getting the financing right and finding the home. Serve First Realty handles the real estate side, and our affiliated company Ashlar Lending Inc. (NMLS #2699657) is a mortgage brokerage that can help you get pre-approved, compare loan options, and structure down payment assistance so your programs actually stack. It’s one coordinated team from pre-approval to keys, the financing and the search moving together. (Serve First Realty is a real estate brokerage, not a lender; loan terms and eligibility are determined by the lender.)
Your first-time buyer path in Greater Sacramento
Get pre-approved with a CalHFA-approved lender
Assistance programs require specific lenders and an 8-hour homebuyer education course. Start here before house hunting.
Map your target ZIP codes
Sacramento County is varied: align neighborhoods with your commute and price point, from the city core to Elk Grove, Rocklin, and Folsom.
Stack state and local assistance
CalHFA MyHome + ZIP plus SHRA local funds can dramatically cut your upfront cash. We help you sequence them.
Negotiate, you have room
Sacramento gives buyers more negotiating leverage than coastal markets. Push for seller credits toward closing costs where the comps support it.
Free calculator
Home Affordability Calculator
Estimate your price range, including down-payment assistance.
See what you can affordFrequently asked questions
How much do I need to buy a first home in Sacramento?
On a ~$500,000 home, FHA requires about $17,500 (3.5%) down, plus 2% to 3% closing costs. CalHFA MyHome and ZIP plus SHRA local funds can cover a large share of that for eligible buyers.
What is the CalHFA income limit for Sacramento in 2026?
For most inland counties including the Sacramento region, the 2026 CalHFA qualifying-income cap is about $192,000. It applies to the qualifying income on the loan, not total household income. Verify current figures at calhfa.ca.gov.
Is Sacramento a good market for first-time buyers?
Relatively, yes. It's more affordable than coastal California, offers real negotiating room, and has both state and local (SHRA) assistance, a friendlier combination than most of the state.
What local down payment help is available?
The Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency (SHRA) administers local down payment assistance for the city and county. Funding cycles, so confirm current availability with SHRA or your lender.
Can I combine programs?
Yes, stacking is the most powerful strategy. CalHFA MyHome (down payment) plus ZIP (closing costs), layered with SHRA or GSFA, can cover most of your entry costs. Your lender structures it.
Buying your first home in Greater Sacramento? Let's talk.
Serve First Realty Inc. is a licensed California real estate brokerage based in the Roseville area, serving first-time buyers across the Greater Sacramento region.
California DRE# 02133513
First-time buyer guides for nearby areas
Or start with the statewide overview: California First-Time Buyer Guide.
Greater Sacramento local resources
Offices, fees, and programs that matter for this situation in Sacramento, Yolo, Sutter, and Yuba counties.
Down payment help
- City of Elk Grove Homebuyer Assistance Program: up to $59,650 or 20% of the price, whichever is less, as a deferred loan at 3% simple interest; buyers put in at least 1%. First come, first served. Program page.
- CalHFA MyHome Assistance (statewide): a deferred second loan of up to 3.5% of the price with an FHA loan, or 3% with a conventional loan. MyHome.
- CalHFA Dream For All (statewide): up to 20% of the price, capped at $150,000, awarded by lottery. The 2026 application window (February 24 to March 16) is closed. Dream For All.
Free HUD-approved housing counselors
- NeighborWorks HomeOwnership Center Sacramento Region: 2411 Alhambra Blvd, Suite 200, Sacramento, 916-452-5356. Website.
- Greater Sacramento Urban League: 3725 Marysville Blvd, Sacramento, 916-286-8652. Website.
Checked October 2026. Offices, fees, and programs change, so confirm with the agency before you rely on them.
More guides for this area: all Greater Sacramento real estate guides.