Can you get down payment help buying a home in Marin or Sonoma in 2026? Yes, if you qualify. California's CalHFA programs are the main route, and they are repayable loans, not grants, that can cover a meaningful share of a first home's price. The best known, California Dream For All, can cover up to 20 percent of the purchase price or $150,000, whichever is less, for a down payment and closing costs. For many buyers that is the difference between renting another year and owning a first home in Novato or Petaluma.
The big one: California Dream For All
Dream For All is CalHFA's shared appreciation loan. It covers up to 20 percent of the price or $150,000, whichever is less, with no monthly payments while you own the home. When you sell or refinance, CalHFA shares in a portion of the home's appreciation, so the state is repaid out of the home's gain rather than your monthly budget. In 2026 CalHFA expected to make roughly $150 to $200 million available, and funds were awarded by random selection during an application window that ran from February 24 to March 16, 2026.
Eligibility is the catch. Every borrower must be a first-time homebuyer, and at least one borrower must be a first-generation buyer, meaning their parents never owned a home in the United States, or the borrower was in foster care. You also have to be a current California resident and meet your county's CalHFA income limit, and you apply through a CalHFA-approved lender, not directly.
MyHome and ZIP: smaller help that stacks
If you do not fit Dream For All's first-generation rule, CalHFA has other programs. MyHome is a deferred junior loan of up to 3 to 3.5 percent of the purchase price for a down payment or closing costs, open to any first-time buyer who has not owned a home in the prior three years. ZIP, the Zero Interest Program, is a 0 percent interest second loan of 2 to 3 percent typically used to cover closing costs alongside a CalPLUS first mortgage.
These programs can be stacked, so a buyer might combine a CalHFA first mortgage with MyHome and ZIP. CalPLUS is the below-market-rate first mortgage designed to pair with that assistance. Because each program has its own income limits and property requirements, it is worth sitting down with a lender who runs CalHFA loans before you rule anything out.
What every CalHFA loan has in common
- They are repayable loans, not grants. Most are deferred, so there is no monthly payment, but they are repaid when you sell, refinance, or pay off the first mortgage.
- You must complete a CalHFA homebuyer education course before closing.
- You must meet your county's income limits and generally hold a credit score around 660 or higher.
- The home must be your primary residence, and owner-occupancy rules apply.
Marin and Sonoma each have their own income limits, which change every year, so the number that applies to you depends on your household size and the county where the home sits. I cannot quote your exact limit here, but I can point you to a local lender who runs these programs and knows the current figures for Novato and Petaluma.
Down payment help is one of the best-kept secrets for North Bay first-time buyers, and it is worth checking even if you assume you earn too much. I have helped buyers across Novato and Petaluma get from 'can I afford it?' to closing day. Tell me what you are looking for, and I will connect you with the right lender and walk you through the buying process from your first offer to your keys. Love where you live, and make that first home happen.
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Written by
Peter Schardt
21 years in real estate, 100+ homes sold, and a lifetime in the North Bay. Sales Associate · 01702383 · California.
