FHA Loan
FederalLoan limit up to $1,104,000 in San Diego County. Low down payment, 580+ credit.
Explore this option → Southern California · Since 1999
First-Time Home Buyer Programs in San Diego County
Adriel Esparza has been closing San Diego County buyers since 1999. Here are the programs available in San Diego right now — and how to stack them for maximum buying power.
Explore My San Diego Options → Educational only · Not a preapproval · No credit pull to start · Reviewed by our first-time homebuyer specialists
- Equal Housing Lender
- NMLS #237241
- 4.9★ · 240+ closed
San Diego County Programs
San Diego County programs a first-time buyer can explore
These are the federal, state, county, and city programs available right now in San Diego County. Most buyers have more than one possible path — Adriel and our specialist team help you understand which combination is worth a closer look.
Educational only — program options may vary based on income, credit, occupancy, property, county availability, and lender guidelines.
CalHFA FHA + MyHome
CaliforniaState-funded down payment assistance layered onto an FHA first.
Explore this option →CalHFA Conventional
CaliforniaPMI that cancels, no upfront mortgage insurance.
Explore this option →CalPLUS + ZIP
CaliforniaState program covering both down payment and closing costs.
Explore this option →HomeReady
Fannie MaeLow down payment conventional with reduced PMI.
Explore this option →Conventional
ConventionalStandard 30-year fixed for stronger credit profiles.
Explore this option →VA Loan
FederalZero down, no PMI ever. Veterans and active-duty only — huge in San Diego.
Explore this option →SDHC Low-Income Program
SDHCSan Diego Housing Commission — up to 19% of purchase price plus $10,000 in closing-cost assistance.
Explore this option →SDHC Middle-Income Program
SDHCSDHC assistance designed for households above the low-income threshold but still locked out of market-rate buying.
Explore this option →SD County Low-Income DCCA
SD CountyCounty of San Diego Down payment & Closing Cost Assistance for unincorporated and participating cities.
Explore this option →SD County Moderate DCCA
SD CountyModerate-income tier of the County DCCA program.
Explore this option →GSFA Platinum Grant
DPAGrant-based assistance — no repayment required.
Explore this option →What Adriel knows about San Diego County
San Diego has one of the strongest local DPA frameworks in the entire state. The SDHC Low-Income Program can cover up to 19% of the purchase price plus $10,000 toward closing — that's the kind of assistance that turns a renting household into a homeowning household in a single 30-day escrow. Add the County of San Diego DCCA tiers for buyers outside the City of San Diego, and a massive military and veteran population that makes VA the right answer more often here than anywhere else in California, and the playbook for SD looks very different than OC or LA. Adriel has been closing San Diego buyers from Chula Vista to Oceanside since 1999.
Programs shown are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent a rate quote, commitment to lend, or guarantee of eligibility. Down payment requirements, loan limits, and program availability vary by credit profile, income, county, and current program guidelines. All loans subject to credit approval, property appraisal, and program availability. Adriel Esparza, NMLS #237241, Lower Mortgage, Equal Housing Lender.
Explore which San Diego County programs may fit your situation
A short Program Fit Check helps surface the options worth exploring. Educational only — not a preapproval. A first-time homebuyer specialist reviews your Program Fit Check and follows up within 24 hours with a clear next step.
Start My Program Fit Check