Civil servants like police officers, firefighters, and teachers often struggle to become homeowners as housing prices in the Bay Area have skyrocketed over the past several years. They can struggle with both having enough income to afford a home along with finding the money for a down payment. Many programs are arising to address this concern and this article will focus on options for teachers to buy a home.

CALHFA

This program allows for a first mortgage that is insured by the Federal Housing Administration. It provides a fixed interest rate over 30 years for a home with a sales price of up to $660,000. The following are the eligibility requirements:

  • Occupy the property as a primary residence; non-occupant co-borrowers are not allowed.
  • Complete homebuyer education counseling and obtain a certificate of completion through an eligible homebuyer counseling organization.
  • Meet the income limits
  • Be a single-family, one-unit residence, including approved condominium/PUDs

Extra Credit Teacher Home Purchase Program -ECTP

This program allows teachers to get a junior loan for down payment assistance. This is for first time homebuyers and allows for them to get a junior loan to help with closing costs or down payment from $7,500 to $15,000. There are various income and area eligibility requirements. An important to note prerequisite is that it must be attached to a CALHFA mortgage.

Landed

A new company, Landed, has started offering 50% down payment assistance to educators throughout much of the Bay Area. This organization provides up to 50% of the down payment in exchange for a 25% interest in the property. Thus, when you sell or refinance your home, you would have to repay the loan and 25% of any appreciation.

Whether you are an educator buying a home in Danville or a house in San Ramon, these communities may still be within reach if you use some of these creative finance tools. If you’d like to schedule a time to discuss these, feel free to contact me, your Mortgage Genie, who makes each family’s home dream come true one wish at a time.