Dream For All
Buy sooner with shared appreciation financing.
What Is the Dream For All Program?
The CalHFA Dream For All program provides eligible first-time buyers with down payment assistance in exchange for a share of future home appreciation. Instead of paying interest on this assistance, repayment occurs when the home is sold, refinanced, or transferred.
This program is intended to expand access to homeownership for buyers who can afford monthly payments but struggle to save a large down payment in today’s market.
Who the Dream For All Program Is Best For
The CalHFA Dream For All program is designed to help qualified first-time buyers overcome the biggest barrier to homeownership: the upfront cost. If you’re exploring whether this program makes sense for your situation, the criteria below can help you quickly see if you’re a good fit. Below are the four key factors lenders look at when determining eligibility.
Are a first-time homebuyer
This program is specifically designed for buyers who haven’t owned a home before and want a path to homeownership without a large upfront down payment.
Have stable income but limited monthly savings
If you can comfortably afford a monthly mortgage payment but haven’t been able to save a full down payment, Dream For All can help bridge that gap using shared appreciation assistance.
Can comfortably afford monthly mortgage payments
While the program helps with upfront costs, borrowers still need to qualify based on income, credit, and debt-to-income guidelines to ensure long-term affordability.
Plan to stay in the home long enough for appreciation to matter
Because the assistance is repaid through shared appreciation, this loan works best for buyers who plan to stay in the home long enough for market appreciation to outweigh the tradeoff.
What You Need To Qualify
Income Limits: Household income must fall within CalHFA’s program limits, which are based on county and household size.
First Time Home Buyer Status: You must be a first-time buyer, generally meaning you haven’t owned a home in the past three years.
Credit Profile: A qualifying credit score and acceptable credit history are required to demonstrate your ability to repay the loan.
Homebuyer Education: At least one borrower must complete an approved homebuyer education course before closing.
Occupancy Requirements: The home must be your primary residence and cannot be used as a rental or investment property.
We’re here to help
The JJ Mack Team at American Pacific Mortgage specializes in Roseville Mortgages and helping California homebuyers navigate the CalHFA Dream For All loan process with confidence. With offices in Roseville, Sacramento, and Loomis, we combine local expertise with personal service to guide first-time buyers every step of the way. We’re committed to fast, smooth closings, ensuring your CalHFA application is complete and stress-free. If you’re considering a CalHFA loan, contact us or fill out the form below to explore how we can help you unlock the door to homeownership in California.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the CalHFA Dream For All program?
Dream For All is a CalHFA shared appreciation loan that provides down payment and closing cost assistance to eligible first-time, first-generation homebuyers in California. It can provide up to 20% of the home’s purchase price, capped at $150,000, with no monthly payments while you live in the home.
Q: Is Dream For All a grant I never have to repay?
No — this is an important distinction. Dream For All is a shared appreciation loan, not a grant. You make no monthly payments, but when you sell, refinance, or transfer the home, you repay the original assistance plus a share of the home’s appreciation. It’s still a powerful benefit, but it’s repaid, not free.
Q: Who qualifies for Dream For All?
Eligibility is stricter than standard CalHFA programs. At least one borrower must be a first-generation homebuyer, at least one must be a current California resident, all borrowers must be first-time homebuyers, and your household income must fall within CalHFA’s limits for your county. A CalHFA-approved lender can confirm whether you meet all of these.
Q: How do I apply, and is Dream For All open right now?
Dream For All is not always open — it runs in funding rounds with specific application windows, and demand typically exceeds available funding. Applications are submitted through a pre-registration portal during the open window, and because demand is high, CalHFA uses a randomized selection process rather than first-come, first-served. The best way to be ready is to get pre-approved with a CalHFA-approved lender before the next window opens, since you need a lender pre-approval letter to apply.
Q: What happens if I’m selected?
If you’re selected in the randomized process, you typically have 90 days to find a home, execute a purchase contract, and have your CalHFA-approved lender reserve the loan. This is why working with an experienced lender who can move quickly matters — the window to use your selection is limited.
Q: Can I use Dream For All to buy a home in Roseville, Rocklin, or Loomis?
Yes. Dream For All is available statewide, including throughout Roseville, Rocklin, Loomis, and Placer County, as long as you meet the eligibility requirements and the income limits for the county. The JJ Mack Team is a CalHFA-approved lender and can help you prepare to apply when the next funding round opens.
