CalHFA Zero Interest Program (ZIP)
California Housing Finance Agency offers CalHFA Zero Interest Program (ZIP) to home buyers in California: up to 3% of the home loan, as a deferred loan.
- Amount
- Up to 3% of the home loan
- Kind of help
- Deferred loan
- First-time buyers only
- No
- Homebuyer course
- Required
How is CalHFA Zero Interest Program (ZIP) paid back?
Deferred loan: 0% loan with no payments until you sell, refinance or pay it off.
A deferred loan costs nothing each month, but the whole amount is due when you sell, refinance or pay off the first mortgage.
Who qualifies for CalHFA Zero Interest Program (ZIP)?
- Varies by county, up to $325,000.
- You don't have to be a first-time buyer.
- A homebuyer education course before you buy.
- It comes with a CalHFA CalPLUS FHA or CalPLUS Conventional first mortgage.
The exact income limit for your county and household size is on the agency's income chart. Our HUD income limits lookup shows your area's median income.
How to apply for CalHFA Zero Interest Program (ZIP)
- California Housing Finance Agency pays this help out through its approved lenders, so you apply with one of them, together with your home loan.
- The lender checks your income, credit and the home against the program's rules and reserves the money for you.
- The help is paid at closing, toward your down payment and closing costs.
Read the full rules and whether it is taking applications on California Housing Finance Agency's page for CalHFA Zero Interest Program (ZIP), or pick a lender from the agency's list of participating lenders.
Ask a lender about CalHFA Zero Interest Program (ZIP)
Tell us where you're buying and a lender that works with California's programs can tell you whether CalHFA Zero Interest Program (ZIP) fits you, and what you could combine with it.
Rather not call? Send your details and the lender will reach you.
Other first-time buyer programs in California
- CalHFA MyHome Assistance Program: up to 3.5% of the price or value, deferred loan.
- California Dream For All Shared Appreciation Loan: up to 20% of the price, at most $150,000, deferred loan.
- CalHFA MyAccess: up to 2.5% of the home loan, deferred loan.
All California first-time home buyer programs · Down payment assistance in every state