Dream For All vs. GSFA Platinum vs. MyHome: Which California Program Fits?
California has three very different down payment programs. One shares your appreciation, one is a grant with no first-time rule, one is a small deferred second that layers. Here is how to tell which fits your situation.
The three programs side by side
| Question | Dream For All | GSFA Platinum | CalHFA MyHome |
|---|---|---|---|
| How much? | Up to 20% of price (max $150,000) | Up to 5% conv / 5.5% gov | 3% conv/VA/USDA, 3.5% FHA |
| Structure | Shared-appreciation second | Grant or second (your choice) | Deferred simple-interest second |
| First-time buyer? | Required | Not required | Required |
| First-generation? | At least one buyer required | No | No |
| Do you repay it? | Original + a share of the gain | Grant option: no | At sale/refi/payoff |
| Always open? | Limited funding rounds | Ongoing | Ongoing |
If you have owned before
Start with GSFA Platinum. It is the only one of the three with no first-time-buyer requirement, so if you owned a home in the last three years, sold it, or already own elsewhere and are relocating, Platinum is your statewide path. Up to 5.5% as a grant is a strong result for a repeat buyer, and there is nothing to pay back on the grant option.
If you are a first-generation, first-time buyer
Dream For All is worth a serious look, when a funding round is open. It puts far more money down than anything else in the state, up to 20% of the price, which in high-cost California can be the whole barrier. The trade is that you share part of the home’s appreciation. If a round is closed, layer MyHome (a first-time program) with a local city or county grant instead, and we build that stack. Read the honest Dream For All math on our Dream For All page.
If you just need a few percent
MyHome is the quiet workhorse. If you are a first-time buyer who has some savings and needs help crossing the last few percent, MyHome’s deferred second does it cleanly, no monthly payment, and it layers with other assistance. Pair it with a local program and you can cover a large share of the cash to close. We will tell you honestly which of the three leaves you in the best spot. Start with the quiz above.
Common questions
Which California down payment program is best?
It depends on your situation. Dream For All puts the most money down (up to 20%) but is for first-time, first-generation buyers and shares your appreciation. GSFA Platinum has no first-time rule and can be a grant. MyHome is a small deferred second for first-time buyers that layers with local programs.
Can I use Dream For All if I owned a home before?
No. Dream For All requires all buyers to be first-time buyers, and at least one to be a first-generation homebuyer. If you have owned in the last three years, use GSFA Platinum, which has no first-time-buyer requirement, instead.
Can I combine California down payment programs?
Sometimes. CalHFA MyHome can layer with non-CalHFA assistance like a local city or county grant, as long as it stays in second position. But MyHome cannot combine with a Dream For All first mortgage, and GSFA Platinum is a separate path. We map the single best stack for your county.
Find your California program
Tell us your county, credit range, and price target, and we’ll map your California path in a no-pressure 20-minute call. No obligation.