DPA Cheat Sheet · Sacramento Metro
Sacramento DPA Stack
Cheat Sheet
Every program. Stacking rules. Real-world cash-to-close math.
By Ken Clark Jr., Certified Mortgage Advisor and Branch Manager
PRMG Mortgage | NMLS #225375 | kenclarkjr.com | (916) 275-3469
The 6 Sacramento programs that matter
1. CalHFA First Mortgage
State-wideFTBFHA or Conventional
- Loan type: CalHFA FHA or CalHFA Conventional first mortgage
- Credit (CalHFA program rule): 640+ for CalHFA FHA; 680+ for CalHFA Conventional
- Income limit: approximately 80 percent of area median income (program rule)
- How it pairs: CalHFA first mortgage is most commonly paired with an SHRA 2nd (CalHome or PLHA) in Sacramento for down payment and closing-cost assistance. The 2nd-mortgage DPA portion is its own program with its own qualification criteria.
- Best for: first-time Sacramento buyers planning to layer SHRA assistance
2. GSFA Platinum
State-wideGrant optionNo FTB req
- Amount: 3-5% of loan amount
- Income limit: up to ~$202K depending on county
- Credit: 640+
- Structure: grant or repayable 2nd
- Best for: higher-income or non-first-time buyers, dual-income households
3. NHF (National Homebuyers Fund) DPA Advantage
Multi-stateFHA onlyDPA up to 5%
- Program type: Down payment assistance for FHA loans only (does not pair with conventional, VA, or USDA first mortgages)
- Amount: typically up to 5 percent of loan amount
- Geographic reach: works for FHA buyers in both Sacramento AND New Jersey, plus many other states
- Income limit: often up to 140 percent AMI; varies by program option
- Structure: forgivable or repayable second; funds for down payment, closing costs, or both
- Best for: Sacramento or New Jersey FHA buyers above CalHFA or NJHMFA income limits, or when state programs do not fit
- Note: PRMG is approved for NHF; subject to current program guidelines and funding availability
4. SHRA (PLHA, CalHome, MCC)
Sacramento CountyThree programsCity & County
- PLHA: Permanent Local Housing Allocation down payment and mortgage assistance, low-income buyers, City and County of Sacramento
- CalHome: down payment and mortgage assistance for homes in eligible areas of the City and County of Sacramento; use SHRA map to confirm eligibility
- MCC: Mortgage Credit Certificate federal income tax credit program (currently suspended due to funding depletion per SHRA)
- PRMG status: approved SHRA lender
- Best for: first-time buyers in the City or County of Sacramento meeting income guidelines
5. Chenoa Fund
Multi-stateFHA-paired
- Amount: 3.5% or 5% of loan amount
- Income limit: higher than CalHFA
- Structure: forgivable OR repayable second (your choice)
- Best for: Sacramento FHA buyers above CalHFA income limits
6. Placer County DPA
Placer CountyFor Roseville, Lincoln, etc.
- Programs: first-time homebuyer deferred mortgage
- Income limit: Placer County adjusted
- Best for: Roseville, Lincoln, Rocklin, Auburn first-time buyers
Stacking rules
DPA stacking is more limited than most marketing suggests. In Sacramento, the only verified working stack is CalHFA first mortgage + SHRA 2nd (CalHome or PLHA). Other DPA programs are typically stand-alone and cannot be combined with each other.
| Combo | Stackable? | Notes |
|---|
| CalHFA 1st Mortgage + SHRA 2nd (CalHome) | Yes | Standard Sacramento City and County stack for income-eligible buyers; SHRA-approved lender required |
| CalHFA 1st Mortgage + SHRA 2nd (PLHA) | Yes | Alternative SHRA pairing for income-eligible buyers in eligible Sacramento areas |
| CalHFA + GSFA Platinum | No | Pick one program; these do not combine |
| CalHFA + NHF | No | Pick one program; these do not combine |
| CalHFA + Chenoa | No | Pick one program; these do not combine |
| GSFA + Chenoa | No | Standalone programs; do not combine |
| Any DPA + Seller Credits | Yes | Seller credits layer with most DPA structures within program limits |
Real Sacramento math: $475K home, FHA buyer
- Purchase price: $475,000
- FHA down payment (3.5%): $16,625
- CalHFA FHA first mortgage paired with SHRA CalHome 2nd: SHRA assistance covers a portion of down payment and closing costs (amount depends on SHRA program guidelines)
- Seller credit (3% negotiated): $14,250 toward closing costs
- Total estimated closing costs + prepaids: $12,000-$14,000
- Estimated cash to close: $4,000-$7,000 plus reserves
Exact numbers depend on credit, income, and current program funding availability.
Quick check: Use the DPA Finder at kenclarkjr.com/dpa-finder to see every program you may qualify for based on your county and household profile. No credit pull required to browse.
Want me to model your real stack?
20 minutes on the phone, we will pull a soft credit check and tell you exactly which DPA programs fit and what your real cash-to-close range looks like.
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