Orange County, CA First-Time Home Buyer Programs and Down Payment Help
Orange County buyers can apply to 2 local down payment programs, with help up to $120,000 through Mortgage Assistance Program (MAP), on top of California's statewide programs. Figures below were read from the administering agencies' own pages on September 11, 2026.
Local programs in Orange County
These are run by Orange County (unincorporated areas + Brea, Cypress, Dana Point, La Palma, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna Woods, Los Alamitos, Placentia, San Juan Capistrano, Seal Beach, Stanton, Villa Park, Yorba Linda), City of Garden Grove, separate from the state housing finance agency, and can usually be combined with a state loan. Check the program page for current funding before you apply.
| Program | Type | Amount | Income limit | First-time only | Where |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mortgage Assistance Program (MAP) Orange County (unincorporated areas + Brea, Cypress, Dana Point, La Palma, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna Woods, Los Alamitos, Placentia, San Juan Capistrano, Seal Beach, Stanton, Villa Park, Yorba Linda) (OC Housing & Community Development (OCHCD/OC Community Resources)) · source | silent (deferred-payment) second mortgage | Up to $120,000 for low-income households (80% AMI); up to $80,000 for moderate-income households (120% AMI) | 80% AMI (low-income tier) or 120% AMI (moderate-income tier); | Yes | Unincorporated Orange County or one of 14 participating cities (see program list); |
| First-Time Home Buyer Program Confirm with agency City of Garden Grove (City of Garden Grove Neighborhood Improvement Division) · source | not independently verified this pass | See program page | See program page | Yes | Inside Garden Grove city limits |
- Mortgage Assistance Program (MAP). 3% simple interest, 30-year deferred loan. 1% minimum down payment. Total sales price cannot exceed 85% of the Orange County median sales price for all homes. Requires homebuyer education workshop and housing counseling session.
- First-Time Home Buyer Program.
Income limits in Orange County
Down payment programs here are keyed to HUD's income limits for Anaheim-Santa Ana-Irvine, CA HUD Metro FMR Area (Orange County) (fiscal year 2026): the 80% limit that most programs use is $148,850 for a four-person household. Limits scale with household size; each program page has the full table. HUD income limits
California statewide programs you can also use in Orange County
California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA) (homebuyer programs page) runs 3 statewide programs open to buyers anywhere in California, with down payment help up to 3.5% of the loan (about $29,890 on a median-priced home) through MyHome Assistance Program. Most local programs above can be combined with a state first mortgage; check each program's pairing rule.
| Program | Type | Amount | First-time only | Min. credit | Income limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MyHome Assistance Program source | Deferred second loan | Up to the lesser of 3.5% of the purchase price or appraised value (with a CalHFA FHA/Government first mortgage) or 3% (with a CalHFA Conventional first mortgage), for down payment and/or closing costs | Yes | n/a | Must meet CalHFA income limits for the program and county of purchase; |
| CalHFA Zero Interest Program (ZIP) source | Deferred second loan | 2.00% or 3.00% of the CalPLUS first mortgage loan amount, for closing costs only | Yes | n/a | Must meet CalHFA income limits for the CalPLUS FHA or CalPLUS Conventional program |
| California Dream For All Shared Appreciation Loan Program source | Program | Up to 20% of the home purchase price for down payment or closing costs, not to exceed $150,000 | Yes | n/a | Combined household income must meet CalHFA Income Limits for the county of purchase; |
Orange County closing costs that differ from the rest of California
Transfer tax: Countywide documentary transfer tax: $0.55 per $500 (approximately $1.10 per $1,000) of property value, per the Orange County Clerk-Recorder's own FAQ. No additional city-level transfer tax was confirmed for Anaheim or other OC cities in this pass. Source
Recording the deed costs $75 and the mortgage $75. Fee schedule
Owner's title policy: seller (customary in Southern California)
The $75 figure is the SB2/Building Homes and Jobs Act fee (capped at $225 per transaction per parcel) referenced in secondary summaries of the Clerk-Recorder's fee schedule, not a full base recording fee read directly off the official schedule;
See California closing costs, title insurance and who pays →
Frequently asked questions
What down payment assistance is available in Orange County, CA?
Mortgage Assistance Program (MAP) (Orange County (unincorporated areas + Brea, Cypress, Dana Point, La Palma, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna Woods, Los Alamitos, Placentia, San Juan Capistrano, Seal Beach, Stanton, Villa Park, Yorba Linda), up to $120,000); First-Time Home Buyer Program (City of Garden Grove). California statewide programs can be used here too.
What is the income limit for first-time buyer programs in Orange County?
Most programs cap income at 80% of HUD's area median, which is $148,850 for a four-person household in Anaheim-Santa Ana-Irvine, CA HUD Metro FMR Area (Orange County) (FY2026). Some programs allow up to 120% or 150% of median; each program page lists its own table by household size.
Is there a transfer tax in Orange County?
Countywide documentary transfer tax: $0.55 per $500 (approximately $1.10 per $1,000) of property value, per the Orange County Clerk-Recorder's own FAQ. No additional city-level transfer tax was confirmed for Anaheim or other OC cities in this pass.
What is the median home price in Orange County?
About $962,600, per U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts - Orange County, California: Median value of owner-occupied housing units, 2020-2024 (ACS 5-Year Estimate). Down payment help of up to $120,000 covers roughly 12% of that price.
Official sources
- Orange County (unincorporated areas + Brea, Cypress, Dana Point, La Palma, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna Woods, Los Alamitos, Placentia, San Juan Capistrano, Seal Beach, Stanton, Villa Park, Yorba Linda): Mortgage Assistance Program (MAP)
- City of Garden Grove: First-Time Home Buyer Program
- Orange County transfer tax
- U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts - Orange County, California: Median value of owner-occupied housing units, 2020-2024 (ACS 5-Year Estimate)
- Orange County Assessor Department - Press Releases
Orange County figures last verified against official sources on September 11, 2026.
Other California counties
This is general information, not financial advice. Program funding, limits and terms change; confirm the current rules with the administering agency and your lender before you rely on them.
See down payment help in all covered counties