Deferred second loan
City of Merced First-Time Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance
First-time homebuyers · New construction · Income limits · Single-family (1-4 unit), FHA-approved condominium, townhome/PUD
Down payment assistance · Merced County
Buying a home in Merced, CA
1 Merced program, 1 county program and 54 statewide.Merced has 1 program of its own, 1 more across Merced County, and 54 statewide. Here is what each one offers, what the local market looks like, and who near you can walk you through it.
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Only for Merced addresses
Merced’s own program
Anywhere in MercedAnywhere in Merced County
1 county program1 county program a Merced homebuyer can also use
The Merced marketThe Merced housing market
Kinds of homes hereWhat’s for sale here, and what the programs accept
Kinds of homes in Merced
- 65.9% single-familysingle-family
- 1.7% townhousetownhouse
- 11.9% 2–4 units2–4 units
- 18.1% 5+ unitscondo & apartment buildings (5+ units)
- 2.4% mobile & othermobile home & other
Condos count. All 2 of Merced’s local and county programs accept condos.
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 5-year (2020–2024). Table B25024.
When Merced’s homes were built
pre-19401970s2020+
42.6%
of Merced homes were built before 1980. Pre-1978 homes come with a federal lead-paint disclosure.of homes were built before 1980. A home built before 1978 comes with a federal lead-paint disclosure, and some programs require an inspection.
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 5-year (2020–2024). Table B25034.
$75,800
County area median income, 4 people (HUD)HUD area median income, Merced County, 4-person household (2026)
$63,122
Merced median household incomeMedian household income in Merced (Census, 2024)
52 of the 118 programs here set their income limit as a share of Merced County’s area median income, adjusted for household size. See the published limits for Merced County
Free help nearbyFree help near Merced
Free help from a HUD-approved housing counselorFree help from a HUD-approved housing counselor
2 programs here ask for a homebuyer class first. Create a free account to see who’s near you and pick one.All 2 local programs here ask for a homebuyer class. A HUD-approved counselor teaches it and can walk you through your options. Create a free account to see who’s near you and pick one.
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Across California and nationwide
116 statewide & federal programs54 statewide programs, plus federal options
Merced questions
Does Merced have its own down payment program?
Yes, one: City of Merced First-Time Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance, a deferred second loan for first-time homebuyers (new construction, income limits). It is for homes inside Merced.
Can I use assistance on a condo in Merced?
All 2 of Merced’s local and county programs accept condos. Each program’s page lists the kinds of homes it accepts, and the agency confirms it for the home you choose.
What is the income limit in Merced County?
Each program sets its own. 52 of the programs here set theirs as a share of HUD’s area median income for Merced County, adjusted for household size. HUD publishes the median each year; the 2026 figure is shown above and on the published limits page.
Where can I take a homebuyer class near Merced?
HUD-approved housing counseling agencies teach homebuyer classes. Create a free account and take the 90-second match to see the ones near you.
ZIP codes
95340 · 95341 · 95343 · 95344 · 95348
Nearby in Merced
Sources
Sources: agency sites (June–August 2026), Census ACS 2024 5-year, HUD FY2026, HUD counseling list. Hey Prescott is not a lender.Programs: Hey Prescott catalog of 2,000+ programs, each verified with its agency (June–August 2026). Market: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 5-year (2020–2024). Income: HUD FY2026 income limits. Counselors: HUD list of approved housing counseling agencies. Hey Prescott is not a lender.