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City of Merced First-Time Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance

City of Merced First-Time Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance is a deferred second loan for homebuyers in Merced, California.

Last verified

The program asks for

  • First-time homebuyer — the program sets its own definition
  • The home is occupied as a primary residence
  • On credit: Minimum 620 FICO score required for all borrowers
  • A completed homebuyer education course
  • Residency: Must occupy as primary residence
  • Citizenship or immigration status: U.S. citizen, permanent resident alien, or other eligible non-citizen
  • A home inside Merced city limits

It doesn’t cover

  • Manufactured homes
  • Purchases above the $400,000 price cap
  • Households above 80% of area median income
  • Homes outside Merced

These are the program's own published rules, not a decision about any individual — the administering agency and a lender determine who actually qualifies.

Income limit

80% of Merced County’s area median income

HUD sets the area median income each year. The limit changes with household size, so a family of five has a higher limit than a single homebuyer.

$75,800
Area median income, 4-person household (HUD, 2026)

Where it applies

Merced’s homes

  • 65.9% single-family
  • 1.7% townhouse
  • 11.9% 2–4 units
  • 18.1% 5+ units
  • 2.4% mobile & other

A tick marks a kind of home the program’s record lists. The agency confirms it for the home you choose.

$372,600

Merced median home value

42.6%

built before 1980

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 5-year. More about buying in Merced

How to apply

  1. Take a homebuyer education course

    Required by the program before funds are reserved.

  2. Contact the administering agency to reserve funds

    Funds are reserved through Contact provider directly; subject to funding availability, and are subject to availability.

  3. Work with a lender who handles the program

    Hey Prescott is not a lender and does not accept applications; this page describes the program so a homebuyer can take it to a lender or housing counselor.

Questions about this program

What is City of Merced First-Time Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance?

City of Merced First-Time Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance is a deferred second loan for homebuyers in Merced, California. Deferred 0% second mortgage for down payment and closing costs for low-income first-time homebuyers in Merced. Up to $40,000 in assistance. no monthly payments on DPA. Funding comes from HOME/CDBG.

Do you have to pay it back?

City of Merced First-Time Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance is deferred, so no payments are due until the home is sold, refinanced, or the first mortgage is paid off. Repayment is triggered by Sale, transfer, or refinance. The assistance is recorded in Second position. Forgiveness and repayment terms are set by the program and can change — confirm them on the official program page before applying.

Who qualifies?

City of Merced First-Time Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance is open to first-time homebuyers and homebuyers who will live in the home as their primary residence. "First-time homebuyer" usually means not having owned a home in the last three years, but the program sets its own definition. On credit, the program states: Minimum 620 FICO score required for all borrowers. A homebuyer education course is required. Residency requirement: Must occupy as primary residence. Citizenship or immigration status: U.S. citizen, permanent resident alien, or other eligible non-citizen.

What are the income limits?

City of Merced First-Time Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance limits household income to 80% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size. Low income: household income ≤80% of Area Median Income (AMI). The limit applies to total household income, not only the borrower’s. The program lists a maximum household size of 8. Area median income figures are published by HUD and updated annually, so check the current table for the county before relying on a number.

What kind of home can it be used for?

City of Merced First-Time Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance caps the purchase price at $400,000. Eligible property types include Single-family (1-4 unit), FHA-approved condominium, townhome/PUD. New construction is eligible. Manufactured homes are not eligible.

Where does it apply?

City of Merced First-Time Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance serves homebuyers purchasing in Merced, California.

How do you apply?

Applications for City of Merced First-Time Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance go through the administering agency, which publishes the current terms and the application steps on its own site. Funds are reserved through Contact provider directly; subject to funding availability. Hey Prescott is not a lender and does not accept applications; this page describes the program so a homebuyer can take it to a lender or housing counselor.

Program terms are set by the administering agency and can change; confirm on the official site before you apply.