Deferred second loan
City of San Mateo Down Payment Assistance Loan Program
First-time homebuyers · New construction · Income limits · Single-family (1-4 unit), FHA-approved condominium, townhome/PUD
Down payment assistance · San Mateo County
Buying a home in San Mateo, CA
1 San Mateo program, 1 county program and 54 statewide.San Mateo has 1 program of its own, 1 more across San Mateo 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.
Find my programs Free · No credit pull · 90 seconds
Only for San Mateo addresses
San Mateo’s own program
Anywhere in San MateoAnywhere in San Mateo County
1 county program1 county program a San Mateo homebuyer can also use
1 more program is for homes in South San Francisco. See them 1 program in neighboring cities — for homes inside those cities, not San Mateo
- South San Francisco — City of South San Francisco Down Payment Assistance
The San Mateo marketThe San Mateo housing market
Kinds of homes hereWhat’s for sale here, and what the programs accept
Kinds of homes in San Mateo
- 41.6% single-familysingle-family
- 9.6% townhousetownhouse
- 6.5% 2–4 units2–4 units
- 42.1% 5+ unitscondo & apartment buildings (5+ units)
- 0.2% mobile & othermobile home & other
Condos count. All 2 of San Mateo’s local and county programs accept condos.
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 5-year (2020–2024). Table B25024.
When San Mateo’s homes were built
pre-19401970s2020+
70.4%
of San Mateo 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.
$200,800
County area median income, 4 people (HUD)HUD area median income, San Mateo County, 4-person household (2026)
$153,504
San Mateo median household incomeMedian household income in San Mateo (Census, 2024)
51 of the 118 programs here set their income limit as a share of San Mateo County’s area median income, adjusted for household size. See the published limits for San Mateo County
Free help nearbyFree help near San Mateo
6 HUD-approved counseling agencies within 15 miles6 HUD-approved housing counseling agencies within 15 miles
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.
Find my counselor
Free account → 90-second match → your counselors · Sign in
Across California and nationwide
116 statewide & federal programs54 statewide programs, plus federal options
San Mateo questions
Does San Mateo have its own down payment program?
Yes, one: City of San Mateo Down Payment Assistance Loan Program, a deferred second loan for first-time homebuyers (new construction, income limits). It is for homes inside San Mateo.
Can I use assistance on a condo in San Mateo?
All 2 of San Mateo’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 San Mateo County?
Each program sets its own. 51 of the programs here set theirs as a share of HUD’s area median income for San Mateo 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 San Mateo?
HUD-approved housing counseling agencies teach homebuyer classes, and 6 agencies are within 15 miles of San Mateo. Create a free account and take the 90-second match to see the ones near you.
ZIP codes
94401 · 94402 · 94403 · 94404 · 94405 · 94406 · 94407 · 94408 · 94409 · 94497
Nearby in San Mateo
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.