CalHFA-Approved Lender

CalHFA Loans in Bakersfield

Name: Dan Ardis
Address: 3111 Camino Del Rio North Suite 905, San Diego, CA, 92108, US
Telephone: (661) 342-9381
Price range: $$
Rating: 5

Dan Ardis is a CalHFA-approved lender helping Bakersfield and Kern County buyers access down payment and closing cost assistance. Buy a home with little to nothing out of pocket.

CalHFA-Approved Lender Up to 3.5% Down Payment Assistance FHA and Conventional Options Kern County Income Limits Applied

Check CalHFA Eligibility Call Dan: (661) 342-9381

What Is CalHFA and How Does It Work?

The California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA) offers state-backed loan programs specifically designed to make homeownership more accessible for California residents. CalHFA does not lend directly to borrowers. You apply through an approved lender like Dan, who structures the CalHFA loan and the down payment assistance together as a package.

The most common structure pairs a CalHFA first mortgage (FHA or conventional) with a junior loan that covers your down payment and sometimes closing costs. The junior loan is deferred, meaning no monthly payments until you sell or refinance.

For Bakersfield buyers, CalHFA is one of the most effective paths to buying with minimal cash out of pocket. Kern County purchase prices are lower than coastal California, which means the assistance covers a larger percentage of the total transaction.

Min Credit Score

660+

Down Payment

As low as 0%

Assistance

Up to 3.5%

First-Time Buyer

Required (most programs)

Homebuyer Ed

Required

Income Limits

Apply (Kern County)

CalHFA Programs Available in Bakersfield

Dan structures these programs based on your income, credit, and property type.

CalHFA FHA + MyHome

The most common CalHFA combination. An FHA first mortgage paired with the MyHome Assistance Program, which provides up to 3.5% toward down payment or closing costs as a deferred junior loan. Minimum 660 credit score.

Best for: Buyers with scores 660-699

CalHFA Conventional + MyHome

A conventional first mortgage at CalHFA's below-market rate, paired with MyHome assistance of up to 3%. Requires 680+ credit and allows PMI cancellation once you reach 20% equity.

Best for: Buyers with scores 680+ wanting to avoid FHA MI

Dream For All Shared Appreciation

CalHFA provides up to 20% of the purchase price as a loan. When you sell or refinance, you repay the loan plus a share of the home's appreciation. No monthly payment on the assistance. Subject to program availability and income limits.

Best for: Buyers with very limited savings

CalHFA School Teacher + Employee Programs

Additional assistance for K-12 teachers, school administrators, and classified employees. Often combined with the MyHome program for layered assistance.

Best for: Teachers and school staff in KUSD and other districts

Why CalHFA Borrowers Work With Dan

CalHFA transactions are more complex than a standard purchase loan. You are stacking a first mortgage, a junior assistance loan, and sometimes a third program on top. Each layer has its own guidelines, income limits, and documentation requirements. Not every loan officer is set up to close these correctly.

Dan is a CalHFA-approved lender, he can originate the first mortgage and the assistance loan directly
He knows Kern County income limits and can tell you immediately whether you qualify
He has structured CalHFA + FHA and CalHFA + Conventional transactions across multiple price points
He coordinates homebuyer education course requirements as part of the file prep
He shops both CalHFA and non-CalHFA down payment assistance options so you get the best combination

Dan's Take

NMLS# 1412272 | CalHFA-Approved

CalHFA is one of the most underutilized programs in Kern County. Bakersfield home prices are low enough that the assistance covers a significant chunk of the transaction. I have closed CalHFA deals where the buyer brought less than $3,000 to the table on a $350,000 home purchase.

The key is structuring it correctly from the start. CalHFA has specific appraisal, income, and timing requirements that can kill a deal if you don't know them. I work these transactions regularly, so I know exactly where the landmines are.

What Most Lenders Get Wrong With CalHFA

1.Quoting CalHFA rates without checking current program availability, Dream For All runs out of funds and re-opens seasonally

2.Missing the homebuyer education requirement, which delays closing if discovered late

3.Not checking Kern County income limits upfront, only to discover the borrower is over-income after the file is built

4.Ignoring layered assistance options, most borrowers qualify for more than just MyHome

5.Not explaining the deferred loan payoff structure, which surprises sellers during review

CalHFA FAQs for Bakersfield Buyers

What is CalHFA?

CalHFA stands for California Housing Finance Agency. It is a state agency that offers below-market interest rate loans and down payment assistance programs to income-eligible homebuyers in California.

How much down payment assistance can I get through CalHFA?

CalHFA's MyHome Assistance Program provides up to 3.5% of the purchase price toward down payment or closing costs when paired with an FHA loan. When paired with a conventional loan (CalHFA Conventional), you can get up to 3%. Additional programs like the Dream For All Shared Appreciation Loan can cover up to 20% of the purchase price.

Do I have to be a first-time buyer for CalHFA?

Most CalHFA programs require you to be a first-time homebuyer, defined as not having owned a home in the past three years. Some programs, like those for teachers, have additional requirements. Dan will review your eligibility during your free consultation.

What are the income limits for CalHFA in Kern County?

Income limits vary by program and household size. For Kern County, typical income limits for CalHFA FHA programs are around $159,000-$202,000 depending on household size. These change periodically, Dan pulls current limits at the time of your application.

Is the CalHFA down payment assistance a grant or a loan?

Most CalHFA assistance is a deferred-payment junior loan, not a grant. This means you do not make monthly payments on the assistance, but it becomes due when you sell, refinance, or pay off the first mortgage. The Dream For All program is a shared appreciation loan with different repayment terms.

What credit score do I need for CalHFA?

The minimum credit score for most CalHFA programs is 660. Some programs require 680 or higher. CalHFA also requires completion of an approved homebuyer education course before closing.

Down Payment Assistance Kern County First-Time Home Buyer Bakersfield FHA Loans Bakersfield Teacher Home Loans Bakersfield Buy With Zero Down Apply Now

Check Your CalHFA Eligibility

Dan will review your income, credit, and purchase plans to identify the best CalHFA program for you.

Ready to Buy in Bakersfield With CalHFA?

Dan is a CalHFA-approved lender who closes these transactions regularly in Kern County. Call (661) 342-9381 or apply online.

Apply Now, Free (661) 342-9381