First-time buyer programs in Shasta and Tehama counties
Several loan and assistance programs can lower the cash you need to buy your first home. Each one has its own rules about income, the home, the area and the lender. The rules below come from each program's official page, and they change, so a lender or the program itself has the last word.
- CalHFA: California's state housing finance agency offers first mortgages and down payment help through participating lenders.
- FHA loans: government-insured loans made by approved lenders, often with a smaller down payment.
- USDA loans: for homes in eligible rural areas, which can include parts of Shasta and Tehama counties.
- Shasta County down payment assistance: a county program for qualified first-time buyers.
- VA loans: for eligible veterans, service members and survivors.
How I help with programs
I'm not a lender, so I can't approve you for anything. What I do is explain how each option works, tell you which ones tend to fit your situation, and make sure the home and the offer work with the program you choose. I can introduce you to lenders who handle these loans, and you are never required to use one I suggest.
Last verified: 2026-10-06