Contact Information

Community Development
291 N Main St
Porterville, CA 93257
(559) 782-7460
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Community Development

First Time Home Buyer Program

Home ownership is often out of reach for many families because of lack of cash available for initial purchase and/or monthly payments that are not affordable. This program is designed to help lower income first time homebuyers purchase a home and qualify for long-term financing from a participating lender of their choice.

What Are the Eligibility Requirements?

  • Applicant must complete a Home Buyer Education Class acceptable to City.
  • Applicant must provide a minimum 3% down payment of the total purchase price of home. One percent 1% directly from buyers own personal assets.
  • Applicant must be a "first time" homebuyer 9which is a family or person who has not owned a home within the last three years, is a qualified displaced homemaker, is a qualified single parent, or is a single woman and pregnant).
  • Applicant must use home as principle place of residence.
  • Applicant must have sufficient income and credit worthiness to qualify for a first loan from a mortgage lender.
  • All combined household income must be below 80%* of the median income:
FY 2011 Income Limit Area Median Income FY 2011 Income Limit Category 1 Person 2 Person 3 Person 4 Person 5 Person
Very Low (50%) Income Limits $20,050 $22,900 $25,750 $28,600 $30,900
Porterville,CA MSA $48,800 Extremely Low (30%) Income Limits $12,050 $13,750 $15,450 $17,150 $18,500
Low (80%) Income Limits* $32,050 $36,600 $41,200 $45,750 $49,450

House must be an existing home or home currently under construction. Home to be owner-occupied or with qualified vacancy, up to $247,000*, and located within the City Limits of Porterville. Homes built prior to 1978 must pass a lead base paint visual assessment.

For homes located in County, contact the Resource Management Agency - community Development & Redevelopment Department at (559) 624-7000.

What are the City Loan Terms?  Second Mortgage Loan is secured by a Deed of Trust. Repayment terms are deferred payment 1% simple interest loans according to the source of funds. Loan will become due if there is a change of title, or home is no longer borrower's primary residence. Second mortgage loan cannot exceed $40, 000. Co-Borrowers/Co-Owners, must be owner occupants.

What is the next Step? Registration is at City Hall, 291  N. Main Street, from 7:30 to 5:30. Please bring in 2010 Federal Tax Forms or most recent month's pay stubs of all working family members to verify income. Classes are offered once a month. Contact City of Porterville, 782-7460, for next available Home Buyer Education Class.

*Based on Single Family Mortgage Limits under Section 203(b) of the National Housing Act and income qualifications of applicant. Updated February 2011.


For more information contact Lupe Diaz or Denise Marchant at (559)782-7460 or send questions to:

City of Porterville
Housing Assistance
291 N Main Street
Porterville, CA 93257

 

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