03/16/2026
Just SOLD! ...š” They had 90 days⦠or they would lose $150,000.
More than two years ago, I met a wonderful family who had moved to the United States to build their careers and their future. Their dream was simple ā to own their first home. But like many first-time buyers in California, saving for a down payment felt like the biggest obstacle. Then an opportunity appeared. The California Housing Finance Agency Dream For All Shared Appreciation Loan Program opened ā offering up to $150,000 in down payment assistance through a lottery system. They entered.... They didnāt get selected.
But we didnāt give up.
Months later, unused vouchers were returned to the program⦠and suddenly they received a $150,000 voucher. Thatās when the real pressure started. Once selected, buyers have only 90 days to get into contract on a home or the voucher disappears. At the same time, my client had just purchased a business ā and to qualify for a mortgage we needed a full year of business tax returns.
Fortunately, we were working with an incredible lender, Jean Adams from CrossCountry Mortgage, who found a way to extend the deadline. Our new timeline brought us to December⦠and then the perfect opportunity appeared.
š 40 Cathy Lane, Scotts Valley
A beautiful 3 bed, 2 bath single-level home on a quiet cul-de-sac.
We went into contract December 19th with a longer escrow that the sellers graciously agreed to. Then another twist. We were ready to file taxes January 1stā¦only to discover the IRS forms we needed had not yet been released. We had to wait until February 15th.
Through constant communication, patience from the sellers, and incredible work from our lenderā¦
⨠We closed on March 4th.
Today this amazing family is first-generation homeowners in the United States, beginning a new chapter of building memories ā and generational wealth. Moments like this remind me why I love what I do.
If you are thinking about buying a home in the next few months.. couple of years. Letās create a plan.
Your dream of homeownership may be closer than you think.