Affordable For-Sale Housing

What is the Affordable For-Sale Program?

The Affordable For-Sale Housing Program helps low- and moderate-income first-time homebuyers purchase a deed-restricted home at a below-market price.

To buy a home in one of these developments, your household’s gross annual income must be at or below San Diego’s Area Median Income (AMI) restrictions for the development. You must currently live and work in the County of San Diego for more than two years and attend a homebuyer education class. Refer to the Homebuyer Education Providers list to find a provider.

You also need to be a first-time homebuyer (cannot have owned a home in the last three years) to buy one of these affordable for-sale homes. No all-cash buyers. Asset limitations apply. Please note that SDHC First-Time Homebuyer Program loans and grants cannot be used in conjunction with the Affordable For-Sale Housing Program. Please review Affordable For-Sale Program Guidelines for additional eligibility requirements.

There are deed-restricted homes in six developments with long-term affordability requirements that are currently owned by families and individuals. When the current owner sells the property, they must work with SDHC to sell their home at a below-market price to an eligible buyer approved by SDHC.  An extremely limited number of homes become available for resale each year.

How to find deed-restricted homes that are currently for sale

Properties currently available for sale under the Affordable For-Sale program are generally listed on Multiple Listing Service (MLS) and may also be found on real estate websites such as Zillow or Redfin. In Zillow or Redfin, search for “For Sale” homes in San Diego, CA. Then, filter by “Keywords/search” and type in “deed restricted.”  Any homes, if available for sale, will be displayed here.  You should check the MLS, Zillow, or Redfin periodically for new listings under this program, which may also include deed-restricted homes in new developments in the City of San Diego, if applicable.  Interested buyers should apply separately for each listing through the seller’s real estate agent (Listing Agent).

How to apply for a deed-restricted property that is listed for sale

1. Confirm your household meets the eligibility requirements. Review the Affordable For-Sale Program Guidelines for detailed eligibility requirements.
2. Identify the property you are interested in purchasing.  In Zillow or Redfin, search for “For Sale” homes in San Diego, CA. Then, filter by “Keywords/search” and type in “deed restricted.” Any homes, if available for sale, will be displayed here.
3. Submit your application to the seller’s real estate agent.  All applications for homes currently listed for sale must be submitted through the seller’s real estate agent (Listing Agent).  You or your real estate agent should contact the Listing Agent to submit an application and income and asset verification documents.  The Listing Agent will be the primary point of contact; SDHC does not collect applications directly from buyers.

What happens after your application is submitted to the Listing Agent?

• After prescreening your application and supporting documents for eligibility and completeness, the Listing Agent will forward your application to SDHC for an underwriting decision.  Complete applications are sent by the Listing Agent to SDHC in the order received.  Ineligible/Incomplete applications are not forwarded to SDHC.
• SDHC reviews applications in the order received and the first eligible applicant will be approved to move forward with the purchase.
• If you meet the eligibility requirements, SDHC will then refer you to an approved loan officer/lender to obtain approval for the first mortgage loan.
• Upon approval by both the first mortgage lender and SDHC, you and your agent will work with the Listing Agent to view the property and subsequently enter into contract to purchase the property.

Resale Affordable For-Sale Properties