First-time Homebuyer status

No member of the household may have owned a home in the past three years, unless one of the following criteria applies:
 

• The individual is a single individual or single parent who previously owned a home within the past three years with a former spouse.

• The individual has previously owned a principal residence that was not permanently affixed to a foundation, as per applicable regulations.

• The individual has owned property that did not comply with state or local building codes and cannot be brought into compliance for less than the cost of constructing a permanent structure.

• The individual is an employee of the City of Emeryville.

• The individual is an employee in the Emery Unified School District.

• The individual previously owned a home with a domestic partner within the past three years, but the domestic partnership has since been terminated. Proof of both establishing and terminating the domestic partnership, as defined by the state of California, must be provided.

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Mortgage Loan Pre-Approval

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​Applicants must submit a First Mortgage Loan pre-approval letter as part of their FTHB application submittal. The pre-approval letter must:

 

• Name the Borrower and any co-borrowers to the loan;

• Be dated within one hundred twenty days of the applicant's application; and

• Include a maximum sales price that meets or exceeds the actual sales price of the Property, and a maximum first loan amount, the City's Loan Amount, and any other subordinate loans (if applicable).

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See a list of preferred mortgage lenders who are familiar with the program here.

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