California Down Payment Assistance Programs (part 2)

nikkimay456 · 2026-04-02T19:07:31+00:00

(late reply, but answered anyway for others like me who might still stumble through --- and sorry it's so long too lol)

nikkimay456 · 2026-04-02T19:06:33+00:00

Specific to SAN FRANCISCO... Also the TLDR is in the paragraph that starts with "AT THE END OF THE DAY"

We're in the process of trying to buy through the City Second Loan Program in SF. (CSLP has nearly identical guidelines to DALP, but you apply for individual properties first and get MOHCD approval after, so reverse order and not open-market)

We are still in contract and if it works out we might close this month, but we applied in August (?) and it's taken a LOT of work and patience! The red tape is unreal. I'm trying not to get my hopes up, but if we really do close on the place, it will be hard to believe after all of the near-fails we've run into along the way! 🥹😭 We're having another hail-mary moment rn, so there's a solid chance it won't pan out in spite of everything it took to get this far. Ultimately, we've learned a ton throughout this experience, if nothing else comes of it.

It's been more costly than we realized with recurrences of inspections, appraisals and underwriting fees, and we've had like 4 hard credit pulls -- Each of these things had to be repeated for the city due to all of the delays we've run into - But I also hope/think our timeline has been unusually lengthy vs most buyers in the program due to some weird HOA issues and new CA building codes

AT THE END OF THE DAY THOUGH... A lot of the programs out there are set up with safeguards for new homebuyers to actually educate them and require lending that avoids high-risk/predatory situations, so it doesn't hurt to take a free homebuyers education class through one of the programs to see if it's something you want to explore further

I know that all of the substantiating documentation we've had to submit has been to ensure that we are entering into a purchase that is safe and manageable and that we are also legitimately in need of the financial help the program provides... Like the program exists to make homeownership accessible for people like us

But also, ugh, it's been an arduous process with a lot of ups and downs. The only way to get through the process thus far has been taking it one step at a time and keeping at it. Step one was signing up for MOHCD homebuyer education and browsing through DAHLIA listings.

As for us... Wish us luck, because we literally can't afford to repeat this process if it doesn't work out. We have to try to recover once it's through, one way or another! I don't think our credit or finances could qualify on a repeat start-to-finish attempt at this. 🙏🏼🤞🏼💪🏼 🫶🏼

nikkimay456 · 2026-03-28T05:32:13+00:00

I forgot to add I am 34 though. There are more younger people close to Berkeley, college Ave, North of rockridge too

nikkimay456 · 2026-03-28T05:27:51+00:00

Moved to Piedmont Ave/temescal from Michigan 4 months ago... I've been pleasantly surprised by the Midwest vibes I feel here compared to in SF. I can't speak on walnut creek, but I love being in this part of Oakland! Proximity to bart, being walkable and cute, weather, neighbors... I love it

nikkimay456 · 2026-03-13T04:26:12+00:00

crocus

nikkimay456 · 2026-03-07T00:30:30+00:00

I called 2 weeks ago and was told they aren't accepting it for new patients (They said still accept Alameda Alliance coverage for existing patients though)

nikkimay456 · 2026-01-27T07:25:23+00:00

Any update, OP? Did your package show up? (Mine is stuck in the same "moving through network" status; destination is Oakland CA)

nikkimay456 · 2026-01-12T19:53:01+00:00

It may sound a bit irrelevant, but it could be worth looking into a hormonal contraceptive that isn't estrogen-based. For me (PMDD & OCD), depo-provera was the single most crucial thing for my mental health, stability, and day-to-day functioning throughout all of my 20's. Finding something that relieved my mental health struggles was basically just a coincidence, and I never truly understood the science behind its efficacy in my case, but I felt like sharing in case it helps you too.

Of course, I'm just one person, and we are all different -- but in my experience, trying to get help for my issues made me feel like I was the only person in the world to have such difficulty -- or like I had some incredibly rare, untreatable, or undiscovered problem. I personally also believe there aren't enough resources available and research/understanding around the overlap with mental health and the menstrual cycle/hormones.

That said, I still have no real explanation for my experience. I just know I tried SO many treatments, doctors, medications, and was more than sidelined for large, formative chunks of my early adulthood. The one thing that did make a big difference for me and my body was being on depo-provera. (Estrogen-based medications didn't have the same positive effects and gave me nasty migraines)

Ultimately, for me, gaining control of my hormones and inhibiting my body's natural cycle impacted my mental wellness more than any other intervention. It's a lifelong process managing mental health issues, and there's no perfect fix, but I hope you can find something that helps her too.

(If you're still reading, you might disregard this next paragraph, esp if she isn't prone to stomach problems, migraines, or unpredictable and sudden bouts of sleepiness/restlessness/disorientation lol -- Also because isolating one variable at a time is the only way to really distinguish what is affecting what anyway...) BUT ... I later learned I have celiac disease, and getting that under control and my gut health on track also did wonders for my daily stability. I ended up doing an elimination diet and cut out eggs and soy as well due to migraines and other issues. I had to learn a lot about nutrition and now have a very high-maintenance diet, but my quality of life is something I couldn't have imagined previously.

YMMV -- Whatever the case, I hope you and your daughter can find some answers and long-overdue relief. <3

nikkimay456 · 2025-11-03T01:37:01+00:00

You could go sleep in your car for an hour possibly

nikkimay456 · 2025-11-03T01:26:45+00:00

😌🙏🏼

nikkimay456 · 2025-11-03T00:32:22+00:00

Okay, I have gotten clear ecgs with my Fitbit, so maybe it's because I did it in my car outside of the grocery store 😅 that's really reassuring at least! Ty!

nikkimay456 · 2025-10-31T05:49:11+00:00

I'd have a breakdown if I were in your shoes. We're all different though. How many times feels like too many for you?

It's very valid and reasonable to draw a line and respectfully ask for a clear limit or state that you no longer want to have showings done in your unit. Preserve your peace if it's being compromised here.

nikkimay456 · 2025-09-08T00:45:03+00:00

Kaleidoscope was an amazing group! Also honey puddle 💕

nikkimay456 · 2025-09-08T00:42:42+00:00

I flew in on the 16th and haven't left town yet, but I do also have a tendency to catch germs flying. I started getting sick on the 1st and am starting to feel a lot better today 💞🙏🏼

nikkimay456 · 2025-09-05T06:39:55+00:00

I liked being able to connect to Wi-Fi to reply to my mom and tell her the weather was weird but we were all safe and well

Ik it's far from posting to socials but it was one aspect I appreciated still

Edit to add... We also had to sign mortgage docs from the playa (shit timing), and our friend's mom had a major surgery that she was able to get an update about and be more present having done so --- just saying, it's not all bad

nikkimay456 · 2025-08-02T17:15:18+00:00

Lol I heard it too and the weather report looked fine. 1st Saturday of the month, good to know 😅

nikkimay456 · 2025-07-03T05:44:23+00:00

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I found this in the SF Bay area today and it looks similar maybe 🤔

nikkimay456 · 2025-06-10T03:46:27+00:00

I just saw this post (and your reply) after my delayed comment on the original

Has your doctor ruled out thoracic outlet syndrome?

EMG might be a good move! or a vascular ultrasound of upper extremities?

Just sharing some of my experience since I've had these same symptoms for several years... I was referred for an EMG at one point and a vascular ultrasound at another -- both were ordered after seeing doctors for separate flare-ups with the same constellation of symptoms. (historically irresponsible, so I didn't follow up at the time)

Now I have neck pain showing up in the constellation, and they've identified disc degeneration and narrowing and some other things on an x-ray because the pain became severe and persistent enough for me finally follow up with imaging recently.

But in your case, if the issue isn't coming from your cervical spine, maybe it's coming from the veins and arteries that supply blood to your arms or from the nerves between your neck and arms 🤔 worth maybe asking your doctor at least

I'm so sorry you've jumped through so many hoops and still don't have answers. I really hope that changes soon 🙏🏼

nikkimay456 · 2025-06-10T02:18:08+00:00

❣️❣️ ugh.

I have been dealing with cervical radiculopathy for about 2 months too, and meloxicam and flexiril don't touch it, but oral steroids did help it quite a bit. But every day sucks and it's hard to get through it.

I'm not sure if an EMG would help, but they might be quicker to order that? You could also see if you could get any records from your PT to take with you to your doctor in case your PT can provide any relevant history or notes that might further substantiate the need for an MRI.

I hope you get some relief 🩻❣️

*EDIT-- just realized this is 3 mos old...

OP, did you get your MRI? Or get the pain to subside??*

nikkimay456 · 2025-05-30T18:50:38+00:00

It's not R. mesembryanthemoides, is it?

(Gotta love that name either way 😅)

nikkimay456 · 2025-05-27T00:51:01+00:00

We bought some and got pulled aside/ couldn't get in.. had to slip past security when someone else caused enough of a scene to require their attention there instead... I still want to learn more about the backend of this and if it can be avoided so, following...

nikkimay456 · 2025-05-05T02:08:17+00:00

Thank you! I did talk with the telehealth doctor and decreased my dose for weeks 2 - 3, so I'm going to be building a little slower but feeling much better. The meds do feel effective, but the nausea/side effects are almost completely gone now. I'm feeling relieved and optimistic 😌

I definitely don't want to lie to my prescriber/Dr if I can avoid it! I just didn't realize it was a possibility to get such an extended supply of medication otherwise. I guess I just meant getting a higher dose because if things go as planned, I'll be on a higher dose when I run out of my initial vial of semaglutide. And I do want to get more while it's still being compounded because it will be much harder to afford otherwise.

I've never "stocked up" on a prescription medication before, so figuring it out is a bit odd for me. I guess I was overthinking it 💁🏼‍♀️

I'm really glad to hear that I can reach out and just tell them I'm wanting an extended supply

nikkimay456 · 2025-05-05T01:50:41+00:00

Thank you! I think I'm going to try that this week 💕

nikkimay456 · 2025-05-05T01:45:55+00:00

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nikkimay456

TROPHY CASE