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Adams 12 Schools To Home: Down Payment Help

Brian Lee BurkeBrian Lee Burke
Aug 6, 2026 18 min read
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Adams 12 Schools To Home: Down Payment Help
25%of first mortgage $0monthly payment NoPurchase Price Limit $178,920income limit $1,000is all it takes to close

The short version

CHFA Schools To Home is a Colorado homebuying program for full-time public school employees. If you work full time for Adams 12 Five Star Schools, you may qualify for CHFA Schools To Home. The program is also available to employees of other eligible Colorado public school employers, but this guide focuses specifically on Adams 12 employees. Eligible buyers can pair a 30-year fixed first mortgage with a second mortgage worth up to 25% of that first mortgage, used for your down payment, closing costs, prepaids, or principal reduction.

  • All it typically takes is $1,000 of your own money at closing to unlock assistance worth up to 25% of your first mortgage — often over $100,000. That $1,000 is your minimum required contribution, not the amount of help you get.
  • No monthly payment on the assistance. Zero percent. No interest accrues.
  • No purchase price limit. None. The cap is on the loan amount, not the house.
  • Income limit is $178,920 statewide — same number in every county, regardless of household size.
  • You do not have to be a first-time buyer.
  • Only one borrower on the loan has to be the school employee.
  • One important consideration: you repay the assistance plus a share of your home's appreciation when you sell, refinance, pay off the first mortgage, or stop living there.

Program terms below reflect CHFA's published program matrix effective July 1, 2026. Terms change — always confirm current guidelines with a CHFA participating lender before you write an offer.

On this page

  1. What is the CHFA Schools To Home program?
  2. Who qualifies at Adams 12 — and who doesn't
  3. Living near Adams 12 schools
  4. How much money is this, actually? (Adams 12 math)
  5. Shared appreciation, explained without the spin
  6. A full worked example at a $600,000 Thornton house
  7. When Schools To Home is the wrong move
  8. The complete requirement checklist
  9. What kind of homes qualify
  10. Where Adams 12 Five Star Schools staff are actually buying
  11. Adams 12 market considerations
  12. Step by step: how to actually use it
  13. Adams 12 Schools To Home FAQ

What is the CHFA Schools To Home program?

What is CHFA Schools To Home? CHFA Schools To Home is a Colorado down payment assistance program for eligible full-time public school employees that provides a deferred second mortgage worth up to 25% of the first mortgage amount, with no monthly payment and no interest while the home remains the borrower's primary residence.

Schools To Home came out of bipartisan legislation passed in the 2025 Colorado legislative session. The General Assembly told the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA) to build a down payment assistance program for public school employees, and funded it through the Public School Permanent Fund (PSPF). CHFA launched it in 2026.

For employees of Adams 12 Five Star Schools, one of Colorado's largest school districts and home to more than 34,000 students, saving a traditional down payment has become increasingly difficult as home prices across Thornton, Northglenn, Broomfield, Federal Heights, Eastlake, and north Westminster have continued to rise. A first-year Five Star Schools paraprofessional is not saving a $100,000+ down payment out of that check. Neither is a bus driver, a nutrition services worker, or a custodian with fifteen years in the building.

How the program is structured

  1. A 30-year fixed-rate first mortgage. A conventional Fannie Mae purchase loan. Normal amortizing mortgage, normal monthly payment.
  2. A second mortgage for down payment and/or closing cost assistance, for up to 25% of the first mortgage amount. This is a zero-percent silent second: no monthly payment, no accrued interest. Proceeds can go toward down payment, closing costs, prepaids, or principal reduction.
  3. A shared appreciation obligation. When the second comes due, you repay the original assistance plus an agreed percentage of whatever your home appreciated.

The second mortgage and the shared appreciation payment both come due at the same triggering events: you sell, you refinance, you pay off the first mortgage, or the property stops being your primary residence.

Is this free money?

No, and anyone who tells you it is should not be handling your transaction. This is a real second mortgage with a real repayment obligation and a real cost attached to it. What it is — and this is the honest pitch — is a way to convert "I need another decade of saving" into "I can buy this fall," at a cost you can calculate in advance. Whether that trade is worth it depends on your numbers, and we walk through exactly how to run them below.

Who qualifies at Adams 12 — and who doesn't

Which Adams 12 employees are eligible?

CHFA's language is deliberately broad. The program is for any individual employed by a preK–12 Colorado public school, school district, charter school, institute charter school, board of cooperative educational services (BOCES), or innovation zone, who is classified as a full-time employee by their employer.

Read that again, because it is not what most people assume. It does not say "teacher." It says any individual employed by. If you are full time and your employer is on the eligible list, your job title is irrelevant. That means:

Classroom & SPED teachers Paraprofessionals & aides Counselors, psychologists, nurses Front office & registrars Custodial & maintenance Nutrition services staff Bus drivers, mechanics, dispatch Coaches & athletic directors Admin, IT, HR, finance, security

Which Adams 12-area employers count?

All publicly funded schools. Adams 12 Five Star Schools is the obvious one — one of Colorado's largest districts, covering Thornton, Northglenn, Westminster, Federal Heights, Broomfield, and parts of unincorporated Adams County. But the eligible-employer list is wider than the district:

  • District-run neighborhood schools — every elementary, middle, and high school in the district
  • Adams 12-authorized charter schools
  • Institute charter schools authorized by the Colorado Charter School Institute, where applicable
  • Innovation schools recognized by the Colorado Department of Education
  • Eligible BOCES programs serving public schools
  • Publicly funded preschool programs — the program says preK–12, not K–12

Every building. Every department. Not just the classroom.

How to verify your employer: CHFA points to the Colorado Department of Education's SchoolView site. If you use the Excel file there, make sure "Public" appears in the School Type column. Private and parochial school employees are not eligible, and that is a hard line.

Do I have to be full time?

Yes. At least one borrower has to be classified as full time by their employer — your scheduled hours, not just how much you typically work, determine that classification. Part-time, substitute, and seasonal roles do not qualify on their own — but see the next question, because there is a real workaround for a lot of households.

What if my spouse or partner doesn't work for Adams 12?

Doesn't matter. If there are multiple borrowers on the loan, only one of them has to be the full-time public school employee. The other borrower can work in healthcare, construction, engineering, retail, tech, government, or be self-employed — anything.

This is the single most underused feature of the program. Both incomes may still be used to qualify for the mortgage, even though only one borrower has to work for an eligible public school employer. That matters for dual-income Adams 12 households where one spouse out-earns the other, and for co-buyers who aren't married: two Adams 12 paras buying together, a teacher buying with a sibling, two friends splitting a Northglenn ranch. As long as one of you is full time with an eligible employer and everyone is on the loan and on title, you're in the door.

Two important limits on that, though. Cosigners and non-occupying co-borrowers are not permitted, so you can't have a parent sign to strengthen the file and then not live there. And CHFA does not permit non-borrowing spouses or anyone else who isn't obligated on the mortgage to take title. Everyone on title is on the loan, and everyone on the loan lives in the house.

Can new employees apply?

Yes. You don't need years of tenure with Adams 12. As long as your employment is considered stable and your lender can verify your income and employment history, newer employees may also qualify. Your lender reviews this as part of normal underwriting.

Do I have to be a first-time buyer?

No. CHFA's matrix says plainly that this program is not restricted to first-time homebuyers. If you owned before, sold, and have been renting, you can use it. If you're going through a divorce and coming out the other side needing to buy again, you can use it — and if that's your situation, that's a whole separate conversation we're glad to have.

One property limit does apply: you can only have one CHFA-financed property at a time, and beyond Fannie Mae's own limits on financed properties, each borrower may hold an ownership interest in one other residential dwelling at closing.

Living near Adams 12 schools

Many Adams 12 teachers and staff choose a home based on more than price — commute time between campuses matters, especially for coaches, itinerant specialists, and district-level staff who move between buildings throughout the week. Adams 12 Five Star Schools' footprint stretches across Thornton, Northglenn, Eastlake, north Westminster, Broomfield, and Federal Heights, and each of those communities offers a different mix of commute time, price, and housing stock.

With easy access to I-25, E-470, US-36, and the N Line commuter rail, Adams 12 school employees often have more neighborhood options than they initially expect. A slightly longer drive from a Federal Heights or north Westminster starter home can free up tens of thousands of dollars toward a stronger Schools To Home structure, while staying in Thornton or Eastlake keeps you a short hop from most district campuses.

Not sure which side of the district makes sense for your specific school assignment? Browse current listings in Thornton, Northglenn, Westminster, Broomfield, or Federal Heights, or see every eligible Colorado district on the Schools To Home hub.

How much money is this, actually? (Adams 12 math)

Here is where most write-ups get lazy and say "up to 25%" without telling you 25% of what. The assistance is 25% of your first mortgage amount, not 25% of the purchase price. Those are different numbers, and the difference matters.

There's also a second constraint that almost nobody explains: the program allows a maximum 97% LTV on the first mortgage and 105% CLTV combined. Run those two rules together and the structure basically writes itself.

Structure A — Zero Down, No PMI

Purchase price $600,000
First mortgage (80% LTV) $480,000
Schools To Home second $120,000
Cash needed for down payment $0
PMI None

Structure B — Maximum Assistance

Purchase price $600,000
First mortgage (84% LTV) $504,000
Schools To Home second $126,000
Combined (105% CLTV) $630,000
PMI Required

You still bring closing costs and prepaids, plus the $1,000 minimum borrower contribution, under Structure A. Structure B covers the full down payment plus roughly $30,000 toward closing costs, prepaids, or principal reduction — at the cost of PMI on the first.

To be straight with you: the exact structure is your lender's call, run through Fannie Mae's automated underwriting. What we've laid out is how the program's own published limits interact. Have a CHFA participating lender price both versions side by side before you decide — the PMI premium versus the extra assistance is a real trade, and it goes different directions depending on your credit score and how long you plan to stay.

Why people keep hearing "$1,000 cash to close"

One of the biggest misconceptions about this program is that it only gives buyers $1,000. That's backwards. The $1,000 is the buyer's minimum required contribution — not the amount of assistance. Many qualified Adams 12 employees receive well over $100,000 in down payment assistance while contributing about $1,000 of their own funds at closing, depending on purchase price, seller concessions, and loan structure.

The part people miss: your required contribution and your assistance amount are two completely different numbers. You bring the minimum — $1,000, which can even be gifted — and CHFA can bring up to 25% of your first mortgage. On the $600,000 Thornton example above, that's $1,000 out of your pocket against $120,000 of down payment help. It's not that you "only get $1,000." It's that $1,000 is the price of admission to the rest of the assistance.

Is there a maximum loan amount?

Yes, on the first mortgage: the lower of $832,750 or the applicable Fannie Mae limit plus financed mortgage insurance. For most Adams 12 teachers and staff, this ceiling is well above the amount they'll need to borrow.

Is there a maximum purchase price?

No purchase price limits. This is genuinely unusual for a down payment assistance program. Most DPA programs cap the price of the house, which quietly pushes school employees toward the cheapest, least convenient corners of the metro. Schools To Home doesn't do that. If you qualify on income and the loan amount fits, you can buy in Thornton, Northglenn, north Westminster, Broomfield, or Federal Heights — wherever the house makes sense.

What's the income limit?

$178,920, statewide, regardless of county or household size. One flat number, the same in Thornton as in Denver, Douglas County, or Colorado Springs. That's a high ceiling for a school-employee program, and it's why the co-borrower rule matters so much — an Adams 12 employee plus a well-paid partner can very often still fit underneath it.

The income counted is the qualifying income your lender uses to credit-qualify you for the loan, not some separate household calculation. That distinction saves a lot of files.

Kenna Frog

Not sure which structure fits your situation?

Send us your target price range and we'll run Structure A and Structure B side by side — free, no obligation.

Call Us: 720-575-1588 Adams 12 Area Homes

Shared appreciation, explained without the spin

This is the part that costs money, so read it slowly.

How is the shared appreciation percentage calculated?

CHFA's formula is simple division: your original assistance amount divided by your original purchase price.

In Structure A above, $120,000 of assistance on a $600,000 house gives you a 20% shared appreciation rate. That percentage is locked in at closing and does not change.

How is the appreciation itself measured?

Contract sales price minus original purchase price. On a refinance, payoff, or other maturity event, it's appraised or fair market value minus original purchase price. Multiply that difference by your locked percentage, and that's what you owe on top of repaying the assistance.

Note what is not in that formula: your down payment, your improvements, your selling costs, your agent commission. The calculation runs off purchase price and sale price. If you finish a basement or remodel a kitchen and it adds real value, you share a percentage of that too. Worth knowing before you plan a major renovation.

What if my home loses value?

Negative appreciation is treated as zero appreciation. You still owe the assistance back in full, but you don't owe a share of a loss. There is no scenario where the shared appreciation payment is negative, and there's also no scenario where it makes you whole on a decline — you carry that part yourself, same as any owner.

When does it come due?

Five triggers: you sell, you refinance, you pay off the first mortgage, the property is no longer your primary residence, or you convert it into a rental. That last one deserves emphasis. If you move out and rent the house, the whole obligation accelerates. This is not a program you use to build a rental portfolio, and pretending otherwise is how people get hurt.

Can I refinance later to get a better rate?

You can, but a refinance triggers repayment of the assistance and the shared appreciation payment. So a rate-and-term refinance a few years in isn't a free move — you'd need enough equity to absorb the payoff. Model it with your lender before you commit.

A full worked example at a $600,000 Thornton house

Let's say you're a full-time Adams 12 Five Star Schools employee purchasing a home in Thornton for $600,000, using Structure A.

At closing

Purchase price $600,000
First mortgage $480,000
Schools To Home assistance $120,000
Your down payment $0
Minimum contribution (can be a gift) $1,000
Locked shared appreciation rate 20%

Seven years later, you sell for $780,000

About 3.8% annual appreciation — consistent with long-term Front Range housing trends.

Appreciation ($780,000 − $600,000) $180,000
Shared appreciation owed (20%) $36,000
Assistance repaid $120,000
Total owed to CHFA at closing $156,000
Remaining first mortgage balance (~7 yrs) $420,000
Gross proceeds after payoff (before selling costs) ~$204,000

So: you put down zero, and seven years later you walk away with something in the neighborhood of $204,000 gross — $180,000 of which is appreciation you shared 20% of, and the rest is principal you paid down instead of paying rent.

The honest comparison

The right question isn't "does the shared appreciation cost me money." It obviously does — $36,000 in this example. The right question is: what would those seven years have looked like otherwise?

If the alternative was renting somewhere in the north metro for seven more years while trying to save $120,000, you don't have $204,000 at the end. You have whatever you managed to save, and you're buying into a market that moved without you. If the alternative was buying two years later with a 10–15% conventional down payment, run that side by side — sometimes it wins, especially if you can genuinely save quickly. Two years of appreciation on a $600,000 Adams 12-area home is often more than the shared appreciation cost.

That's a real calculation, not a rhetorical one, and it goes different ways for different people. We'll run it with you both directions.

When Schools To Home is the wrong move

Every honest program page needs this section. Here's when we'd tell an Adams 12 teacher or staff member to slow down:

  • You might move in under three years. Short holds don't build enough equity to comfortably absorb the payoff, and transaction costs eat you alive regardless.
  • You already have a real down payment saved. If you're sitting on 15–20% in cash, a straight conventional loan with no shared appreciation is usually cheaper. Use the cash.
  • You want to keep the house as a rental someday. The primary-residence trigger kills that plan. Full stop.
  • You're planning a major value-add renovation. You'll share appreciation on the value you created with your own money and labor. Sometimes still worth it — but go in with your eyes open.
  • You're near the top of your budget. Zero down means zero cushion. A new roof, an HVAC replacement, or a hail claim deductible in the same year is a very Colorado experience.
  • Your credit is under 620. You're not eligible yet. A focused six-month cleanup often fixes this, and it's worth doing properly rather than forcing a marginal file.

Just because you qualify for a bigger mortgage doesn't mean it's the right monthly payment for your lifestyle. Buying comfortably, with room for maintenance, insurance deductibles, and HOA dues, often leads to a better long-term experience than stretching every dollar the program allows.

The complete requirement checklist

Everything CHFA requires, in one place, per the program matrix effective July 1, 2026.

Employment

  • At least one borrower classified full time by an eligible Colorado preK–12 public school employer
  • Employer verified via CDE SchoolView, "Public" listed as School Type

Credit & Income

  • Minimum mid credit score of 620
  • Max DTI: 50% (FICO 620–659) / 55% (FICO 660+)
  • Income limit: $178,920 statewide
  • Two years of federal tax transcripts
  • Automated underwriting through Fannie Mae DU only

Money In

  • $1,000 minimum borrower contribution (may be a gift)
  • Second mortgage proceeds may never come back to you as cash at closing

Education

  • CHFA-approved homebuyer education course, valid 12 months, every borrower
  • CHFA's "Understanding Your Financial Commitment" course & quiz

Start both education courses early. We've seen otherwise clean files sit at the closing table waiting on a certificate.

Loan structure rules

  • Maximum 97% LTV / 105% CLTV
  • No subordinate financing — you can't stack another DPA program underneath
  • No interest rate buydowns permitted
  • No cosigners, no non-occupying co-borrowers, no non-borrowing spouse on title
  • PMI required above 80% LTV
  • Full appraisal required — Property Inspection Waivers not permitted

What kind of homes qualify

Broader than you'd expect:

  • Single family, one unit — attached or detached
  • PUDs, attached or detached
  • Condominiums
  • Modular homes
  • Manufactured housing on a permanent foundation, subject to Fannie Mae guidelines and DU approval
  • Homes with an existing ADU are allowed, subject to Fannie Mae requirements

The ADU allowance is quietly one of the best features here. An existing ADU can support multigenerational living, a home office, or guest space — the property just has to still qualify as a one-unit owner-occupied residence.

Requirements on the property itself

  • Must be owner-occupied as your primary residence
  • A full appraisal is required — Property Inspection Waivers are not allowed on this program
  • Leasehold, land trust, deed-restricted, and affordable-covenant properties can work with underwriter approval

No PIW is worth flagging for your offer strategy. In a competitive situation, some sellers prefer offers where the appraisal can be waived. Yours can't be. That's not a dealbreaker — it just means we structure the appraisal terms deliberately instead of pretending the issue doesn't exist.

Where Adams 12 Five Star Schools staff are actually buying

Adams 12 Five Star Schools serves more than 34,000 students across northern metro Denver, so "close to work" means very different price points depending on which building you report to.

Thornton

The most popular choice for Adams 12 staff. Newer subdivisions, established neighborhoods, and convenient access to I-25, E-470, and the N Line commuter rail. Browse Thornton homes.

Northglenn

Mature neighborhoods with larger lots and established trees, at comparatively affordable pricing with a central location. Browse Northglenn homes.

Westminster (North)

Convenient commuting, parks, recreation centers, and easy access to both US-36 and I-25. Browse Westminster homes.

Broomfield

Generally higher home prices, but newer construction, strong community amenities, and a central location between Denver and Boulder. Browse Broomfield homes.

Federal Heights

One of the more affordable entry points into the north metro area, with proximity to shopping, entertainment, and major highways. Browse Federal Heights homes.

Every one of these submarkets is moving at a different speed right now. Rather than quote you a stale median, we'll pull live REcolorado data for the specific attendance areas you're considering — that's a fifteen-minute conversation and it'll tell you more than any blog post.

While many Adams 12 employees naturally start their search near the school where they work, expanding the search by just 10 to 15 minutes often opens substantially more inventory. Because Schools To Home has no purchase price limit, buyers can compare established neighborhoods in Northglenn with newer communities in Thornton, north Westminster, and Broomfield without being restricted by a program-imposed home price ceiling.

Our team tracks active listings, price reductions, pending sales, and market trends through REcolorado so Adams 12 buyers can make decisions using current local market data rather than outdated averages.

Adams 12 market considerations

Buying near Adams 12 Five Star Schools has its own set of local factors. Here's what we walk through with every Adams 12 teacher or staff member before they write an offer:

1

HOA Fees

Many newer communities in Thornton, Broomfield, and Westminster carry HOA dues. Build them into your total monthly budget, not just the mortgage payment.

2

Metro District Taxes

Some newer developments include metro district taxes that can raise your total monthly ownership cost above what the sticker price suggests. Ask your lender for the full escrowed number.

3

New Construction Growth

Northern Adams County continues to see residential growth. Compare builder financing incentives against metro district taxes, HOA fees, and long-term ownership costs before assuming new is cheaper.

4

Competitive Offers

Well-priced homes in desirable neighborhoods can still draw multiple offers. Since this program requires a full appraisal with no waiver, get fully pre-approved before you shop, not after.

5

Commuting

Adams 12 spans a wide area. Factor in access to I-25, E-470, US-36, and the N Line before choosing a neighborhood — a slightly longer commute can sometimes buy meaningfully more house.

6

No Purchase Price Limit

Because Schools To Home has no price ceiling, it's worth seriously considering Broomfield even on a school-employee income — the program is built to make higher-priced pockets reachable too.

Step by step: how to actually use it

  1. Confirm your employer is eligible. Check the Colorado Department of Education's SchoolView site and make sure "Public" shows in the School Type column. Two minutes.
  2. Confirm you're classified full time. Your HR or payroll office can put that in writing. Get it early — it becomes a loan condition later anyway.
  3. Talk to a CHFA participating lender. Not every lender does CHFA loans, and fewer have actually closed Schools To Home files. Find one experienced with this specific program and have them price Structure A against Structure B for you honestly.
  4. Get fully pre-approved — credit pulled, income documented, DU run. Not a pre-qualification letter. In a competitive north metro market, a real pre-approval is the difference between an offer and a wish.
  5. Start both education courses now. The CHFA-approved homebuyer education class and the "Understanding Your Financial Commitment" course. Do them while you're house hunting, not while you're under contract.
  6. Get your agent involved before you tour anything. Offer strategy on this program is specific — the no-PIW rule and the no-buydown rule both need to be handled in how the contract is written, not discovered afterward.
  7. Write, negotiate, inspect, close. Then go back to work and tell the staff lounge it actually worked.

Adams 12 Schools To Home FAQ

Is CHFA Schools To Home a grant?

No. It's a deferred second mortgage with a shared appreciation obligation. Nothing is forgiven.

Do I make monthly payments on the assistance?

No. Zero percent, no monthly payment, no interest accrual for as long as it's your primary residence and the first mortgage stays in place.

How much assistance can I get?

Up to 25% of your first mortgage amount — which, once the 105% CLTV cap is applied, works out to roughly 20–21% of the purchase price.

Can I really buy with only $1,000?

Many qualified Adams 12 employees are able to purchase with approximately $1,000 cash to close, depending on loan structure, seller concessions, and lender approval.

Does that mean I only receive $1,000 in assistance?

No. Many qualified buyers receive well over $100,000 in Schools To Home assistance while contributing only about $1,000 of their own funds. The $1,000 is your required contribution, not the amount of help you receive.

Is there a purchase price limit?

No. There is a maximum loan amount — the lower of $832,750 or the applicable Fannie Mae limit plus financed MI — but no cap on the price of the home.

Can I use Schools To Home anywhere in Colorado if I work for Adams 12?

Yes. Your employment with Adams 12 Five Star Schools makes you eligible, but you are not required to purchase within the district. Qualified buyers may purchase an eligible owner-occupied home anywhere in Colorado, subject to CHFA guidelines.

Can I buy a newly built home with Schools To Home?

Yes. Eligible new construction homes may qualify as long as the builder, lender, and property meet CHFA and Fannie Mae requirements.

What's the income limit?

$178,920 statewide, the same in every county and for every household size.

What credit score do I need?

A minimum mid score of 620, or higher if the loan type requires it.

Do bus drivers, custodians, and kitchen staff qualify?

Yes. The program covers any individual employed full time by an eligible public school employer. Job title is not a factor.

Do charter school employees qualify?

Yes — eligible charter schools and institute charter schools are named as eligible employers, along with district schools, BOCES, and innovation zones.

What about preschool staff?

The program says preK–12, so publicly funded preschool employment at an eligible employer counts.

Do private school employees qualify?

No. Public employers only.

Does my spouse need to work for Adams 12?

No. Only one borrower needs to be the eligible full-time school employee; your spouse or co-borrower can work in any profession.

Can I buy with a friend or family member instead of a spouse?

Yes, as long as everyone is on the loan, everyone is on title, and everyone occupies the home. Cosigners and non-occupying co-borrowers aren't permitted.

Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer?

No.

Can I use it on a condo or townhome?

Yes — condos, PUDs, attached and detached single family, modular, and manufactured housing on a permanent foundation are all eligible.

Can I buy a home that already has an ADU?

Yes, subject to Fannie Mae requirements.

Can I buy a duplex?

No. Schools To Home is limited to one-unit owner-occupied properties.

Can I rent the house out later?

Not while the assistance is outstanding. The moment it stops being your primary residence, the second mortgage and the shared appreciation payment both come due.

What happens if I refinance?

A refinance is a maturity event. You'd repay the assistance plus the shared appreciation amount at that point.

What if my home is worth less than I paid?

Negative appreciation counts as zero appreciation. You repay the assistance, but you don't owe a share of a loss.

Can I combine Schools To Home with another down payment assistance program?

No. Subordinate financing isn't allowed.

Can the seller buy down my rate?

Not on this program — interest rate buydowns aren't permitted. Seller concessions can still go toward closing costs and prepaids within loan guidelines.

How long does the whole process take?

Plan on 45 to 60 days from contract to close, and start the education courses a month before that.

Who do I call about Adams 12 Five Star Schools?

Call our team at 720-575-1588 or 303-955-4220.

Kenna Frog

Let's find out if this works for you

One conversation tells you whether Schools To Home is a fit, what you'd actually qualify for, and what the shared appreciation would realistically cost you at a Thornton, Northglenn, or Broomfield price point. No cost, no commitment, and if the answer is "a straight conventional loan is better for you," we'll tell you that instead.

The Kenna Real Estate Group · 720-575-1588 · 303-955-4220

Call Us: 720-575-1588 Search Adams 12 Area Homes

More Colorado Schools To Home Guides

Every eligible Colorado public school district gets its own Schools To Home breakdown. Links below will go live as each guide publishes — check back if one isn't active yet.

HUB — All Colorado Districts Denver Public Schools Douglas County RE-1 Aurora (Adams-Arapahoe 28J) Adams 12 Five Star — you're here St. Vrain Valley Poudre (Fort Collins) Boulder Valley District 49 (Falcon) Academy District 20 School District 27J Greeley-Evans 6 Colorado Springs D11 Colorado Charter School Institute Thompson (Loveland) Pueblo City 60 Littleton Public Schools Harrison District 2 Widefield District 3 Weld RE-4 (Windsor) Fountain-Fort Carson D8 Westminster Public Schools 50 BOCES + Small Districts Roundup

Work for a district that borders Adams 12 but isn't Five Star Schools? Check the hub above to find your specific district guide.

Program details summarized from the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA) Schools To Home program matrix effective July 1, 2026, and are subject to change. This article is for general information only and is not a commitment to lend, an offer of credit, or a guarantee of eligibility, terms, or assistance amounts. Eligibility, income limits, loan limits, credit requirements, homebuyer education requirements, loan structure, and shared appreciation terms are determined by CHFA and a CHFA participating lender. Loan structure examples are illustrative and reflect published program limits; your actual structure is determined by your lender and automated underwriting. Verify eligible employers with the Colorado Department of Education. The Kenna Real Estate Group is a real estate brokerage team and does not originate loans. Not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by Adams 12 Five Star Schools. Each office is independently owned and operated. Equal Housing Opportunity.

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Brian Lee Burke
Brian Lee Burke
AUTHOR, E-PRO®, REALTOR® BROKER

Brian Lee Burke is the founder and team leader of Kenna Real Estate Group, a real estate team at Keller Williams DTC. A licensed REALTOR® since 2002, Brian helps Colorado buyers and sellers navigate residential real estate, new construction, pricing, and negotiation. He is also the author of The Real Estate Playbook and Mastering Real Estate: Your Guide to Becoming a Top Agent.

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