California home buyers are heading into 2026 with a rare “stacking” opportunity: lower mortgage rates (Freddie Mac shows the 30-year fixed at 6.06% as of Jan 15, 2026) plus a growing ecosystem of down-payment/closing-cost assistance that can reduce the cash needed to get into a home. If you’re a first-time or moderate-income buyer, the biggest wins typically come from combining (where allowed) a...