California Home Loan Programs

Finding the Best California Home Loan for You

Buying a home in California is an exciting milestone, and choosing the right California home loan is crucial to your financial success. As a licensed California mortgage broker (CA DRE #01902006), Better Offers Inc specializes in helping homebuyers navigate the complex landscape of home purchase financing across Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Sacramento, and throughout the state.

Whether you're a first-time homebuyer in California or an experienced homeowner looking to upgrade, we offer a wide range of loan programs designed to fit your unique situation. From low down payment options to jumbo loans for high-value properties, our team of experienced loan officers works with over 50 lenders to find you the best rates and terms available.

Popular California Home Purchase Loan Programs

Conventional Loans

Conventional loans are the most common type of home purchase financing and offer competitive interest rates for borrowers with good credit. First-time buyers can qualify with as little as 3% down, while repeat buyers typically need 5-20% down. These loans are not backed by the government, which means they often have stricter credit requirements but can offer lower costs for well-qualified borrowers.

With conventional financing, you can avoid mortgage insurance once you reach 20% equity, making it a cost-effective choice for many California homebuyers. Our conventional loan programs include fixed-rate and adjustable-rate options with terms ranging from 10 to 30 years.

FHA Loans

Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans are ideal for first-time homebuyers in California or those with less-than-perfect credit. With down payments as low as 3.5% and credit scores accepted down to 580, FHA loans make homeownership more accessible. These government-backed loans offer competitive rates and flexible underwriting guidelines.

FHA loans do require mortgage insurance for the life of the loan if you put down less than 10%, but they remain one of the most popular options for California buyers who want to minimize their upfront cash requirement. If you're buying a home in expensive markets like San Francisco or Los Angeles, FHA loan limits have been increased to accommodate higher home prices.

VA Loans

Veterans, active-duty service members, and eligible spouses can take advantage of VA loans, which offer some of the best terms available. With 0% down payment, no private mortgage insurance (PMI), and competitive interest rates, VA loans are an incredible benefit for those who have served our country.

California has one of the largest veteran populations in the nation, and our team has extensive experience helping veterans navigate the VA loan process. We work with VA-approved lenders who understand the unique requirements and can expedite your approval. Whether you're buying a primary residence, building a new home, or refinancing, we can help you maximize your VA benefits.

Jumbo Loans

Given California's high home prices, many buyers need jumbo loans that exceed conventional loan limits. In 2026, the conforming loan limit for most California counties is $766,550, but high-cost areas like San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego have limits up to $1,149,825. Properties exceeding these amounts require jumbo financing.

Our jumbo loan programs offer competitive rates for well-qualified borrowers, typically requiring 10-20% down and credit scores above 700. We work with specialized jumbo lenders who understand the California real estate market and can structure financing for homes valued at $2 million, $5 million, or more.

The California Home Buying Process

Buying a home in California involves several key steps, and having experienced guidance makes all the difference:

1. Get Pre-Approved: Before you start house hunting, get a pre-approval letter showing sellers you're a serious buyer with financing in place.
2. Find Your Home: Work with a real estate agent to find properties in your desired location and price range.
3. Make an Offer: Submit a competitive offer with your pre-approval letter attached.
4. Open Escrow: Once your offer is accepted, escrow opens (typically 30-45 days in California).
5. Complete Inspections: Have the property professionally inspected and appraised.
6. Finalize Financing: Submit final documentation to your lender for underwriting approval.
7. Close Escrow: Sign final documents and receive the keys to your new home!

Why Work with a California Mortgage Broker?

As an independent mortgage broker, Better Offers Inc isn't tied to a single lender. We shop your loan across 50+ wholesale and retail lenders to find you the best mortgage rates in California. This means:

• Access to more loan programs than any single bank offers
• Competitive rates from lenders competing for your business
• Personalized service from a licensed loan officer who works for you, not the lender
• Faster approvals and closing times with streamlined processes
• Expert guidance through California's unique real estate market

Our 15+ years of experience serving California homebuyers means we understand local market conditions, property types, and lender requirements. We've helped thousands of clients secure financing in competitive markets from Silicon Valley to San Diego, and we're ready to help you too.

Related Services

Looking for other financing options? We also offer mortgage refinancing to lower your rate or HELOC loans to access your home equity. For investors, check out our DSCR loan programs for rental properties or hard money loans for fix-and-flip projects.