Free: CA Loan Playbook 2026
42 pages · instant download · no strings
Before you go — get the free guide thousands of California buyers use to understand their loan options before talking to a lender.
No thanks, I'll figure it out on my own
42 pages · instant download · no strings
Before you go — get the free guide thousands of California buyers use to understand their loan options before talking to a lender.
No thanks, I'll figure it out on my own
Free, unbiased mortgage education for California home buyers, first-time buyers, investors, and self-employed borrowers. No sales pitch. No credit pull.
Get matched with the right loan type for your situation.
No lender calls. No credit pull. Educational resource only.
The most common loan in California. Ideal for borrowers with solid credit and stable W-2 income. Conforming limit in most CA counties is $766,550 — higher in LA, SF, and Orange County. Once you hit 20% equity, PMI is removed automatically.
Government-backed with flexible credit requirements — the go-to for first-time buyers with limited savings. FHA MIP (mortgage insurance) is required for the life of the loan if you put less than 10% down, so factor that into your long-term math.
One of the most powerful mortgage benefits available. Zero down payment, no monthly mortgage insurance, and competitive rates — for active duty, veterans, and eligible surviving spouses. California has one of the highest VA loan volume states in the country.
For California's luxury market. Any loan above the conforming limit — $766,550 in most counties, up to $1.15M in high-cost areas like LA — is a jumbo. Stricter reserves and credit requirements, but essential for most Westside, Malibu, and coastal purchases.
Built for self-employed borrowers whose tax returns don't reflect real income due to legitimate write-offs. Qualify using 12–24 months of personal or business bank statements. Extremely common in LA's entrepreneur, creative, and entertainment industries.
Debt Service Coverage Ratio loans let real estate investors qualify based on the property's rental income — not personal income. No W-2, no tax returns, no personal income verification. The property pays for itself on paper, and that's what counts.
Tap your existing home equity by refinancing into a larger loan. Use proceeds for renovations, down payments on investment properties, debt consolidation, or anything else. California's appreciation has left many homeowners with massive untapped equity.
The California Housing Finance Agency offers state-backed programs specifically for first-time buyers — most with income and purchase price limits. Stacking CalHFA with FHA or conventional gets you below-market rates plus down payment assistance in one package.
California has more self-employed workers, freelancers, and business owners than nearly any other state. The traditional mortgage system is built for W-2 earners — it penalizes the write-offs that make running a business smart.
Bank statement loans were built for exactly this situation. Qualify on what you actually earn — not what your tax returns show after every deduction.
Get the Self-Employed Guide →California has some of the strongest first-time buyer assistance in the country. Most people don't qualify check — they just assume they don't.
Deferred-payment junior loan up to 3.5% of purchase price. No monthly payment added — repaid only when you sell or refinance.
Zero Monthly CostZero-Interest Program covering closing costs. Must pair with a CalPLUS first mortgage. Fully deferred, no interest, no monthly payment.
No Interest EverShared appreciation loan covering 20% down. State receives a portion of future appreciation when you sell. Designed for first-gen buyers.
20% Down CoveredFor K-12 teachers, administrators, and classified staff in high-priority CA schools. Below-market rates plus down payment assistance.
Education ProfessionalsCalifornia's own veteran loan program — separate and stackable with VA benefits. Competitive fixed rates with additional state protections.
Veterans OnlyLos Angeles County's own down payment assistance for qualifying buyers in unincorporated areas. Income limits apply — worth checking if buying in the Valley or East LA.
LA County SpecificEstimate payment, affordability, and more. Adjust below.
DSCR loans let the property qualify itself. If the rent covers the mortgage — you qualify. No personal income docs, no tax return drama. It's how serious CA investors keep scaling.
Markets like the Inland Empire, San Fernando Valley, and Long Beach still pencil for cash flow. Know your DSCR before you make an offer.
Learn About DSCR Loans →
The highest-traffic mortgage education topics — California-specific, no upsell.
The 10-year Treasury, Fed policy, and your credit score all pull in different directions. Here's how they interact in today's market.
Write-offs reduce your taxes and kill your mortgage qualification. Bank statement loans fix that. Here's exactly how they work.
CalHFA, FHA, and conventional options compared side-by-side. Real numbers on a $750K purchase — what each path actually costs monthly.
If you're building a rental portfolio in California, DSCR loans let the property do the qualifying. Here's the math lenders use.
The old "1% rule" is too simple. Here's the real break-even math, factoring in closing costs and how long you plan to stay.
In a multiple-offer situation, a weak pre-qual letter is ignored. Here's what separates a real approval from a soft inquiry.
42 pages. Instant download. No lender calls, no credit pull. Just the guide California buyers actually need.
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Weekly rate movements, new CA program announcements, and plain-English breakdowns of what's actually happening in the market. No spam, ever.
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