California Mortgage Broker
The Mortgage Zone brokers mortgages in California (NMLS #2697124). For 2026, many coastal metros — including Los Angeles, Orange County, and the San Francisco Bay Area — carry the high-cost conforming ceiling of $1,249,125, while inland counties use the $832,750 baseline. Jumbo and high-balance lending are everyday work here.
Purchase, refinance, and investment financing across California — one application, 75 wholesale lenders competing for your loan.
Lending in California
California is the country's largest jumbo market: in its coastal metros, even starter homes routinely exceed conforming limits. Our lender network includes bank and portfolio jumbo outlets, high-balance agency pricing, and non-QM programs for the state's enormous self-employed and entrepreneur population.
Proposition 13 keeps property taxes near 1% of purchase price with capped assessment growth — but new buyers should expect a supplemental tax bill in year one as the county reassesses to their purchase price. We build that into payment expectations so nothing surprises you after closing.
- Conforming (Fannie/Freddie)
- $832,750 baseline; $1,249,125 in high-cost metros (LA, Orange, Bay Area, and others)
- FHA
- Varies widely by county, from $541,287 up to $1,249,125 in high-cost metros
Limits are set per county and change annually — we'll confirm the exact figure for your county when we quote your scenario.
CalHFA offers first-mortgage programs and down payment assistance (such as MyHome) for eligible California buyers, with income limits by county. We'll evaluate CalHFA against conventional and FHA paths for your scenario.
calhfa.ca.govWhat's Different in CA
High-balance vs. jumbo strategy
In high-cost counties there's a pricing tier between the baseline and the ceiling — 'high-balance' conforming — that often beats jumbo pricing. Structuring the loan amount around these break points, or pairing a first with a second lien, can meaningfully cut your rate.
Self-employed capital of America
Founders, freelancers, and gig-economy earners are a huge share of California borrowers. Bank statement and asset-based programs from our non-QM lenders qualify income the way it's actually earned.
ADU-friendly financing
Accessory dwelling units are reshaping California properties. Renovation programs and, on some products, projected ADU rental income can support the purchase or build.
Popular in California
Serving borrowers throughout California, including Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose, San Francisco, Sacramento, Irvine, Riverside, Oakland, Fresno, and every county in between.
The Mortgage Zone is a licensed mortgage broker in California (NMLS #2697124). Verify our licensing on the State Licenses page or via NMLS Consumer Access.
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No credit pull required. NMLS #2697124
Loan limits, program availability, tax rules, and assistance programs are subject to change and vary by county and borrower eligibility; information on this page is general reference, not a loan offer or tax advice. State agency programs are offered by those agencies, not The Mortgage Zone. Equal Housing Opportunity.
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