Mortgage Broker in Inglewood, CA - More Options, Better Rates
Matt Mayo is a licensed mortgage broker serving Inglewood homebuyers and investors with access to 150+ wholesale lenders — not just one bank's rates. Whether you're buying your first home near Downtown Inglewood, investing in a rental property close to SoFi Stadium, or tapping equity in a home you've owned for years, I'll build a financing strategy around your situation. Book a free consultation to see what you qualify for.
Book a Free ConsultationInglewood Market Snapshot
Last updated: Mar 1, 2026
Median Price
$832,000
Avg Days on Market
26
Entry Price
$500K–$700K (condos and smaller single-family homes)
High End
$1M–$1.5M+ (renovated single-family, multi-unit properties near Hollywood Park)
Typical properties: Single-family homes, condos, duplexes, apartment buildings, and multi-unit investment properties
Source: California Association of REALTORS® Monthly Market Report (January 2026)
Loan Programs That Work in Inglewood
FHA
With a median price around $832,000, FHA is still very much in play — the 2026 FHA limit for LA County is $1,249,125. At 3.5% down on an $832,000 purchase, you're looking at about $29,120 out of pocket. FHA is one of the most common programs I use for Inglewood buyers.
Conventional
If your credit score is 700+, a conventional loan can save you money on mortgage insurance compared to FHA. For purchases under $832,750 you'll get the best conforming rates. I work with lenders that let first-time buyers put as little as 3% down on conventional.
VA
Inglewood's proximity to LAX and several military-connected employers means I see a steady number of VA-eligible buyers here. VA financing means zero down payment and no monthly mortgage insurance.
Jumbo
Some of the renovated properties near Hollywood Park and Inglewood Knolls push past the $1,249,125 conforming limit. I work with lenders offering jumbo loans at 5% down with no PMI on certain programs.
DSCR (Investor)
Inglewood's transformation around SoFi Stadium and the Intuit Dome has made it one of the most interesting investor markets in LA County. DSCR loans qualify based on the property's rental income — not your personal income or tax returns.
Down Payment Assistance
Between state programs like Dream For All and CalHFA, the LA County Greenline Home Program, and wholesale lender DPA programs that I have access to as a broker, there are real options to reduce or eliminate your out-of-pocket down payment in Inglewood.
HELOC / Home Equity
If you've owned in Inglewood for even a few years, you've likely built significant equity — home values here have appreciated dramatically over the past decade. I work with lenders offering HELOCs up to 95% combined loan-to-value.
Los Angeles County Loan Limits
2026
FHA Limit
$1,249,125
Conforming Limit
$1,249,125
Local Assistance Programs in Inglewood
Inglewood Homeownership Initiative (NHS of LA County)
Up to $50,000 in grant funding for down payment assistance. Administered by Neighborhood Housing Services of LA County in partnership with the City of Inglewood. First come, first served — you must attend an NHS orientation workshop to get started.
Must live or work in Inglewood. Income restrictions apply. Homebuyer education required through NHS.
Dream For All Shared Appreciation Loan
Up to 20% of the purchase price as a down payment loan with no monthly payments. Lottery-based — you register during the open window, and if selected, you receive funding.
First-generation, first-time buyers. California resident required. Registration typically opens once per year.
CalHFA MyHome Assistance Program
A deferred-payment junior loan of up to 3.5% of the purchase price for down payment or closing costs. No monthly payment.
Income limits vary by county. Must be paired with a CalHFA first mortgage.
CalPlus with ZIP Extra
A CalHFA conventional program paired with a zero-interest closing cost grant of up to 3% of the loan amount. The grant doesn't need to be repaid.
Comes with a slightly higher rate on the first mortgage. Best for buyers who need help with closing costs specifically.
Lender-Specific DPA Programs
As a broker, I have access to wholesale lender programs that can cover up to 100% of the FHA down payment. These programs change frequently and are not available through banks or direct lenders.
Only available through brokers with wholesale lender relationships. Income limits vary by program.
Los Angeles County Programs
Greenline Home Program
A $35,000 grant for down payment or closing cost assistance towards the purchase of a home in Los Angeles County. Designed to address the legacy of redlining and empower economically marginalized communities.
Must be a first-time homebuyer (no ownership interest in past 3 years). Priority given to low-to-moderate income residents in high-need census tracts. Property must be a single-family residence, condo, or townhouse. 3% of buyer's own funds required. Must complete an 8-hour HUD-approved homebuyer education class. 3-year occupancy and lien requirement.
Learn moreNeighborhood Insights
Inglewood is a city in the middle of one of the most dramatic transformations in LA County — SoFi Stadium, the Intuit Dome, the Hollywood Park mixed-use development, and the K Line Metro connection have completely changed the investment landscape. Here's what I tell buyers who are new to the area: North Inglewood borders Ladera Heights and has some of the city's most sought-after single-family homes — think 1930s-1950s bungalows, cottages, and midcentury ranches on tree-lined streets. Prices for renovated homes here can push $900K–$1.1M, with fixer-uppers in the $700K range. Morningside Park is the eastern side of the city along Crenshaw and Manchester — a well-known residential pocket with a mix of single-family homes and multi-unit properties. This is where investors look at DSCR loans for 2-4 unit buildings. Hollywood Park / Century Boulevard corridor is ground zero for the stadium-driven transformation. Entry-level prices can start in the $600K range for condos and smaller homes. Inglewood Knolls is one of the quieter neighborhoods — midcentury homes with larger yards on wide, suburban-feeling streets. Prices here tend to run $800K–$1M+. La Tijera Village sits at Inglewood's northern tip, adjacent to Westchester and near LAX. Single-family homes here can run $900K to the mid-$1Ms.
Why Work With an Inglewood Mortgage Broker?
When you walk into a bank and apply for a mortgage, you get that bank's rates, that bank's guidelines, and that bank's answer. As a broker, I shop your loan across 150+ wholesale lenders. That means I can find the lender whose guidelines actually fit your situation. In a market like Inglewood — where you've got everything from first-time buyers to investors buying multi-unit buildings — that flexibility matters.
What "150+ Lenders" Actually Means for You
Different lenders have different guidelines — different DTI thresholds, different ways they count rental income, different overlays on credit events. One lender might decline you while another approves you at a competitive rate, for the exact same file. Here's a real example: an Inglewood buyer with rental income from a duplex they already owned. The bank wouldn't count the rental income the way they needed. I placed that loan with a wholesale lender that used a more favorable rental income calculation.
My Pre-Approval Actually Means Something
I review income documents, tax returns, bank statements, and asset documentation upfront — before you start making offers. When your agent submits an offer in Inglewood's competitive market, the listing agent knows you're a serious buyer. In a market where homes sell at 100% of list price with a median of 26 days on market, that credibility matters.
Serving Inglewood From Long Beach
I'm based in Long Beach — about 20 minutes south of Inglewood. Inglewood is one of the markets I find most interesting right now. The combination of established neighborhoods, stadium-driven investment, improving transit access, and strong demand creates a market where the right financing strategy can make a real difference. I'm also Chair of the Young Professionals Network at the Pacific West Association of REALTORS®.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do I need for a down payment on a home in Inglewood?
FHA requires 3.5% — on an $832,000 home that's about $29,120. Conventional starts at 3% for first-time buyers (roughly $24,960). VA is zero down. And if you qualify for DPA through programs like the Inglewood Homeownership Initiative, Greenline, or one of my wholesale lender DPA programs, your out-of-pocket could be significantly less.
What is the FHA loan limit in Los Angeles County for 2026?
The 2026 FHA loan limit for Los Angeles County is $1,249,125 for a single-family home. Most homes in Inglewood are well within FHA eligibility. FHA requires just 3.5% down and is more flexible on credit scores than conventional.
What is the conforming loan limit in Los Angeles County for 2026?
The 2026 conforming loan limit for LA County is $1,249,125. Loans up to $832,750 get the best conforming rates. Loans between $832,750 and $1,249,125 are high-balance conforming with slightly higher pricing.
Is Inglewood a good area for real estate investment?
Inglewood has seen some of the strongest appreciation in LA County, driven by billions in development around SoFi Stadium, the Intuit Dome, and Hollywood Park. Over 40% of housing is apartments and multi-unit, creating strong rental demand. I use DSCR loans for investors here.
What first-time buyer programs are available in Inglewood?
Inglewood buyers can access the Inglewood Homeownership Initiative (up to $50,000 grant), LA County Greenline ($35,000 grant), Dream For All (up to 20%, lottery-based), CalHFA MyHome (3.5% deferred loan), CalPlus with ZIP Extra (3% closing cost grant), and wholesale lender DPA programs through my broker relationships.
What's the difference between a mortgage broker and a bank?
A bank has its own loan products and rates. As a mortgage broker, I shop your loan across 150+ wholesale lenders to find the best rate and program for your situation. That means more options, more flexibility, and access to programs like certain down payment assistance that banks can't offer.
How much house can I afford in Inglewood?
That depends on your income, debts, down payment, and loan program. Inglewood's median home price is around $832,000 — at 5% down, that's about $41,600 plus closing costs. FHA with 3.5% down is popular here, and DPA programs like the Inglewood Homeownership Initiative can bring your out-of-pocket even lower. I can run your exact numbers in a quick call.
What are closing costs when buying in Inglewood?
Closing costs in Inglewood typically run 2-5% of the purchase price. On an $832,000 home, that's roughly $16,640 to $41,600 covering the appraisal, title insurance, escrow fees, and lender charges. Because I shop across 150+ lenders, I can often find options with lender credits that offset some of those costs.
Can I buy a home in Inglewood if I'm self-employed?
Yes — this is one of my specialties. Banks often struggle with self-employed borrowers because tax returns don't always tell the full story. I have access to bank statement loan programs that use 12-24 months of deposits instead of tax returns, plus asset depletion and profit-and-loss programs. The key is finding a lender whose guidelines fit your situation.
What happens if my appraisal comes in low in Inglewood?
It's more common than you'd think in Inglewood right now — the stadium-driven appreciation means comps are moving fast and appraisers don't always keep up. You have options: renegotiate the purchase price with the seller, make up the difference in cash, challenge the appraisal with comparable sales data, or walk away. I've helped clients navigate all of these scenarios.
Let's talk about buying in Inglewood
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