Mortgage Broker in Sacramento, CA - More Options, Better Rates
Matt Mayo is a licensed mortgage broker serving Sacramento and the greater Sacramento region with access to over 150 wholesale lenders. From first-time buyers looking at condos in Natomas to families upgrading in East Sacramento or investors picking up rentals in Midtown, I shop the entire wholesale market to find the right loan for your situation. Book a free consultation to see what you qualify for.
Book a Free ConsultationSacramento Market Snapshot
Last updated: Mar 1, 2026
Median Price
$495,000
Avg Days on Market
38
Entry Price
$300K-$425K (condos, townhomes, and starter homes in North Sacramento/Natomas)
High End
$900K-$1.5M+ (East Sacramento, Land Park, Fab 40s)
Typical properties: Single-family homes, condos, townhomes, duplexes, and multi-unit properties
Source: Redfin Sacramento Housing Market
Loan Programs That Work in Sacramento
Conventional
With a median price around $495,000, most Sacramento homes fall well under the $832,750 conforming limit — which means you get the best conventional rates available. First-time buyers can put as little as 3% down. On a $495K purchase, that's $14,850. And since you're not in high-balance territory, the pricing is as competitive as it gets.
FHA
FHA is one of the most popular loan types I use for Sacramento buyers. The 2026 FHA limit for Sacramento County is $763,600, which covers nearly every home in the city. At 3.5% down on a $495,000 purchase, you're looking at about $17,325 out of pocket. FHA is also more forgiving on credit — you can qualify with a 580 score.
VA
Sacramento has a large veteran and military-connected population, with proximity to Mather Field, McClellan Park, and Travis AFB about an hour away. VA loans require zero down payment and no monthly mortgage insurance. On a $495,000 home, that's $495,000 financed with nothing down. If you've served, this is one of the first programs we should look at.
Down Payment Assistance
Sacramento has more down payment assistance options than almost any other California market. Between state programs (Dream For All, CalHFA MyHome, CalPlus), SHRA's local programs, and lender-specific DPA through my wholesale relationships, many buyers can get in with little to no out-of-pocket down payment. Some of these programs stack together.
DSCR (Investor)
Sacramento's rental market is strong — driven by state government employment, UC Davis proximity, and Bay Area remote workers who've relocated. Average rents for a one-bedroom are around $1,600/month. DSCR loans let investors qualify based on the rental income of the property, not personal income. No W-2s, no tax returns. If the rent covers the mortgage, you can qualify.
HELOC / Home Equity
If you already own in Sacramento, you've likely built meaningful equity over the past several years. A HELOC lets you tap that equity without disturbing your existing first mortgage rate. I work with lenders offering HELOCs up to 95% combined loan-to-value — useful for renovations, investment property down payments, or debt consolidation.
Non-QM
Sacramento has a growing self-employed population, including small business owners, consultants, and gig workers. If your tax returns don't show your full income picture, I work with lenders that offer bank statement programs, asset depletion loans, and 1099-only qualification. These are wholesale-only products that banks don't offer.
Sacramento County Loan Limits
2026
FHA Limit
$763,600
Conforming Limit
$832,750
Local Assistance Programs in Sacramento
CalHFA MyHome Assistance Program
Deferred-payment junior loan up to 3.5% of the purchase price for down payment or closing costs. No monthly payment — it's due when you sell, refinance, or pay off the first mortgage.
Income limits vary by county. Must be paired with a CalHFA first mortgage.
CalPlus with ZIP Extra
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. Works well for buyers who are tight on cash at closing but have solid income.
Dream For All Shared Appreciation Loan
Deadline: Mar 16, 2026Up to 20% of the purchase price as a down payment loan with no monthly payments. This is a lottery-based program — you register during an open window, and if selected, you receive a funding voucher. When you sell the home, you repay the original loan plus a share of the appreciation.
First-generation, first-time buyers. California resident required. Registration opens once per year. The 2026 registration window closes March 16, 2026 at 5:00 PM PDT.
SHRA PLHA First-Time Homebuyer Mortgage Assistance
The Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency (SHRA) offers down payment and closing cost assistance for first-time homebuyers purchasing within the City or County of Sacramento. Assistance is provided as a deferred loan.
First-time homebuyer. Income limits apply based on household size and area median income. Must purchase within SHRA's service area. Homebuyer education required.
SHRA Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC)
A federal tax credit that allows first-time homebuyers to claim a portion of their annual mortgage interest as a dollar-for-dollar tax credit — up to $2,000 per year for the life of the loan. This effectively lowers your monthly cost of homeownership.
First-time homebuyer. Income and purchase price limits apply. Can be combined with other assistance programs. Must purchase within Sacramento County.
Lender-Specific DPA Programs
I have access to wholesale lender programs that can cover up to 100% of the FHA down payment. These change frequently and have their own income limits and guidelines. They're only available through brokers with wholesale lender relationships — not through banks.
Income limits vary by program. Only available through mortgage brokers.
Neighborhood Insights
Sacramento is a city of distinct neighborhoods, and the one you choose affects not just your lifestyle but your loan strategy. Here's what I tell buyers who are new to the area: Midtown and Downtown are Sacramento's most walkable neighborhoods — a grid of tree-lined streets with restaurants, bars, coffee shops, and older housing stock. You'll find a mix of Victorians, Craftsman bungalows, and newer condo projects. Single-family homes in Midtown range from $450K to $700K, with condos starting around $300K. FHA and conventional both work well here. East Sacramento is one of the city's most established and desirable neighborhoods. The Fab 40s — a section of tree-canopied streets with large Tudor, Colonial, and Craftsman homes — is the premium pocket, with prices running $1M to $1.5M+. Outside the Fab 40s, East Sac homes typically range from $700K to $1M. High-balance conventional or jumbo depending on the specific property. Land Park and Curtis Park sit south of Downtown, centered around William Land Park. Charming 1920s-1940s homes on quiet streets, strong neighborhood identity. Prices range from $600K to $900K for most homes. Conventional financing is the standard here, and most properties fall under the conforming limit. Natomas (North Natomas and South Natomas) is one of Sacramento's most popular areas for first-time buyers. Newer construction, larger lots, and more space for the money. Prices typically range from $400K to $600K. FHA and conventional with DPA are common here — and the affordability makes it a strong market for buyers using programs like Dream For All or CalHFA. Oak Park is a neighborhood in the middle of a transformation — longtime residents alongside new restaurants, breweries, and arts spaces. Home prices range from $350K to $550K, making it one of the most affordable options within city limits. FHA and DPA programs are popular here. Pocket-Greenhaven is a family-friendly area south of Land Park, bordered by the Sacramento River. Prices range from $500K to $750K. Conventional financing works well, and the lower price points relative to East Sac and Land Park make it accessible for move-up buyers. The key takeaway: Sacramento's median price of $495,000 makes it one of the more accessible major California markets, and many neighborhoods have strong DPA program eligibility. The right loan strategy depends on where you're buying and what programs you qualify for.
Why Work With a Sacramento Mortgage Broker?
When you walk into a bank and apply for a mortgage, you get that bank's rates and that bank's guidelines. If they say no, or if their rate isn't competitive, you start over somewhere else. As a mortgage broker, I work with over 150 wholesale lenders — and I submit your loan to whichever one offers the best deal for your situation. In Sacramento's market, where the median price is around $495,000 and most homes fall within standard conforming limits, the difference between lenders on rate and closing costs can save you thousands.
Sacramento also has more down payment assistance options than most California markets. I know which programs stack together, which lenders work best with DPA, and how to structure a deal that maximizes the assistance you qualify for. That's not something a bank loan officer is set up to do.
What "150+ Lenders" Actually Means for You
Different lenders have different guidelines — different ways they calculate income, different overlays on credit, different pricing for the same loan scenario. One lender might decline your loan while another approves it at a great rate.
Here's an example: a Sacramento buyer who was self-employed and had strong bank deposits but modest tax return income. The bank they approached wanted to use the tax return income, which didn't qualify them. I placed them with a wholesale lender that offered a 12-month bank statement program — they qualified based on actual deposits, not what their accountant minimized on their return.
That's the practical value of 150+ lenders. It's not about shopping one rate against another — it's about finding the lender whose guidelines fit your financial picture.
My Pre-Approval Actually Means Something
I do a full document review before issuing a pre-approval: income verification, asset documentation, credit analysis, and a preliminary lender match. By the time you're making offers, I've already identified which lenders will approve your loan and at what terms.
In Sacramento's market — where homes go pending in about 38 days and competitive neighborhoods move faster — the quality of your pre-approval matters. Listing agents call the lender. When they call me, I can speak to your file because I've already done the work. That gives your offer credibility.
Your Sacramento Mortgage Broker
I'm Matt Mayo, a licensed mortgage broker with United American Mortgage. I serve Sacramento buyers and homeowners with access to 150+ wholesale lenders and a hands-on process that starts with a real document review — not an automated questionnaire.
Whether you're a first-time buyer using DPA to get into a home in Natomas, a family upgrading in East Sacramento, a veteran using your VA benefit, or an investor building a rental portfolio in Midtown — I'll find the right loan for your situation. Book a free consultation to get started.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do I need for a down payment on a home in Sacramento?
It depends on the loan type and purchase price. FHA requires 3.5% — on a $495,000 home that's about $17,325. Conventional starts at 3% for first-time buyers ($14,850). VA is zero down. And Sacramento has some of the best DPA options in the state — between CalHFA, SHRA, Dream For All, and lender-specific programs, many buyers can significantly reduce their out-of-pocket costs.
What is the FHA loan limit in Sacramento County for 2026?
The 2026 FHA loan limit for Sacramento County is $763,600 for a single-family home. That covers the vast majority of homes in Sacramento, where the median price is around $495,000.
What is the conforming loan limit in Sacramento County for 2026?
The 2026 conforming loan limit for Sacramento County is $832,750. Since the median home price in Sacramento is about $495,000, most purchases fall well under this limit — which means you get access to the best conventional rates and terms.
What first-time buyer programs are available in Sacramento?
Sacramento has excellent DPA options: Dream For All (up to 20% of purchase price, lottery-based), CalHFA MyHome (up to 3.5% deferred loan), CalPlus with ZIP Extra (up to 3% closing cost grant), SHRA PLHA Mortgage Assistance (deferred loan), SHRA Mortgage Credit Certificate (up to $2,000/year tax credit), and lender-specific DPA through my wholesale relationships.
What's the difference between a mortgage broker and a bank?
A bank has one set of rates and guidelines. As a mortgage broker, I shop your loan across 150+ wholesale lenders to find the best rate and program for your situation. I also have access to DPA programs and specialty products that banks can't offer — which matters a lot in a market like Sacramento where assistance programs can make or break a first-time buyer's ability to purchase.
Can I buy an investment property in Sacramento with a DSCR loan?
Yes. DSCR loans qualify based on the property's rental income, not your personal income or tax returns. Sacramento's rental market is solid — average one-bedroom rents run around $1,600/month — and neighborhoods like Midtown, Oak Park, and Natomas offer good rental demand. If the rent covers the mortgage payment, you can qualify.
Let's talk about buying in Sacramento
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