Mortgage Broker in San Diego, CA - More Options, Better Rates
Matt Mayo is a licensed mortgage broker serving San Diego with access to 150+ wholesale lenders. From first-time buyers in North Park to veterans using their VA benefits near base, to investors building rental portfolios in City Heights, I shop your loan across dozens of lenders to find the right fit. Book a free consultation to see what you qualify for.
Book a Free ConsultationSan Diego Market Snapshot
Last updated: Mar 1, 2026
Median Price
$930,000
Avg Days on Market
36
Entry Price
$550K-$800K (condos, townhomes, inland single-family)
High End
$1.5M-$3M+ (coastal, La Jolla, Del Mar)
Typical properties: Single-family homes, condos, townhomes, multi-unit properties, and ADUs
Source: Redfin San Diego Housing Market
Loan Programs That Work in San Diego
Conventional
San Diego's high-balance conforming limit of $1,104,000 means most homes in the city can be financed with a conventional loan. If you can keep your loan under $832,750, you get better rates and can put as little as 3% down. Between $832,750 and $1,104,000, you're in high-balance territory with 5% minimum down.
FHA
FHA loans work well for San Diego buyers who want to get in with 3.5% down and more flexible credit requirements. The FHA limit here matches the conforming limit at $1,104,000, so even in a market where the median price is around $930,000, FHA is a real option. On a $900,000 purchase, your down payment would be $31,500.
VA
San Diego is one of the largest military metro areas in the country, with over 115,000 active-duty service members and 240,000+ veterans across the county. If you've served, VA financing means zero down payment and no monthly mortgage insurance. With full entitlement, there's no loan limit at all.
Jumbo
For homes above $1,104,000 — common in coastal neighborhoods like La Jolla, Del Mar, Point Loma, and Coronado — you'll need jumbo financing. I work with lenders that offer jumbo loans with as little as 5-10% down. Guidelines and pricing vary a lot between lenders here, which is where having access to 150+ options matters most.
DSCR (Investor)
San Diego's rental market is strong and getting stronger. Average rents for a one-bedroom are over $2,300/month. DSCR loans let investors qualify based on the property's rental income instead of personal income or tax returns. No W-2s, no pay stubs. If the rent covers the payment, you can qualify.
Down Payment Assistance
Between state programs like Dream For All and CalHFA MyHome, county programs through the San Diego Housing Commission, and lender-specific DPA I can access through my wholesale relationships, there are real options for buyers who don't have a big down payment saved up. Some of these programs stack together.
HELOC / Home Equity
If you already own in San Diego, the appreciation over the last several years means you may be sitting on more equity than you think. I work with lenders offering HELOCs up to 95% combined loan-to-value. That equity can fund renovations, cover an investment property down payment, or consolidate higher-rate debt.
San Diego County Loan Limits
2026
FHA Limit
$1,104,000
Conforming Limit
$1,104,000
Local Assistance Programs in San Diego
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.
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.
SDHC First-Time Homebuyer Program (Middle-Income)
The San Diego Housing Commission offers a $40,000 deferred down payment assistance loan and a $10,000 closing costs assistance grant for buyers earning between 80% and 150% of the area median income.
Must purchase in the City of San Diego. First-time buyer (no ownership in last 3 years). Funded by Wells Fargo Foundation grant. Contact SDHC at (619) 578-7788 or homeownership@sdhc.org.
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.
San Diego County Programs
San Diego County Moderate Income DPA (DCCA)
Up to 17% of purchase price, deferred payment.
First-time buyer, income <=120% AMI, 3% buyer contribution.
Learn moreSan Diego County Low-Income DCCA / CalHome
Up to 22% + 4% closing costs (up to $10K).
Income <=80% AMI, 3% buyer contribution, purchase price caps.
Learn moreNeighborhood Insights
San Diego is one of those cities where the neighborhood you choose can change your loan strategy completely. A buyer in North Park is looking at a completely different market than someone shopping in La Jolla. Here's what I tell people who are new to the area: North Park is one of the most popular neighborhoods for first-time buyers and younger professionals. Craftsman bungalows, walkable streets, a strong restaurant and bar scene. Median prices sit around $850K–$1M for single-family homes, with condos starting closer to $550K. FHA and conventional loans work well here — you're comfortably under the $1,104,000 conforming limit. City Heights is one of San Diego's most diverse and affordable neighborhoods. Single-family homes can still be found in the $600K–$750K range, and multi-unit properties are common. This is one of the best neighborhoods in the city for investors — DSCR loans work well for 2-4 unit properties, and the rental demand is strong. Clairemont and Bay Park are mid-century neighborhoods that offer good value relative to their location. You're close to the beach, close to the 5 and 52, and prices for single-family homes typically run $900K–$1.1M. High-balance conventional is the most common loan type I use here. La Jolla and Del Mar are the premium coastal markets. Median prices are well above $2M, and many properties require jumbo financing. I work with lenders that offer jumbo loans at 5-10% down with competitive rates, which is important because jumbo pricing varies significantly between lenders. Mira Mesa and University City are popular with families and tech workers — proximity to the Sorrento Valley tech corridor and UCSD keeps demand high. Prices range from $800K to $1.2M for single-family homes. Most transactions here use conventional financing, and the school district is a big draw. Point Loma and Ocean Beach combine beach proximity with a more laid-back, local feel. Prices range from $1M to $2M+ depending on how close you are to the water. A mix of conventional, high-balance, and jumbo financing depending on the specific property. The bottom line is that San Diego's market is big enough and varied enough that there's no one-size-fits-all loan product. The right strategy depends on the neighborhood, the property type, and what you're trying to accomplish — not just what you can afford.
Why Work With a San Diego Mortgage Broker?
When you walk into a bank and apply for a mortgage, you get one set of rates, one set of guidelines, and one answer. If that answer is no — or if the rate isn't great — you're stuck starting over somewhere else. As a mortgage broker, I don't work for a bank. I work with over 150 wholesale lenders, and I submit your loan to whichever one gives you the best deal. That's a fundamentally different model, and in a market like San Diego, it matters.
San Diego isn't one market — it's a dozen markets stacked on top of each other. A $600K condo in City Heights, a $950K house in Clairemont, a $2.5M property in La Jolla, and a fourplex in North Park all require different loan products, different lender guidelines, and different strategies. Having access to 150+ lenders means I can match the right program to the right situation every time.
What "150+ Lenders" Actually Means for You
It's not just about getting a lower rate — though that's part of it. Different lenders have different underwriting guidelines. One lender might count your RSU income. Another won't. One might allow a higher debt-to-income ratio. Another might have better pricing on jumbo loans but stricter reserve requirements.
Here's a real example: a San Diego buyer with a base salary plus military BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing). The bank they went to first wouldn't count the BAH as qualifying income. I placed them with a wholesale lender that counts BAH at 100%, which brought their DTI into range and got them approved at a better rate than the bank was even quoting.
That's what access to 150+ lenders actually means. It's not a marketing number — it's the difference between getting approved and getting declined, or between a good rate and the best rate available for your profile.
My Pre-Approval Actually Means Something
I review your full income documentation, tax returns, bank statements, and credit report before I issue a pre-approval. I'm not just running a quick credit pull and handing you a letter. By the time you're making offers, I've already identified which lenders will approve your loan and at what terms.
In San Diego's market — where homes get multiple offers and median days on market is around 36 — the strength of your pre-approval matters. Listing agents talk to the buyer's lender. When they call me, I can speak specifically to your file because I've already done the work. That gives your offer credibility that an auto-generated pre-approval letter from an online lender simply can't match.
Your San Diego Mortgage Broker
I'm Matt Mayo, a licensed mortgage broker with United American Mortgage. I serve San Diego buyers and homeowners from my office in Southern California, with the same access to 150+ wholesale lenders and the same hands-on process I bring to every market I work in.
Whether you're a first-time buyer figuring out how to get into the market, a veteran looking to use your VA benefit, an investor building a rental portfolio, or a homeowner looking to tap equity or refinance — I'll find the right loan for your situation. Not the loan that's easiest for me to close, but the one that actually makes sense for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do I need for a down payment on a home in San Diego?
It depends on the loan type and purchase price. FHA requires 3.5% — on a $900,000 home that's about $31,500. Conventional starts at 3% for first-time buyers. VA is zero down. And if you qualify for DPA programs, your out-of-pocket can be significantly lower. On a $700,000 condo with lender-paid DPA covering the full FHA down payment, you could get in with just closing costs.
What is the FHA loan limit in San Diego County for 2026?
The 2026 FHA loan limit for San Diego County is $1,104,000 for a single-family home. That covers most of the market — even at the $930,000 median — though coastal properties can exceed this limit.
What is the conforming loan limit in San Diego County for 2026?
The 2026 conforming loan limit for San Diego County is $1,104,000. Loans up to $832,750 get the best conforming rates. Loans between $832,750 and $1,104,000 are high-balance conforming and typically require 5% minimum down.
Can I use a VA loan in San Diego?
Absolutely. San Diego is one of the largest military metros in the country — home to Naval Base San Diego, Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Camp Pendleton nearby, and multiple other installations. VA loans require zero down payment, have no monthly mortgage insurance, and with full entitlement there's no loan limit. If you've served, this should be one of the first options we look at.
What first-time buyer programs are available in San Diego?
San Diego buyers can access 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), SDHC Middle-Income program ($40,000 deferred loan + $10,000 grant), San Diego County DCCA programs, and lender-specific DPA programs through my wholesale relationships.
What's the difference between a mortgage broker and a bank?
A bank offers its own loan products with its own rates. As a mortgage broker, I shop your loan across 150+ wholesale lenders to find the best rate and program. I'm not limited to one set of guidelines — which is especially important in a market like San Diego where buyers need everything from FHA to jumbo to DSCR.
Can I buy an investment property in San Diego with a DSCR loan?
Yes. DSCR loans qualify based on the property's rental income, not your personal income or tax returns. San Diego's average rent for a one-bedroom is over $2,300/month, and multi-unit properties in neighborhoods like City Heights, Normal Heights, and North Park generate strong rental income. If the rent covers the mortgage payment, you can qualify.
How long does it take to close on a home in San Diego?
Most purchase transactions close in 21-30 days. If we're using DPA programs that require additional layers (like CalHFA or SDHC), it can take 30-45 days. I set expectations with your agent upfront so the timeline is built into the offer.
Do I need to live in San Diego to work with you?
No. I work with buyers relocating to San Diego from all over the country — military PCS moves, tech workers transferring to the Sorrento Valley corridor, remote workers choosing San Diego for lifestyle. I can do your entire pre-approval and loan process remotely.
What credit score do I need to buy a home in San Diego?
It depends on the loan type. FHA allows scores as low as 580 with 3.5% down. Conventional typically requires 620+, though 680+ gets you better pricing. VA has no official minimum, but most lenders want 580-620. For DSCR investment loans, most lenders want 660+. If your score is borderline, I can often find a lender with more flexible guidelines.
Let's talk about buying in San Diego
Take the 2-minute quiz and I'll personally review your options. No pressure, no obligation.
Book a Free Consultation