Mortgage broker serving California City, CA, offering a full range of loan programs - purchases, refinancing, investment properties, FHA, VA, jumbo, DSCR, bank statement loans, down payment assistance, and more. Personalized programs for your unique situation. 40+ years California mortgage experience.
Schedule a quick 15-minute call and we'll match you to the right program and give you the best rate for your unique situation.
We as brokers shop hundreds of lenders for you. Banks offer their own limited products.
As mortgage specialists serving California City buyers, we match your unique situation to the right program.
California City provides affordable options for buyers who leverage the right loan programs.
We've spent 40+ years solving these exact challenges.
We're here to help match you with the perfect loan program for your California City purchase.
SCHEDULE FREE CONSULTATION"For over 30 years, A Good Lender has been a trusted and essential part of my family's financial journey, guiding us through more than a dozen mortgage financing transactions with professionalism, integrity and care. What sets A Good Lender apart is their reliability and ability to demystify the mortgage process."
"Rodney Roloff & The Team at A Good Lender made my house buying process a breeze. Rodney helped me to better understand the loan process and walked me through everything step by step. If your looking for a good lender. One who will help you get the best rate. I highly recommend reaching out to Rodney and his team at 'A good lender'"
"From our first home buying experience, to exploring HELOC options, and refinancing, every step we were supported with clear and accurate information. A team who's knowledgeable, prompt to respond to any questions, and who genuinely cares for their clients is a rare find in this industry."
We've simplified the mortgage maze into four clear steps. No surprises, just results.
Complete your loan application online and upload your documents. We'll review everything to make sure it's complete before submitting to our lending partners.
We submit your application to our lending partners. Their underwriters review your documents, verify your income and credit, and issue your loan approval.
Sign your final documents, get your keys, and move into your California City home. We coordinate everything to make closing day smooth and stress-free.
Finding the right home loan in California City starts with understanding your options. We've streamlined hundreds of mortgage programs into 8 clear categories for California City home buyers—covering purchase loans, refinance, commercial real estate, and specialized financing like bank statement and jumbo loans. Explore the general programs to compare down payment options and requirements, or apply now for a custom financing solution tailored to your California City property.
Whether you're buying your first condo or a $3M estate, we offer comprehensive financing solutions with 14-day closings. Explore our complete range of purchase loan programs below.
Refinance to lower your interest rate, shorten your loan term, or access home equity for renovations, debt consolidation, or investment opportunities. Explore all refinance programs below.
Finance commercial real estate, owner-occupied buildings, or business expansions. Explore all commercial financing programs below.
Finance new construction, renovations, or land purchases. Explore all construction and renovation programs below.
From condos and townhomes to multi-family buildings and unique property types. Explore all specialized property financing programs below.
We specialize in complex financing scenarios where traditional loans don't fit. Explore all niche programs below.
Access California's down payment assistance programs. Explore all DPA programs below.
Self-employed professionals, freelancers, and business owners. Explore all special income documentation programs below.
Speed & Certainty
Whether you're buying your first condo or a $3M estate, we offer comprehensive financing solutions with 14-day closings. Explore our complete range of purchase loan programs below.
Rate & Term, Cash-Out
Refinance to lower your interest rate, shorten your loan term, or access home equity for renovations, debt consolidation, or investment opportunities. Explore all refinance programs below.
SBA 504 & 7(a)
Finance commercial real estate, owner-occupied buildings, or business expansions. Explore all commercial financing programs below.
Build & Improve
Finance new construction, renovations, or land purchases. Explore all construction and renovation programs below.
Specialized Properties
From condos and townhomes to multi-family buildings and unique property types. Explore all specialized property financing programs below.
Complex Scenarios
We specialize in complex financing scenarios where traditional loans don't fit. Explore all niche programs below.
CalHFA & Local DPA
Access California's down payment assistance programs. Explore all DPA programs below.
Alternative Documentation
Self-employed professionals, freelancers, and business owners. Explore all special income documentation programs below.
Popular loan programs for California City homebuyers. Compare options and find your best fit.
| Loan Type | Down Payment | Credit Score | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| No Down Payment Program Featured | $0 (3.5% grant) | 580+ | Any buyer - grant covers FHA or Conventional down payment, forgiven after 6 payments |
| FHA | 3.5% minimum | 580+ | First-time buyers, lower credit. Limit: $832,750 |
| VA | $0 | No minimum | Veterans, active military - best 0% down option |
| Down Payment Assistance | $0 (grant covers 3-3.5%) | 640+ | First-time California City buyers, income-qualified |
| Conventional | 3% | 620+ | Good credit, faster closing than FHA |
Questions? Call (510) 589-4096 or email info@agoodlender.com
USDA loans are ideal for California City. Zero down payment for rural properties. Income limits apply.
Most California City buyers use FHA. 3.5% down payment with 580+ credit. Easiest path to homeownership.
CalHFA plus local DPA can cover full down payment in California City. Stack programs for maximum assistance.
VA loans are perfect for California City. Zero down, no PMI, and every property qualifies.
Maximum local DPA available in California City. Combine city, county, and state programs.
Every California City home qualifies for conforming financing. Best rates with good credit.
Bridge loans help California City owners transition between homes. Short-term gap financing.
California City investors use LLC financing. Entity ownership for asset protection.
USDA streamline refinance for California City. Lower your rate with minimal paperwork.
Most California City refinances use FHA streamline. No appraisal, no income docs, fast closing.
California City veterans should use VA IRRRL. Streamline your refinance with zero hassle.
Conforming refinance rates for all California City properties. Straightforward rate-and-term refi.
Cash-out refinance available for California City homeowners. Convert equity to cash for any need.
Home equity loans available in California City. Fixed rate second mortgage against equity.
Investment properties in California City use DSCR loans. Rental income drives qualification.
Rehab loans available in California City. Fix-and-flip financing covers purchase plus renovation.
Hard money available for California City deals. Fast closing for investment properties.
California City apartment buildings use multifamily financing. Commercial loan programs available.
Buy a home with zero down payment. Our lenders cover your entire down payment through grant programs. No repayment required. Available for California City buyers with qualifying income.
USDA loans are ideal for California City. Zero down payment for rural properties. Income limits apply.
CalHFA plus local DPA can cover full down payment in California City. Stack programs for maximum assistance.
Maximum local DPA available in California City. Combine city, county, and state programs.
Maximum grant assistance for California City. Elite and local programs reduce buyer costs.
Gift of equity works for California City family sales. Seller discount becomes buyer's down payment.
Co-borrower option for California City buyers. Family member can help you qualify.
Every situation is unique. The right loan program depends on your unique situation. See what works best for you.
Questions? Call (510) 589-4096 or email info@agoodlender.com
California City sits in the Mojave Desert about 100 miles north of LA in Kern County. Population is 15,002, median household income $55,410. The homeownership rate here is 59.8%, and at $275K median home price, this is one of the most affordable places in California where you can still buy a single-family home on a standard mortgage. If you're making $55-65K, you can actually qualify for a conventional loan here without stretching to the breaking point.
The school ratings are middle of the road but stable. [Lincoln](/mortgage-loans-and-refinance-in-lincoln-ca) Elementary and [Riverside](/mortgage-loans-and-refinance-in-riverside-ca) STEM Academy both pull 7s, while Mayall Street Elementary and California City High sit at 6. Not elite numbers, but here's the thing - when you're buying at $275K instead of $575K in the Central Valley proper, you've got budget left over for tutoring, extracurriculars, or private options if you need them. The small population means smaller class sizes in most schools. Families who buy here tend to be practical about the tradeoff between home affordability and school ratings.
Where you buy determines what loan product makes sense and how much house you get. Central California City runs $220K-$320K, the established core with mature trees and walkable access to services - FHA loans are common here for first-time buyers. North Edwards goes $250K-$350K, newer builds on bigger lots that attract families using conventional financing. Desert [Vista](/mortgage-loans-and-refinance-in-vista-ca) is your entry point at $180K-$280K, starter homes and investor properties where FHA 203k rehab loans can work well if you're willing to put in sweat equity. Borax sits at $200K-$300K, old mining area with character homes that sometimes need creative financing depending on condition. The price spread isn't huge, but the difference between $180K and $350K changes your down payment math completely.
Real talk - the commute situation is what keeps this place affordable. [Bakersfield](/mortgage-loans-and-refinance-in-bakersfield-ca) is 68 minutes on a decent day, [Fresno](/mortgage-loans-and-refinance-in-fresno-ca) is 164 minutes, and LA is about the same. If you're commuting daily to any major city, you'll burn out fast. But that isolation is exactly why you can buy a house here for under $300K. Edwards Air Force Base is the big employer within reasonable distance, and if you work there or at Mojave Air and Space Port, suddenly this location makes perfect sense. Remote workers and retirees are the other groups who can take advantage of these prices without the commute penalty.
Edwards Air Force Base is the anchor employer and the reason this town exists in its current form. Kern County government jobs, California City Municipal Services, and Mojave Air and Space Port provide steady public sector and aerospace work. Antelope Valley Hospital and Walmart Distribution Center add healthcare and logistics jobs to the mix. The job market isn't huge, but it's stable enough to support mortgage lending - banks will finance here because the employment base isn't going anywhere. Most buyers either work at Edwards, commute to Bakersfield, or work remotely. If you don't fit one of those categories, think hard about the job situation before you buy.
Common questions from California City homebuyers and refinance clients. Can't find your answer? Book a 15-minute call with a Senior Loan Officer.
Pre-approval typically takes 24-72 hours. Full underwriting approval takes 14-21 days. We work with lenders offering express underwriting for strong borrowers who need faster closings.
Standard documents needed: pay stubs (last 30 days), W-2s (past 2 years), tax returns (past 2 years), bank statements (past 2 months), and photo ID. Self-employed borrowers need business tax returns and P&L statements. We'll provide a complete checklist for your situation.
Typical California City closing timeline: 30-45 days from accepted offer. VA/FHA loans may take slightly longer. Cash buyers close in 7-14 days. We work to meet your timeline and coordinate with all parties to close on schedule.
You have several low down payment options in California City: Conventional (3% down), FHA (3.5% down), VA (0% for veterans), and our 6-Month Forgivable Grant Program covering your entire down payment. Many California City buyers purchase with 3.5% or less down.
Our No Money Down program offers $0 down payment for qualified California City buyers. We also offer our 6-Month Forgivable Grant (covers 3-3.5% down, forgiven after 6 months), CalHFA programs, and local first-time buyer assistance. Unlike CalHFA's 5-year requirements, our programs have no income limits and no first-time buyer requirement.
Yes! Zero-down options for California City buyers include: VA loans (eligible veterans), USDA loans (eligible rural areas), and our 6-Month Forgivable Grant Program combined with seller concessions for closing costs. Many California City families purchase with minimal upfront cash.
2026 Kern County limits: FHA $541,287, Conventional $832,750. Any loan above $832,750 is a jumbo loan. Most California City properties fall within conforming limits, maximizing your financing options.
For California City's $500,000 median price: FHA is better for credit scores under 680 or down payments under 5%—it's more forgiving on DTI ratios too. Conventional is better with 5%+ down and 700+ credit (lower PMI costs). We compare both options for your specific situation.
A denial doesn't mean you can't buy in California City. We review your denial letter, identify the specific issues (credit, DTI, income documentation), and match you with lenders who have more flexible guidelines. Common solutions include FHA loans for credit flexibility, alternative documentation, or co-borrower structures.
Credit requirements by loan type: FHA accepts 580+ (or 500 with 10% down), conventional starts at 620, VA at 620+. Our zero-down grant program works with 640+. Higher scores (720+) get better rates, but we work with borrowers across the credit spectrum.
Absolutely—first-time buyers are our specialty in California City. We guide you through the entire process, help you understand FHA vs conventional vs VA options, identify all available down payment assistance in Kern County, and structure your purchase to minimize upfront costs.
You still have options in California City. FHA loans accept credit scores as low as 580 (or 500 with 10% down). We also offer credit improvement strategies and can connect you with rapid rescoring services to boost your score before applying. Many buyers improve 20-50 points within 30 days.
As a mortgage broker, we shop your scenario across 50+ wholesale lenders to find the best pricing. Unlike retail banks that only offer their own rates, we show you side-by-side comparisons with identical terms. No junk fees or hidden charges—just transparent pricing.
You work directly with a Senior Loan Officer (15+ years average experience) from application through closing—not a call center. We have local Kern County expertise, same-day underwriting decisions, and flexibility to solve complex situations that algorithm-based lenders decline.
Closing costs in California City typically run 2-4% of the purchase price. On a $500,000 home, expect $10,000-$20,000 covering appraisal, title insurance, escrow fees, and prepaids. FHA allows sellers to contribute up to 6% toward your closing costs.
Pre-approval typically takes 24-72 hours. Full underwriting approval takes 14-21 days. We work with lenders offering express underwriting for strong borrowers who need faster closings.
You have several low down payment options in California City: Conventional (3% down), FHA (3.5% down), VA (0% for veterans), and our 6-Month Forgivable Grant Program covering your entire down payment. Many California City buyers purchase with 3.5% or less down.
A denial doesn't mean you can't buy in California City. We review your denial letter, identify the specific issues (credit, DTI, income documentation), and match you with lenders who have more flexible guidelines. Common solutions include FHA loans for credit flexibility, alternative documentation, or co-borrower structures.
As a mortgage broker, we shop your scenario across 50+ wholesale lenders to find the best pricing. Unlike retail banks that only offer their own rates, we show you side-by-side comparisons with identical terms. No junk fees or hidden charges—just transparent pricing.
You work directly with a Senior Loan Officer (15+ years average experience) from application through closing—not a call center. We have local Kern County expertise, same-day underwriting decisions, and flexibility to solve complex situations that algorithm-based lenders decline.
Closing costs in California City typically run 2-4% of the purchase price. On a $500,000 home, expect $10,000-$20,000 covering appraisal, title insurance, escrow fees, and prepaids. FHA allows sellers to contribute up to 6% toward your closing costs.
Standard documents needed: pay stubs (last 30 days), W-2s (past 2 years), tax returns (past 2 years), bank statements (past 2 months), and photo ID. Self-employed borrowers need business tax returns and P&L statements. We'll provide a complete checklist for your situation.
Typical California City closing timeline: 30-45 days from accepted offer. VA/FHA loans may take slightly longer. Cash buyers close in 7-14 days. We work to meet your timeline and coordinate with all parties to close on schedule.
Credit requirements by loan type: FHA accepts 580+ (or 500 with 10% down), conventional starts at 620, VA at 620+. Our zero-down grant program works with 640+. Higher scores (720+) get better rates, but we work with borrowers across the credit spectrum.
2026 Kern County limits: FHA $541,287, Conventional $832,750. Any loan above $832,750 is a jumbo loan. Most California City properties fall within conforming limits, maximizing your financing options.
Our No Money Down program offers $0 down payment for qualified California City buyers. We also offer our 6-Month Forgivable Grant (covers 3-3.5% down, forgiven after 6 months), CalHFA programs, and local first-time buyer assistance. Unlike CalHFA's 5-year requirements, our programs have no income limits and no first-time buyer requirement.
Yes! Zero-down options for California City buyers include: VA loans (eligible veterans), USDA loans (eligible rural areas), and our 6-Month Forgivable Grant Program combined with seller concessions for closing costs. Many California City families purchase with minimal upfront cash.
Absolutely—first-time buyers are our specialty in California City. We guide you through the entire process, help you understand FHA vs conventional vs VA options, identify all available down payment assistance in Kern County, and structure your purchase to minimize upfront costs.
You still have options in California City. FHA loans accept credit scores as low as 580 (or 500 with 10% down). We also offer credit improvement strategies and can connect you with rapid rescoring services to boost your score before applying. Many buyers improve 20-50 points within 30 days.
For California City's $500,000 median price: FHA is better for credit scores under 680 or down payments under 5%—it's more forgiving on DTI ratios too. Conventional is better with 5%+ down and 700+ credit (lower PMI costs). We compare both options for your specific situation.
The FHA loan limit in California City is $541,000 for 2025. This is well above the typical home prices in the area, which generally stay under $300,000, so FHA loans work great for most buyers here. You'll only need a 3.5% down payment with a credit score of 580 or higher.
You won't need a jumbo loan in California City since homes here typically sell for under $300,000. The conforming loan limit in Kern County is $833,000, which is nearly three times the median home price in the area. Standard conventional, FHA, VA, and USDA loans will cover virtually every property in California City.
For 2025, Kern County's loan limits are $833,000 for conforming and VA loans, and $541,000 for FHA loans. These limits are more than sufficient for California City's affordable housing market. Final 2026 limits will be announced in November 2025, though they typically don't impact buyers in budget. friendly markets like this.
Yes, VA loans are available in California City with a loan limit of $833,000, which covers all homes in the area. Veterans and active military can buy with $0 down, no monthly mortgage insurance, and competitive rates. This is an excellent option if you qualify, especially given the rural location and affordable prices.
Our No Money Down program offers $0 down payment for qualified buyers in California City. You can also access CalHFA programs offering 3% to 3.5% down payment assistance, and USDA loans are typically available in this rural area with zero down required. Kern County may offer additional local programs for first. time buyers and moderate. income households.
You can buy a home in California City with as little as $0 down using USDA, VA, or our No Money Down program. FHA loans require just 3.5% down (around $10,000 on a $280,000 home), while conventional loans typically need 3% to 5%. With homes under $300,000, even a 5% down payment is very manageable for most buyers.
You can qualify for an FHA loan in California City with a credit score as low as 580, or even 500 with 10% down. USDA loans typically require a 640 minimum, while conventional loans prefer 620 or higher. Given the affordable home prices here, many first. time buyers with modest credit can successfully purchase.
Look for a lender experienced with rural markets and USDA loans, since California City often qualifies for zero. down USDA financing. Compare rates and fees from at least three lenders, and ask about down payment assistance programs that can help with your purchase. Choose someone who responds quickly and understands the needs of budget. conscious, first. time buyers in Kern County.
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