California Mortgage Rates
Current 30-year, 15-year, FHA, and jumbo mortgage rates for California borrowers. Built from Freddie Mac's Primary Mortgage Market Survey and adjusted for California's closing cost and recording fee landscape. Below: the top lenders licensed in California, a snapshot of typical home prices, and how local laws shape your closing.
Rates shown are weekly averages for California. Your individual quote will vary based on credit score, loan-to-value, and lender choice. Not a loan offer.
What it actually costs to buy in California.
Median home prices in California sit well above the national median. Most transactions land in the $700,000 to $900,000 range, with urban metros pricing higher and rural counties pricing well below. The FHFA house price index publishes a quarterly California series that is the cleanest single source for the underlying trend. On a 20% down, 30-year conventional loan at 6.66%, the payment math is the lever that moves first when prices move.
Property taxes in California run on the higher end in some counties and on the lower end in others. As a rough guide, expect annual property taxes between 0.5% and 2.0% of assessed value depending on the jurisdiction, with school and special districts adding to the bill. Your lender will escrow these taxes and roll them into the monthly payment, so the bottom-line number on your Loan Estimate is the one to compare across offers.
Recording fees and transfer taxes in California get added to your closing costs. The amount varies by county and by deed type. The CFPB-mandated Loan Estimate breaks every line item out, so you can compare two lenders apples to apples without surprises at the closing table. Title insurance, lender fees, appraisal, and escrow deposits round out the rest of the closing package.
California has a higher than average state income tax. Mortgage interest is deductible on your federal return if you itemize, and California generally follows the federal treatment for itemized deductions. Talk to a tax preparer if your loan is over the federal $750,000 cap on deductible mortgage debt.
The local rules that change your closing.
Mortgage law is mostly federal, but states control closing process, title rules, and foreclosure procedure. Knowing the four below is enough to navigate any California transaction.
Foreclosure: non-judicial
California allows non-judicial foreclosure. Lenders can move through a trustee sale without going to court, typically in 4 to 7 months. Borrowers have less runway, so early communication with the servicer matters more.
Attorney requirements at closing
California is a title state. A title or escrow company handles closing without a required attorney. You can still hire one for review, but it is not mandatory. Closing costs are typically lower than in attorney states.
Title insurance norms
Lender title insurance is required everywhere a mortgage exists, and California is no exception. Owner title insurance is optional but strongly recommended. Premiums in California are regulated and vary by purchase price. Plan on 0.3% to 0.8% of the sale price as a working estimate, and use the Loan Estimate for the exact figure before you sign.
Homestead exemption
California offers a homestead exemption that shields a portion of your primary residence equity from most unsecured creditors. The exact dollar cap and rules vary by state. This does not change your mortgage rate, but it can matter for long-term asset protection, especially for self-employed borrowers and small business owners.
Top mortgage lenders in California.
National lenders licensed in California. The CFPB recommends getting three to four quotes to compare rate and total fees before locking.
Lender lineup reflects national availability. Specific eligibility, pricing, and product mix can vary by your credit profile and California county. Not a recommendation.
California programs for first-time buyers.
California runs a state housing finance agency that offers down payment assistance (DPA), below-market fixed-rate 30-year loans, and mortgage credit certificates for first-time buyers below state-specific income limits. DPA can take the form of a grant, a forgivable second mortgage, or a low-interest deferred loan. Eligibility usually requires a homebuyer education course and a primary residence purchase.
Federal options stack on top. FHA loans require just 3.5% down with a 580 credit score. VA loans require zero down for eligible service members. USDA loans cover rural and small-town purchases with no down payment. Your lender should run all three against your file to see which prices best.
Our first-time buyer guide covers the full national playbook: FHA, VA, USDA, DreaMaker, DPA programs, and the documents you will need to apply.
Read the guideCommon questions from California buyers.
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