San Diego County Loan Programs
Conventional, government-backed, jumbo, and refinance options for San Diego County borrowers. We’re a family-run mortgage brokerage focused on helping you make confident decisions during major financial moments.
Why Loan Program Selection Matters in San Diego County
San Diego County’s real estate market spans coastal luxury homes, urban condos, suburban family properties, and investment opportunities across cities like San Diego, Chula Vista, Oceanside, Carlsbad, and Escondido. This diversity means the right loan program depends on your specific property type, financial situation, and timing.
Our approach: We don’t push you toward a single product. Instead, we explain the trade-offs between conventional, government-backed, jumbo, and refinance options so you can choose the path that makes sense for your situation. Most borrowers benefit from understanding at least two viable options before committing.
How We Help San Diego County Borrowers
Solve Lending & Realty is a family-run mortgage and real estate brokerage founded by Kiyoshi Inui and Kenji Inui. Jessica Rinaldi Inui specializes in San Diego County real estate, working with homeowners and sellers navigating complex property situations, life transitions, and timing-sensitive decisions where local experience matters.
Our role is to reduce confusion and explain real options. We believe people make better decisions when they feel informed and understood. Whether you’re a growing family, a first-time buyer, or facing a financial challenge, we provide the technical roadmap and professional buffer to navigate the California market with certainty.
Purchase Loan Programs
Financing options for buying a home in San Diego County
Conventional Loans
Standard conforming loans with 3% minimum down payment. Loan limits up to $1,104,000 in San Diego County. PMI is removable once you reach 20% equity.
FHA Loans
Government-backed financing with 3.5% down payment. Credit scores as low as 580 may qualify. 2026 San Diego County limit: $1,104,000.
VA Loans
Zero-down financing for eligible military service members, veterans, and surviving spouses. No mortgage insurance required.
Jumbo Loans
Financing above $1,104,000 for luxury and high-value properties. Non-QM portfolio options up to $6M, with amounts above roughly $4M reviewed case-by-case; larger prime jumbo amounts considered case-by-case, subject to qualification and lender guidelines.
Refinance Loan Programs
Lower your rate or access equity from your existing San Diego County property
Rate & Term Refinance
Lower your interest rate or change your loan term without taking cash out. Often used to eliminate PMI or switch from ARM to fixed-rate.
Cash-Out Refinance
Access your home equity while refinancing your existing mortgage. Common uses include home improvements, debt consolidation, or investment opportunities.
2026 San Diego County Loan Limits
Current conforming and high-balance limits for San Diego County properties
Alternative Financing Programs
If you’re self-employed, an investor, or need non-traditional documentation, these specialized programs may be a better fit than conventional loan programs:
- Non-QM Loans – Bank statement, profit & loss, asset-based qualification for self-employed borrowers
- Investor Loans – DSCR, fix-and-flip, construction, bridge, and hard money for investment properties
- Second Mortgages – HELOC and fixed second mortgages for standalone equity access
- Reverse Mortgages – HECM and proprietary reverse mortgages for borrowers age 55+
- Home Equity Investment – Non-loan equity access with no monthly payments
California-Wide Resources
Looking for statewide mortgage options beyond San Diego County? See our complete California guides:
What home loan programs are available for San Diego County buyers?
San Diego County buyers have access to conventional, FHA, VA, and jumbo loans, plus refinance, DSCR, non-QM, and medical-professional programs. The right program depends on your income type, credit, property, and down payment. Kiyoshi Inui (NMLS 1173299) can match your situation to the best fit — call (562) 262-9162.
Can I access my home’s equity in San Diego County without refinancing my first mortgage?
Yes — in San Diego County you may be able to tap equity without touching your existing first mortgage through a second mortgage, HELOC, or home equity investment, so a low first-mortgage rate stays in place. Which option fits depends on your equity, credit, income, and lender guidelines, and each has tradeoffs to weigh. Remember that borrowing against your home is secured debt, so it is not risk-free.
What is the minimum down payment to buy a home in San Diego County?
It depends on the program you choose. Some government-backed options can require little to nothing down, while others — such as jumbo financing for higher-priced San Diego County homes — typically call for more. Your minimum depends on credit, income, property type, and lender guidelines, so comparing programs before you shop helps you plan realistically.
How do I qualify for a San Diego County home loan?
Qualification depends on your income documentation, credit score, debt-to-income ratio, and property type, and requirements differ by program. Kiyoshi Inui (NMLS 1173299) reviews your full picture and identifies the program that fits your goals. Call (562) 262-9162 to review your options with no obligation and no credit pull.
Can self-employed borrowers get a home loan in San Diego County?
Yes — self-employed and other non-traditional borrowers in San Diego County have options beyond standard conventional loans, including non-QM programs that use bank statements, assets, or rental income instead of tax returns. Which one fits depends on credit, income, property type, and lender guidelines. These alternative programs typically carry higher rates than conventional financing.
Are FHA and VA loans assumable in San Diego County?
Some government-backed loans, including FHA and VA loans, may be assumable in San Diego County, meaning a qualified buyer can take over the existing mortgage and its rate with lender approval. Most conventional loans are not assumable. Whether an assumption makes sense depends on the existing balance, the buyer’s ability to cover the gap between that balance and the purchase price, and lender guidelines.
What refinance options are available in San Diego County?
San Diego County homeowners can generally choose between a rate-and-term refinance, which changes the rate or term of the existing loan, and a cash-out refinance, which replaces the loan with a larger one to access equity. The right move depends on your current rate, your equity, and your goals, and options vary by borrower and property. If keeping a low first-mortgage rate matters, a second mortgage may be worth comparing before you refinance.