California Mortgage Rates Today
Current rate ranges for March 2026. Updated automatically from the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey.
Today's Rate Ranges
Understanding California Mortgage Rates
What Affects Your Rate?
- Credit score: Higher scores unlock lower rates. 740+ gets the best pricing.
- Down payment: More down = lower LTV = better rate. 20%+ eliminates PMI.
- Loan type: VA and FHA often have lower rates than conventional.
- Loan amount: Jumbo loans (above $766,550 in most CA counties) carry higher rates.
- Property type: Primary residence gets better rates than investment property.
How to Get the Best Rate
- Compare lenders: I have access to 50+ wholesale lenders to find your best option.
- Lock timing: Rates change daily. Lock when you find a rate you are comfortable with.
- Points vs. no points: Buying points (prepaid interest) can lower your rate.
- Loan program: FHA, VA, and USDA programs often offer below-market rates.
- Clean application: Complete docs and strong reserves help pricing.
California-Specific Considerations
California has some of the highest home prices in the nation, which means many buyers need jumbo loans or high-balance conforming loans. The 2026 conforming loan limit for most California counties is $766,550, with high-cost areas like Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego reaching $1,149,825.
For self-employed borrowers and real estate investors, non-QM programs like DSCR loans and bank statement loans provide alternatives to traditional income documentation. These carry higher rates but offer flexible qualification that conventional programs cannot match.
Whether you are a first-time buyer in San Luis Obispo, an investor in San Diego, or refinancing anywhere in California, I can pull current rates from multiple lenders to find your best option.
Want Your Exact Rate?
These are ranges. Let me pull a rate tailored to your specific scenario.