El Centro FHA Loan Rates, Closing Costs & Stats

EL CENTRO, CA

FHA loans are mortgages created in the 1930's to help insulate lenders from credit risks and help promote home ownership. The Federal Housing Administration (hence, FHA) allows for lower downpayments and credit scores-- making these loans much more accessible than traditional mortgages.

FHA loans typically need just a 3.5% downpayment with credit scores of 580 or better. For credit scores between 500-579, the downpayment needs to be at least 10%.

While FHA loans make home ownership much more accessible to first-time homebuyers, they do require PMI (purchase money insurance)-- an additional insurance premium that is paid to the FHA to help cover defaults.

For additional requirements as defined by the FHA, click here.

El Centro's 51 lenders originated 510 FHA loans during 2024. The total origination value was $174,530,000, with an average FHA loan value of $342,216.

El Centro FHA Loans, 30 Year Fixed Rates

30 Year FHA mortgages in El Centro averaged 6.16% for the week of 2025-04-04, compared to the national average (all FHA variants) of 6.259% for the same period.

El Centro's average FHA mortgage closing costs are $10,741.

The average rate for the prior week (2025-03-28) was 6.45% and one month ago for the week of 2025-02-28, the average rate was 6.14%.

The average rate one year ago was 6.76%.

For refis of the same type during the week of 2025-04-04, the average rate was 6.15%.

Click on whitespace and scroll within the chart to zoom in/out. Larger bubbles equate with more originations.

El Centro FHA Loan Lenders by Rates & Fees

The below table looks at the average fees/closing costs and rates for FHA 30 Year Fixed Rate (purchase, first lien) mortgages originated by each lender at the El Centro level.

Name # of Loans 2024 Avg. 30yFix Rate 2024 Avg. Closing Costs
UNITED WHOLESALE MORTGAGE, LLC 90 6.13% $13,679
PRIMELENDING, A PLAINSCAPITAL COMPANY 55 6.35% $18,894
FREEDOM MORTGAGE CORPORATION 26 6.31% $13,250
Wallick & Volk, Inc. 26 6.22% $16,081
Equity Prime Mortgage LLC 25 6.19% $13,938
Sierra Pacific Mortgage Company, Inc. 24 6.27% $17,067
QUICKEN LOANS, LLC 22 6.07% $15,025
PENNYMAC LOAN SERVICES, LLC 21 5.96% $12,205
Paramount Residential Mortgage Group, Inc. 15 6.50% $14,124
EVERETT FINANCIAL, INC. 12 6.20% $20,754
OCMBC, INC. 10 6.50% $16,381
LOANDEPOT.COM, LLC 9 6.18% $14,847
BROKER SOLUTIONS, INC. 6 6.75% $14,053
ARK-LA-TEX FINANCIAL SERVICES, LLC. 6 6.04% $15,570
Mr. Cooper ( Nationstar Mortgage ) 5 5.98% $13,837
GUILD MORTGAGE COMPANY 4 6.28% $17,444
SUN WEST MORTGAGE COMPANY, INC. 3 6.54% $8,893
Cornerstone First Mortgage, Inc 3 6.50% $9,976
Golden Empire Mortgage, Inc. 3 6.50% $19,962
VILLAGE CAPITAL MORTGAGE 3 5.71% $15,010
Plains Commerce Bank 2 6.25% $16,715
FAIRWAY INDEPENDENT MORTGAGE CORPORATION 2 6.63% $12,505
CARDINAL FINANCIAL 2 6.63% $15,984
Loan Simple, Inc. 2 6.25% $12,639
CROSSCOUNTRY MORTGAGE, LLC 2 6.50% $15,634
POINT Mortgage 2 6.13% $12,168
ZILLOW HOME LOANS, LLC 1 6.75% $16,324
AMERICAN NEIGHBORHOOD MORTGAGE ACCEPTANCE COMPANY LLC 1 5.99% $17,520
Bank of America 1 6.38% $9,761
BAY-VALLEY MORTGAGE GROUP 1 6.63% $10,811
Carrington Mortgage Services, LLC 1 5.13% $14,177
Century Mortgage Company DBA Century Lending Company 1 6.25% $18,212
COMMUNITY MORTGAGE FUNDING, LLC 1 5.75% $14,835
First Federal Bank 1 5.88% $11,953
Flagstar Bank, FSB 1 5.38% $11,317
Franklin Loan Corporation 1 6.63% $10,633
GEO-CORP, INC. 1 6.50% $19,140
Home Mortgage Alliance Corp 1 7.75% $16,329
HOMESIDE FINANCIAL, LLC 1 5.88% $13,486
JPMorgan Chase Bank 1 5.75% $16,100
MLD MORTGAGE INC. 1 5.75% $10,269
MOUNTAIN WEST FINANCIAL, INC. 1 6.13% $12,941
MUTUAL OF OMAHA MORTGAGE, INC. 1 6.50% $10,053
NATIONS DIRECT MORTGAGE, LLC 1 5.75% $12,560
NATIONWIDE MORTGAGE BANKERS, INC. 1 6.75% $24,176
NEWREZ LLC 1 5.75% $20,188
NOVA FINANCIAL & INVESTMENT CORPORATION 1 6.75% $20,700
PHH Mortgage Corporation 1 5.63% $15,229
PLAZA HOME MORTGAGE, INC. 1 7.50% $6,045
Wells Fargo Bank 1 5.38% $17,201
AMERICAN FINANCIAL NETWORK, INC. 1 7.25% $14,358

The top El Centro FHA lender as defined by loan originations is UNITED WHOLESALE MORTGAGE, LLC, with 90 FHA loans originated. Their average total fees are $13,679, which is $5,215 lower than the next largest lender, PRIMELENDING, A PLAINSCAPITAL COMPANY.

The lowest fee El Centro FHA lenders (with over 10 loans originated) are PENNYMAC LOAN SERVICES, LLC ($12,205), FREEDOM MORTGAGE CORPORATION ($13,250), UNITED WHOLESALE MORTGAGE, LLC ($13,679), Equity Prime Mortgage LLC ($13,938) and Paramount Residential Mortgage Group, Inc. ($14,124).

The lowest rate El Centro FHA lenders (with over 10 loans originated) are PENNYMAC LOAN SERVICES, LLC (5.96%), QUICKEN LOANS, LLC (6.07%), UNITED WHOLESALE MORTGAGE, LLC (6.13%), Equity Prime Mortgage LLC (6.19%) and EVERETT FINANCIAL, INC. (6.20%).

El Centro FHA Loan Limits

Metro County Year Single Family Limit 2 Family Limit 3 Family Limit 4 Family Limit
EL CENTRO, CA IMPERIAL 2022 $420,680 $538,650 $651,050 $809,150
EL CENTRO, CA IMPERIAL 2023 $472,030 $604,400 $730,525 $907,900

Market Conditions (Median, Average Prices & Listing Count)

Realtor.com - El Centro (CBSA) retrieved from FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Date Median Listing Price (YoY Change) Average Listing Price (YoY) MSA/US Median Price Ratio Active Listings
2018-01-01 $238,700 (-4.3%) $249,643 (-0.2%) 0.00 237
2018-02-01 $239,950 (-2.5%) $248,504 (0.1%) 0.00 243
2018-03-01 $239,900 (1.5%) $244,073 (-1.7%) 0.00 242
2018-04-01 $244,950 (0.8%) $249,089 (-0.6%) 0.00 238
2018-05-01 $241,750 (-4.1%) $245,165 (-5.3%) 0.00 251
2018-06-01 $240,000 (-4.8%) $244,761 (-4.0%) 0.00 241
2018-07-01 $240,975 (-5.5%) $246,318 (-3.3%) 0.00 248
2018-08-01 $247,475 (-3.8%) $251,557 (-1.0%) 0.00 241
2018-09-01 $256,000 (0.4%) $252,601 (0.5%) 0.00 265
2018-10-01 $258,160 (2.9%) $251,016 (-0.8%) 0.00 262
2018-11-01 $249,000 (0.5%) $248,258 (-1.0%) 0.00 260
2018-12-01 $249,000 (3.8%) $247,185 (-1.7%) 0.00 242
2019-01-01 $248,000 (3.9%) $244,555 (-2.0%) 0.00 224
2019-02-01 $241,250 (0.5%) $241,688 (-2.7%) 0.00 232
2019-03-01 $241,500 (0.7%) $241,708 (-1.0%) 0.00 216
2019-04-01 $242,000 (-1.2%) $240,689 (-3.4%) 0.00 211
2019-05-01 $259,933 (7.5%) $255,069 (4.0%) 0.00 198
2019-06-01 $269,995 (12.5%) $274,995 (12.4%) 0.00 191
2019-07-01 $261,725 (8.6%) $273,732 (11.1%) 0.00 170
2019-08-01 $254,704 (2.9%) $272,460 (8.3%) 0.00 168
2019-09-01 $254,260 (-0.7%) $268,897 (6.5%) 0.00 166
2019-10-01 $253,964 (-1.6%) $266,521 (6.2%) 0.00 168
2019-11-01 $259,700 (4.3%) $278,483 (12.2%) 0.00 177
2019-12-01 $269,700 (8.3%) $284,497 (15.1%) 0.00 178
2020-01-01 $262,475 (5.8%) $271,866 (11.2%) 0.00 180
2020-02-01 $254,990 (5.7%) $270,577 (12.0%) 0.00 182
2020-03-01 $261,400 (8.2%) $274,362 (13.5%) 0.00 164
2020-04-01 $259,900 (7.4%) $273,257 (13.5%) 0.00 164
2020-05-01 $255,000 (-1.9%) $268,424 (5.2%) 0.00 141
2020-06-01 $249,950 (-7.4%) $265,199 (-3.6%) 0.00 132
2020-07-01 $250,000 (-4.5%) $266,961 (-2.5%) 0.00 115
2020-08-01 $249,900 (-1.9%) $261,151 (-4.2%) 0.00 112
2020-09-01 $239,925 (-5.6%) $254,723 (-5.3%) 0.00 112
2020-10-01 $239,900 (-5.5%) $288,578 (8.3%) 0.00 108
2020-11-01 $264,723 (1.9%) $304,545 (9.4%) 0.00 112
2020-12-01 $238,175 (-11.7%) $301,338 (5.9%) 0.00 106
2021-01-01 $239,900 (-8.6%) $314,771 (15.8%) 0.00 97
2021-02-01 $234,900 (-7.9%) $322,005 (19.0%) 0.00 70
2021-03-01 $237,200 (-9.3%) $336,158 (22.5%) 0.00 69
2021-04-01 $282,500 (8.7%) $351,280 (28.6%) 0.00 75
2021-05-01 $280,000 (9.8%) $334,692 (24.7%) 0.00 73
2021-06-01 $292,000 (16.8%) $345,539 (30.3%) 0.00 69
2021-07-01 $280,000 (12.0%) $336,701 (26.1%) 0.00 85
2021-08-01 $283,750 (13.6%) $327,634 (25.5%) 0.00 99
2021-09-01 $276,000 (15.0%) $324,671 (27.5%) 0.00 100
2021-10-01 $265,000 (10.5%) $320,808 (11.2%) 0.00 91
2021-11-01 $274,875 (3.8%) $325,575 (6.9%) 0.00 93
2021-12-01 $297,225 (24.8%) $338,165 (12.2%) 0.00 81
2022-01-01 $274,850 (14.6%) $300,571 (-4.5%) 0.00 61
2022-02-01 $289,000 (23.0%) $311,928 (-3.1%) 0.00 67
2022-03-01 $329,000 (38.7%) $336,029 (0.0%) 0.00 70
2022-04-01 $329,000 (16.5%) $335,972 (-4.4%) 0.00 79
2022-05-01 $329,000 (17.5%) $327,937 (-2.0%) 0.00 75
2022-06-01 $329,000 (12.7%) $334,826 (-3.1%) 0.00 90
2022-07-01 $359,900 (28.5%) $369,062 (9.6%) 0.00 112
2022-08-01 $359,900 (26.8%) $371,451 (13.4%) 0.00 144
2022-09-01 $359,900 (30.4%) $376,257 (15.9%) 0.00 151
2022-10-01 $350,000 (32.1%) $371,226 (15.7%) 0.00 174
2022-11-01 $342,975 (24.8%) $353,394 (8.5%) 0.00 192
2022-12-01 $335,000 (12.7%) $351,511 (4.0%) 0.00 185
2023-01-01 $344,675 (25.4%) $358,965 (19.4%) 0.00 160
2023-02-01 $349,000 (20.8%) $361,727 (16.0%) 0.00 127
2023-03-01 $345,975 (5.2%) $362,487 (7.9%) 0.00 117
2023-04-01 $354,950 (7.9%) $368,541 (9.7%) 0.00 105
2023-05-01 $359,900 (9.4%) $375,673 (14.6%) 0.00 104
2023-06-01 $359,925 (9.4%) $382,376 (14.2%) 0.00 98
2023-07-01 $359,900 (0.0%) $380,881 (3.2%) 0.00 98
2023-08-01 $359,970 (0.0%) $368,001 (-0.9%) 0.00 109
2023-09-01 $359,900 (0.0%) $368,636 (-2.0%) 0.00 108
2023-10-01 $358,675 (2.5%) $371,120 (0.0%) 0.00 121
2023-11-01 $348,000 (1.5%) $360,024 (1.9%) 0.00 124
2023-12-01 $357,450 (6.7%) $368,605 (4.9%) 0.00 112
2024-01-01 $353,750 (2.6%) $367,351 (2.3%) 0.00 103
2024-02-01 $359,900 (3.1%) $375,088 (3.7%) 0.00 115
2024-03-01 $359,900 (4.0%) $374,790 (3.4%) 0.00 99
2024-04-01 $359,900 (1.4%) $380,262 (3.2%) 0.00 104
2024-05-01 $359,900 (0.0%) $380,283 (1.2%) 0.00 112
2024-06-01 $359,900 (0.0%) $382,613 (0.1%) 0.00 104
2024-07-01 $371,500 (3.2%) $398,280 (4.6%) 0.00 108
2024-08-01 $385,000 (7.0%) $414,619 (12.7%) 0.00 117
2024-09-01 $360,975 (0.3%) $397,268 (7.8%) 0.00 127
2024-10-01 $356,175 (-0.7%) $380,033 (2.4%) 0.00 140
2024-11-01 $354,900 (2.0%) $382,189 (6.2%) 0.00 145
2024-12-01 $379,117 (6.1%) $409,040 (11.0%) 0.00 155
2025-01-01 $383,750 (8.5%) $414,966 (13.0%) 0.00 151
2025-02-01 $389,950 (8.4%) $496,783 (32.4%) 0.00 163
2025-03-01 $375,000 (4.2%) $494,130 (31.8%) 0.00 169
El Centro's median listing price for 2025-03-01 was $375,000, a difference of $15,100 (4.2%) versus the prior year and $-14,950 versus the prior month.

El Centro's median listing price comes in at 0% of the national average.

El Centro's average listing price for 2025-03-01 was $494,130, a difference of $119,340 (31.8%) versus the prior year and $-2,653 versus the prior month.

For the 2025-03-01 period, El Centro had 169 MLS listings, a difference of 6 listings (4%) versus the prior month and 70 listings (71%) versus the prior year.

Median Listing Time on Market & Square Footage

Realtor.com - El Centro (CBSA) retrieved from FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Date Median Listing Time on Market Median Square Footage
2018-01-01 0 days 1,706 sqft
2018-02-01 0 days 1,685 sqft
2018-03-01 0 days 1,690 sqft
2018-04-01 0 days 1,712 sqft
2018-05-01 0 days 1,685 sqft
2018-06-01 0 days 1,630 sqft
2018-07-01 0 days 1,618 sqft
2018-08-01 0 days 1,730 sqft
2018-09-01 0 days 1,733 sqft
2018-10-01 0 days 1,703 sqft
2018-11-01 0 days 1,669 sqft
2018-12-01 0 days 1,630 sqft
2019-01-01 0 days 1,647 sqft
2019-02-01 0 days 1,608 sqft
2019-03-01 0 days 1,573 sqft
2019-04-01 0 days 1,597 sqft
2019-05-01 0 days 1,699 sqft
2019-06-01 0 days 1,771 sqft
2019-07-01 0 days 1,705 sqft
2019-08-01 0 days 1,625 sqft
2019-09-01 0 days 1,611 sqft
2019-10-01 0 days 1,600 sqft
2019-11-01 0 days 1,631 sqft
2019-12-01 0 days 1,673 sqft
2020-01-01 0 days 1,607 sqft
2020-02-01 0 days 1,614 sqft
2020-03-01 0 days 1,661 sqft
2020-04-01 0 days 1,615 sqft
2020-05-01 0 days 1,578 sqft
2020-06-01 0 days 1,560 sqft
2020-07-01 0 days 1,576 sqft
2020-08-01 0 days 1,560 sqft
2020-09-01 0 days 1,562 sqft
2020-10-01 0 days 1,560 sqft
2020-11-01 0 days 1,688 sqft
2020-12-01 0 days 1,560 sqft
2021-01-01 0 days 1,569 sqft
2021-02-01 0 days 1,560 sqft
2021-03-01 0 days 1,560 sqft
2021-04-01 0 days 1,693 sqft
2021-05-01 0 days 1,695 sqft
2021-06-01 0 days 1,695 sqft
2021-07-01 0 days 1,695 sqft
2021-08-01 0 days 1,677 sqft
2021-09-01 0 days 1,601 sqft
2021-10-01 0 days 1,600 sqft
2021-11-01 0 days 1,592 sqft
2021-12-01 0 days 1,656 sqft
2022-01-01 0 days 1,556 sqft
2022-02-01 0 days 1,560 sqft
2022-03-01 0 days 1,570 sqft
2022-04-01 0 days 1,596 sqft
2022-05-01 0 days 1,560 sqft
2022-06-01 0 days 1,591 sqft
2022-07-01 0 days 1,690 sqft
2022-08-01 0 days 1,693 sqft
2022-09-01 0 days 1,695 sqft
2022-10-01 0 days 1,671 sqft
2022-11-01 0 days 1,596 sqft
2022-12-01 0 days 1,638 sqft
2023-01-01 0 days 1,646 sqft
2023-02-01 0 days 1,669 sqft
2023-03-01 0 days 1,694 sqft
2023-04-01 0 days 1,695 sqft
2023-05-01 0 days 1,695 sqft
2023-06-01 0 days 1,695 sqft
2023-07-01 0 days 1,695 sqft
2023-08-01 0 days 1,695 sqft
2023-09-01 0 days 1,695 sqft
2023-10-01 0 days 1,632 sqft
2023-11-01 0 days 1,562 sqft
2023-12-01 0 days 1,560 sqft
2024-01-01 0 days 1,555 sqft
2024-02-01 0 days 1,560 sqft
2024-03-01 0 days 1,600 sqft
2024-04-01 0 days 1,598 sqft
2024-05-01 0 days 1,568 sqft
2024-06-01 0 days 1,580 sqft
2024-07-01 0 days 1,628 sqft
2024-08-01 0 days 1,673 sqft
2024-09-01 0 days 1,599 sqft
2024-10-01 0 days 1,548 sqft
2024-11-01 0 days 1,485 sqft
2024-12-01 0 days 1,578 sqft
2025-01-01 0 days 1,573 sqft
2025-02-01 0 days 1,633 sqft
2025-03-01 0 days 1,563 sqft
El Centro's median listing age (time on market) for 2025-03-01 was 0 days.

El Centro's median square footage for active listings during the 2025-03-01 period was 1,563 sqft. One year prior, the average listing was 1,600 sqft.

FHA Loan Requirements

  • Borrowers must have a steady employment history or worked for the same employer for the past two years.
  • Borrowers must have a valid Social Security number, lawful residency in the U.S. and be of legal age to sign a mortgage in your state.
  • Borrowers must pay a minimum down payment of 3.5 percent. The money may be gifted by a family member. (Traditional mortgages do not permit gifted down payments)
  • New FHA loans are only available for primary residence occupancy.
  • Borrowers must have a property appraisal from a FHA-approved appraiser.
  • Borrowers’ front-end ratio (mortgage payment plus HOA fees, property taxes, mortgage insurance, homeowners insurance) needs to be less than 31 percent of their gross income, typically. You may be able to get approved with as high a percentage as 40 percent. Your lender will be required to provide justification as to why they believe the mortgage presents an acceptable risk. The lender must include any compensating factors used for loan approval.
  • Borrowers’ debt to income ratio (mortgage plus all your monthly debt, i.e., credit card payment, car payment, student loans, etc.) needs to be less than 43 percent of their gross income, typically. You may be able to get approved with as high a percentage as 50 percent.
  • Borrowers must have a minimum credit score of 580 for maximum financing with a minimum down payment of 3.5 percent.
  • Borrowers must have a minimum credit score of 500-579 for maximum LTV of 90 percent with a minimum down payment of 10 percent.
  • Bborrowers must be two years out of bankruptcy and have re-established good credit. Exceptions can be made.
  • Typically borrowers must be three years out of foreclosure and have re-established good credit.
  • The purchased property must meet certain minimum standards at appraisal. If the home you are purchasing does not meet these standards and a seller will not agree to the required repairs, your only option is to pay for the required repairs at closing (to be held in escrow until the repairs are complete).