Santa Cruz FHA Loan Rates, Closing Costs & Stats

SANTA CRUZ-WATSONVILLE, CA

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    • 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.

    Santa Cruz's 28 lenders originated 125 FHA loans during 2023. The total origination value was $75,765,000, with an average FHA loan value of $606,120.

    Santa Cruz FHA Loans, 30 Year Fixed Rates

    30 Year FHA mortgages in Santa Cruz averaged 6.5% for the week of 2024-11-08, compared to the national average (all FHA variants) of 6.425% for the same period.

    Santa Cruz's average FHA mortgage closing costs are $15,929.

    The average rate for the prior week (2024-11-01) was 6.28% and one month ago for the week of 2024-10-04, the average rate was 5.7%.

    The average rate one year ago was 7.34%.

    For refis of the same type during the week of 2024-11-08, the average rate was 6.33%.

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

    Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz level.

    Name # of Loans 2023 Avg. 30yFix Rate 2023 Avg. Closing Costs
    UNITED WHOLESALE MORTGAGE, LLC 20 6.04% $23,080
    QUICKEN LOANS, LLC 9 6.04% $24,049
    CROSSCOUNTRY MORTGAGE, LLC 8 6.20% $23,287
    Century Mortgage Company DBA Century Lending Company 3 5.54% $30,322
    MOUNTAIN WEST FINANCIAL, INC. 3 6.75% $27,309
    AMERICAN PACIFIC MORTGAGE CORPORATION 2 7.19% $27,744
    LOANDEPOT.COM, LLC 2 5.44% $19,619
    ACADEMY MORTGAGE CORPORATION 2 7.00% $37,344
    MASON MCDUFFIE MORTGAGE CORPORATION 2 6.31% $34,031
    BAY-VALLEY MORTGAGE GROUP 2 6.19% $30,844
    Paramount Residential Mortgage Group, Inc. 2 6.19% $27,601
    GUARANTEED RATE, INC. 2 6.50% $26,562
    PENNYMAC LOAN SERVICES, LLC 1 5.63% $34,191
    PNC Bank 1 6.25% $15,426
    Prosperity Home Mortgage, LLC 1 5.75% $20,048
    RESIDENTIAL BANCORP 1 5.38% $22,984
    Wells Fargo Bank 1 6.50% $9,541
    ALAMEDA MORTGAGE CORPORATION 1 6.63% $21,977
    AMERISAVE MORTGAGE CORPORATION 1 4.88% $20,314
    BROKER SOLUTIONS, INC. 1 6.25% $16,211
    CMG MORTGAGE, INC. 1 6.63% $29,971
    EVERETT FINANCIAL, INC. 1 6.50% $27,147
    FAIRWAY INDEPENDENT MORTGAGE CORPORATION 1 6.49% $29,470
    FREEDOM MORTGAGE CORPORATION 1 7.25% $28,580
    GUARANTEED RATE AFFINITY, LLC 1 6.25% $16,618
    INTELLILOAN, INC. 1 6.50% $24,136
    INTERCAP LENDING INC. 1 6.88% $25,336
    Nations Lending Corporation 1 5.88% $29,636

    The top Santa Cruz FHA lender as defined by loan originations is UNITED WHOLESALE MORTGAGE, LLC, with 20 FHA loans originated. Their average total fees are $23,080, which is $969 lower than the next largest lender, QUICKEN LOANS, LLC.

    The lowest fee Santa Cruz FHA lenders (with over 10 loans originated) are UNITED WHOLESALE MORTGAGE, LLC ($23,080), .

    The lowest rate Santa Cruz FHA lenders (with over 10 loans originated) are UNITED WHOLESALE MORTGAGE, LLC (6.04%), .

    Santa Cruz FHA Loan Limits

    Metro County Year Single Family Limit 2 Family Limit 3 Family Limit 4 Family Limit
    SANTA CRUZ-WATSONVILLE, CA SANTA CRUZ 2022 $970,800 $1,243,050 $1,502,475 $1,867,275
    SANTA CRUZ-WATSONVILLE, CA SANTA CRUZ 2023 $1,089,300 $1,394,775 $1,685,850 $2,095,200

    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).