Santa Cruz VA Loan Rates, Closing Costs & Stats

SANTA CRUZ-WATSONVILLE, CA

A VA loan is a mortgage loan that’s backed by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for those who have served or are presently serving in the U.S. military. The VA does not directly lend, it guarantees the loans made by private lenders to veterans, active military personnel, and qualifying military spouses.

The most obvious benefit of VA loans is that no downpayment is necessary to purchase a home. They will also typically have significantly lower fees-- meaning that if you're eligible to receive a VA loan, it will likely be the most favorable option. VA loans come in 3 varities: purchase, refinance and cash out refis.

For additional benefits of VA loans, click here.

Santa Cruz's 14 lenders originated 30 VA loans during 2023. The total origination value was $26,300,000, with an average VA loan value of $876,667.

Santa Cruz VA Loans, 30 Year Fixed Rates

30 Year VA mortgages in Santa Cruz averaged 5.94% for the week of 2024-10-11, compared to the national average (all VA variants) of 5.854% for the same period.

Santa Cruz's average VA mortgage closing costs are $9,872.

The average rate for the prior week (2024-10-04) was 6.01% and one month ago for the week of 2024-09-06, the average rate was 6.1%.

The average rate one year ago was 7.57%.

For refis of the same type during the week of 2024-10-11, the average rate was 6.38%.

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

Santa Cruz VA Loan Lenders by Rates & Fees

The below table looks at the average fees/closing costs and rates for VA 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
CROSSCOUNTRY MORTGAGE, LLC 6 6.36% $14,145
QUICKEN LOANS, LLC 5 5.70% $17,232
UNITED WHOLESALE MORTGAGE, LLC 4 6.53% $17,551
NAVY FEDERAL CREDIT UNION 2 5.63% $2,474
LOANDEPOT.COM, LLC 2 6.37% $9,291
The Federal Savings Bank 2 5.50% $20,716
MASON MCDUFFIE MORTGAGE CORPORATION 2 5.88% $35,295
Zions Bank 1 7.13% $2,457
BAY EQUITY LLC 1 6.49% $6,266
Century Mortgage Company DBA Century Lending Company 1 5.75% $36,883
GUARANTEED RATE, INC. 1 6.23% $5,278
Mortgage Research Center, LLC 1 5.75% $26,001
MOUNTAIN WEST FINANCIAL, INC. 1 6.75% $6,362
ACADEMY MORTGAGE CORPORATION 1 6.75% $73,474

The top Santa Cruz VA lender as defined by loan originations is CROSSCOUNTRY MORTGAGE, LLC, with 6 VA loans originated. Their average total fees are $14,145, which is $3,087 lower than the next largest lender, QUICKEN LOANS, LLC.

The lowest fee Santa Cruz VA lenders (with over 10 loans originated) are .

The lowest rate Santa Cruz VA lenders (with over 10 loans originated) are .

VA Loan Features

  • No down payment required
  • Negotiable and competitive interest rate.
  • Ability to finance the VA funding fee (plus reduced funding fees with a down payment of at least 5 percent and exemption for veterans receiving VA compensation).
  • VA rules limit the amount you can be charged for closing costs.
  • Closing costs are comparable with other financing types (and may be lower).
  • Closing costs may be paid by the seller.
  • No private mortgage insurance premiums are required.
  • An assumable mortgage.
  • Right to prepay your mortgage without penalty.
  • For homes inspected by VA during construction, a warranty from builder and assistance from VA to obtain cooperation of builder.
  • VA assistance to veteran borrowers in default due to temporary financial difficulty.