Los Angeles Home Loans

Buying a home in LA means dealing with one of the most expensive and competitive housing markets in the country. Median home prices across the county sit north of $800,000, but that number hides enormous variation. A starter condo in the Valley might run $500K while a modest single-family in Mar Vista or Eagle Rock pushes past $1.2M without breaking a sweat. West Side neighborhoods like Santa Monica, Brentwood, and Pacific Palisades are firmly in jumbo territory — $2M+ is standard. Meanwhile, areas like Lancaster, Palmdale, and parts of Long Beach still offer entry points under the conforming limit.

The LA economy runs on entertainment, tech, healthcare, aerospace, and an enormous small-business ecosystem. That means a lot of borrowers are self-employed, commission-based, or working project gigs — exactly the kind of income that doesn’t fit neatly on a W-2.

Loan Programs Available in Los Angeles

• FHA Loans — 3.5% down, ideal for first-time buyers in the Valley, Eastside, and South LA where prices are within FHA limits
• VA Loans — Zero down for veterans and active duty. LA has a significant veteran population and multiple VA facilities
• Conventional Loans — Fixed and adjustable rate options up to the $970,800 conforming limit in LA County
• Jumbo Loans — Essential for the West Side, Pasadena, South Bay, Studio City, Sherman Oaks, and anywhere prices exceed $970,800
• Bank Statement Loans — Built for LA’s massive self-employed population: entertainment pros, freelancers, consultants, restaurant owners, and gig workers
• DSCR Investment Loans — Qualify on rental income alone for investment properties across LA County

Los Angeles Housing Market

LA’s housing market is defined by its sheer diversity. The San Fernando Valley — Encino, Woodland Hills, North Hollywood — still draws families and first-time buyers looking for more square footage than the Westside offers. DTLA’s condo market has matured significantly, attracting young professionals who want walkability. Highland Park, Atwater Village, and Silver Lake continue to appreciate as the Eastside gentrification wave holds steady. The South Bay — Manhattan Beach, Hermosa, Redondo — commands a premium for beach proximity and top-rated schools.

For buyers with incomes in entertainment, media, or tech, the income verification challenge is real. Studios pay in waves. Freelance editors, producers, and below-the-line crew often show modest tax returns despite strong earning years. The same applies to LA’s restaurant owners, real estate agents, and independent contractors. Bank statement loans exist specifically for this situation.

Investors remain active across LA County. Multi-family properties in South LA, Koreatown, and East Hollywood produce solid rental yields. ADU construction has exploded under California’s permitting reforms, and DSCR loans let investors qualify on the combined rent without documenting personal income.

Why Buyers in Los Angeles Choose 1st Nationwide

• Jumbo loan expertise — LA County’s $970,800 conforming limit still isn’t enough for much of the city. We handle jumbo loans daily, including non-warrantable condos and unique properties.
• Self-employed lending — Bank statement loans are a core part of what we do, not an afterthought. If you work in entertainment, run a business, or freelance, we know how to structure your file.
• Investor financing — DSCR loans for rental properties, multi-family, and ADU conversions. No tax returns, close in an LLC, no limit on financed properties.
• Local knowledge — We understand LA’s micro-markets. Pricing a loan in Palos Verdes is a different conversation than pricing one in Panorama City, and we approach them differently.

Get Started

Call us at (833) 350-9185 or apply online. We’ll walk through your options based on your actual situation — not a one-size-fits-all script.