Home loans in Downey, California
Downey is home turf for us — our office sits on Florence Avenue, so we know this market block by block. The housing stock here is largely well-kept mid-century single-family homes, which appraise cleanly and pair nicely with both FHA and conventional financing. A lot of the buyers we sit down with are move-up families trading a starter condo for a place with a yard, and plenty of longtime owners come in to refinance once they've built real equity. Because Downey has a deep Spanish-speaking community, we also help self-employed residents and ITIN borrowers who've been told 'no' elsewhere put together a file that actually gets approved.
- Our home office is in Downey, so consultations can happen in person or over the phone.
- Strong inventory of single-family homes that work well for FHA and conventional buyers.
- Bilingual help for self-employed and ITIN borrowers who file taxes but lack a Social Security number.
- Refinance reviews for longtime owners who've built equity and want a lower rate or cash-out.
Neighborhoods
- Northeast Downey
- Orange Estates
- Rancho San Antonio
- Downtown Downey
Common questions
How much do I need for a down payment on a house in Downey?
It depends on the loan. On a Downey home near the local median, here's what the down payment usually looks like by program:
- FHA — 3.5% down (roughly $26,000 on a $740,000 price)
- Conventional — as little as 3% to 5% down for many buyers
- VA — $0 down if you or your spouse served and qualify
Down payment help exists too. We'll walk through what you actually qualify for before you make an offer — no guesses.
Can I buy in Downey with an ITIN instead of a Social Security number?
Yes. We do ITIN mortgages for buyers in Downey and the surrounding Southeast LA cities. You'll typically show tax returns or bank statements, a valid ITIN, and a steady payment history. The house-hunting part works the same as any other buyer.
What credit score do I need to get a home loan in Downey?
There's no single cutoff. FHA loans open the door for a lot of Downey buyers with mid-600s credit, and sometimes lower. If your score isn't where you want it, tell me early — a few targeted moves over a couple of months can change your rate more than people expect.
I'm self-employed in Downey. Can I still qualify?
Absolutely. Plenty of Downey business owners write off enough that their tax returns understate what they really earn. Bank-statement loans and P&L programs read your actual deposits instead, so a strong business isn't punished by smart accounting.