10 Best CalHFA Mortgage Lenders of 2022
CalHFA loan programs help you purchase a home in California with down payment and closing cost assistance. See our picks for CalHFA participating lenders.
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The California Housing Finance Agency, or CalHFA, provides mortgage and assistance programs to help Californians buy their first home.
To take advantage of these loan programs, you’ll have to work with a participating loan officer. But how do you know which lender is right for you?
NerdWallet compared several of CalHFA’s participating lenders, identifying the best ones for a variety of borrower needs so you can start your mortgage search with confidence.
The California Housing Finance Agency, or CalHFA, provides mortgage and assistance programs to help Californians buy their first home.
To take advantage of these loan programs, you’ll have to work with a participating loan officer. But how do you know which lender is right for you?
NerdWallet compared several of CalHFA’s participating lenders, identifying the best ones for a variety of borrower needs so you can start your mortgage search with confidence.
Best CalHFA Mortgage Lenders
Lender | NerdWallet rating | Min. credit score | Min. down payment | Learn more |
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() Guaranteed Rate: NMLS#2611 Learn more at Guaranteed Rate | Best for online experience | 620 | 3% | Learn more at Guaranteed Rate |
![]() New American Funding: NMLS#6606 Learn more at New American Funding | Best for veterans | 500 | 0% | Learn more at New American Funding |
![]() Fairway Independent Mortgage: NMLS#2289 Learn more at Fairway Independent Mortgage | Best for nonbank | 620 | 3% | Learn more at Fairway Independent Mortgage |
![]() loanDepot: NMLS#174457 | Best for low credit | 620 | 5% | Read review |
![]() Guild Mortgage: NMLS#3274 | Best for online experience | 620 | 3% | Read review |
![]() Homebridge: NMLS#6521 | Best for low credit | 620 | 3% | Read review |
![]() Caliber: NMLS#15622 | Best for veterans | 580 | 0% | Read review |
![]() PrimeLending: NMLS#13649 | Best for fixer-uppers | 620 | 3% | Read review |
![]() Wintrust Mortgage: NMLS#449042 | Best for fixer-uppers | 620 | 3% | Read review |
![]() Alterra: NMLS#133739 | Best for nonbank | 620 | 3% | Read review |

at Guaranteed Rate
Guaranteed Rate: NMLS#2611

Min. credit score
620Min. down payment
3%at Guaranteed Rate

at New American Funding
New American Funding: NMLS#6606

Min. credit score
500Min. down payment
0%at New American Funding

at Fairway Independent Mortgage
Fairway Independent Mortgage: NMLS#2289

Min. credit score
620Min. down payment
3%at Fairway Independent Mortgage
loanDepot: NMLS#174457

Min. credit score
620Min. down payment
5%Guild Mortgage: NMLS#3274

Min. credit score
620Min. down payment
3%Homebridge: NMLS#6521

Min. credit score
620Min. down payment
3%Caliber: NMLS#15622

Min. credit score
580Min. down payment
0%PrimeLending: NMLS#13649

Min. credit score
620Min. down payment
3%Wintrust Mortgage: NMLS#449042

Min. credit score
620Min. down payment
3%Alterra: NMLS#133739

Min. credit score
620Min. down payment
3%Last updated on January 6, 2022
Methodology
To recap our selections...
NerdWallet's Best CalHFA Mortgage Lenders of 2022
- Guaranteed Rate: Best for online experience
- New American Funding: Best for veterans
- Fairway Independent Mortgage: Best for nonbank
- loanDepot: Best for low credit
- Guild Mortgage: Best for online experience
- Homebridge: Best for low credit
- Caliber: Best for veterans
- PrimeLending: Best for fixer-uppers
- Wintrust Mortgage: Best for fixer-uppers
- Alterra: Best for nonbank